Cedar Hill Church and Cemeteries facts for kids
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Cedar Hill Church and Cemeteries
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Church, front and northern side
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cedar Hill Church Rd. and Kygers Hill Rd., near Lexington, Virginia |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1874 |
| NRHP reference No. | 01001570 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 11, 2002 |
The Cedar Hill Church and Cemeteries are important historical sites in Rockbridge County, Virginia. This special place includes a small log church and two cemeteries. It helps us understand the history of the African American community in this area.
The church was built in 1874. It was also used as a schoolhouse for many years. This site is recognized as a significant part of African American heritage in rural Rockbridge County. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Place of Worship and Learning
The Cedar Hill congregation was formed not long after the American Civil War. This was a time when many African Americans were gaining their freedom. The church members were mostly African Americans who worked on farms owned by white families.
Early Beginnings
At first, the congregation met in a log house. This house was located southwest of where the church stands today. Later, they gathered under a very large oak tree. This tree was about one and a half miles west of the current church.
This oak tree meeting place was like the "brush arbor churches" that many freed people created after the Civil War. These were simple, temporary shelters for worship. People even called the oak tree the "Gospel Tree." Many members were said to be buried near this special tree.
The Gospel Tree
Sadly, the Gospel Tree was hit by lightning around 1890 and destroyed. But its stump can still be seen today. A piece of its limb is kept at the church as a historical reminder. It shows how important this tree was to the community.
Building the Church
The land for the church was given by a white farmer named John Replogle. He transferred the land to "Trustees for the Colored Baptist Congregation." This generous gift allowed the community to build their own church building in 1874. The church is a one-story, one-room log building. It is covered with plain and beaded wooden boards.
The Cemeteries
There are two cemeteries connected to Cedar Hill Church. Both tell a story of the community's past.
The Old Cemetery
An old cemetery was started right behind the church. Today, you can see scattered field stone memorials there. These stones mark the graves of early members. This cemetery was used during the late 19th century.
The New Cemetery
Because the ground in the old cemetery was very rocky, a new cemetery was needed. It was laid out in a different spot around 1890. This new cemetery is still in use today. It continues to be a resting place for community members.
Challenges and Comebacks
By the late 1920s, the church started to lose many of its members. Most people moved to Lexington, Virginia, the nearest city. They went there looking for better jobs and schools.
After 1939, the church building was not used for 26 years. It sat empty until 1965. That year, a yearly "homecoming" event was started. These annual homecomings are still held at the church. They take place on the third Sunday in August. This tradition brings former members and their families back together. It helps keep the spirit of Cedar Hill Church alive.
