As Alexandria’s population surpassed 1,200 by the 1760s, the need for formal religious and burial spaces grew. Following the creation of Fairfax Parish in 1764, which included Alexandria, the construction of a new Episcopal church was undertaken. In 1773, John Carlyle helped oversee the completion of what became known as the “Church in the Woods”—later Christ Church—located on the town’s outskirts. Built in the Georgian style, it was accompanied by a burial ground from the start, reflecting colonial practice. This churchyard served as a major burial ground for Alexandria until 1809, when in-town burials were banned.
