By Margot R. Miller
Looking out the window of the historic Miller Church which sits on the cemetery land given to the Abiqua community more than 150 years ago, one has the opportunity to revisit a great dead of Oregon history.
Beginning with early Oregon pioneers who parked their wagons on the area where the church now stands, we are reminded of the sacrifices made throughout the years by those who are laid to rest in this lovely churchyard.
The cemetery is filled with the early families like the Millers, Jacks, Whitlocks, Mosers, Allens, Woolens, Warnocks, Dunigans, Stantons, Shepherds, Thomas’ and Hobarts, just to name a few.
Another 20 years later, the graves of those who served in the Civil War were added.
Prominent among the gravestones is that of Samuel Markham, early pioneer and father of the famous poet, Edwin Markham.
Many stones show the short lives of the little children who died of childhood diseases, which devastated many families.
Each and every stone in the cemetery be it 1856 or 2012 marks the life of someone who was special to his or her family.
Both the church and the cemetery are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sadly, many of these families have moved away and the beautiful stones have now begun to show the years of neglect.
Would you like to help keep the stones for posterity?
Many, many of them are literally works of art, showing the various designs of the decade in which a loved one was buried.
This year, members of the Miller family and other community helpers will gather once again to clean the stones and honor those who are buried in this lovely spot.
Volunteers are invited to join the effort to preserve this part of Oregon history Saturday, June 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All are welcome, whether they can spend an hour or two working on the stones or bring their lunch and spend the day.
Workers should bring is a soft brush – like a toothbrush or soft scrub brush – to remove lichen, small plastic knives to clean the letters or any other tool that will not scratch the surfaces such as a plastic spatula, rags that can be used to wipe away debris, a kneeling pad if desired and a small broom to brush concrete edges.
Water will be furnished for cleaning purposes but bring a pail or other receptacle for carrying the water to the gravesites.
The work will go on rain or shine.
For safety, enter the cemetery off Heringstad Road.
