Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery

Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery is a cemetery located in Vernon Township, Jennings County, Indiana.

History
Ebenezer United Methodist Church began in 1816 at the cabin of Jennings' Judge William Prather. The congregation traces its origins to the 1790s when circuit riders from the Salt River Circuit crossed the Ohio River to "Brother Prather's" cabin in the new Northwest Territory. This was William's father, Brazil. William followed his father from North Carolina to Clark's Grant; but in 1816 William moved to Jennings County with his family. Early pioneers of Ebenezer were Bundys, Pools, Prathers, Clintons, Carson, and several Patrick brothers.

These families lived in the Cherry Park neighborhood between Otter and Crooked Creeks. A house fire at the Strock farm claimed Ebenezer's records in 1929, but deeds infer an early log church was built at the present site by the 1840s on land given by James and Ary Prather Hilton. Hiltons and Thomas Francis donated more land in the 1860s and the present simple frame structure was built, influenced by Quakers in the congregation. Original carved window frames, wainscoting, mourners' bench, and built in pews remain. A pulpit and pedestals were handmade by Mr. Sinnett.

Ebenezer produced several ministers: the Revs. Frank and Walter Bundy, Clarence Vawter, and Willard Patrick. At the turn of the century besides Patricks, Ola Ferris, the Richardson sisters, the Vanscoy, Stewart and Fields siblings grew up at Ebenezer. Their lasting friendships and faith kept the church going. Their descendents remain involved with Ebenezer now. Many of these families have generations of ancestor buried in the church cemetery. A trust given by Mary Silvers Sullivan in the 1980s keeps the church and cemetery well groomed. Opal Beck Kirkham and Alive Patrick Vanosdol are the last members who grew up in the church and remain active. Rev. Marvin Wright is the present pastor. Ebenezer is on the Rush Branch/Dupont Change and meets quarterly including a September, Labor Day weekend homecoming. This county church never moved beyond the visits of a "Circuit Rider" in its over 180 year history.