Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Old Stone Presbyterian Church

Erected 1788

— American Presbyterian and Reformed Historical Site —

Old Stone Presbyterian Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2015

1. Old Stone Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription.
Branch of Opequon Church (organized 1736)

Congregation organized, 1800, with 40 members; Rev. William Hill, D.D., Minister; Elders: Col. Henry Beatty, John Bell, James Holliday, Joseph Gamble, Robert Gray.

Synod of Virginia met here, 1790. (Its second regular session) and twelve times subsequently.

General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church met here, 1799.

Winchester Presbytery organized here, 1794.

First Sunday School south of Pennsylvania organized here, 1815.

Gen. Daniel Morgan, of Revolutionary fame, was a member of this church and was buried in the adjoining cemetery.

This building used by Presbyterians until 1834; by the Baptists, 1834-1858; by Old School Baptist Church of Color, 1858-1886; by Federal troops as a stable during War between the States when it was damaged by shell fire; by Public School for Negro Children, 1875-1929; by National Guard as armory, 1929-1940.
Restored, 1941-1950, under the leadership of
Clifford D. Grim
1891-1950
Deacon in the Loudoun Street Church, 1927-1950
in whose memory this tablet is erected, 1951.

Erected 1951. (Marker Number 132.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion

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. In addition, it is included in the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites series list.

Location. 39° 11.119′ N, 78° 9.592′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of East Piccadilly Street and North East Lane, on the left when traveling east on East Piccadilly Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 E Piccadilly St, Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Major General Daniel Morgan (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacob Baker Lot And Virginia City Addition (within shouting distance of this marker); The Virginia Woolen Company and Lewis Jones Knitting Mill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Taylor F. Finley (about 300 feet away); Third Battle of Winchester (about 300 feet away); The Early Education Of Black Students In Winchester (about 300 feet away); Original Land Grant (about 400 feet away); Piccadilly's Public House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Regarding Old Stone Presbyterian Church. The Old Stone Presbyterian Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This church is also one of 445 American Presbyterian and Reformed

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2015

2. Old Stone Presbyterian Church Marker

Historical Sites registered between 1973 and 2003 by the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS), headquartered in Philadelphia. Approved sites received a metal plaque featuring John Calvin’s seal and the site’s registry number (PHS marker location unknown).

The following text is taken from the Presbyterian Historical Society website:

Constructed in 1788 of native limestone, this church served as the meeting site of the Synod of Virginia in 1790 and of the PCUSA General Assembly in 1799. Winchester Presbytery was organized here in 1794. After 1834, the building served as a Baptist church (1834-1858); the Old School Baptist Church of Color (1858-1886); a public school for African American children (1875-1929); and a National Guard armory (1929-1940). Returned to the ownership of the First Presbyterian Church of Winchester in 1932, extensive renovations of the building began in 1944 and were completed in 1950. The building has since been used for meetings of the presbytery and synod.

Also see . . .
1. Old Stone Church. Virginia Department of Historic Resources website entry (Submitted on January 26, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

2. First Presbyterian Church of Winchester. Congregation website entry (Submitted on August 20, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Old Stone Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2015

3. Old Stone Presbyterian Church

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2015

4. Old Stone Presbyterian Church

Daniel Morgan Statue<br>at the Old Stone Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2015

5. Daniel Morgan Statue
at the Old Stone Church

“Fought everywhere, was beaten nowhere”

Old Stone Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 18, 2015

6. Old Stone Church

has been registered as a
Virginia
Historic
Landmark Pursuant to authority vested in the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Act of 1966

The Rev. G. Raymond Womeldorf
Pastor
1950 - 1982

Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 875 times since then and 54 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 26, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.