Near Low Moor in Alleghany County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Oakland Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
A Brief History
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 • Churches & Religion • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 23, 1834.
Location. 37° 48.123′ N, 79° 51.614′ W. Marker is near Low Moor, Virginia, in Alleghany County. Marker can be reached from Selma Low Moor Road (Virginia Route 696) 0.2 miles west of Oakland Drive (Virginia Route 1002), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clifton Forge VA 24422, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oakland Presbyterian Church (here, next to this marker); 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); Masonic Theatre (approx. 2.2 miles away); Roger Arliner Young (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Low Moor.
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.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 950 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.