First Presbyterian Church purchased what is known as Memorial Garden in 1804 for construction of its first sanctuary. The original building built in 1810, on the highest point of the property, was a 12-sided log structure. The second church building, erected of brick on the same site, was begun in 1835 and completed in 1837. A third building was erected about a block away in 1874 on West Depot Street. The rapidly growing congregation acquired land on North Union Street and the cornerstone of the First Presbyterian Church was laid on June 23, 1927.
Through the birth and decline of these early buildings, the graveyard was neglected. In 1930, Mrs. Sallie Phifer Williamson started restoring the cemetery as a memorial to her mother and renamed it Memorial Garden. After her death in 1937, her son Marshal Phifer Williamson continued maintenance of the garden until his death in 1966. The 3-acre garden is a privately owned cemetery of First Presbyterian Church of Concord and continues to be maintained through a generous trust from Mr. Williamson.
The Garden has annual display beds and borders entwined through the 200-year-old cemetery. Those making their way through the garden will find multitudes of plants, gently sloping hillsides, ancient oaks, winding paths, waterfalls, butterflies, sculpted hollies, and intricately carved white Italian marble markers. Your journey will take you from the past to the present.
Visitors of all ages are welcome; however please use caution when walking up steps and rock ways. Not all walkways are handicapped accessible in all areas.
Memorial Garden is located at 36 Spring Street SW, Concord, NC 28025. It is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday from 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm, and is closed on Mondays. If you’d like to help maintain this Concord landmark, tax –deductible donations may be made to: Memorial Garden, PO Box 1193, Concord, NC 28026-1193
