Near Lexington in Rockbridge County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Timber Ridge Church

Photographed by Dan Fisher, June 20, 2010

1. Timber Ridge Church Marker

Inscription. This Presbyterian Church was built in 1756, nineteen years after the first settlement in Rockbridge County.

Erected 1928 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number A-46.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the American Presbyterian and Reformed Historic Sites, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1756.

Location. 37° 50.58′ N, 79° 21.488′ W. Marker is near Lexington, Virginia, in Rockbridge County. It is at the intersection of Timber Ridge Road (Virginia Route 716) and Sam Houston Way ( Route 785), on the right when traveling east on Timber Ridge Road. This marker is located at the Sam Houston Wayside. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington VA 24450, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia.

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Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Settlement at Timber Grove (a few steps from this marker); Liberty Hall Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); Church Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Birthplace of Sam Houston (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Birthplace of Sam Houston (about 400 feet away); Cedar Grove (approx. 3.1 miles away); Red House and the McDowell Family (approx. 3.1 miles away); Dr. Ephraim McDowell (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Birthplace of Sam Houston (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Timber Ridge Church. Timber

Photographed by Dan Fisher, June 20, 2010

2. Timber Ridge Church Marker

Ridge Old Stone Presbyterian Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. This church is also one of 445 American Presbyterian and Reformed 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:
The oldest church building in Rockbridge County, Timber Ridge was one of the sites of the Academy that became Washington and Lee University. Constructed in 1756, the original stone church is now the largest part of the present sanctuary. Sam Houston, Texas statesman, attended Timber Ridge as a child. His grandfather gave the land for the church. William Henry Ruffner, who became Virginia's first superintendent of education, was also a child of this congregation. John Brown, Timber Ridge's first pastor, presided at the organization of Lexington Presbytery here on 26 September 1786.

Also see . . .
1. Timber Ridge "Old Stone" Presbyterian Church.

Photographed by Dan Fisher, June 20, 2010

3. Timber Ridge Church Marker

(Submitted on June 21, 2010.)
2. Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on June 21, 2010.)

Timber Ridge Church image. Click for full size.

National Register of Historic Places

4. Timber Ridge Church

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,939 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.