Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Epworth United Methodist Church, 1894

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 4, 2007

1. Epworth United Methodist Church, 1894 Marker

Inscription. This 1894 Richardsonian Romanesque granite and sandstone church was designed by Norfolk architects James E. R. Carpenter and John V. Peebles. It was built to accommodate the growing congregation of the 1850 Granby Street Methodist Church at the northeast corner of Granby and Freemason Streets. Both churches originated from the 1802 Cumberland Street Methodist Church, the first Methodist congregation in Norfolk.

The congregation named their new house of worship “Epworth,” after the English home of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Gothic features on the 135-foot carillon tower include eight gargoyles. In the sanctuary, a stained glass dome designed by Edward J.N. Stent of New York is supported by arches bearing mosaic likenesses of female figures representing the cardinal virtues of faith, hope, love and charity. The Aeolian-Skinner organ was considered to be the finest in the South at the time of its installation in 1959.

Epworth members organized Norfolk’s first chapter of Goodwill Industries and the city’s first Circle of the King’s Daughters. They also participated in the establishment of Virginia Wesleyan College.

(Caption, left picture): Cumberland Street Methodist Church (1802 - 1850)

(Caption, center picture): Church Interior, 1952

(Caption, right picture): Granby Street Methodist Church (1850 - 1894)

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of Epworth United Methodist Church

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 36° 51.062′ N, 76° 17.366′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is on E Freemason St, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Norfolk College for Young Ladies (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moses Myers House, 1792 (about 700 feet away); The Cannonball Trail (about 700 feet away); Whitehead House, 1791 (about 700 feet away); Freemason Street Baptist Church (about 800 feet away); Governor Tazewell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Littleton Waller Tazewell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tripoli Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

More about this marker. This marker is part of the Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail