--- title: "Benedict Arnold’s crypt is now a kindergarten classroom" description: "The crypt below St. Mary's of Battersea, a Georgian-era stone church overlooking the River Thames in London, is a quiet place, a world away from London's bustling streets. St. Mary's Sunday school is held in the basement level; during the…" date: "2018-04-02" modified: "2020-10-21" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/benedict-arnolds-crypt-now-kindergarten-classroom/" categories: - "History" - "Revolutionary War" - "War History" --- # Benedict Arnold’s crypt is now a kindergarten classroom ![]() The crypt below St. Mary's of Battersea, a Georgian-era stone church overlooking the River Thames in London, is a quiet place, a world away from London's bustling streets. St. Mary's Sunday school is held in the basement level; during the week, it's rented by a private kindergarten. --- ![]() *(photo courtesy of Military History Travel)* The low ceiling in places may feel cramped, but the crypt has all the adornments of the average kindergarten classrooms: desks, drawings, and a fish tank. But one thing this classroom has that others don't: the body of Benedict Arnold, America's most notorious traitor. ![]() *(photo courtesy of Military History Travel)* His headstone reads: "Benedict Arnold, 1741-1801, Sometime general in the army of George Washington. The two nations whom he served in turn in the years of their enmity have united in enduring friendship." It was donated in 2004 by an anonymous patron who felt Arnold deserved credit for his efforts during the American Revolution. ![]() *(photo courtesy of Military History Travel)* The church also has a stained glass window dedicated to Arnold. The window was donated (also anonymously) during the American bicentennial in 1976. ![]() *(photo courtesy of Military History Travel)* ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()