Methodist Churchyard

Just like nothing (else) on earth

By Tim Jon

This time, my bench was gone; the one landmark I rested my memory upon all these years had disappeared, but much of the physical reliquary remained as I’d been picturing (and feeling) it in the intervening time. 

I used to visit this site long before even dreaming of this series of stories – enjoying the late summer and early autumn late afternoons and evenings in the first months after I’d arrived in Loudoun County; my career arc at that time drew my time, attention and much energy into (and out of) the little newsroom at the former small-market radio station in Leesburg – AM 1200 WAGE. 

These treasured pilgrimages to my favorite outdoor reading spot created a welcome sanctuary from telephones, interviews, microphones, deadlines, and most importantly – daily (and nearly hourly, by the time it was over) news assignments in written and spoken word. 

I don’t recall how I discovered the Old Stone Church site in the historic district of the County Seat; perhaps on one of my visits to the then-North Street School Administration Building – home (at that time) to the Loudoun School Board and the offices of then-Superintendent Edgar Hatrick, a true local “character.” I number him among my handful of favorites in a kaleidoscopic cast of thousands who came to be involved in the daily beat of local radio news in one of the fastest-growing Counties on the planet. 

But to today’s subject: I began this series of local adventure – or treasure – stories after my days in the radio industry became history, and we initiated the collection with a description of one of my most beloved spots in Loudoun; now, the acreage bounded by Liberty, Cornwall, Wirt and North Streets in Leesburg represents the first Methodist-owned property in America – deeded on May 11th of the Year 1766. 

The first church building came along only a few years later – and a more permanent structure appeared a decade or so down the road. A complicated timeline saw the Stone Church dismantled in the Year 1900, but the adjacent cemetery remains – with markers dating back to the latter part of the 18th Century. 

A great deal of information could be written about the Methodist Congregation’s history in conjunction with this site, and we’ll leave that for the true professionals of the craft; I first entered the iron gate leading into this churchyard to simply find peace – and, yes, this is what I still sought on my most recent pilgrimage.

 I’ve never been disappointed in any of my visits. In fact, I found this little sanctuary in the heart of Downtown so comforting that I would sit on the park bench (set up along the eastern fence line) and read Shakespeare’s plays by the hour – which is not something I find easy to do in a public setting. I’m not sure about today’s foot traffic, but in those years (this would be 1997) I don’t recall ever seeing another visitor to the property, and street activity remained pretty infrequent as well. 

So, I would say that if the early American Methodists made their site selection based on long-term tranquility, they made an astoundingly wise choice; I’m assuming the spirits corresponding to the remains placed in the historic graves on the acreage would agree, having found their rest upon the peace which passes all understanding. 

And, what about my own, personal bench from my initial visits from a quarter-century past? Yes, I’m curious, too. I remembered the spot where I used to sit, and the simple features of the classic park bench. Definitely nowhere onsite. 

Judging from its apparent age and deterioration when I last recall seeing it there, I hold no hopes for its preservation in some treasured collection of relics. It belongs to the past. At some point, so too will we. Not to become overly somber, I’d like to think that just perhaps, I’ve outgrown the need for sedentary, peaceful sanctuary in which to ruminate long, long thoughts on the five-hundred-year-old writings of the Bard. I appreciate having enjoyed the protection of my soul within these physical confines, and now I can freely move about the rest of the world’s attractions. 

But … you know? I just now re-read my original story focusing on this acreage and it was that very park bench which had really sold me on the place – way back in the day – as well as going back in memory for the 2010 writing assignment. So I’d like to send out a word of thanks to whomever placed the object there – in whatever year it came to be. 

And another thing: I said all the things I’d wanted to in the original piece; I can’t help but wonder: in another decade, will I feel that strongly about today’s revisitation? We’ll just have to wait and see.