************************************************************

From the historical marker at the cemetery location:

"Here in 1837 was Lebanon A Methodist meeting house around which grew up Opelika."

From the historical marker at the present church location:

"Established as the first religious organization in the area in 1837 with 22 members as Lebanon Methodist Episcopal Church, around which the village of Opelika developed. Moved to present location in 1879 as Opelika Station, Montgomery District, Methodist Episcopal Church. Red brick steepled building completed in 1881. Renamed 'First Methodist Episcopal Church, South of Opelika' by Quarterly Conference in 1905. Remodeled in 1909 to present Classical Revival Style characterized by fluted columns, Corinthian capitals, and sanctuary dome."

It was the first church congregation in this section. It was located exactly 2 miles from the center of downtown Opelika (and still is!). A log room was first built, then a wood plank room in 1842 and the first burial was about that same time. A wood frame church was built in 1850. The last burial was about 1875. After 1870 most citizens of the community were buried in Rosemere Cemetery, in the city limits.

The cemetery covers the cleared part of the hill & extends back into the woods about 50 yards.

Surveyed & photographed Oct. 2012 by Hank Rogers. Every marked burial is listed. Several brick covered or rock cairn graves, many, many unmarked or marked just with a rock.

There are an estimated 150 unmarked burials here. These are the founders of Opelika, the "First Families."

They included Williams, Mizell, Bullard, Cole, Ben­nett, Haley, Mang­ham, Tarver, Page, Greene, Hardy, Lockhart & Watson.

Please feel free to use my photo's for genealogy.

************************************************************