The Harbor United Presbyterian Church, located near the thriving shipping point of Western Reserve Harbor (or simply “Harbor”) in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1852. It was founded as an offshoot of the Shenango United Presbyterian Church in Neshannock Township. A house of worship was erected, and a cemetery was established, to the north on land leased from the McFate family. The old homestead was established by Irish-born William “Billy” McFate (1780-1834), who was among the area’s earliest settlers when he came (with George Kelso) from Washington County in about 1801. The initial lease of twenty-five years was extended indefinitely in 1876.
The congregation met at the McFate homestead location for about sixty-seven years, until the church was dismantled in 1919 and rebuilt two miles south within the little village of Harbor. The cemetery remained in use for some time, but was generally abandoned over time by the church. The last burial I can find a newspaper report for is that of seventy-five-year-old Elizabeth (Moore) Robison, the widow of William Robison who was interred there on Sunday, November 2, 1947. Over the years nearby residents generally did their best to maintain the small burial ground and its approximately sixty graves. The associated church was eventually closed in 2005. In late 2012 local resident Charles Ellenberger purchased the cemetery property and began efforts to restore and beautify it. Today the cemetery, located north of Harbor along the Garner Road, is in a much improved condition.
 The small Harbor Presbyterian Cemetery sits in a rural area along Garner Road, just north of where Matthews Road splits off to the west. The burial ground contains about sixty graves, with a handful of the old stones in need of repair and uprighting. The fence marks the adjoining property owned by the Zambelli Fireworks company. (Aug 2013) Full Size |
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Comments
Lauri Golonka #
As I recall, an old neighbor of my parents (Bertha Barber) said that the church used to stand on the property somewhere in the vicinity of the cemetery. I’m not exactly sure where, though. At some point, the church was dismantled and re-built on Harbor-Edinburg Rd. I sure with Bertha was still alive today. She had some of the best stories about the Harbor-Edinburg area.
Anthony cox sr #
The headstones of my great grandparents are toppled over and I would like to know who to contact in order for me to repair them.
I’m hoping that you will be able to help me. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
Anthony Cox
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