Near Low Moor in Alleghany County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Oakland Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
A Brief History
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 18, 2011
1. Oakland Presbyterian Church And Cemetery Marker
William Henry Haynes, Sr. donated land for the Oakland Church and cemetery in 1811 to trustees James M. Montague, John P. Haynes, David Williamson and William H. Haynes, Jr. But the deed was not recorded until 1859. The original structure is said to have been of logs.
Organization of the Presbyterian Church is noted as 1834 and construction on the brick church began in 1845. The bricks were made on the nearby Haynes plantation and carried in saddlebags on horseback to this site.
The architecture of the church carries the Scotch-Irish style plain and sturdy.
The church was originally called the church by the springs and served all the surrounding communities and denominations. It is the mother church to other churches in the communities of Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Rich Patch and Low Moor. The church served as a hospital for the sick and wounded during the Civil War and there are twelve Confederate soldiers buried in the graveyard.
Regular services were held at the church with many changes in the number of attendance and denominations, until December 23, 1963.
Low Moor Presbyterian Church is the caretaker of the church and holds a homecoming celebration each year.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 48.123′ N, 79° 51.614′ W. Marker was near Low Moor, Virginia, in Alleghany County. It could be reached from Selma Low Moor Road (Virginia Route 696) 0.2 miles west of Oakland Drive ( Route 1002), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Clifton Forge VA 24422, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Mountain Region, in the Alleghany Highlands, and specifically in the Potomac Highlands. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Oakland Presbyterian Church and Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Oakland Grove Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson River Depot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); C&O Railroad Shops (approx. 1.4 miles away); Low Moor Iron Company Coke Ovens (approx. 1.4 miles away); Chesapeake and Ohio Lines
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 18, 2011
2. Oakland Presbyterian Church
Another marker is no longer nearby. Oakland Presbyterian Church (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Oakland Grove Presbyterian Church. Virginia Department of Historic Resources website entry (Submitted on March 18, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 18, 2011
3. Oakland Presbyterian Church And Cemetery plaques
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,449 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
