Hungars Church facts for kids
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Hungars Church
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Hungar's Church, HABS Photo
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | E of jct. of Rtes. 619 and 622, Bridgetown, Virginia |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1742–1751, 1851, 1922 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000813 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1970 |
Hungars Church is a very old Episcopal church in Bridgetown, Virginia. It is also known as Hungars Parish Church. Since 1828, this church has been part of a parish with two churches. The other church is in Eastville, Virginia, and it is also very old.
Contents
History of Hungars Church
The land where Hungars Church stands was once home to the Accawmacke Native Americans. English settlers arrived and created Accomack Shire. This area later became Accomack and Northampton counties.
The first minister for the church was Rev. Francis Bolton. Rev. John Cotton was the second minister, serving from about 1632 to 1645. He also farmed the land. In 1645, a church member named Robert Vaughn left money to build a church. This church became known as Nussawattocks Church.
In 1642, Northampton County was divided into two church areas. In 1663, Accomac Parish separated from Hungar's Parish. Later, in 1690, Nassawattocks Parish joined Hungar's Parish. Eastville then became the main town for Northampton County. A wooden church was built at Church Neck by Magothy Bay.
Early Land and Buildings
In 1653, Stephen Charlton gave land to support the minister. This land was called a glebe. He might have also given money to build a church. The Glebe of Hungar's Parish was the home for ministers from 1745 to 1850.
In 1679, plans were made for a 40-foot wooden church at the Hungars site. The land for the church was officially given to the parish in 1684. Since 1690, the church parish has had the same borders as Northampton County.
The Current Church Building
The church building you see today is the third one for Hungars Parish. It was likely built between 1742 and 1751. This church was the second largest in Virginia before the American Revolutionary War.
Around 1802, the Episcopal Church faced some challenges. Both the Magothy and Hungars chapels were left empty. Church members then met at the courthouse in Eastville. The parish kept important items, like a silver basin from 1690 and communion silver from 1741.
Hungars Church was reopened in 1819 as the area became more successful. In 1851, the church was repaired and made shorter. It was originally 92 feet long but became about 74 feet. The balcony, where people without pews sat, was also redone.
Changes and Growth
In 1884, the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad was built through the area. This railroad helped the local economy a lot. It brought more prosperity to the parish. Hungars Church received more updates in 1892, 1922, 1950, 1955, 1985, and 1991–1992. These updates included new floors, heating, and air conditioning.
However, passenger train service ended in 1958. Ferry service also stopped over 40 years ago. These changes led to less growth in the area.
Christ Church in Eastville
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Another church, Christ Church, was built in Eastville in 1828. This church replaced the old Magothy church. It was built on land given by Severn E. Parker. Stained glass windows were added in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were repaired in 1992. A pipe organ was given to the church in 1986.
In 1974, land was donated for the parish hall next to Christ Church. Christ Episcopal Church in Eastville is a Virginia Historic Landmark. It is also part of the Eastville Historical District. This district was recognized by both federal and state governments in 2009. The current home for the parish's ministers was bought in 1985. It is about half a mile south of Christ Church.
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Church Architecture
The Hungars Church building was constructed between 1742 and 1751. It is a one-story building made of brick. It has a Colonial style. The north and south sides have four sections, and the end walls have two sections. The roof is a gable roof with decorative trim. The building was made shorter in 1851. The roof, floor, and trim might be from 1922.
Current Status
Hungars Parish is still active today. It is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. The Hungars Church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Christ Church in Eastville is part of the Eastville Historical District. This district was added to the National Register in 2009. The Rev. Daniel Lee Crockett is currently the minister for both Hungars Cure churches. The parish offices are next to Christ Church in Eastville.
