Rutherford College in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church

— R.C. Settled 1852 —

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 17, 2024

1. Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. The main sanctuary structure was built from native stone in 1930 utilizing traditional Gothic design. Named for Dr. Robert Leban Abernethy, founder of Rutherford College and leading Methodist minister. The church was a successor to Jones Grove Methodist Church (originally a brush arbor, and then a small white frame structure, which burned in 1903). Services were held in Rutherford College auditorium until present structure was completed. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 35° 45.08′ N, 81° 31.514′ W. Marker is in Rutherford College, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is on Malcolm Boulevard north of Icard Street, on the right. The marker is attached to a wooden stake to the southwest of the church facade on Malcolm Blvd. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 960 Malcolm Blvd, Rutherford College NC 28671, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically

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in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rutherford College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rutherford College Town Hall (about 400 feet away); Rutherford College Water Corporation Office (about 400 feet away); Stump Institute (about 600 feet away); Lovelady Volunteer Fire Department (about 700 feet away); Black Lantern Tea Room (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Rutherford College (approx. ¼ mile away); History of Bocce (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rutherford College.

Full view of Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church with the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 17, 2024

2. Full view of Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church with the Marker

Stained glass window facing west towards Malcolm Blvd image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 17, 2024

3. Stained glass window facing west towards Malcolm Blvd

Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 17, 2024

4. Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church cornerstone

Inscription
R.L. Abernethy
1822-1894
---------
1930

Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church Cemetery Formerly Jones Grove 1852. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 17, 2024

5. Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church Cemetery Formerly Jones Grove 1852.

Site and predecessor of Abernethy Memorial. Jones Grove burned in 1903

R.L. Abernethy oblesk at Abernethy United Methodist Church cemetery Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, September 17, 2024

6. R.L. Abernethy oblesk at Abernethy United Methodist Church cemetery Memorial

R.L. Abernethy, D.D.
1822-1894
Founder of Rutherford College
1853
Erected by old students

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 17, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 6. submitted on September 30, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.