KING'S CHAPEL
  • King's Chapel from Home
    • January Environmental Compassion Month
    • Worship from Home >
      • Past Virtual Services
    • Music from Home
    • History from Home
    • Community from Home >
      • Voter Action Initiative
      • Anti-Racism Resources
    • Stewardship & Giving
  • About Us
    • Welcome
    • Calendar
    • News & Updates >
      • Weekly Newsletter
      • Messages from the Ministers
      • King's Chapel Updates
    • Clergy & Staff
    • Contact Us & Directions >
      • Send A Message
  • Worship
    • What to Expect
    • Sunday at 9 AM
    • Sunday at 11 AM
    • Wednesday at 5:30 PM
    • Sermons
    • Special Annual Services
    • Book of Common Prayer
  • Music
    • Virtual Musical Events
    • From The Bench: A Musical Blog
    • Tuesday Recitals
    • Concert Series
  • History & Tours
    • Explore Our History >
      • A Brief History
      • The Stone Chapel: Art & Architecture >
        • The Wooden Chapel
        • Georgian Architecture
        • Box Pews
        • Interior Colors
        • Memorials
        • The Chancel Windows
        • The Last Supper Painting
      • Crypt and Burying Ground >
        • Crypt >
          • Crypt Highlights: Crypt Entrance
          • Crypt Highlights: Tomb Structure
          • Crypt Highlights: The Stranger's Tomb
          • Crypt Highlights: Research and Family Connections
          • Crypt Highlights: Remaining Memorials
          • Crypt Highlights: Hand-Hewn Beams
        • Burying Ground
      • Religious History >
        • Online Exhibit: Independent Country, Independent Church
        • 334 Years of Ministry
      • Slavery at King's Chapel
      • Literary King's Chapel: Online Exhibit
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Virtual History Events & Programs >
      • Recorded History Programs
      • Past Events & Programs
    • History Program Blog
    • About Us >
      • History Program Staff
      • Contact Us
    • Support the History Program
  • Get Involved
    • Adult Education
    • Children & Youth
    • Serve the Church
    • Serve the World
    • Make a Gift
    • Join King's Chapel
    • Ways To Support Our Partners
  • Weddings & Baptisms
    • Weddings >
      • Dear Prospective Couple
      • Wedding Inquiry
      • Wedding Service
    • Baptisms
  • Space Rentals
  • For Members
    • KC Bylaws
    • 2020 - 2021 Church Leadership
    • Environmental Action Initiative Meeting Minutes
    • 2020 Annual Meeting Recording
    • Annual Meeting Materials 2020
  • Leadership Retreat Materials 2020

Tomb Structure

Picture
The crypt beneath King’s Chapel contains twenty-one tombs, and all but one were owned by families. There are ten tombs on either wall running the length of the chapel, each containing the remains of tomb owners and their family members. One larger tomb opposite to the crypt entrance is called the Stranger’s Tomb that was used for those who could not afford a burial and other “strangers” to the church.

Due to the fact that owning a tomb in the crypt was expensive, these spaces enabled families to exhibit their social and economic influence even in death. Despite the inherent display of wealth behind a tomb, they were all similarly and modestly constructed. There was little need for elaborate structural design, as simply owning a tomb in the King’s Chapel crypt was more than enough for most families.

Each tomb is a fully-enclosed brick structure with a vaulted ceiling, although, at the time of the crypt’s construction and use, the entrances had doors so remains could easily be interred. The tombs are shaped like sections of tunnel, resembling mailboxes with their arched roofs. On the interior, they extend back to the outer stone wall of the chapel and deep enough that a few steps lead down to their floors.  Most of the tombs are estimated to contain ten to fifteen stacked coffins along the inside walls. While some of the tombs once displayed memorials over the entrances, the lack of decoration and overall simplicity of the tombs within the crypt was not uncommon. People did not generally visit the remains of their families in the crypt. Since the crypt was seen only as a place to bury the dead, families would have displayed memorials above in the Sanctuary rather down in the crypt to remember departed loved ones.

Return to the History Homepage.
Return to "Crypt" page.
King's Chapel
Est. 1686
​
In the love of truth, and the spirit of Jesus Christ, we unite for the worship of God
​and the service of all​.
Vertical Divider
​Follow Us On Social Media
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Vertical Divider
​Join Our Email List
Subscribe
 www.kings-chapel.org |  58 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02108  |  617-227-2155 
Picture
  • King's Chapel from Home
    • January Environmental Compassion Month
    • Worship from Home >
      • Past Virtual Services
    • Music from Home
    • History from Home
    • Community from Home >
      • Voter Action Initiative
      • Anti-Racism Resources
    • Stewardship & Giving
  • About Us
    • Welcome
    • Calendar
    • News & Updates >
      • Weekly Newsletter
      • Messages from the Ministers
      • King's Chapel Updates
    • Clergy & Staff
    • Contact Us & Directions >
      • Send A Message
  • Worship
    • What to Expect
    • Sunday at 9 AM
    • Sunday at 11 AM
    • Wednesday at 5:30 PM
    • Sermons
    • Special Annual Services
    • Book of Common Prayer
  • Music
    • Virtual Musical Events
    • From The Bench: A Musical Blog
    • Tuesday Recitals
    • Concert Series
  • History & Tours
    • Explore Our History >
      • A Brief History
      • The Stone Chapel: Art & Architecture >
        • The Wooden Chapel
        • Georgian Architecture
        • Box Pews
        • Interior Colors
        • Memorials
        • The Chancel Windows
        • The Last Supper Painting
      • Crypt and Burying Ground >
        • Crypt >
          • Crypt Highlights: Crypt Entrance
          • Crypt Highlights: Tomb Structure
          • Crypt Highlights: The Stranger's Tomb
          • Crypt Highlights: Research and Family Connections
          • Crypt Highlights: Remaining Memorials
          • Crypt Highlights: Hand-Hewn Beams
        • Burying Ground
      • Religious History >
        • Online Exhibit: Independent Country, Independent Church
        • 334 Years of Ministry
      • Slavery at King's Chapel
      • Literary King's Chapel: Online Exhibit
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Virtual History Events & Programs >
      • Recorded History Programs
      • Past Events & Programs
    • History Program Blog
    • About Us >
      • History Program Staff
      • Contact Us
    • Support the History Program
  • Get Involved
    • Adult Education
    • Children & Youth
    • Serve the Church
    • Serve the World
    • Make a Gift
    • Join King's Chapel
    • Ways To Support Our Partners
  • Weddings & Baptisms
    • Weddings >
      • Dear Prospective Couple
      • Wedding Inquiry
      • Wedding Service
    • Baptisms
  • Space Rentals
  • For Members
    • KC Bylaws
    • 2020 - 2021 Church Leadership
    • Environmental Action Initiative Meeting Minutes
    • 2020 Annual Meeting Recording
    • Annual Meeting Materials 2020
  • Leadership Retreat Materials 2020