Home
  Store
  About Makemie
  Tributes
  Writings/Works
  Links
  About Us
  Contact Us

A number of tributes and monuments have been erected in memery of Francis Makemie, and at least two poems/hymns have been written in his honor. The Irish government issued a stamp, commemorating the 300th anniversary of Makemie's ordination. Please scroll down to learn more about these tributes.

1. Makemie Park: Makemie Park near Temperanceville, Virginia, is maintained by the Francis Makemie society who also erected a bronze cast of the statue of Makemie by Alexander Stirling Calder in the park which marks the spot where Makemie is believed to be buried. The park contains a memorial brick pyramid which reads, “This memorial pyramid commemorates the belief that in this ancient family cemetery were buried near the remains of Francis Makemie: those of his wife, Naomi; his daughters, Elizabeth and Madame Anne Holden; and his father-in-law, William Anderson; also John Milligan and others unknown. The bricks which enclose this tablet were gathered from the ruins of the table tombs, the cemetery wall and the Makemie Home once placed upon these grounds.” The park is located at 7493 Monument Road, Sanford, Va.

2. Makemie Presbyterian Church: Founded by Makemie, this church continues to hold worship services. They currently house the original statue of Makemie by Alexander Stirling Calder in an area behind the church, which is accompanied by a bronze plaque in the ground which reads, "The Presbyterian Historical Society of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, erected this monument and dedicated it on May 11, 1908, at Makemie Park on Holdon Creek where Francis Makemie is buried at his Pokomoke home. In 1984 the monument was moved here and restored in memory of Jennie Rodes Fletcher (1860-1947), the wife of Judge James H. Fletcher, Jr., the orginizer and first president of the Francis Makemie Memorial Association, and a member of the Makemie Presbyterian Church." The church building is located at 23355 Back Street, Accomac, VA 23300. Their mailing address is PO Box 180, Accomac, VA 23301.

3. Naomie Makemie Presbyterian Church: Named in honor of Francis Makemie's wife, this church was founded in 1883. It is located in Onancock, Virginia. Visit their website here.

4. Commemorative Postage Stamp: On April 2, 1982, the Irish Post Office issued a stamp commemorating the 300th anniversary of Francis Makemie's ordination to the gospel ministry. This stamp was designed by Michael Craig, and incorporates a painting of Makemie by Harry A. Ogden, along with a drawing of the Old Presbyterian Church in Ramelton Co. Donegal where Makemie worshipped.

5. Poem by Henry Van Dyke published in 1909 in The White Bees:
TO thee, plain hero of a rugged race,
We bring the meed of praise too long delayed!
Thy fearless word and faithful work have made
For God's Republic firmer path and place
In this New World: thou hast proclaimed the grace
And power of Christ in many a forest glade,
Teaching the truth that leaves men unafraid
Of frowning tyranny or death's dark face.

Oh, who can tell how much we owe to thee,
Makemie, and to labour such as thine,
For all that makes America the shrine
Of faith untrammeled and of conscience free?
Stand here, grey stone, and consecrate the sod
Where rests this brave Scotch-Irish man of God!

6. The Makemie Park Hymn by Rev. L.P. Bowen, published in Monument Melodies in 1921:
(Tune - Old Hundred)
Our Fathers' God, our Fathers' Guide,
For whom, Thy saints have lived and died,
Here where these ancient Worthies trod,
We claim as ours our Fathers' God.

Thy wounded exiles crossed the Seas,
God's ordination in the breeze,
Sent to these shores to plant the Word,
And pray as freemen of the Lord.

No hybrids here of Church and State,
No Pope or King to dominate,
To Thee alone we bend the knee,
The soul unfettered, conscience free.

We stand where our Makemie stood,
And claimed America for God,
His Church unfranchised and unbound,
And this old Hill Emmanuel's ground.

To Mother Church, Makemie's Faith,
We pledge our fealty until death,
Led by the same ordaining hand,
Blest children of Makemieland.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.