Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church

Church History Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, June 2, 2008

1. Church History Sign

Inscription. December, 1770 - A congregation of German-Swiss refugees organized The First German Reformed Church in Elizabeth Town, Canageschik, Fredrich County, Province of Mereland. The first pastor was Jacob Weimer. Land was acquired from Jonathan Hager, Jr. subject to ground rent for 75 years. The cornerstone was laid August 10, 1774.

December 6, 1775 - Captain Jonathan Hager, Sr. died from an accident resulting from fallen timbers while helping to build the church.

1785 - The church bells were cast in Holland containing several metals including silver.

Captain Wilhelm Heyser, builder of the church, led a company of Germans in the American Revolution. Guns, powder, tomahawks, grain, and blankets collected here were sent by wagon to General Washington. Eleven patriots of the American Revolution are buried in the church yard.

July, 1863 - General George Custer used the bell tower as a signal post after the Battle of Gettysburg.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1863.

Location. 39° 38.705′ N,

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77° 43.08′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of North Potomac Street and Church Street, on the right when traveling south on North Potomac Street. Located at the north entrance to the Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 North Potomac Street, Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region

and in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jonathan Hager (within shouting distance of this marker); Retreat from Gettysburg (within shouting distance of this marker); The Harmon Hotel (about 700 feet away); Ransom of Hagerstown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washington County Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Washington County Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bloom Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Margaret Greenawalt Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Military Occupation (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

Church co-founded by Jonathan Hager image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, June 2, 2008

2. Church co-founded by Jonathan Hager

Church Graveyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009

3. Church Graveyard

Locations of the Revolutionary War veterans are marked with DAR symbols.

Church Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 5, 2009

4. Church Tower

The bell tower was rebuilt after the Civil War. However, the one from which General Custer observed Confederate movements stood in the place where the current tower stands.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,487 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on July 12, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.