Ketoctin Baptist Church facts for kids
|
Ketocton Baptist Church
|
|
Ketoctin Baptist Church, 2013
|
|
 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Approx. 2 mi. N of VA 7 at the jct of Allder School Rd. and Ketoctin Church Rd., Round Hill, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Area | 18.8 acres (7.6 ha) |
| Built | 1854 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000452 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | May 22, 2003 |
Ketoctin Baptist Church, also known as Short Hill Church, is a very old and important church building. It's located near Round Hill, Loudoun County, Virginia. This church is so special that it's listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. This means it's a historic place worth protecting!
Contents
A Look Back: Church History
Early Beginnings
In 1752, some church leaders from Philadelphia sent missionaries to "Ketocton." This area was then part of Fairfax County. Their goal was to connect with other Baptist churches.
On August 19, 1766, four Baptist churches, including Ketoctin, decided to form their own group. They called it the Ketocton Association. Today, this association includes nine historic churches.
Supporting Change
In 1775, the Ketoctin Association voted to support a big change. They wanted to separate the church from the government in Virginia. This idea is known as the "disestablishment of the Anglican church."
After the American Revolutionary War, the association met in 1797. They suggested slowly freeing enslaved people. This idea was quite new and caused some debate at the time.
Local Stories and Important People
Local stories say that the very first church building might have burned down. These stories have been passed down through families for many years.
The church also has a cemetery. Several soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War are buried there.
The name "Ketoctin" might come from the same Native American word as the nearby Catoctin Mountains. Pastors from Ketoctin, like David Major and John Gerrard, helped start many other churches in the area.
Growth and New Names
By 1820, the Ketoctin Association had grown to 39 churches. Later, in the 1890s, the group changed its name. It became the Primitive Baptist Association. Even with the new name, their main beliefs stayed the same.
The Church Building
Design and Features
The church building you see today was built in 1854. It's a single-story building made of brick. It has a pointed roof and is designed in the Greek Revival style. This style looks a bit like ancient Greek temples.
The building is about 40 feet wide and 55 feet long. It sits on a strong stone foundation. Inside, there's a special painting called a trompe-l'œil. This type of painting is designed to trick your eye into thinking it's a real 3D object. A local artist named Lucien Whiting Powell is thought to have painted it.
The Cemetery
Next to the church is a historic cemetery. The oldest grave found there dates back to 1777. A stone wall made of fieldstone surrounds the cemetery.
The church and its cemetery were officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. This recognition helps protect this important site for future generations.
