On April 29, 1784, one acre of ground near this site was purchased for the erection of a preaching house. In April 1799, one of the state’s first Methodist societies was organized here by Reverend Freeborn Garrettson. The church became known as Williams Chapel in honor of brothers Arthur and Ezekiel Williams, founding members and prominent local preachers. Services were conducted here until the congregation relocated to a nearby site purchased in 1871, and the church building was moved from this location at that time. On December 7, 1896, the trustees conveyed the property to Charles W. Johnson and Eliza J. Williams for use as a cemetery.