Emporia, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Bishop William McKendree

By Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

1. Bishop William McKendree Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

William McKendree was born in King William County in 1757. He soon moved with his family to present-day Greensville County, and later served in the Revolutionary War. In 1786, the county licensed him to keep a tavern at his house (12 miles south). The next year, transformed by the Second Great Awakening, McKendree entered the Methodist ministry as a circuit rider. In 1790, Francis Asbury ordained him Deacon. McKendree became presiding elder in the Western Conference extending from western Virginia to Illinois in 1800. In 1808, he became the first native-born American elected Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal (now United Methodist) Church. He died on 5 March 1835.

Erected 1995 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number UM-43.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Francis Asbury, Traveling Methodist Preacher series list.

Location. 36° 40.954′ N, 77°

South Main Street (facing south) image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, May 9, 2009

2. South Main Street (facing south)

32.676′ W. Marker is in Emporia, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street (U.S. 301) and Greensville Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Emporia VA 23847, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. General Edward E. Goodwyn (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Village View (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Village View (about 600 feet away); Gordon Linwood Vincent (about 600 feet away); Early Masonic Lodges (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grave of Gen. John R. Chambliss, Jr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans of the 1914-1918 World War I (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Soldiers of Greensville County (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emporia.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 766 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.