Hi friends, Obviously we didn’t make our May 1 goal of completing this renovation. We all know the pandemic has delayed everything and caused many projects to be delayed, and ours is no exception. However, here is what is new. MAY: We had a picnic on the grounds in conjunction with our 100-year anniversary of … Continue reading Update on Renovation Status
The first person buried in the cemetery was Nancy Elizabeth Crump Hayes, a young wife and mother of two, who died on Christmas Day in 1839. Her death was only a few months after the county was established in 1838, which was the same year the Cherokee were required to relocate to Oklahoma. Born on … Continue reading First Burial in Harshaw Cemetery: Nancy Hayes 1839
Joshua Harshaw was a complicated man. His life was not blameless, instead he was a typical man of the times. The past comes with the baggage of both good and bad. Historical research shows us all how human we are-flaws and all. Here is what we know about Joshua Harshaw. The Harshaw family was originally … Continue reading Who was Joshua Harshaw?
Buried in Harshaw Chapel are members of the Henry family. They were among the earliest settlers in Cherokee County. Brothers Pleasant and Samuel Henry came to the area from Blount County, TN. Samuel took a grant of land on Tennessee Street at the sale of lots of the town of Murphy. He built a home, … Continue reading Henry Family Among Earliest Settlers Who Built Henry House
In the August 25, 2021 issue of the Cherokee Scout, you asked for stories about Harshaw Chapel. Here Is mine. On May 3, 2003, I and my fiancé, Dorothy, a/k/a Dotty, Griffin Boudreaux, were married in the Harshaw Chapel in a Scottish wedding. The wedding was performed by Pastor George Yates of the First United … Continue reading 2003 Hays Wedding in Harshaw Chapel
Recently, our team reached out to Bennett Preservation Engineering which does structural engineering for existing historic structures. They are keenly interested in working with historic preservation projects, and especially National Historic Landmarks (that’s what Harshaw Chapel is designated). We need a newer, more updated assessment of the project. The reason for talking to preservationist engineering … Continue reading Preserving the Past is $$$
Well, as with many other things, COVID derailed our progress just a tad. But have no fear, we are back working on the chapel restoration project. Obviously prices for building projects have gone through the roof, so it was necessary for us to get a more current estimate of overall costs. We are in the … Continue reading The Certainty of Change
A few months ago, the national non-profit Partners for Sacred Places reached out to us to invite us to apply for their Central Appalachia program. Here’s how Partners describes this project: “The Preserving and Strengthening the Cultural Heritage of Sacred Places in Central Appalachia project will identify culturally significant historic sacred places in Central Appalachian … Continue reading Exciting News!
On December 18, we took the first important step in a major project of restoring the historic Harshaw Chapel, which is the 150-yr old mother church of First United Methodist Church of Murphy, NC. 150 years has taken its toll on the original pole rafters and hand-hewn beams, causing the roof to sway and steeple … Continue reading Harshaw Chapel Steeple Removed: Big First Step
This week, weather permitting, work is scheduled on Murphy’s Harshaw Chapel roof and steeple. In fact, soon the historic church that has overlooked downtown for 150 years will be missing its iconic little belltower. For the heavy iron bells in both the Methodist chapel and the nearby Episcopal church, across from the Courthouse, are … Continue reading Historic Harshaw Chapel Repair Work Begins,Fund Drive Ongoing
Friends of Harshaw Chapel 