The Bronx’s Hidden Treasures: Church Celebrates Legacy Of Bronx Notables
When people talk about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, it’s a safe bet the South Bronx and St. Ann’s Episcopal Church probably don’t enter the conversation. But perhaps they should be included.
“You have two of the founding fathers of the country that are buried here,” explained Bronx Borough Historian Lloyd Ultan.
Gouverneur and Lewis Morris, brothers, were little-known founding fathers of the country, who were born in the Bronx and buried in the borough at St. Ann’s.
“Lewis Morris was one of the revolutionary leading forces in this area and he went to the Continental Congress, and as a member of the Continental Congress, he signed the Declaration of Independence,” said Ultan.
Lewis’ half brother, Gouverneur, played an historic role, as well.
“Gouverneur Morris was one of the principal framers of the Constitution of the United States,” explained Ultan. “He was given the task of writing the Constitution in some sort of literary style. So it is written in his style and therefore he is called the pen-man of the Constitution.”
Gouverneur Morris is buried in a tomb on St. Ann’s property. Lewis is buried in a crypt under the church. Several other prominent Morris family members are buried here. Historians say Gouverneur’s wife was famous, too. Ann Cary Randolf Morris was a direct descendant of Pocahontas and she was a quite feisty woman for her day.
The family built the church in 1841 as a shrine to honor their legacy, and the hidden treasure is the oldest functioning church in the Bronx.
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