Our Town Program: Murray and the Murray Cemetery

This year’s annual “My Town and Cemetery Walk” will feature the town of Murray located northwest of Bluffton on State Road 116 and the Murray Cemetery, located northeast of Murray at 1449-1001E, 400 N. The planning committee has been researching the history and will present the program on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2:00pm at the Wells County Historical Museum Annex , 420 W. Market St., Bluffton. The program is free and open to the public.

Murray was once know as New Lancaster.

The first church in Murray was the Murray Christian Church which was founded on August 27, 1858. The first church building was erected by the congregation one-half mile south of Murray, adjoining to a public school. In 1885, they purchased the former Presbyterian Church building in Murray. This church was used for years until it was reconstructed and dedicated on Sunday, July 10, 1927.

The Murray Church joined the Missionary Church Association around 1961 and became the Murray Missionary Church. Since then, the church did a major remodel/building project as seen in the 2024 photo.

The Murray Missionary Church as seen 2024.

The building once housed a grocery store, then a lawn mower shop.

Murray Cemetery is located northeast of Murray at 1449-1001E, 400 N.

The cemetery is located on the north and south side of the road. The cemetery started in 1832 when land was donated for the establishment of the cemetery. It appears that the oldest readable tombstone (located on the north side) is that of Harvel W. Metts, died April 13, 1847.

A small family plot is located at the cemetery.