Walker Chapel's History

The earliest known meetings of what came to be the original Walker Chapel congregation were held in 1869 at a residence known as the "Nicholson House." This house was located a few hundred yards north of the present church. These meetings were Sunday School Classes conducted by Mrs. Evan C. Edwards. Early records of the founding of the church are scarce; but, it does seem apparent that the real impetus was through the missionary efforts of the Rev. William C. Ames from Mt. Olivet church located south along what is now Glebe Road.

The record does indicate that a meeting was held at Mt. Olivet on Sunday, July 9, 1871. The meeting resulted in a subscription list with the following statement:

We the undersigned members and friends of the Methodist Protestant Church do agree to pay on demand the several sums set opposite our names for the purpose of building a Methodist Protestant Church at or near Walker's Grave Yard.

The list included 56 entries, 52 names and 4 anonymous contributors, pledging at total of $386.50. Few of the persons whose names appeared on the list lived in the vicinity of Walker's Grave Yard and the membership roll of 1881 at Walker Chapel includes only five persons whose names were on the subscription list.

Walker Chapel is located on a portion of a tract of land which was known as the Pimmit Run Tract. On December 1, 1858 Elizabeth Bowen conveyed by deed the original Walker's Grave Yard. This small plot of land, about 30 yards square, is located at the southwest corner of the present cemetery near Old Glebe Road. The first Walker Chapel church was built in 1871 on the site conveyed by Elizabeth Bowen. When the road which we now call Old Glebe Road was opened, a triangular tract was created which included property deeded to Robert Walker in 1877. By deed written on October 1, 1879 Robert Walker conveyed this lot to the trustees of Walker Chapel for the consideration of one dollar. Construction of a church commenced immediately and records indicate that the building was in use by Christmas of 1871. The church was dedicated on July 18, 1875, after the congregation had satisfied the indebtedness on the property.

The original building served the congregation until 1903, when a new church was constructed on the opposite corner of the property facing Old Glebe Road. While there is no record to show how the church was named, it appear evident that the association of Walker's Grave Yard and the Walker family provided reason enough to take on the name Walker Chapel.

On July 9, 1951, the 80^th anniversary of the founding of Walker Chapel, ground was broken for the construction of the Education Building. This new addition was completed at a cost of $75,000. Ground breaking for the present Chapel was held on April 26, 1959. The building was dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 10, 1960. The construction cost was $225,000. The building and grounds have remained largely unchanged since the dedication of the current building.

Throughout its history Walker Chapel has provided a place of worship, Christian fellowship and service for the North Arlington Community. We continue that tradition today and welcome those seeking a church home.