Lexington, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Stone from Old Monmouth/Lexington Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2023
1. A Stone from Old Monmouth Marker/ Lexington Presbyterian Church marker
The Mother Church
1746 PSA XC1 1789
Lexington Presbyterian Church
has been registered as a
Virginia Historic Landmark
pursuant to the authority vested in the
Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission
Act of 1966
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1746.
Location. 37° 47.038′ N, 79° 26.584′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of South Main Street (Business U.S. 11) and East Nelson Street (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling north. The marker is under the portico at the top of the steps to the right of the sanctuary entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 S Main St, Lexington VA 24450, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Soldier John Grisby (here, next to this marker); Zachariah Johnston (a few steps from this marker); Michael Miley (a few steps from this marker); Edward Tarr (a few steps from this marker); Mike Seeger (a few steps from this marker); Thomas Jefferson (a few steps from this marker); Mary McD. Greenlee (a few steps from this marker); The T. David Grist Headquarters Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.
Regarding A Stone from Old Monmouth/Lexington Presbyterian Church. Excerpts from the Lexington Presbyterian Church Nomination Form:
Conspicuously located in the heart of this historic Valley community, the Lexington Presbyterian Church, completed in 1845, is a distinguished example of Greek Revival ecclesiastical architecture. Designed by one of the foremost 19th-century Americanarchitects, Thomas Ustick Walter of Philadelphia, the church is one of his finer Virginia works, which include the Tabb Street Presbyterian Church in Petersburg and the Old First Baptist Church in Richmond. Although Walter worked ina number of historical styles, his proficiency in the Greek is evident in these Virginia churches. In the Lexington Presbyterian Church, as well as in his other Virginia commissions, Walter clearly demonstrated how classical forms could be adapted for Christian purposes to enhance the dignity of worship.Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 20232. Full view of Lexington Presbyterian Church from the corner of South Main and West NelsonMarkers are under the front portico of the sanctuary, to the right of the entrances
Lexington's Presbyterians first worshipped with the members of Hall's Meeting House, later named New Monmouth Church, five miles west of the town. The Lexington element grew, so that by 1789 the Presbytery authorized the formation of a Lexington church, at which time the congregation began holding services in a tent; a church was erected in 1797. By 1843 the thriving congregation had completely outgrown its old building and decided that it needed a more commodious structure nearer the center of town. The site was purchased, and Thomas U. Walter was engaged as the architect.
Also see . . .
1. Lexington Presbyterian Church Nomination Form (pdf).
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 26, 2023
3. Lexington Presbyterian Church sanctuary interior
2. History of Lexington Presbyterian Church. Thomas J. ("Stonewall") Jackson was a member of this church from the year of his arrival in 1851 as a professor at the Virginia Military Institute until his death in 1863. Prior to his departure from Lexington in April of 1861, he occasionally held positions of leadership in the congregation. By February 1852, Thomas began teaching Sunday school classes for young men. In late 1855, with local friends, he established a new Sunday School for local free Black people and enslaved individuals of all ages. Classes met in the lecture room adjacent to the church building at the time. He also led efforts to place a Bible in every home as a member of the Rockbridge Bible Society. In December 1857, Thomas was elected as a deacon of the church. As a deacon, Thomas led several local humanitarian efforts. Jackson's next return to Lexington was for burial in the Presbyterian Cemetery on 15 May 1863. (Submitted on December 3, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
