Dayton in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Church in Rockingham County

Photographed By Dan Fisher, June 20, 2010

1. First Church in Rockingham County Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The first church in Rockingham County was built on this site in 1747 on land owned by Captain Daniel Harrison of the colonial militia. Serving as a "Chapel of Ease" for Augusta Parish, the first building is believed to have been built of logs. The chapel was replaced by a larger frame building some 20 years later. Following the Revolutionary War, the church was used by a Methodist congregation; it was sold and functioned as a barn until it was torn down about 1900.

Erected 1990 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number D-7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1747.

Location. 38° 25.208′ N, 78° 56.465′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Virginia, in Rockingham County. Marker is at the intersection of Bowman Road (Virginia Route 732) and Cemetery Drive, on the left when traveling west on Bowman Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dayton VA 22821, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Daniel Bowman Mill at Silver Lake (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Silver Lake Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shenandoah College and Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (approx. ¼ mile away); Fort Harrison (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lt. Col. Thomas F. Wildes (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dayton (approx. half a mile away); Origins of Shenandoah University (approx. ¾ mile away); Death of Lt. Meigs (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

The Dayton Cemetery of Virginia image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dan Fisher, June 20, 2010

2. The Dayton Cemetery of Virginia

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,084 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.