Pine Grove Church & Cemetery, nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Mount Airy, Maryland, is rich with history. The story began in 1846 when Harry Bussard and his wife Elisa graciously donated the land to build a Presbyterian Church. This church would be known as Ridge Presbyterian Church. The cost of the original building was $1,765.96 ¾. Fun fact, the reason for the fraction of a cent was because the nails were 6 ¼ cents per pound and they didn’t use enough to make the next full dollar amount!
The church was used during the Civil War as a barracks for the Union soldiers of Company K of the 14th New Jersey regiment. The cook tent was set up by the basement door. The rations were pork and beans cooked in a large kettle over an open fire. This same meal was served three times a day. Meals were supplemented with hard tack, a simple type of biscuit/cracker.
After the war, the church had to be renovated before it could be used as again. It reopened in 1867. During the renovation, the basement was used as a private school. After the renovations were completed, the basement became a public school.
In 1894, The Pine Grove Cemetery Company was formed by the following Board of Trustees: Robert Sellman, Chairman; F.T. Lewis, Secretary/Treasurer; Bradley G. Shipley, Frank D. Dorsey, Ernest M. Anderson; Albert H. Runkles; and Levi T. Lewis.
After the church services discontinued (year unknown), the church was then used for funerals. The last funeral in the church was held in 1908.
Between 1908 and 1933, there was no funding for repairs and the interest in keeping up the property waned. As a result, the building started to deteriorate from neglect.
In 1933, the Cemetery Company reorganized, funds were raised, a new roof was installed, and the grounds were restored to their former beauty.
In January 1934, the Potomac Presbytery gave the church property to the Cemetery Company. It was decided to restore the church as near to its original condition as possible. The old materials were reused wherever possible. The renovation was completed and dedicated on November 4, 1934. Since that time, the building has been used as a non-denominational chapel.
As of today, the pulpit and the wood flooring are original from the 1846 installation. The benches are also the original ones used in the church and were later utilized by the Union Soldiers for their beds. And finally, the Bible was given to the church by Kitty Hobbs Dorsey in 1850 and is still used today!
