Volunteers at Old St. Luke’s Church recently made a new discovery within its 18th century grounds.
The Scott Township burial yard is filled with prominent early settlers — many of whom played leading roles in the region’s formative struggles. But one particular grave marks the life of a Revolutionary War veteran who also served in the French and Indian War while claiming direct lineage from the 1620 Mayflower voyage that supplied the continent’s first permanent European settlers.
Keith Kammenzind, a Mayflower descendant and amateur genealogist who earlier this year discovered the grave of Daniel South at Old St. Luke’s, stresses this is an unusual find.
“This is a pretty unique set of circumstances for somebody to be a veteran of those two wars, and also be directly descended from the Mayflower,” says Keith Kammenzind, western colony governor for the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Kammenzind grew up in nearby Green Tree, and recalls childhood trips to the church grounds with his historically-attuned parents. Only during a recent trip, though, did he dig into the lives of those buried here and discover South’s unique historical standing.
“If it were left up to us at old St. Luke’s, we never would have heard about this,” says board member Bob Carlson. “We are truly grateful to the work and support of Keith and the Mayflower Society.”
Old St. Luke’s was founded in 1765 in the immediate aftermath of the French and Indian War and held regular services for the South Hills community through the 1930s. After decades of neglect, a group of volunteers formed a non-profit entity to preserve the building, grounds and history for future generations.
“Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation played a major role in guiding the early plans of the saviours of Old St. Luke’s,” says Mary Lu Denny, Director of Membership Services of the foundation. “Jamie Van Trump and Arthur Ziegler, co-founders of Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, along with Vinnie Ziegler, Arthur’s mother, recognized the significance of Old St. Luke’s and the burial ground. They worked with church committees to formulate, raise funds for, and complete projects in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Landmarks remains committed to Old St. Luke’s Church and Burial Grounds to this day.”
The board, in conjunction with the Mayflower Society, is planning two days of activities on Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, to commemorate Daniel South’s grave and promote the region’s rich history. South’s weather-beaten grave stone will be replaced with a new hand-sculpted granite marker that will include the Mayflower insignia.
Carlson says commemorating South’s grave falls right in line with the original intentions of Old St. Luke’s foundation and committees. “Our mission is to perpetuate and expand interest in the amazing history of Western Pennsylvania and the long reach of the immigrants and other people who moved westward from such places as the Mayflower passengers’ first landings in Massachusetts.”
For schedule of events and details please go to the Mayflower Society’s website. Additional details will be released soon.