Charles Town in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
A Brief History of the Old Presbyterian Church in Charles Town
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 25, 2020
On February 17, 1787, Charles Washington, founder of Charles Town, executed a deed granting a lot to the Board of Trustees of the Charles Town Presbyterian Church. Washington was paid 20 pounds "current money of Virginia" for the lot which was in the southwestern portion Charles Town near Evitts Run. The first building was a small stone one erected in 1787. It was replaced by a larger stone one dedicated on April 4, 1830. On November 6, 1851, the last sermon was delivered at the old stone Church on West Street. On November 13, 1851, the new sanctuary was dedicated on Washington Street. With the construction of the new sanctuary completed, the old stone church building was declared surplus by the Board of Trustees and sold to Mr. Wells J. Hawks. Mr. Hawks moved the old building to 104 East Liberty Street, where it became part of his carriage factory. Today the exposed stonework can be seen as part of another structure, while walking eastward along Liberty Street toward Samuel Street.
The building was surrounded by the graves of at least sixty people. The tombstones were all removed and the burial ground bulldozed in 1958.
[Captions:]
The first sanctuary of the Charles Town Presbyterian Church located on West Congress Street could possibly have looked somewhat like this.
The second sanctuary of the Charles Town Presbyterian Church located on West Congress Street could possibly have looked somewhat like this.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 17, 1787.
Location. 39° 17.211′ N, 77° 51.792′ W. Marker is in Charles Town, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of South West Street and West Congress Street, on the right when traveling south on South West Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 S West St, Charles Town WV 25414, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Stone House / Star Lodge No. 1 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Thomas Marker (about 400 feet away); Martin Robinson Delany (about 500 feet away); Brownfields to Greenfields (about 700 feet away); Office of Charles Washington (about 700 feet away); Charles Town Schools (about 800 feet away); Martin Robison Delany (about 800 feet away); Williams House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles Town.
More about this marker. Sources: 1) 1851-1951, One Hundredth Anniversary, Presbyterian Church, Charles Town, WVa. Rev. C. Lloyd Arehart; Pastor. 2) A History of the
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 25, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 12, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.