History of the Restoration Movement

God's Acre

Laid To Rest In This Family Cemetery Are The Graves Of Family Members And Friends of
Thomas And Alexander Campbell. Also Buried Here Are The Graves Of
Presidents And Teachers Of Bethany College.

          Young Amanda was the first loss for Margaret and Alexander Campbell. It was at the time of her death that Campbell selected this hillside above the Mansion as the site for the family cemetery and gave it the name, "God's Acre." Campbell, himself, is buried at this site, as are 13 of his 14 children, wives Margaret and Selina, parents, many of his siblings, as well as many of his descendants. Here, too, are former presidents and professors of Bethany College as well as leaders and missionaries of the Disciples of Christ. The visitor gains entrance to the Campbell Cemetery by stone steps placed on either side of a wall that encircles the grounds. The wall of hand-hewn stone is seven feet high - three feet beneath the ground and four above. Stone for the wall was purchased from a grist mill operator located on Buffalo Creek. Construction was supervised by Col. Alexander Campbell in fulfillment of a request contained in his celebrated father's will. The wall and steps, in contrast to a gate that could be left open or unlatched, kept grazing animals from straying onto the grounds.

          As one approaches the wall, one can see to the left of the steps the monument to Alexander Campbell. It is made from Italian marble and rests atop a 4,000-pound granite foundation. Its arched sides are reminiscent of those found along Bethany College's Old Main. The inscription reads: "In Memorial, Alexander Campbell Defender of the faith once delivered to the saints. Founder of Bethany College who being dead yet speaketh by his numerous writings and holy example, Born in the county of Antrim, Ireland, Sept. 12, 1788 Died at Bethany, Va. March 4th, 1866.

          Nearby is the grave of Thomas Campbell, Alexander's father and author of The Declaration and Address of the Christian Association of Washington County, Pennsylvania, arguably the most significant religious document written in 19th century America.

          The tallest memorial on the grounds is that of W. K. Pendleton, Campbell's twice son-in-law and second president of Bethany College. Both his wife, Clarinda and Lavinia are buried by his side.

          Behind the Pendleton monuments between some trees is the grave of Alexander Campbell's biographer, Robert Richardson.

          Other Bethany presidents buried in the cemetery are William K. Woolery, the first alumnus to be elected president; Archibald McLean, a Canadian well know as the head of the Disciples foreign missionary effort for 44 years; B.C. Hagerman; Cloyd Goodnight; and two Cramblets - Thomas Ellsworth, the father, and Wilbur Haverfield, the son; and Perry Gresham, who was Bethany's president for 19 years.

          God's Acre is the final resting place also for Campbell's sister, Jane McKeever, and her husband Matthew. Jane Campbell McKeever established Pleasant Hill Seminary for Women in nearby West Middletown, Pa. The McKeevers' home was a stop on the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape to the free state of Pennsylvania.

          A marker near the entrance reads, "Our First Missionaries." This refers to James T. and Julia Barclay, who established a Disciples mission in Jerusalem. Some connected with Bethany College include Miss Cammie Pendleton, two children of C.L. Loos, Jean Corriodi Moos, I. T. Green, Harry L. Ice, B. R. Weimer, Pearl Mahaffey, Andrew Leitch, E. E. Roberts, J. S. V. Allen, W. Daniel Cobb III, James W. Carty Jr., George Hauptfuehrer, Hiram Lester, Robert Preston, Forrest H. Kirkpatrick, James Allison, and Helen Louise McGuffie.

Caution: Entering the cemetery is tricky. There is handrailing to assisting in making one's way over the large boulders surrounding the cemetery, but they are a bit shakey. So caution should be taken. If you have trouble climbing, you may prefer to just look from the outside.

Location Of God's Acre

God's Acre Cemetery is located in the remote hills of the panhandle of West Virginia. Access of approach to Bethany can be made four ways, one of which is not great if you are prone to car sickness. The approach from Wheeling, W.V. is very curvy, on Hwy. 88. Thus, it is better from Wheeling to go up Hwy. 2, following the Ohio River to Wellsburg. Turn right on Hwy. 27 and go around five miles and turn right on Hwy. 88. Access this way is straightest from Wheeling. Once arriving in Bethany, travel all the way through, passing the church building on the right, crossing Buffalo River/Creek, passing the soccer fields on the left, and continuing until you get to the Campbell Mansion. When you see the historical marker on the right, you should turn right, but keep to the left as you go up the hill toward God's Acre Cemetery. The cemetery is enclosed with large boulders. Enter the cemetery at the steps. Warning: Take care entering cemetery as boulders are not steady.

From Washington, P.A. - Take Exit 17/Jefferson Avenue on I-70, and head north, (away from Washington) on Hwy. 18/844. When 18 and 844 split, be sure to go left on 844. Go a few miles and turn left on Hwy 331/Brush Run Road. (There has for years been a red barn at the corner, making for a good landmark to know where to turn off Hwy. 844. onto Hwy. 331/Brush Run Road. Take 331 until it dead's end to Hwy. 231 where you will turn left. Hwy. 231 will dead back into Hwy. 331. Turn right and head into Bethany. The first glimpse of Bethany will be the old Campbell mansion on the right. Be sure to go through this house if possible. It is good to call ahead to make sure someone is able to show you through. You can not get in on your own. But, continue just past the mansion and turn left on the little road that give you access to the cemetery. Be sure to stay to your left as you make your way up the hill. The cemetery is enclosed with large boulders. Enter the cemetery at the steps. Warning: Take care entering cemetery as boulders are not steady.

GPS Location
40.205368,-80.546667

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In 1866, after the death of Alexander Campbell,
the present wall was built encircling the cemetery made of stones taken from
two old flour mills on Buffalo Creek.

Campbell Monument - Northward

Pendleton Monument - Eastward

click on any photo to zoom in

One Evening In May, 2012

After the death of Alexander Campbell's fifth child, Amanda, the present location of God's Acre
was chosen as a final resting place for Campbell family and friends.

Decima Campbell Barclay
Born October 12, 1840
Died May 4, 1920
One of the last Campbells to be buried at God's Acre

Who's Buried In God's Acre?

Continue Tour

Thomas & Jane Campbell

Alexander, Margaret & Selina Campbell

Wycliffe Campbell

Two Wives & Fourteen Campbell Children

Robert Richardson

W.K. Pendleton

J.T. Barclay

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