St. Thomas Chapel

Last updated

St. Thomas Chapel
StThomasChapel 4120.jpg
St. Thomas Chapel, April 2013
USA Virginia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location7854 Church Street, Middletown, Virginia, US
Coordinates 39°1′39″N78°16′40″W / 39.02750°N 78.27778°W / 39.02750; -78.27778
Area0.25 acres (0.10 ha)
Built1837 (1837)
Architectural style Gothic Revival
Part of Middletown Historic District
NRHP reference No. 73002015 [1]
VLR No.260-0001
Significant dates
Added to NRHPApril 11, 1973
Designated VLRJanuary 16, 1973 [2]

St. Thomas Chapel, also known as St. Thomas Episcopal Church or St. Thomas Protestant Episcopal Chapel, is a historic building located at 7854 Church Street in Middletown, Frederick County, Virginia, United States. [3] Built in the 1830s, regular services were held at the Episcopal church for almost 100 years. The building has been restored twice, once after being heavily damaged during the Civil War, and again in the 1960s. [4] The church was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR) and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1973. [5]

Contents

History

The congregation of St. Thomas Episcopal Church was established in 1834, becoming the seventh Episcopal church founded in Frederick County. The congregation, which included the Hite family of the nearby Belle Grove Plantation, raised the necessary funds and began construction of a church building on a 0.25 acres (0.10 ha) lot purchased for fifty dollars. [4] [6] The church was completed sometime around April 1837. [4]

The church served as a military hospital for wounded Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. (The congregation worshiped temporarily at the nearby Grace Methodist Church.) In 1864, Union general Philip Sheridan's troops arrived in the area. The Union soldiers removed the wounded Confederate troops from the church hospital and converted the building into a stable. [4] [6] The Union troops later broke out the windows, burned the pews, and burned window shutters. Only the four walls of the building were left standing once they were done. After the war, the Federal government paid for some of the repairs to the church. This, along with contributions from church members, resulted in the church being reopened in 1867. [4] [6]

Throughout the next several decades a small congregation worshiped at St. Thomas Episcopal Church with approximately thirty people in attendance. [4] Services regularly took place at the church until 1930 and on an occasional basis until 1945. The church building had deteriorated by that point and was abandoned the following year. [6] The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia retained the property for several years before transferring ownership to Christ Episcopal Church in Winchester. In 1966, the church was given to Middletown's government to be used "as a chapel, museum or for any good moral purpose." [4] The name of the building was changed to St. Thomas Church in 1967 to reflect it becoming an interfaith facility. A group of citizens founded the St. Thomas Chapel Trust and restored the building in the 1960s. [3] [6] Work included the installation of central heating and electricity, the restoration of the original organ and pews, laying a new floor, replacing the windows, and restoring the steeple and bell tower. [3] [6] St. Thomas was added to the VLR on January 16, 1973, and the NRHP on April 11, 1973. [5] The building is also designated a contributing property to the Middletown Historic District, listed on the NRHP in 2003. [3]

Architecture

The building is a one-story, stepped gable-roofed, three bay by three bay church in the Gothic Revival style. It measures 30 feet (9.1 m) by 50 feet (15 m) and the recessed chancel measures 20 feet (6.1 m) by 10 feet (3.0 m). [4] The exterior is made of the original stucco, coursed ashlar, and brick, while the foundation is made of brick and stone. [3] [4] The standing seam metal roof is flanked on either end by parapet walls. The cupola is made of wood and features Gothic style vents, an octagonal belfry with Gothic arches, pyramidal roof, and a wooden cross. [3]

See also

Notes

1. ^ In 1836, Frederick County was divided into three separate counties: Frederick, Warren, and Clarke.
2. ^ The windows were replaced again in 2001. The older ones were placed in storage.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Luke's Church (Smithfield, Virginia)</span> Historic church in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, US

St. Luke's Church, also known as Old Brick Church, or Newport Parish Church, is a historic church building, located in the unincorporated community of Benns Church, near Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, United States. It is the oldest church in Virginia and oldest church in British North America of brick construction. According to local tradition the structure was built in 1632, but other evidence points to a date of 1682; see Dating controversy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unitarian Church in Charleston</span> Historic church in South Carolina, United States

The Unitarian Church in Charleston, home to a Unitarian Universalist congregation, is a historic church located at 4 Archdale Street in Charleston, South Carolina. It is the oldest Unitarian church in the South and the second oldest church building on the peninsula of Charleston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (Prairieville, Alabama)</span> Historic church in Alabama, United States

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, also known as St. Andrew's Church is a historic church building on County Highway 12 in Prairieville, Alabama. Built by slaves in 1853, it is a remarkably well-preserved example of Carpenter Gothic architecture, its design apparently taken from a book by Richard Upjohn. St. Andrew's was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1973, and was declared a National Historic Landmark on the same day. Public access is allowed to this National Historic Landmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Albany, New York)</span> Historic church in New York, United States

St. Peter's Episcopal Church, also known as St. Peter's Church, is located in downtown Albany, New York, United States. It was designed in the mid-19th century by Richard Upjohn and his son Richard M. Upjohn in the French Gothic Revival architectural style. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and designated a National Historic Landmark eight years later. It is also a contributing property to the Downtown Albany Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christ Church (Guilford, Vermont)</span> Historic church in Vermont, United States

Christ Church is a historic church located at Melendy Hill Road and US Route 5 in Guilford, Vermont. Built in 1817 and later given Gothic Revival styling, it was the first Episcopal Church in Vermont. On May 13, 1982, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is now owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont and maintained by a local nonprofit organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church (Montgomery, Vermont)</span> Historic church in Vermont, United States

