Old Pine Church
Old Pine Church | |
Location | Old Pine Church Road (West Virginia Secondary Route 220/15) Purgitsville, West Virginia, United States |
---|---|
Coordinates | 39°12′55″N 78°55′33″W / 39.21528°N 78.92583°W |
Area | 2.3 acres (0.93 hectares) |
Built | 1838 |
Architectural style | Front gable |
NRHP reference No. | 12001049[1] |
Designated | December 12, 2012[1] |
Old Pine Church, also historically known as Mill Church, Nicholas Church, and Pine Church, is a mid-19th century church located near to Purgitsville, West Virginia, United States. It is among the earliest extant log churches in Hampshire County, along with Capon Chapel and Mount Bethel Church.
The church was constructed in 1838 to serve as a
Old Pine Church reportedly housed a school in the early 20th century while still serving as a center for worship. In 1968, residents of the Purgitsville community raised the necessary funds to perform a restoration of the church. It was added to the
The church is a large, one-story, gablefront log building sheathed in brown-painted wooden German siding. The original hewn log beams are visible beneath the church, with some bark remaining on the logs. The church's interior ceiling measures approximately 15 feet (4.6 metres) in height and is clad in pressed metal panels. Several of its pews date from 1857. In the church's adjoining cemetery, the earliest extant gravestone dates from 1834, and several unmarked interment sites may exist from as early as 1759. According to architectural historian Sandra Scaffidi, "Old Pine Church and cemetery is an excellent example of one of the area's early rural church complexes."[3]
Geography and setting
Old Pine Church and its cemetery are located along the steeply sloped Old Pine Church Road (West Virginia Secondary Route 220/15), approximately 1.66 miles (2.67 kilometres) south of the unincorporated community of Purgitsville.[4][5][6] The church and cemetery are situated on 2.3 acres (0.93 hectares) atop a bluff to the west of United States Route 220, at an elevation of 1,129 feet (344 metres).[7][8] The property is surrounded by old-growth forests.[9]
The church is in a rural area of southwestern Hampshire County within the
History
Background
Old Pine Church's land tract was originally part of the
The church is in the Mill Creek valley. As tensions with Native Americans were beginning to ease, Lord Fairfax sought to entice white settlers to the sparsely settled lands of his Northern Neck Proprietary.[19] The valley was one of the first parts of present-day Hampshire County to be settled by whites, beginning in the mid-18th century.[20] Settlers were drawn by the valley's fertility.[2] As the valley's population grew, the unincorporated community of Purgitsville developed along Mill Creek as a trading post village;[2][21] it was named for Henry Purgitt (or Purgate), who acquired 400 acres (160 ha) in the Mill Creek valley on January 7, 1785, and received a further land transfer of 137 acres (55 ha) in 1794.[20] Purgitsville continued to develop throughout the course of the 19th century, during which time it grew to include a small store, a post office, and a blacksmith shop.[2]
Establishment
The dates of the earliest church cannot be verified, but a church building may have been constructed at the site of Old Pine Church as early as around 1814, and possibly as early as 1792.[2][22]
On September 24, 1838, William Pomkrotz and his wife, Milly, deeded a tract of land to a group of trustees, charged with constructing "a church or house for public worship for the use and convenience of Ministers and others of the Christians [sic] Denominations Whatsoever".[2] While the deed mentioned an existing meeting house on the site, there is no extant evidence of a prior structure.[2] According to architectural historian Sandra Scaffidi, no particular Christian denomination received sole ownership of the edifice, which suggests that the church was intended to serve as a nondenominational "union church".[2][22] The church's earliest resident minister was reportedly Nicholas Leatherman, whose wife, Elizabeth High, was the daughter of George High, one of the church's original trustees.[2]
Brethren affiliation
Few records of the church's history exist, possibly because no single denomination or organization took ownership.
