This cemetery started out as Old Baptist, then when Myers Family Cemetery was moved into it, it became West Union. Sometimes also referred to as Wesleyan Methodist Cemetery after the adjoining church.
SHAARD #CR-49-127.
In 1953, Wesley United Methodist Church purchased the property on the southwest corner of 30th & Tibbs Ave to build their new church. The old West Union cemetery was part of that purchase and over the years, many of the markers had been damaged and destroyed. Wesley UMC removed the remaining markers and cleaned up the cemetery. They also moved burials from the Olive Branch Cemetery & erected the large memorial plaque. Although no longer used, the old cemetery is still honored as a burial place.
The 1988 Indiana DAR publication “Some Cemetery Records, Marion County, Indiana” shows two burial lists for this cemetery. On pages 119-121, there are approximately 80 burials listed for West Union Cemetery. This list, dated May 1941, states that the “cemetery is still in use but is badly kept, graves sunken, old stones broken and on the ground”. The second list under the heading West Union Cemetery, on pages 153-155, shows substantially the same burials, but identifies the cemetery as Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard. This list is undated and also shows the cemetery at 30th St & Kessler Blvd, which is known to be incorrect. These DAR lists were used to create the memorials.
Condition/Notes:
All that remains of this cemetery is a memorial stone that is maintained in good condition by the church on the same site. Also known as Old Baptist and Olive Branch, the Landwerlyn-Myers Cemetery remains were moved here in 1955. This site is #154 on the 1930’s WPA list.
Directions From Downtown:
Go north on Meridian Street to 30th Street. Turn left [west] on 30th Street and proceed to Tibbs Avenue. The memorial stone and site are on the southwest corner of 30th Street and Tibbs Avenue.
Additional Records At Wesley United Methodist Church
By Ron Darrah, 1996
I had the opportunity to survey the records held by the Wesley U.M. Church at 3425 W. 30th Street, Indianapolis, 46222. The present Church also has records from the now-disbanded Olive Branch and St. Mark’s congregations. I would like to thank the secretary, Kim, for her help.
The records I found were these:
1. Two Removal Books, 1920’s to 1970’s, for all three congregations
2. Two Family Membership Roll Books, Wesley Ch., 1970’s to 1990’s.
[These also contain Baptisms from 1952-1989]
3. One Membership Roll Book, St. Mark’s, 1930’s and 1940’s
[This also contains a Baptismal list]
4. Two Membership Books, St. Mark’s, 1914-1940’s
5. One Membership Register, St. Mark’s, 1950’s
[Containing signatures and addresses]
6. One Membership and Church Record, St. Mark’s
[Containing Baptisms, 1932-1956, and a Membership List, 1930’s to 1950’s]
7. One Membership Book, St. Mark’s, 1940’s to 1970’s
[Containing Marriages, 1950’s to 1970’s, and Deaths, 1950’s to 1970’s]
8. Two Envelopes containing deeds and mortgages and financial records.
9. One Small Stone in a case, inscribed "Memory of Rev. Robert T. Morris, Died July 7, 1898 Born Dec. 23, 1870 Belfast, Ireland"
For further information, interested parties may contact the Church at (317) 926-4414, or fax (317) 927-5391. Office hours are 9 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday.
