Massaponax Baptist Church facts for kids
|
Massaponax Baptist Church
|
|
.png)
Massaponax Baptist Church (Spotsylvania County, Virginia)
|
|
 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Junction of US 1 and County Route 608, near Massaponax, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Area | 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) |
| Built | 1859 |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 90002137 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | January 24, 1991 |
The Massaponax Baptist Church is an old church in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. It was built in 1859. The church has a special style called Greek Revival. This style looks a bit like ancient Greek temples.
The church building is located where U.S. Route 1 and State Route 608 meet. It has been an important place for its community for a long time. In 1991, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special historical site.
A Church with a Long History
The church's story began in 1788. Back then, the first group of people met in a small church near Massaponax Creek. As more people joined, the church became too small. So, they moved to the spot where the current church stands today.
At first, the new church was a small wooden building. But soon, it also became too crowded. In 1859, the church you see now was built. It is made of brick. The bricks were made right nearby in special ovens called kilns. The new brick church cost about $3,000 to build. Joseph Billingsly was the first pastor in this new building. Later, in 1949, an addition was built onto the church. A brick house for the pastor was also built nearby in 1956.
The Civil War Years
Not long after the new church was finished, the American Civil War started. During this time, the church was used for many different things. It was a stable for horses, a hospital for injured soldiers, and even a place where generals planned their war strategies.
Soldiers often wrote and drew on the church's inside walls. They drew battle scenes, wrote messages, and left their names. After the war, the walls were painted over to hide these drawings. But in 1938, during some repair work, the old writings were found again! Today, you can still see parts of this "graffiti" behind clear plastic covers.
Grant's Meeting at the Church
On May 21, 1864, a very important meeting happened at the church. Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant met with other top generals, including Major General George Meade. They were there after a big battle called the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.
During the meeting, General Grant told his soldiers to bring the church pews (long benches) outside. This way, the generals could sit and plan their next moves. A famous photographer named Timothy H. O'Sullivan took a picture of this meeting. He stood on the second floor of the church to get a good shot. O'Sullivan was well-known for taking pictures during the Civil War.
