The oldest Episcopal church in West Virginia is Christ Episcopal Church Bunker Hill, also known as Morgan Chapel. It was built in 1741 by Morgan Morgan, one of the first European settlers in West Virginia. And if that isn’t historically interesting enough, here’s another thing: in the yard of the oldest Episcopal church in West Virginia is the oldest modern cemetery in West Virginia. That’s right, Bunker Hill Cemetery, also known as Morgan Chapel Cemetery or Morgan Chapel Graveyard, dates back almost as far: nearly 300 years.

Located in the Bunker Hill area of Berkeley County, the church, and the cemetery, was built and established by Morgan Morgan, one of the first European settlers in what is now West Virginia (his descendants founded Morgantown).
JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikipedia
The location of the chapel and graveyard was about halfway between his own home and the local mill.
G. W. Peterkin / Wikipedia
It became Morgan Morgan's final resting place, as well as the final resting places of his son, grandson, and great grandson, (who were all also named Morgan Morgan).
Jweaver28 / Wikipedia
The marker pictured is not actually his headstone, but rather a monument to him located in the town square of Bunker Hill.

Related Stories

There Are 3 Must-See Historic Landmarks In The Charming Town Of Charles Town, West Virginia

There Are 3 Must-See Historic Landmarks In The Charming Town Of Charles Town, West Virginia

 The Beautiful Old Church In West Virginia That's A Critically Endangered Historic Place

The Beautiful Old Church In West Virginia That's A Critically Endangered Historic Place

 The Massive Earthworks In West Virginia That Still Baffle Archaeologists To This Day

The Massive Earthworks In West Virginia That Still Baffle Archaeologists To This Day
Another famous person buried here in Morgan Chapel cemetery is John Drinker, a Quaker and American portrait artist who might have also been an Underground Railroad conductor.
John Hall / Google Maps
Graffiti inside the church dates back to the Civil War, when both Union and Confederate troops camped near this chapel and graveyard, and apparently used the building in some way.
Jweaver28 / Wikipedia
And who knows what other stories this cemetery could tell. As West Virginia's oldest modern cemetery, you know it has weathered more than its fair share of tragedy and triumph!
John Hall / Google Maps
As evidenced by this photo, the Morgans aren't the only old West Virginia family-who-became-a-town buried here, either.
Bunker Hill Cemetery is located in the Morgan Chapel churchyard at 182 Runnymeade Road in Bunker Hill, south of Inwood, West Virginia.
Jweaver28 / Wikipedia
Stop by for a stroll through this significant historic area next time you are passing through.

More information about Morgan Chapel can be found on Wikipedia. Did you know this cemetery existed, or that it was so old? Of course, it’s the oldest modern cemetery, but definitely not the oldest ever graveyard in West Virginia. You have to go back a few thousand years instead of a few hundred for that!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore West Virginia

Featured Addresses
Morgan Chapel Cemetery, Bunker Hill, WV 25413, USA