July 30, 2013 / Joanne Yeck

Buckingham Churches: Arvon Presbyterian

Arvon Presbyterian Church, Courtesy Historic Buckingham

Many Buckingham County aficionados know of the grave markers in the Arvonia Memorial cemetery inscribed in Welsh. According to the Richmond Dispatch, during the 19^th century, services were conducted in Welsh at Arvon Presbyterian Church. The community was home to many Welsh immigrants who worked in the local slate quarries.

This blurb ran in the newspaper on April 22, 1888:

“Mr. Robert J. Evans, a licentiate of Vermont Presbytery, was received under care of the presbytery. He is a native of Wales, and has been preaching chiefly in Welch to this church for several months past.”

For more about Arvonia Memorial cemetery, consult Buckingham Burials, Vol. 1, compiled by Janice J.R. Hull. It is available online at Historic Buckingham Inc.

Thanks, Cuz. Mary Carolyn. Keep searching those old newspapers!