Blessed, Honored Pioneers

The Lockhart Converts to the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Frederick County, Virginia

Mary Jane Foreman Lockhart

Beverly Lockhart

Mary Jane Foreman Lockhart (1848-1934) and her husband, Beverly Lockhart (1847-1922), were early converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Frederick County, Virginia near Winchester, Virginia.

This specific couple represents an important chapter in the history of the Church's Southern States Mission in northern Virginia.

Beverly Lockhart married Mary Jane Foreman on 9 March 1875. They lived and raised their family in the Back Creek an Rock Enon districts of Frederick County, Virginia, located just west of Winchester, Virginia.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Latter-Day Saint missionaries traveling through the Shenandoah Valley frequently baptized local families in rivers and creeks. Mary Jane was baptized into the Church in 1902, followed by Beverly in 1907.

Beverly was a Civil War veteran.  He enlisted as a private in Company F of the 1st Infantry (United States) in February 1865 and was honorably discharged later that year.  He spent the rest of his life working as a farmer in Frederick County.

Expulsion of LDS Missionaries:

In 1902 a declaration by community leaders in Winchester, Virginia, forbidding proselytizing directly affected members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  This ban primarily enacted to target traveling LDS elders (missionaries), preventing them from knocking on doors, preaching, and distributing religious literature within the city limits.  Because of the restrictions, LDS missionaries quieted their efforts and left the immediate area.  Local historical records note that the decleration effectively cut off residents from hearing about the faith for several decades.  Missionaries did not permanently stay away;  They quietly returned to Winchester toward the middle of the 20th century, which ultimately led to the establishment of an active local congregation.

Beverly and Mary Jane Lockhart seemed to cling to their new found faith through this time period, regardless of not being a part of an active congregation and most likely with a certain amount of persecution by the locals.

Charles Martin Lockhart, son of Beverly and Mary Jane, had mentioned to his children and grandchildren that Mary Jane and Beverly would let the missionaries stay in their home on occasion to keep warm by the fire. Ironically, most of the descendants didn't realize that Beverly and Mary Jane had been baptized into the church but only that they had shown kindness to the missionaries.

The obituary of these converts leave clues to the fact that they still considered themselves part of the LDS faith even until death.  Beverly's 1922 obituary mentions that he was part of a religious sect that had no clergy in the locality.  Mary Jane's obituary states that her funeral was conducted by Elder Riley Glenn from Washington DC, who upon research was discovered that he was a leader for the Later-Day Saint who served in Washington DC.

The early 20th-century restrictions in Winchester, Virginia, reflect a broader, nationwide struggle over religious liberty.  Anti-proselytizing ordinances eventually collapsed under Supreme Court challenges, paving the way for a local congregation to be established and grow.

Again, Charles Martin Lockhart was visited by the missionaries in the mid century and he was a son of Mary Jane and Beverly.  There is no known record of him ever being baptized into the church at the time of Beverly and Mary Jane's baptism but several members of the Lockhart family say that Charles claimed he had already been baptized before the arrival of these missionaries. Research discovered that two Lockhart sisters of Charles had also been baptized at the time of Beverly and Mary Jane. Regardless of what had not been recorded, Charles' testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had been rekindled with the arrival of these young missionaries. So at this time, Charles introduced the missionaries to his nephew William James Lockhart and wife Dellitt Jenkins Lockhart and their young family.  They took the missionary discussions and were converted to the gospel. Charles and Dellitt with her older children were baptized on the 5th of August 1950. Later, their father William was baptized in November of 1954.  The Lockharts and others baptized in these years were instrumental in establishing the Church in Winchester, Virginia.

There are still many Lockhart descendants of these northern Virginia pioneers that cherish the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to this day and are

"True to the faith that their forefathers have cherished"

I feel very blessed to have married into the Lockhart family and discover the wonderful heritage they have. Soon, Winchester, Virginia will have a temple for the Church.  A standing monument of the faith and sacrifice of a few converts in this area of our Lord's vineyard. Winchester has truly blossomed like a rose. 

