Memorial Garden approximately three acres was purchased in 1804 by First Presbyterian Church for construction of its first sanctuary.  The original building built in 1810, on the highest point of the property, was a twelve sided log structure.  The second church building erected of brick on the same site was begun in 1835 and completed in 1837.   Mainly through liberal contributions of John F. Phifer, a third building was erected in 1874 and located about a block away on West Depot Street .

The rapidly growing congregation acquired land on North Union Street and the cornerstone of the  present day santuary  of First Presbyterian Church was laid on June 23, 1927.

Through the birth and decline of these early buildings, the graveyard was neglected.  It was not until 1930 when 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 garden is now maintained through a generous trust fund bequeathed by Mr. Williamson at his death.

http://www.memorialgarden.info