4th Annual Rice Covenanter Cemetery Fundraiser - June 27th

In 1817, Isaiah Reid Sr. led the Scottish Covenanter Christians in founding a community called Walnut Ridge in Washington County in the brand new state of Indiana. The name Covenanter, in 17th century Scottish history, applied to those who bound themselves by covenants to maintain Presbyterianism as the sole religion of Scotland. Scotland faced great struggles over religion and their persecution for the next 200 years. Many Covenanters migrated to Ireland and finally to the colonies of the United States.

The Covenanter Cemetery began in 1819. The Cemetery's legal name is Rice Covenanter Cemetery, for John Adam Rice, the caretaker of the Cemetery. His grave is located near the gate. The first burial at the cemetery was Isaiah Reid, Sr in 1819 (1760-1819). There are 25 Veterans buried at Covenanter Cemetery from the Revolutionary War to Current. There are 275 known graves and several unmarked graves (lost or broken stones). The Cemetery is still in use today.

Due to the historical significance of the pioneer burials, community volunteers and local cemetery commissions have actively worked to protect and maintain the grounds, including recent fence installations and regular care.

The modern Covenanter Cemetery leadership has a 3 person board, with a dozen Trustees who oversee and manage the Cemetery. The leadership maintains the church, gazebo, Memorial Garden and the grave sites. They are all volunteers; Annual fundraisers pay for mowing 2x/month from April until September and any maintenance work or supplies that are needed.

Make plans to visit the Salem Senior Center for this fundraiser on Saturday June 27th from 8am - 1pm for a yard sale/plant sale and bake sale. Enter through the backside door.