1950 Baptism Washington DC

Lockharts, Simpsons & Missioonaries

Dellitt & William Lockhart

Dave & Uncle Robert Lockhart

 at Dellitt & William's grave May 2026, Winchester, Virginia

(Robert is one of the remaining Lockharts from the baptism in 1950

and still lives in Winchester, Virginia)

Dave & Beth Lockhart

Winchester, Virginia Temple Site May 2026

"You are never lost

when you can see the temple." 

~Elder Gary E Stevenson

Family History Trip ~ Winchester, Virginia

 We had a fun weekend, saw the graves of Dave's ancestors who were the very first members baptized in the church 1902 & 1907 his 2nd great-grandparents (Mary Jane Foreman & Beverly Lockhart) We also found an old, small church where a lot of infants and relatives were buried. This church needs some help. It is on the property of a Boy Scout camp but they let us go in it and look around. We also saw different places where Dave's grand-parents lived and raised their family, a school house where they went to school. Uncle Robert took us around. We also saw the beginnings of Winchester Temple. Great time!

Beverly Lockhart 1847 - 1922 served in Union army, 

he and his wife were first members of the Lockhart family 

to be baptized int the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Mary Jane Foreman Lockhart, 1848 - 1934, 

wife of Beverly Lockhart, They lived in Back Creek, Virginia near Gore, 

moved to Winchester, VA in their later years

Her Obituary said that an Elder from Washington D C

came to perform her funeral

Believers to the end even though there were

no LDS churches in the area

It was special to see her grave.

This was the neatest little church we found 

up Rock Enon Springs on the BSA property. 

Luckily we found it.

When we were going down this road, 

Uncle Robert saw the church and remembered 

that Aunt Mary Catherine was buried there.

A lot of babies that died in infancy

 from the Lockhart's are buried here. 

Sacred ground. We felt the Spirit here.

Probably one of highlights of our trip was visiting this place.

There was a "Carson" there

Our Carson liked this picture

Boy Scout Leader had a key and let us go in

He even let us take some hymnals.

This is an old school house in Warren County, Virginia 

where Uncle William Lockhart attended school. 

Its now an antique and gift shop but wasn't open

Down this road was private property but they let us come on it. 

Its where the Lockharts lived when Grandfather William Lockhart 

was manager over their farm years ago. 

Still in Warren County, Virginia

We also visited the Temple Site for the Church

Lessons Learned~A Voice of Protection

 When I was about eight years old, I went on an errand with my mom to the store.  I was in the backseat of our four door sedan and we didn't have seatbelts or child door locks in the car which was typical for those days. As an eager child that I was, whenever we would go somewhere in the car, I would jump out as soon as it stopped at our destination. This would upset my mom. It was very unsafe and my mother use to always tell me to wait for her to turn off the engine of the car and listen for her instructions on what to do next but I hardly ever waited. It was way too tempting to just get out quickly. 

This errand of my mom's on this particular day was at a store on a highway. So my mother had to park on the open road which was where the traffic would drive by the vehicles that were parked on the side of the road.  As my mom maneuvered the car to parallel park, it seemed like I was having to wait forever before I could get out of the car. As she finally stopped the car (engine still running) I grabbed the door handle and turned it to get out. Then for a split second, before my mom could say anything, I had a distinct impression to stop what I was doing. Almost as if it was a "still small voice" telling me not to open the door. As soon as I felt that impression and stopped moving the door handle, a tractor trailer truck came speeding close besides us. I could feel the rushing air of the truck as it went by. It was scary. I was so relieved I hadn't opened the car door. It was obvious that I escaped a terrible accident. 

After the truck had cleared by us,  my mother was aware that I had suddenly stopped opening the car door and she asked me what made me decide not to get out of the car. I told her about my impressions and feelings.   In some peculiar way, something had warned me. She knew what it was instantly. She explained to me about the Holy Ghost. She said that the Holy Ghost is always with us and that it is a gift from Heavenly Father that will warn us when danger is near.  She told me to alway listen and be aware of the Holy Ghost and it would protect me from harm.  I know what she said was true. I knew that those impressions were real and divine in nature. I knew from that experience that God was real and that he knows me and is near me.

Through a still small voice, The Spirit speaks to me

To guide me, to save me, from the evil I may see.

If I try to do what's right, He will lead me thru the night,

Direct me, protect me, and give my soul His light.

Listen, listen, the Holy Ghost will whisper.

Listen, listen to the still small voice. ~Merrill Bradshaw