Rockingham County Virginia Tombstones by Cemetery

CemeteryHarrisonburg Methodist Church Cemetery
LocationHarrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia. Corner of So. High and W. Water Sts., Harrisonburg, Virginia. The church was originally Methodist, then Brethren and now Mennonite. The marker, with 23 names on it, is on the North front end of the existing Community Mennonite Church by the steps that lead to downstairs. Note: On Oct 27, 2024 the contents of the crypt with the 23 names were moved to Woodbine Cemetery at the corner of Ott and West Market St. The Daily News Record of Oct 28 described the ceremony.
NotesThe marker has 23 names that are listed as grave 001 thru 023. It only lists the names. All dates, ages, remarks and graves 024 thru 027 are taken from J. Robert Swank's records of 1967 and from a paper titled "The Old Methodist Burial Ground" located in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society files. When the church was enlarged the next of kin moved their relatives to other cemeteries and the remaining burials were put into one grave with the above marker. Mr. Swank noted "Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Rodgers of KY told me 5/4/2024 at monument that his grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Rodgers were buried in the Methodist Church Cemetery on High St. His father, Nevelle Gordon, was buried out in Dayton during Civil War. The home stood where the Schrum Brickyard later was located." Notes from the paper "The Old Methodist Burial Ground" (no indication who wrote this) are as follow: On the Southwest corner of the square, according to the original plat of the town, Lot No. 12, containing one acre, (this site now being occupied by (the Church of the Brethren) was deeded in 1789 by Robert & Rebecca Harrison to David Harner, Jeremiah Ragan, Richard Ragan, John Hicks, James Mitchell, John Harrison, & Joseph Denny, Trustees of the Methodist Meeting House. Upon this lot, and built of logs, was the first school in Harrisonburg; used also & being the first Methodist Church in Rockingham County, being completed for use in 1794. Previous to this, services were held in the open air & in private residences. Later on - March 10, 1805, a larger and more commodious building was projected, & by August 10, 1806, was completed & ready for use; at which time Bishop Asbury was present and preached the first sermon. He makes mention of the occasion in his journal, giving the size as being, 40x48; also saying the building would hold from 1,600 to 1,800 (a rather large estimate, and showing that it is easy for wise men to be mistaken). Under the shadows of this dear old church was what, perhaps, may be said to be the first burial ground cemetery in Harrisonburg, there were private burial grounds in those early days in the town. Much Methodist history centers around this place and some of the great men of Methodism preached from its high pulpit. Here Bishop Asbury held Conference in 1809; Bishop McKendree being present also, and Christopher Frye, the preacher in charge and host to the conference used for fairs etc. and as a drilling place for military companies. On Sunday, Sept. 19, 1865, it fell with a tremendous crash which startled the town and scared the boys who had gathered there for their usual Sunday feats of daring, climbing and general gymnastics. But the old church was king even until the last and with its dying groans warned the boys of their danger in time for them to get away. Note: On Oct 27, 2024 the contents of the crypt with the 23 names were moved to Woodbine Cemetery at the corner of Ott and West Market St. The Daily News Record of Oct 28 described the ceremony.
Survey Date and Recorder21 Feb 2025
Bob & Lois Emswiler

Cemetery Index

Surname Index

Surnames are sorted by section / plot / row / grave - only sections and rows are shown

SectionRowSurnameGiven Name & MIBirth DateDeath DateHeadstone NotesRemarks
HarrisonThomasNo visible marker. Note: An article from an unkown newspaper or date and written by W.S. Pallis? - stated; Thomas, founder of the town, was probably buried here but if so his grave has no legible inscriptions.
001MooreMary12 Oct 2024Aged 73rd yrw/Reuben
001GilkesonMary22 Feb 202531 May 2024Born in Augusta County, VA
001RohrDeborah1 Sep 20245 Nov 2024Aged 65 yrsw/Jacob
001JonesGelia A.15 Sep 202426 Jun 2024w/Robert
001SweckerMariah2 Jun 2024Aged 22y 6m 3dw/William; Mariah E.
001SmithPolly11 Apr 202419 Nov 2024w/Abraham
001RutherfordSibald10 Sep 2024Aged 58 yr
001RutherfordJane2 Aug 2024Aged 64 yr
001HarrisonReuben15 Aug 2024Aged 86 yrNote: An article from an unkown newspaper or date and written by W.S. Pallis? - stated; born 1752 died 1840, Soldier of the Revolution and one of the proprietors of the town after father 'Thomas' death in 1785.
001MathewsAgnes23 Feb 20257 May 2024w/Solomon
001HarrisonMelvina3 Feb 202512 Nov 2024
001HarrisonJenetta21 Nov 20243 Mar 2025
001HerronCatherine5 Oct 2024Aged 26y 11m 5d
001KindelMargaret A.22 Oct 202428 May 2024 (?)
001KindelPerry H.26 Dec 2024 (?)6 Jun 2024
001BakerNancy17 Dec 202431 Jul 2024
001MooreReuben20 Nov 2024Aged 66th yr
001RodgersGordon19 Nov 2024Aged 70 yr
001IrickMargaret17 Nov 202424 Dec 2024w/Peter
001JonesAlemono E.
001JonesRobert E.
001HalMary Jane
001SpottswoodIda H.
001CravensJoseph8 Feb 2025(?)Aged 1y 5m 18dNot on stone - recorded by Swank in 1967; s/Joseph & Mary
001RodgersMrs. GordonIn 1967 Swank recorded "his wife also buried here"
001HarrisonMary3 Jul 20245 Apr 2024Not on stone - recorded by Swank in 1967; w/Reuben. Note: An article from an unkown newspaper or date and written by W.S. Pallis? - stated; Mary Matthews Harrison 1772 - 1854 daughter of Solomon Matthews.
001WhartmannLaurence11 Apr 2024Aged 66 yrs; Released from all his cares & woes He rests in calm and sweet repose.Not on stone - recorded in paper "Old Methodist Burial Ground". Note: An article from an unkown newspaper or date and written by W.S. Pallis? - stated; Laurence Wartmann was born 1772, died 1840 - the German printer who in 1822 began publishing the Rockingham Register in a building that stood upon the lot now occupied by Hawkins Hardware store.

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