Blowing Rock in Watauga County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church

ca. 1921

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 30, 2022

1. St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. The cornerstone was laid in 1918 and the church building was financed by a contribution from W.W. Stringfellow. Noted American artist, Elliott Daingerfield, painted and donated his work, “Madonna of the Hills” for which the church is named.

In recognition of this property's significance, this marker is placed by the
Blowing Rock Historical Society & the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum.

Erected by Blowing Rock Historical Society • Blowing Rock Art and History Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 36° 7.831′ N, 81° 40.712′ W. Marker is in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, in Watauga County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Business U.S. 321) and Chestnut Drive, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Marker is on a rock arch over the sidewalk leading to the church from Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 140 Chestnut Dr, Blowing Rock NC 28605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in North Carolina’s and he Mountains in the High Country. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

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 walking distance of this marker: Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Edgewood Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Schenck House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Edgewood Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Springhaven Inn (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Blowing Rock Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); Yonahlossee Theater (about 500 feet

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 30, 2022

2. St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church Marker

away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blowing Rock.

Also see . . .
1. St Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church. Built by the Church of the Holy Spirit and dedicated as the Susie Parker Stringfellow Memorial Church, it adopted its current name after Elliott Daingerfield donated his painting “Madonna of the Hills”. (Margaret Handley, Clio: Your Guide to History, posted Nov. 8, 2020) (Submitted on November 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. History. The Mission Church of St. Mary’s was begun in the summer of 1890 when a lot was secured for a church and four hundred dollars collected for a church building fund. (St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church) (Submitted on November 21, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Moving the Madonna. This news article — about the relocation of Elliott Daingerfield's "Madonna of the Hills" during church renovations – includes a photo of the painting. (The Blowing Rocket, posting Nov. 21, 2013) (Submitted on November 21, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 30, 2022

3. St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church

It was an especially foggy day.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 16, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.