The Old Chapel Church (1769) which has been restored at 436 Old Chapel Road in Penhook will be re-dedicated during an open house at the Church on Sunday, Oct. 18th at 2 p.m. The church has been restored as a monument to our christian heritage and will be available for weddings, reunions, etc.
The history of the structure has been authenticated by Colonial Williamsburg and the Dept. of Historic Resources of Virginia as being one of only four documented pre-Revolutionary War Church of England (Anglican) Churches standing in Virginia and is the oldest documented frame structure in the 27 counties of Southwestern Virginia. St. John’s Church in Richmond where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech is one of the four known pre-Revolutionary War frame churches.
Finding such an early frontier church with unique architecture still standing in our locality has been a surprise to many locally as well as to historians in Colonial Williamsburg. The building’s history had been largely unrecognized in its rural pristine setting although it first received attention in 1950.
In 1753 a “Chapell of Ease” was erected on the site, which was within 10 years of the first settlers coming to our area. In 1769 a Church was ordered by the Vestry of Camden Parish to be built near where the Chapel stands and thus the name Old Chapel Church.
This site served the spiritual needs of both blacks and whites from 1753 onward. With the dissolution of the American Anglican Church after the Revolution, it became Baptist by 1789 and Primitive Baptist by 1824. When the last member died in 2009,the church was sold.
J.Francis Amos who has spearheaded the recent renovation and historical promotion could find no party willing to undertake the restoration so he bought the property and with the help of six main loyal volunteers and other volunteers and contributors successfully completed the restoration to it’s original 18th century appearance.
No grant monies or public funds were used in the process. The traditional English Box Architecture with exposed post and beam construction, which was never covered until after 1900, is very unique in any early American church. Other typical 18th century Virginia Anglican features are evident as well.
For more information contact J.Francis Amos, MD, at 540-483-0687 or email [email protected]
