Madison Township near Oak Hill in Jackson County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Moriah Church
"The Mother of Welsh Churches"
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Moriah Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
1. Moriah Church side of the marker
Moriah Church "The Mother of Welsh Churches". Moriah Calvinistic Methodist Church was organized on November 23, 1835, in the home of Daniel Edwards, Brynele. Although Welsh settled Gallia County in 1818, they did not build a church until more families arrived during the 1830s Welsh tide of immigration into Gallia and Jackson counties. They named their new church Moriah, meaning "appearance of Jehovah" in the Bible. Joshua Parry built the original log church in 1836 in the northwest corner of Moriah Cemetery. This was enlarged the following year and Enoch Thomas built the present church in 1846. Moriah Church, centrally located in the growing Welsh settlements, was the first in what became a circuit of 12 Welsh Calvinistic Methodist churches. For this, Moriah Church is known as Ein Mam ni oll or "the Mother of Us All."
Moriah Presbyterian Church. The Moriah congregation worshipped at Gymanfas and Jubilees that drew huge crowds to "the Grove" across the road from the church. The congregational singing by these vast throngs was an experience few forgot. A Tŷ capel (a "tea house" for circuit preachers to eat a meal)
this page online
Erected 2023 by Moriah Presbyterian Church; The Family of Joseph Isaac Evans, 1877-1967; The Madog Center for Welsh Studies; Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 12-40.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 23, 1835.
Location. 38° 54.473′ N, 82° 31.054′ W. Marker is near Oak Hill, Ohio, in Jackson County. It is in Madison Township. It is at the intersection of Moriah Road and Cherry Fork
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
2. Moriah Presbyterian Church side of the marker
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern 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 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Evans Cemetery / The 1818 Welsh Pioneers (approx. 2 miles away); James W. McDaniel (approx. 2.9 miles away); The World's Largest Acorn (approx. 2.9 miles away); Roland T. Crace Jr (approx. 2.9 miles away); Sergeant Donald R. Long (approx. 2.9 miles away); Oak Hill's Finest Servicemen (approx. 2.9 miles away); Central Memorial Park (approx. 2.9 miles away); The Oak Hill Community Hospital (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
3. Moriah Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
4. Moriah School Bell
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 24, 2020
5. Moriah School Bell
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 24, 2020
6. Moriah Presbyterian Church Gravyard Entrance Plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
