Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Edward & Stephen Hempstead Graves

American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Site

Edward Hempstead Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 21, 2012

1. Edward Hempstead Marker

Inscription.

Son of Stephen & Mary Hempstead
Born at New London, Conn.
June 3, 1780
Died at St. Louis
Aug. 10, 1817.
—————
First delegate to Congress from
the Territory of Missouri 1812

————————
Stephen Hempstead
Revolutionary Soldier
Placed by
St. Louis Chapter
D.A.R.
April 1938

American Presbyterian and
Reformed Historical Site
No. 432
registered by the
Presbyterian Historical Society

Erected by Daughters of the American Revolution; Presbyterian Historical Society. (Marker Number 432.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites, and the Daughters of the American Revolution series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1938.

Location. 38° 41.816′ N, 90° 13.751′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Bellefontaine Cemetery. Marker can be reached from West Florissant Avenue. Monument is in Bellefontaine Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4947 West Florissant Avenue, Saint Louis MO 63115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Mason Peck (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rev. John R. Anderson (about 400 feet away); John B. Meachum (about 400 feet away); William Clark Monument (about 500 feet away); Charles Galloway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dred Scott Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); Charlotte Taylor Blow Charless (approx. ¼ mile away); Samuel Hawken (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

More about this marker. Monument location is designated by the Red #17 marker along the cemetery drive.

Regarding Edward & Stephen Hempstead Graves. The Stephen Hempstead Grave Site is one of 445 American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Sites registered between 1973 and 2003 by the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS), headquartered in Philadelphia. Approved sites received a metal plaque featuring John Calvin’s seal and the site’s registry number (PHS marker location unknown).

The following text is taken from the Presbyterian Historical Society website:

Stephen Hempstead, known as the “father of the Presbyterian Church west of the Mississippi,” was a New Englander and veteran of the Revolution. In 1811, he moved his family west to St. Louis. He undertook to establish regular
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 21, 2012

2. Edward Hempstead Marker
worship in the frontier town, campaigning to bring ministers to Missouri. In 1816, Rev. Salmon Giddings arrived in St. Louis, sent by the Missionary Society of Connecticut to preach and plant churches. In November 1817, Giddings organized First Presbyterian Church, the first Protestant church in St. Louis. Hempstead was one of nine charter members, and as an elder and trustee, he remained active in the church until his death at age 77. Hempstead was buried in a family plot on his farm, which later became part of the 314-acre Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Also see . . .
1. Edward Hempstead Congressional Bio. (Submitted on December 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis MO. (Submitted on December 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Stephen Hempstead Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 21, 2012

3. Stephen Hempstead Marker

Presbyterian Historical Society Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 21, 2012

4. Presbyterian Historical Society Marker

On base of Edward Hempstead monument

Edward and Stephen Hempstead Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 21, 2012

5. Edward and Stephen Hempstead Markers

Hempstead Family Plot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 21, 2012

6. Hempstead Family Plot

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 591 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.