Hill Chapel at Evergreen Cemetery

The Hill Chapel at Evergreen Cemetery in Waynesville was built in honor of John W. Hill by his wife Eliza Jane Hill. Mr. Hill was born in England in 1836. He immigrated to Ohio and later moved to Illinois. He was a wagon builder by trade. He died in 1900 and the chapel was built shortly thereafter. The chapel was built for use by families seeking shelter while attending services at the cemetery.

Mrs. Hill was active in the work at Evergreen Cemetery. She was proud to have the distinction of being the oldest person not only in Waynesville but also DeWitt County for several years. She shared her February 12, 1844 birthday with Abraham Lincoln.

Born near Petersburg, Illinois, Eliza was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Fults. She served as deputy postmistress in Cuba, Illinois during the Lincoln Administration and remembered seeing him as a child. She married George H. Birch on January 1, 1863 and he died one year later. She married John W. Hill on February 3, 1867. She was depot agent at Hallsville, Illinois for seven years. She lived 80 years in her home in Waynesville, at the corner of South Street and South Maltby. She had a son and a daughter, both of whom died in infancy. They had an adopted son, Rolla Fults.

Friends and neighbors were frequent visitors to her home and gardens. Funeral services were held on February 13, 1943 at her home.

Mrs. Hill’s Chapel is still in use today, especially during the inclement weather. The Waynesville Township Cemetery Board has spent the past year renovating the chapel. David Isaac donated the new sign which he made himself. The chapel has been repainted on the inside and trim on the outside. The flag was moved to the inside for better maintenance. The chapel will be open on Memorial Day.

This article was submitted by Betsy Perring, President of the Waynesville Township Cemetery Board.