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church is a historic church building located on Vermont Route 118 in Montgomery, Vermont in the United States. Its congregation was formed in 1821 as Union Episcopal Church. Church construction began in 1833 and was completed in 1835, when it was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hopkins, first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont. In 1897 its name was changed to St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John's Episcopal Church (Detroit)</span> Church in Detroit, Michigan, United States

St. John's Episcopal Church is an antebellum-era church located at 2326 Woodward Avenue in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. It is the oldest church still standing on Woodward Avenue, an area once called Piety Hill for its large number of religious buildings. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Brunswick, Maine)</span> Historic church in Maine, United States

St. Paul's Episcopal Church is a historic church at 27 Pleasant Street in Brunswick, Maine. Built in 1845, it is a distinctive early example of a modest Carpenter Gothic design by Richard Upjohn, then already well known for his larger-scale Gothic churches. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The Rector is the Rev. Dr. Matthew R. Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John's Episcopal Church (Dresden Mills, Maine)</span> Historic church in Maine, United States

St. John's Episcopal Church is a historic church on the south side of Maine State Route 27 at Blinn Hill Road in Dresden Mills, Maine. Built in 1832, it is a distinctive architectural blend of Federal, Greek Revival and Gothic Revival styling. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grafton Congregational Church and Chapel</span> Historic church in Vermont, United States

The Grafton Congregational Church, known locally as The Brick Church, is a historic church on Main Street in Grafton, Vermont. Built in 1833, it is a fine local example of vernacular Greek Revival and Gothic Revival religious architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Grafton's current Congregationalist congregation now meets primarily in the "White Church" at 55 Main Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's-By-The-Sea (Northeast Harbor, Maine)</span> Historic church in Maine, United States

St. Mary's-By-The-Sea is a historic Gothic Revival church at 20 South Shore Road in Northeast Harbor, Maine. Designed by English architect Henry Vaughan and built in 1902, it is one of a number of architect-designed summer chapels built around the turn of the 20th century with funding from wealthy summer residents. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Its parish is also responsible for services at Saint Jude's Episcopal Church, another National Register-listed chapel in Seal Harbor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Michael's Episcopal Church (Birdsboro, Pennsylvania)</span> Historic church in Pennsylvania, United States

St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Parish House and Rectory is a group of architecturally-significant religious buildings located at 200-216 North Mill Street in Birdsboro, Berks County, Pennsylvania. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Stephen's Church (Heathsville, Virginia)</span> Historic church in Virginia, United States

St. Stephen's Church, also known as St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, is an historic church located at 6807 Northumberland Highway, Heathsville, Northumberland County, in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Built in 1881, it was designed in the Carpenter Gothic style by T. Buckler Ghequiere. On December 28, 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It remains in use by an active parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. It is located in the Heathsville Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Sioux City, Iowa)</span> United States historic place

St. Thomas Episcopal Church is a parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. The church is located in Sioux City, Iowa, United States. The church building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's Chapel (Raleigh, North Carolina)</span> United States historic place

St. Mary's Chapel is a historic Episcopal chapel located at 900 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The chapel is on the grounds of St. Mary's School, a college-preparatory boarding and day school founded in the 1840s. The 19th-century building was designed by architect Richard Upjohn in the Gothic Revival style and later expanded. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Carson City, Nevada)</span> Historic church in Nevada, United States

St. Peter's Episcopal Church is a large historic Carpenter Gothic Episcopal church building located at the corner of Division and Telegraph streets in Carson City, Nevada. Built in 1868, it is the oldest Episcopal church still in use in Nevada. On January 3, 1978, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Watertown, Wisconsin)</span> Historic church in Wisconsin, United States

St. Paul's Episcopal Church is a historic parish of the Episcopal Church in Watertown, Wisconsin. Its buildings display different phases of Gothic Revival architecture, and in 1979 the complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Chapel (Millwood, Virginia)</span> Historic site in Clarke County, Virginia

Old Chapel is a historic Episcopal church building located near Millwood, Clarke County, Virginia. Old Chapel is now the oldest Episcopal church building still in use west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. In 2014, the Chapel Rural Historic District was recognized, and which encompasses both Cunningham parish churches, discussed below, as well as approximately 700 other structures and an area of nearly 10,500 acres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middletown Historic District (Middletown, Virginia)</span> Historic district in Virginia, United States

The Middletown Historic District is a national historic district located in Middletown, Virginia. It originally encompassed 234 contributing properties, the majority of which are residential buildings and their associated outbuildings. The boundaries of the historic district are approximately Church Street, Senseney Avenue, and First through Sixth Streets, except for a portion of Main Street that ends just south of Reliance Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John's Episcopal Church (Roanoke, Virginia)</span> Historic church in Virginia, United States

St. John's Episcopal Church is a historic Episcopal church in Roanoke, Virginia, United States. It was built in 1891–1892, and is a Gothic style limestone church designed by Charles M. Burns of Philadelphia. The building is a nave-plan, clerestory-style church that includes a corner bell tower and a narthex and chapel in the rear. A Tudor Revival style parish house was constructed in 1923. The church's congregation is one of the city's oldest, and has included many prominent local, state, and national leaders. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tess Klimm; Helen Lee Fletcher & Guy M. Jones (November 2002). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission (January 1973). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  5. 1 2 The Virginia Landmarks Register. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press. 1999. p. 179. ISBN   9780813918624 . Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "St. Thomas Episcopal Church Collection". Handley Regional Library. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to St. Thomas Chapel (Middletown, Virginia) at Wikimedia Commons