Dendron in Surry County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Organization of the Christian Church

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 24, 2026

1. Organization of the Christian Church Marker

Inscription. Late in the 18th century, arguments over governance threatened to split the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. James O'Kelly, leader of a group that disputed the authority of bishops, withdrew from the church's General Conference in 1792. After efforts at reconciliation failed, O'Kelly and like-minded ministers cut their ties with the church in Dec. 1793 and called themselves Republican Methodists. They met here at Old Lebanon Church in Aug. 1794 to organize the new denomination. Emphasizing congregational independence and individual interpretation of the scriptures, they adopted the name Christian Church. The denomination was a forerunner of the United Church of Christ, founded in 1957.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-236.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1794.

Location. 37° 7.475′ N, 76° 51.115′ W. Marker is in Dendron, Virginia, in Surry County. It is on Colonial Trail West (Virginia Route 10) west of Enos Farm Drive, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 770 Colonial Trail W, Dendron VA 23839, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Christian Church (here, next to this marker); Surry County WWII Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Smith’s Fort Plantation (approx. 1.2 miles away); Chanco (approx. 1.3 miles away); Surry County War Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Surry County Virginia (approx. 1.3 miles away); Capt. Jacob Faulcon, C.S.A. (approx. 1.3 miles away); English Settlement on Gray’s Creek (approx. 2 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Organization of the Christian Church (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Surry County Confederate Monument (was approx. 1.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 24, 2026

2. Organization of the Christian Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.