Muhlenberg Park

Muhlenberg Park

NPS / Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Public Transit

John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg (1746-1807) was a clergyman, soldier, and statesman best known for his involvement in the American Revolution.
Muhlenberg fought in many major battles of the American Revolution and retired from the Army as a General. He had been a pastor when the war began, serving both Lutheran and Episcopal congregations. When he decided to become a soldier, he told his parishioners: "in the language of Holy Writ there is a time for all things... there is a time to pray and a time to fight... and that time has now come." Three hundred men from his congregations joined the Army.

Cost: $59, 430
Dedicated: October 26, 1980
Sculptor: Caroline Muhlenberg Hufford
Architect: John F. Harbeson

Memorial Description

The memorial consists of a bronze bust on a limestone pedestal located in a plaza surrounded by a low wall on which are bronze plaques highlighting the three phases of Muhlenberg's career: soldier, clergyman and statesman. 

Inscriptions

pedestal
John Peter/ Gabriel / Muhlenberg / 1746-1807

(star here)
Serving / His Church / His Country / His State 

Wall, front
In Gratitude / to / John F. Harbeson. FAIA 

Architect
A listing of the principal donors to the memorial is given in the south side entrance to the Narthex of St. Paul's Lutheran Church

Wall, plaque
STATESMAN
Returned from military service to Woodstock, Virginia 1783
Received land grant of 11,662 acres in Ohio River Valley
"In Consideration of Seven Years Service as Brigadier General in the Virginia Continental Line"
Founder - Member of the Society of the Cincinnati
Elected Vice President of Pennsylvania 1787
Elected to First National House of Representatives 1788
Re-elected Third Congress 1791-1795, Sixth Congress 1799-1801
Elected to United States Senate 1801
Served as Collector of Customs, Port of Philadelphia 1801-1807
Died October 1, 1807 at Age 61

Wall, plaque
SOLDIER
Commissioned Colonel of Virginia Militia 1775
Commanded Eighth Virginia Regiment
Which Became the "German Regiment" of the Continental Army
Fought at Charleston and Philadelphia
Promoted to Brigadier General 1777
Wintered with his Troops at Valley Forge 1777-1778
Fought at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and Stony Point
Member, Royal Arch Masonic Lodge, Philadelphia 1779
Named Commander of All Forces in Virginia 1780
Fought at Portsmouth and Yorktown
Promoted to Major General 1783
Retired November 3, 1783

Wall, plaque
CLERGYMAN
John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg
Born at Trappe, Pennsylvania October 1, 1746
Eldest Son of Anna and Henry Melchior Muhlenberg
Attended University of Halle Germany 1763
Ordained Lutheran Minister 1768
Pastor Lutheran Churches New Jersey
Married to Anna Meyer 1770
Ordained Episcopal Minister 1772
Pastor Lutheran and Episcopal Churches Woodstock, VA 1772
Preached His "Time to Pray, Time to Fight" Sermon 1776
And Recruited a Regiment from Virginia
He was the "Fighting Parson of the American Revolution"