Those headed to their final resting places at a historic North Arlington church graveyard may benefit from a change in the size of a new pathway.
Walker Chapel United Methodist Church and Cemetery (4102 N. Glebe Road) is seeking approval of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) to widen the proposed path along a portion of its property from the approved 36 inches to 44 inches.
The 36-inch width had been authorized by HALRB members in May, but then church officials noted a problem. At that width, it was possible that the carts used to move caskets to burial sites might roll off the side of the paver pathway.
That was the explanation given by the church to members of the Design Review Committee, a panel of HALRB members that makes recommendations to the full body. Larry Danforth, the cemetery manager, represented the church at the July 1 committee meeting.
The county’s history-preservation staff said that a request for a variance of one or two inches would have been approved administratively. Given the more substantial alteration request, it was decided to send it to the committee.
That body unanimously recommended that the request be placed on the HALRB’s consent agenda. The next meeting is slated for mid-July.
HALRB members have a say because Walker Chapel, both the church and its adjacent burial grounds, was designated a local historic district in 1978.
The proposed pathway would run approximately 270 feet along the length of an existing stone wall near the site’s driveway and parking lot. According to the proposal:
“The path will start inside the main gate from Cole Plaza and continue through a new cut in the decorative wall to allow the path to pass between two trees in an area called Tal’s Garden. The hardscape path will merge from a new upper landing where there are existing stairs and end in the Memorial Garden.”
Permeable pavers will be set on a concrete reinforced base, with the design matching existing pavers found elsewhere on the grounds.
The pathway will not impact nearby grave sites, monuments or trees, Danforth told committee members.
According to county officials, Walker Chapel is the third oldest existing religious congregation in Arlington, tracing its roots to the mid-19th century.
The original church structure, a small frame building, was in use from 1871-1903. Several successor structures were built on the site, with the current, expanded main building dating to 1950.
The earliest burial in the church graveyard is of David Walker, who died in 1848.
Burials currently are restricted to members of the Walker Chapel congregation. Columbaria located on the site offer niches both to congregation members and the broader community.
Last year, HALRB members approved a request from Walker Chapel representatives for renovation projects on the exterior of the church building.
