Hedges Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hedges Chapel
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 668 Mountain Lake Rd., Hedgesville, West Virginia |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001520 |
| Added to NRHP | December 12, 2002 |
Hedges Chapel is a very old and special church building. It is located at 668 Mountain Lake Road in Hedgesville, Berkeley County, West Virginia. This chapel was built in 1850. It is a one-story building made of logs, with a sloped roof.
The outside of the chapel was covered with German-style siding in 1885. It also has a metal roof. Next to the chapel is a cemetery. About 100 people are buried there, with the oldest graves from 1872. Hedges Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it is an important historic site!
Contents
The Story of Hedges Chapel
Building a Community Church
A Long Trip to Church
Imagine living in the 1840s in western Berkeley County, West Virginia. The closest church was six miles away. That was a very long trip on dirt roads, especially when it rained or snowed! Church was a big part of community life back then. So, local families really wanted a church closer to home.
Working Together to Build
In 1849, several neighbors decided to build their own church. A kind man named Mr. John Hedges donated the land for the chapel and its cemetery. That's why the chapel is named after him! Everyone helped out. Neighbors cut down trees and gave timber and other materials. They also volunteered their time and hard work.
A neighbor who owned a sawmill offered to cut and smooth the wood for the building and the church benches. Local horses helped pull the materials to the building site. Almost everything was made locally. Only the nails and window glass had to be bought. Construction began in the winter of 1849. By 1850, Hedges Chapel was open for services! In the early days, people came to church on foot or on horseback. Later, as the community grew, they arrived in buggies.
Changes Over Time
How the Chapel Changed
Hedges Chapel was first built from logs. But if you visit today, you won't see the logs. In 1885, the outside was covered with white, German-style wooden planks. The inside walls, which are 15 feet high, were covered with plaster. The original logs are still there, hidden between the outer and inner walls. They have supported the chapel for over 160 years!
The chapel first had a simple shingle roof. This was replaced with a slate roof in 1905. The metal roof you see today was added in 1939. Inside, people still sit on the original church benches. These benches were made from local trees in 1850.
From Closed Doors to Rebirth
Hedges Chapel started as a Methodist church. Over the years, the number of people attending changed a lot. In the 1960s and 1970s, the chapel opened and closed several times. By 1977, fewer than ten people were active members. It seemed like Hedges Chapel might close for good.
In the 1980s, the empty building was damaged by vandals. Many things inside were stolen. It looked less and less likely that the chapel would ever open again. But people's faith and hope were strong! Towards the end of the 1980s, people in the area once again felt the need for a local church.
A New Beginning
Bringing the Chapel Back to Life
In 1988, Reverend Charles Long, a pastor from a nearby church, wanted to help the old chapel. He didn't want to see it fall apart. He asked local community members if they would be interested in restarting the church. They were very excited about the idea!
With Reverend Long's help, the local residents got permission from the Methodist Conference to take over the church. They agreed that it would be an interdenominational church. This means people from different Christian groups could worship there.
Hard Work and Dedication
Volunteers started working with great spirit, just like the original builders 160 years before. They had $3,000 from loans and donations to begin. Some volunteers fixed the damaged electrical system. Others completely renovated the inside and outside of the chapel. Their hard work, dedication, and faith, along with thousands more dollars in donations, brought the old building back to life.
All their efforts paid off on September 10, 1988. Hedges Chapel reopened with 26 worshipers. It was like the chapel was reborn!
Hedges Chapel Today
Modern Comforts in a Historic Place
When you step inside Hedges Chapel today, you'll find a simple and elegant interior. It hasn't changed much in over a century. The old kerosene lanterns that once lit the chapel have been replaced with electric lights. Fans have been added to keep the air moving.
One of the last old features to go was the wood-burning stove from 1905. Now, the chapel has modern electric heat and heat pumps. These also provide air conditioning, making it comfortable all year round.
Welcoming Everyone
Just like in the very beginning, different ministers and lay preachers take turns leading services at Hedges Chapel. Since it's an interdenominational church, it doesn't have one permanent pastor. Anyone is welcome to become a member, and guests are always warmly greeted.
This wonderful little chapel building is now a historical landmark in Berkeley County. On average, 40 to 50 people come to worship there every Sunday.
