Richard Owings - Leesburg, Virginia
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 39° 07.061 W 077° 33.955
18S E 278165 N 4332971
Memorial plaque for first American born Methodist pastor.
Waymark Code: WMKKFM
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 04/26/2014
Views: 4
Text of plaque:
In Memory Of
Richard Owings
First native born Methodist local preacher, born November 13, 1738, Baltimore County, Maryland. Died October 7, 1786, Leesburg, Virginia and was buried on this spot.
He was converted under the ministry of Robert Strawbridge and received on trial in 1775.
He served Baltimore circuit, 1775 and was a local preacher in Maryland, 1776-1786.
As a local preacher he travelled extensively in the fll of 1783, he was the first Methodist preacher to cross the entire range of the Allegheny Mountains, unfurling the standard of the cross in Redstone, Pennsylvania and gathering a class which became the Redstone circuit.
Ordained Deacon in 1786, he served Fairfax circuit May 21, 1786 to October 7, 1786.
During which time he was pastor of the "Old Stone" Methodist Church which stood within the bounds of this cemetery.
Erected By
Virginia Methodist Historical Society
May 1, 1968