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 special old church building located in Hedgesville, West Virginia. It's not just for one type of church; it welcomes everyone! This chapel was built a long time ago, in 1850. It's a one-story building made of logs, sitting on a strong stone foundation. Later, in 1885, its outside was covered with a special type of wooden siding, and it has a metal roof. Next to the chapel, there's a cemetery where about 100 people are buried, with the oldest graves from 1872.
Hedges Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it's an important historical site that should be protected.
Contents
The Story of Hedges Chapel
Why a New Church Was Needed
Imagine living in western Berkeley County, West Virginia, in the 1840s. The closest church was six miles away! That was a very long and hard trip, especially when the roads were muddy or covered in snow. Church was a very important part of life back then. People in the community really wanted a church closer to home.
Building the Chapel Together
In 1849, several neighbors decided to build their own church. A kind man named Mr. John Hedges donated the land for both the chapel and its cemetery. That's why the chapel is named after him! Everyone helped out. Neighbors cut down trees, gave wood and other materials, and worked hard to build it. A local sawmill owner even offered to cut and smooth the wood for the building and the church benches (called pews). Horses from the area helped carry all the materials to the building site. The only things they had to buy were nails and window glass. Everything else was made right there by the community!
Construction started in the winter of 1849. By 1850, Hedges Chapel was open! In the early days, people came to services by walking or riding horses. Later, as the community grew, families started arriving in horse-drawn buggies.
How the Chapel Changed Over Time
Hedges Chapel was first built using logs. Even though you can't see the logs today, they are still there, hidden inside the walls! In 1885, the outside was covered with white wooden planks, and the inside walls were covered with plaster. The original logs have been quietly supporting the chapel for over 170 years.
The chapel first had a simple shingle roof. This was replaced with a slate roof in 1905. Then, in 1939, the current metal roof was put on. Inside the chapel, people still sit on the original wooden pews that were made from local trees in 1850.
A New Beginning for the Chapel
Hedges Chapel started as a Methodist church. Over the years, the number of people attending went up and down. In the 1960s and 1970s, the chapel even closed its doors a few times. By 1977, there were fewer than ten active members, and it looked like the chapel might close for good.
In the 1980s, the empty building was damaged by vandals, and many things inside were stolen. It seemed less and less likely that the chapel would ever open again. But people in the area still felt a need for a local church.
In 1988, Reverend Charles Long, who was a pastor at another church, decided to try and bring the old chapel back to life. He asked people in the community if they would be interested in restarting the church, and they were very excited about the idea! With help from Reverend Long, local residents got permission to take over the chapel. They agreed that it would be a church for all Christian groups, not just one.
Bringing the Chapel Back to Life
With some loans and donations, volunteers started working on the chapel. They had the same spirit as the original builders from over 170 years ago! Some volunteers fixed the electrical system that had been damaged. Others completely cleaned and repaired the inside and outside of the chapel. Their hard work, dedication, and more donations brought new life to the old building.
All their efforts paid off! On September 10, 1988, Hedges Chapel reopened with 26 people attending the service. It was like the chapel was reborn!
Hedges Chapel Today
When you step inside Hedges Chapel today, you'll see a simple and beautiful interior that hasn't changed much in over a century. The old kerosene lamps that used to light the chapel have been replaced with electric lights. Fans have also been added to keep the air moving. One of the last old things to go was the wood-burning stove from 1905. Now, the chapel has modern electric heat and air conditioning.
Just like in the very beginning, different ministers and lay preachers take turns leading the services at Hedges Chapel. It's a church for everyone, and it doesn't have one permanent pastor. Anyone can become a member, and guests are always warmly welcomed. This wonderful little chapel is now a historical landmark in Berkeley County. On average, 40 to 50 people come to worship there every Sunday.
