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Friendship United Methodist Church
Home Introduction Church History
1908:
In 1908 the 100th Anniversary was observed twice, first on a week day, Thursday, May 14th, when a picture of the church and group attending was taken. The picture still hangs on the wall in the church. On the following Sunday, May 17th, the Anniversary was again observed. In those days long picnic tables were set up in the shade of the lovely old oak trees and all enjoyed a wonderful fellowship between the morning and afternoon services.

In the early 1900s Friendship Road passed through the church property in front of the church door. Fortunately the trustees had foresight and decided the road should be closed and relocated. In order to do this they purchased a strip of land east of the cemetery from Pelegrino Zipeto, September 26, 1908. Shortly afterward an exchange was made with Buena Vista Township for the land where the road is now located. This site is now the boundary line between Buena Vista Township and the Borough of Buena, our church being located entirely in the Borough of Buena. The trustees at that time were Charles Wray, Ambrose P. Vanaman, Christian A. Gross, William B. Comer, J. Henry Young, Jeremiah Phifer and Joseph F. Scott.

Through the years the cemetery has been extended several times. Each time a section has been cleared and prepared for use, additional fence has been purchased. The fence has been kept painted and repaired and many of the head stones have been raised and straightened. The trustees endeavor to keep the cemetery in good condition. Contributions received for this purpose from friends of the church and from those who have loved ones buried here have helped greatly and have been very much appreciated.

An interested friend of the church, Mrs. James Molyneaux of Vineland, N.J., has recorded the inscriptions and dates on the monuments and headstones in the cemetery. These will be deposited with the Vineland Historical Society.