Mount Bethel Cemetery

"Afflictions sore three days he bore, physicians were in vain, til Christ the chief did send relief, and eased him of his pain."
- text from the memorial for Percy Aldringer, aged 8 years, 6 months and 22 days. Interred in the Mount Bethel Cemetery, Columbia, Pennsylvania.

The urban cemetery, located in the midst of this river town along the Susquehanna River, spans many generations and held numerous roles. The 110 acre property predates the American Revolutionary War, having been established in the early 1700s.

Originally known to the townspeople as Old Bethel, the land was enclosed by a brick wall in approximately 1746, after which it was sometimes referred to as the Old Brick Cemetery. It is the resting place for nearly 600 veterans of numerous wars, and incorporates the cemeteries of the Society of Friends, Presbyterian, Methodist and Lutheran Congregations.

In addition, Old Bethel is known for historical importance as a potter's field, burial grounds where area poor, homeless and minority members were buried.

See a gallery of photographs from the Old Bethel Cemetery by clicking here. The resource for this text may be found in a LancasterOnline article linked here.

Note: The Old Bethel Cemetery will be part of a free two mile photowalk in Columbia to be held on Saturday, May 26th at 10:00 AM. Visit the VR Photowalks page in this website for more information.

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