The Brethren denomination had been present in the South Branch Potomac River valley from as early as the 1750s although records of early Brethren congregations are not extant, possibly because they were served by
By 1870, Old Pine Church was primarily used by the Brethren denomination.[22] Around 1870, the Nicholas congregation of Brethren was worshiping at the church and was led by Dr. Leatherman.[27] According to the Beaver Run Church Book, membership at Old Pine Church was 78 in 1879 and numbered 100 in 1881.[23] The Beaver Run congregation modified its district's boundaries in 1879, which may have resulted in a division of the congregation at Old Pine Church into two factions: White Pine Church of the Brethren and Old Pine Church.[23] Both churches continued to worship at Old Pine Church at different times.[23] White Pine Church of the Brethren worshiped at the church from the 1870s until the construction of their own church building in 1907.[23][26][28] By 1897, Old Pine Church remained under collective ownership by several Christian denominations although the Brethren were the church's largest shareholders.[27] White Pine Church of the Brethren remained listed in the Brethren Conference Minutes as "Pine Church" until 1912, when members of the church petitioned the Brethren Conference to change their name from "Pine" to "White Pine".[23]
Old Pine Church reportedly housed a school in the early 20th century while still serving as a center for worship.[22][29] A small one-room addition to the church was constructed to the north façade of the building, which served as the boarding room for the school's teacher.[29] The Old Pine Church also continued to be used for funeral services and reunions.[26]
Restoration
In 1968, residents of the Purgitsville community raised the necessary funds to restore Old Pine Church: the church's original windows were repaired and the unpainted weatherboards painted; a new roof was installed and the original wood floor replaced. The boarding room addition was probably removed (nothing of it now remains) and the pressed metal ceiling may have been added.[29]
Current use
As of 2012, Old Pine Church is still used for community gatherings, funeral services, revival meetings, and an annual church service.[22][29] Regular church services have not taken place in the church since the middle of the 20th century.[29] The church's adjacent cemetery also continues to be used for burials.[29] Throughout its existence, Old Pine Church has been known by various names, including "Mill Church", "Nicholas Church", and simply "Pine Church".[26][27][30]
In 2008, the Hampshire County Historic Landmarks Commission and the Hampshire County Commission embarked upon an initiative to place structures and districts on the
Architecture
Church exterior
Old Pine Church is a large, one-story, gablefront log building.[9][31] Its symmetrical front façade faces west and encompasses a main entrance consisting of a double set of four-paneled doors.[9] The main entrance is reached by two concrete steps, on either side of which is a modern metal handrail.[9] Above the entrance is a small wooden sign painted white reading "Old Pine Church" in black lettering.[9] On either side of the doors are two nine-over-six double-hung sash wooden windows.[9]
Placed symmetrically in the north and south sides of the church are two nine-over-six double-hung sash wooden windows. Between the two windows on the church's north
At the base of each of the church's four corners is a large uncut stone pier.[9] Fieldstones span the church's perimeter foundations, which were added at a later date to discourage intrusion by animals.[9] The original hewn log beams, still retaining bark, can be seen under the church.[9] The church is covered with brown-painted wooden German siding and is crowned by a modern standing-seam metal roof.[9][31]
Architectural historian Sandra Scaffidi states that the simple form and construction of Old Pine Church are indicative of the early settlers' access to materials and are an example of the log construction techniques used in the religious architecture of Hampshire County's earliest settlers. She adds that Old Pine Church is representative of a "simple design and form common to the early ecclesiastical buildings" and an "excellent example of one of the area's early rural church complexes".[3]
Church interior
The church's interior exhibits an open architectural plan.[9] A plain wooden frame pulpit stands against the rear wall, underneath the middle window.[9] The church's floor consists of pine boards installed during the church's 1968 restoration.[3][9]
The church's ceiling, measuring approximately 15 feet (4.6 m) in height, is clad in pressed metal panels. A small opening allows for access to the church's attic. The unadorned window wells measure approximately 1 foot (0.30 m). The interior walls are covered in plasterboard, which remains unfinished.[3]
The church's small wood-burning stove originally occupied the center of the sanctuary but was moved to the church's north wall in later years. It continues to serve as the church's sole source of heat.[3]
Several of the church's pews date from 1857 and remain in use. The pews, quite simple in form, have a "minimalist appearance".
