Near Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

"A Very Neat Chapel"

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, October 17, 2010

1. "A Very Neat Chapel" Marker

Inscription. The little white chapel that stood here was built by soldiers of the garrison and held 150 people. Different ministers came from Richmond each week to preach. A small burial ground was located just 50 yards beyond the chapel—a reminder that life at Drewry’s Bluff was not without hazard from battle or disease.

“[Drewry’s Bluff] also contains a very neat chapel, the pulpit of which is filled by the ministers from the city on the Sabbath.”
Richmond Sentinel, July 29, 1863

Erected 2010 by Richmond National Battlefield Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1836.

Location. 37° 25.339′ N, 77° 25.357′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It can be reached from Fort Darling Road half a mile north of Bellwood Road. This marker is located in the Drewry’s Bluff (Fort Darling) unit of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7600 Fort Darling Road, Richmond VA 23237, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

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.

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: The First Marine Medal of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); A Permanent Post

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Shot and Wooden Ships (within shouting distance of this marker); A Perfect Gibraltar (within shouting distance of this marker); The USS Monitor (within shouting distance of this marker); Drewry’s Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); Finishing Fort Drewry (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Darling (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Bombproof and Well (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. On the left is a period photograpgh of the church with the caption, "You are now standing near the steeple of the chapel, looking toward the small cemetery in the foreground of the image."

The insert contains a photograph of the cemetery with the caption, "The chapel’s rustic graveyard captured the cameraman’s attention. The prominent headboard marks the grave of Union Sergeant Frank L. Smith, who drowned in 1865 while removing

Drewry's Bluff Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, October 17, 2010

2. Drewry's Bluff Trail

artillery from the Confederate forts. The other graves contain Confederate soldiers, including some who were killed in action on May 15, 1862. All the remains have been removed."

Also see . . .
1. Drewry's Bluff. Richmond National Battlefield Park (Submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. Drewry’s Bluff. Civil War Richmond (Submitted on May 14, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Chapel at Fort Darling and soldier's graves image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Frank Browne, April 1865

3. Chapel at Fort Darling and soldier's graves

Library of Congress [LC-B815-1135]

Soldier's cemetery. Grave of Sgt. Frank L. Smith, Co F, 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery in foreground. image. Click for full size.

1865

4. Soldier's cemetery. Grave of Sgt. Frank L. Smith, Co F, 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery in foreground.

Library of Congress [LC-B815-1149]

Possible Chapel Trace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 1, 2025

5. Possible Chapel Trace

The two identical depressions in the distance center of this photo are thought to be related to the Chapel - if not for the chapel itself. These pits, plus the hotel's foundation hole and several unidentified similar holes are the only surface remains of the camp that once surrounded Fort Darling - though in the river, a small number of wharf pilings also remain visible.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,375 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 18, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.