Near Lexington in Rockbridge County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

New Monmouth Church and Morrison’s Birthplace

Photographed By Dan Fisher, June 20, 2010

1. New Monmouth Church and Morrison's Birthplace Marker

Inscription. This is the site of the first church, built 1746. Just northeast was the birthplace of William McCutchan Morrison, born, 1867, died, 1918. A missionary to the Belgian Congo, he translated the Bible into native languages and exposed conditions there. Buried at Luebo, Congo.

Erected 1936 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number L-8.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1746.

Location. 37° 48.502′ N, 79° 28.399′ W. Marker is near Lexington, Virginia, in Rockbridge County. Marker is at the intersection of West Midland Trail (U.S. 60) and Beatty Hollow (Virginia Route 669), on the right when traveling west on West Midland Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington VA 24450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jane Todd Crawford (within shouting distance of this marker); New Monmouth Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Hall Academy Ruins (approx. 1.6 miles away); Liberty Hall Academy

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(approx. 1.7 miles away); Founding of Kappa Alpha Order (approx. 1.9 miles away); Omicron Delta Kappa (approx. 2.1 miles away); Historic Lexington Train Station (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bell, 1890 (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Regarding New Monmouth Church and Morrison’s Birthplace. New Monmouth Church is one of 445 American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Sites registered between 1973 and 2003 by the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS), headquartered in Philadelphia. Approved sites received a metal plaque featuring John Calvin’s seal and the site’s registry number (PHS marker location unknown).

The following text is taken from the Presbyterian Historical Society website:
Organized as the Forks of James Meeting House in 1746, this congregation experienced several name changes: Hall's Meeting House (1768), Monmouth Presbyterian Church (1789), and finally New Monmouth Presbyterian Church when it moved to its present site (1853). The congregation erected the current building in 1883. Mother of the Lexington Presbyterian Church, New Monmouth was also the home church

US Rt 60 & Beatty Hollow (facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dan Fisher, June 20, 2010

2. US Rt 60 & Beatty Hollow (facing west)

of Dr. William McCutchen Morrison, missionary to the Congo who championed the cause of the Congolese against the atrocities of the Belgians. Dr. Frank Wilson Price, missionary to China and moderator of the PCUS General Assembly (1953), served as pastor of New Monmouth from 1953-1955.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 813 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.