Cemetery
Old Pine Church is surrounded on three sides by a cemetery containing approximately 200 interments, the oldest section of which is located to the immediate east and south of the church building.[3] The earliest remaining gravestone dates from 1834, but several unmarked interment sites in the surrounding cemetery may date from as early as 1759.[3][22][26] The church's sign along U.S. Route 220 erroneously lists the date of the cemetery's oldest interment sites as 1792.[22]
The cemetery's headstones are oriented both to the east and to the west.[3] The majority are simple in design, inscribed with birth and death dates, and consist of a combination of rounded, arched stones, rectangular stones, and pyramidal-shaped obelisks that appear to be cut from limestone. In the cemetery's southern section are several small rectangular stones that probably serve as footstones. Beginning around 1950, the gravestones erected in the cemetery became more intricate with polished granite surfaces lying atop rough-cut stone foundations.[3]
Old Pine Church's cemetery is surrounded by several mature trees, with a large oak tree overhanging the southwestern area of the cemetery. Outside of the National Register of Historic Places boundary to the northwest of Old Pine Church lies a second parcel of land acquired around 1950 for additional burials. The cemetery is enclosed by a chicken wire fence supported by wooden posts, with a large gate to the north of the church which allows machinery access into the cemetery.[3]
See also
- List of historic sites in Hampshire County, West Virginia
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hampshire County, West Virginia
References
- ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/10/12 through 12/14/12. National Park Service. December 21, 2012. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Scaffidi 2012, p. 7 of the PDF file.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Scaffidi 2012, p. 6 of the PDF file.
- ^ Scaffidi 2012, p. 1 of the PDF file.
- ^ OCLC 35790339.
- ^ Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey. "Geographic Names Information System: Feature Detail Report for Purgitsville (Feature ID: 1545324)". Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ Scaffidi 2012, p. 4 of the PDF file.
- ^ Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey. "Geographic Names Information System: Feature Detail Report for Old Pine Church (Feature ID: 1544364)". Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Scaffidi 2012, p. 5 of the PDF file.
- ^ a b c Munske & Kerns 2004, p. 9.
- ^ Coleman 1951, p. 246.
- ^ Rose 1976, p. 25.
- ^ William and Mary Quarterly 1898, p. 222.
- ^ William and Mary Quarterly 1898, pp. 222–3.
- ^ Brannon 1976, p. 286.
- ^ William and Mary Quarterly 1898, p. 224.
- ^ William and Mary Quarterly 1898, pp. 224–6.
- ^ Rice 2015, p. 23.
- ^ Pitts & Harding 1976, p. 4 of the PDF file.
- ^ a b Munske & Kerns 2004, p. 75.
- ^ Brannon 1976, p. 402.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Munske & Kerns 2004, p. 76.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Scaffidi 2012, p. 8 of the PDF file.
- ^ a b Maxwell & Swisher 1897, p. 385.
- ^ a b Melton 2005, pp. 68, 234, and 359.
- ^
- ^ a b c d e Maxwell & Swisher 1897, p. 386.
- ^ Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc. 1983, p. 1341.
- ^ a b c d e f Scaffidi 2012, p. 9 of the PDF file.
- ^ Bittinger 1990, p. 231.
- ^ a b c d e f g Pisciotta, Marla (May 11, 2011). "Preserving Our History". Hampshire Review. Romney, West Virginia. p. 1B.
Bibliography
- Bittinger, Emmert F. (1990). Allegheny Passage: Churches and Families, West Marva District, Church of the Brethren, 1752–1990. OCLC 21495617. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2016 – via Google Books.
- Brannon, Selden W., ed. (1976). Historic Hampshire: A Symposium of Hampshire County and Its People, Past and Present. OCLC 3121468.
- Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc. (1983). The Brethren Encyclopedia, Volume 2. Philadelphia: Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc. OCLC 598050261. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2016 – via Google Books.
- Coleman, Roy V. (1951). Liberty and Property. New York City: OCLC 1020487 – via Internet Archive.
- OL 23304577M.
- Melton, J. Gordon (2005). Encyclopedia of Protestantism. New York City: .
- Munske, Roberta R.; Kerns, Wilmer L., eds. (2004). Hampshire County, West Virginia, 1754–2004. OCLC 55983178.
- Pitts, Phillip R.; Harding, James E. (October 27, 1976). National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Wilson-Wodrow-Mytinger House (PDF). United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- .
- Rose, Cornelia Bruère (1976). Arlington County, Virginia: A History. .
- Scaffidi, Sandra (May 15, 2012). National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Old Pine Church (PDF). United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- OCLC 1607858.
External links
- Old Pine Cemetery: Inventory of Interments
- Media related to Old Pine Church (Purgitsville, West Virginia) at Wikimedia Commons
- Old Pine Church at Find a Grave