Sunday, February 24, 2013

Virginia Landmarks: Old Stone Church in Centreville, Va.

Fairfax
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There is an Old Stone Church in Centreville, Va. located off of one of the main roads that stretches across Fairfax County. Still an active parish today, the church is a historical landmark.
Northern Virginia is deeply rooted in Early American history. As settlers arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries to the region, the area known today as "Fairfax County" links back to those early land establishments during the Colonial and Revolutionary War years.


Fairfax County is named for Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron who first arrived on North American soil in 1735 when he inherited a large parcel of land.


Fast forward to the 19th century and Fairfax County, along with surrounding counties, will again be noted in history books due to the prominent American Civil War battles and other events that took place in the area.


There are many historical landmarks from those earlier days that remain, some are well-known and others, less so. This writer routinely tries to seek out not only the well-known and highly toured locations in the region, but also some of the perhaps lesser known landmarks.

The  Old Stone Church  was originally built in the early half of the 19th Century. It was dismantled...

The "Old Stone Church" was originally built in the early half of the 19th Century. It was dismantled during the American Civil War and rebuilt shortly after the war. Today the church remains as both an active parish and a historical landmark.

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One such landmark is the "Old Stone Church". I had heard there was a historical church in Centreville, which is located on the western end of Fairfax County, and decided to take a ride over to see where it was. What I found was a stone church with a historical marker out front that indicated the structure had been used as a hospital by the Union Army, twice.
Marker located outside The Old Stone Church  which is located on the western end of Fairfax County

Marker located outside The Old Stone Church, which is located on the western end of Fairfax County

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The first time was during the first battle of Manassas in 1861 when Assistant Surgeon David L. Magruder commanded the building for medical treatments. According to the sign posted outside the church, Magruder would later write he ?took possession of a stone church, pleasantly situated in a grove of timber, directly ? to the right of the road we had passed on advancing to the attack.? The church was used again a year later during the Second Battle of Manassas. It also served as a Confederate hospital, according to the posted sign, who took control of the Old Stone Church depended on where it fell as battle lines changed.
An entry way that connects the original church structure with an addition that was later added on.

An entry way that connects the original church structure with an addition that was later added on.

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Historic landmark designation that has been placed on the front of the Old Stone Church  located off...

Historic landmark designation that has been placed on the front of the Old Stone Church, located off Route 29 in Centreville, Virginia.

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Soldiers had eventually dismantled the church, according to this Fairfax County web page, but it was rebuilt in 1870.
A rear entryway that links the original church with the newer addition.

A rear entryway that links the original church with the newer addition.

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Rear of the original Old Stone Church.

Rear of the original Old Stone Church.

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A view of the Old Stone Church from the side. In the distance sits another historic landmark; I beli...

A view of the Old Stone Church from the side. In the distance sits another historic landmark; I believe this house was possibly built in the latter half of the 1700s.

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Civil War markers that were observed in the yard in the rear of the Old Stone Church

Civil War markers that were observed in the yard in the rear of the Old Stone Church

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Over the years, the church building served many congregations of various denominations and is still an active one today. It is currently home to the Church of the Ascension.
The Church of the Ascension currently resides in the historical Old Stone Church.

The Church of the Ascension currently resides in the historical Old Stone Church.

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According to the church's website, the church was built in 1854 by members of the Centreville Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The Church of the Ascension purchased the Old Stone Church in 1973.

Source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/343943

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