Rev. Stephen Merritt as portrayed by a student from the Immaculate Conception School of Jamaica Estates, NY.
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. I am Reverend Stephen Merritt, a wealthy New Yorker, and also an Undertaker and a Man of God. I bought up much of the land in Maple Grove, because the needy people of the missions in the city were too poor to afford their own cemetery plots. I buried the most famous of people, such as President Ulysses S. Grant in Manhattan, as well as poor souls here like Thomas Winn (the Buccaneer) and Delia Loughlin (The Bluebird of Mulberry Bend), and even Julia the Dog. My life changed when I met Samuel Morris, an African boy once called Kaboo. This "Angel in Ebony" taught me about the Holy Spirit and how to share my wealth with those less fortunate. I spent my days searching the missions and hospitals for those who needed help. I tried to heal those I could and spread the word of God amongst them to give them Hope. This angel was placed here to honor me, even though I am not one of Maple Grove's residents. This angel is a symbol of peace, love and serenity that overlooks all corners of Maple Grove.
Presented May 22, 2004 by The Richmond Hill Historical Society, Maple Grove Cemetery, and The Immaculate Conception School of Jamaica Estates, NY (Dr. Charlene Jaffie, principal).
Copyright © 2004 Carl Ballenas & Nancy Cataldi.
No claim to Old Kew Gardens [.com] color photograph.
No claim to Old Kew Gardens [.com] color photograph.
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