Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Amid Shot and Shell
Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District
Berea Church was initially used as a field hospital during the battles for Spotsylvania Court House as fighting raged on the Brock Road on May 8th. On May 11th, the church became the headquarters of General Jubal Early. On May 13th, the area came under artillery fire from Federal lines across the Fredericksburg Road. A large artillery shell passed through the front doors and became hidden within one of the walls. Damage to the church can be seen by the different color of brick in the photo below circa 1910. Fire damaged the church in 1899.
After the fire on July 3, 1899, the artillery shell that was lodged into the wall was discovered. The shell was donated to the Fredericksburg Museum of War Relics, but it's location today is unknown. The muddy road in 1905 was unchanged from the war. The County Jail (1) built in 1855 is across the road. "Courtland" is in the background (2) with the Courthouse (3) far right.
[Caption:]
General Jubal Early, who ascended to Command of the Confederate 2nd Corps due to the illness of General A. P. Hill, did not speak of Berea in his memoirs.
Erected 2017 by Spotsylvania County Museum, County of Spotsylvania, Virginia.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 12.02′ N, 77° 35.335′ W. Marker was in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It was on Courthouse Road just east of Judicial Center Lane (County Road 631), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 8956 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: Through Fire and Flames (here, next to this marker); Back to the Start (a few steps from this marker); A Case of Negligence (within shouting distance of this marker); Modification, Decay & Preservation (within shouting distance of this marker); The Burying Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); A Jailor is Jailed
Other markers no longer nearby. Berea Christian Church (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Spotsylvania County Jail (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Spotsylvania Courthouse and Jail (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on February 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
