The Dream of Generations: 2022 Week #10 Worship

One of my favorite cemeteries and the spot I've considered as a final resting spot for my earthly body is the Zoar Cemetery located in southern Iowa just a few miles from the Missouri Border. This tiny country cemetery is filled with 40+ relatives of mine. Including 9 direct descendants! Another one of my favorite things about this cemetery is that it has a little 1 room church sitting on the grounds right as you come in the cemetery.

Each year for memorial weekend they unlock the church and let people go in and sign the visitor book. They also have some information about the history of the church and cemetery. I love just sitting in the pews and imagining what it was like attending Sunday services there and hearing the music and singing. Although this isn't' the original church I still can't help but feel connected to this place. So many of my ancestors were instrumental in the building of the original church.

In 1860 a group of people laid out plans for a church and they erected a 24x30 building made of white oak logs. The floor was of oak boards from Yarnell's saw mill. The building had 4 windows 2 on the east and 2 on the west. The clapboards were shaved by James Hutchison (My 3x great uncle). The door was of native lumber and the hinges for the door were made by JR Withrow a blacksmith (My 3x great grandfather). Due to the Civil war the church wasn't dedicated until 1865. During those first 5 years It was also used as the school.

The first person to be buried in the cemetery surrounding the church was buried in January of 1861. Shortly after the first person was buried Sarah Walter (2x great aunt) was buried in June of 1861.

After 22 years in the log building they felt they were in need of a bigger and better building. The Building committee selected was "Nathan Adams, James Hutchison (3x great uncle), John Walter (3x great grandfather). This building was completed and dedicated on Christmas Day in 1882. Mentioned in the history of the church it said that John Walter (My 3x great grandfather) presented the Revered Charley Clark with a walnut cane that was made with a piece of the old church.

The morning of October 6th 1935 the 2nd church building burned. October 7th a committee was formed to build another building. They were able to save the church piano and pews. In 1936 the 3rd church was build. It is the building that still stands today.

Each year on the Sunday before Labor day they held Homecoming where friends and relatives came from far and near with well filled baskets of food. They would eat, sing, and listen to speakers. Each year Christmas programs were held lead by the surrounding school children. Sunday School was held each Sunday. The women of the church belonged to the Ladies Aid and worked serving lunch at farm sales to help raise money for the church.

In 1960 they held the 100 year celebration. It was a full day of eating, singing, visiting, and singing to an electric organ.

In 1965 the attendance of the church dropped and they could no longer keep their conference obligation. They were required to either move the church off the grounds or buy the church. It was purchased for $25.00.

A quote describing the church and cemetery from Lenore Peckham "When you go to Zoar you usually sit in your car a minute just looking and loving the storybook quality of the view. There's a little white church with the great, dark pines behind, spreading their sheltering arms over the little burial ground. It is quiet here-- no sound to mar the beauty and peace, only the soft singing of the wind in the trees overhead. You go through the little gate, step off the walk onto the softness of the grass, and make your way among the ancient grave stones, lingering here and there to read the inscription-- you are stunned as you make out lettering, sometimes with difficulty....There, then the good old days. One thinks of creaking wagons bearing their beloved burdens. People walking behind with grief. Morbid? Perhaps, but true nevertheless. Life was hard in those days, and the old markers bear mute testimonies."

Below are some of my direct descendants buried in Zoar.