Slash Church facts for kids
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Slash Church
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The church in 2013
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | VA 656, N of jct. with VA 657, near Ashland, Virginia |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1729 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001399 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 22, 1972 |
Slash Church is a very old and special church in Hanover County, Virginia. It's also known as the Upper Church-St. Paul's Parish. This historic building was made from southern yellow pine trees cut right from the property. It was built in 1729–1730.
What makes Slash Church so unique? It's the oldest wooden church building in Virginia that people still use for worship today! It started as an Anglican (Episcopal) church. Now, it's a Disciples of Christ church. You can find it at 11353 Mt. Hermon Road, near Ashland, Virginia.
Contents
The Story of Slash Church
Building a New Church
Slash Church was built in 1729. Edward Chambers and Thomas Pinchbeck led the construction. Before this church, there was an older chapel nearby. It was called the "Mechumps Creek Chapel" and was built around 1702. That older building was about a mile and a half north of where Slash Church stands now.
The name "Slash" comes from the land itself. There are "slashes," which are ravines or small valleys. These form in the sandy clay soil after heavy rain. Also, there were many Pine Slash trees in the area. The church was built on a hill because the ground water level in this area is often high.
Famous Visitors and Changes
Many important historical figures are believed to have visited Slash Church. George Whitfield, a founder of Methodism, might have preached here. So might Francis Asbury, another famous Methodist leader. Reuben Ford, a Virginia Baptist, and Alexander Campbell, who founded the Disciples of Christ, also may have visited.
Patrick Henry, a famous founding father, sometimes attended this church. His uncle, Rev. Patrick Henry, was the minister here for 40 years. However, Patrick Henry's mother was a dissenter, meaning she didn't follow the official Anglican church. He often went to Polegreen Church, a Presbyterian meetinghouse nearby. Even Dolley Madison and Henry Clay are thought to have attended services at Slash Church.
After the American Revolutionary War, the Anglican church was no longer supported by taxes. This meant the church building was sometimes empty. Different groups used it, including Methodists and the Disciples of Christ. It was even used as a school for a while. In 1842, the Disciples of Christ bought the property.
The Civil War and Bullet Holes
During the American Civil War, Slash Church played a role. In May 1862, Confederate General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch used the church as his headquarters. He had about 4,500 soldiers with him. Later, the church became a hospital for wounded soldiers.
Two battles, sometimes called the "Battle of Slash Church," happened nearby. Even though the Union army won these battles, the larger Peninsular Campaign failed. In the 1950s, when old trees were cut down around the church, bullets were found inside them. These bullets are believed to be from those Civil War battles.
Celebrating History
Slash Church celebrates its long history with special events. Every five years, they have a big event on the church grounds. For example, in 2014, they celebrated their 285th anniversary. The public is always welcome to attend services and events or schedule historical tours.
What Makes it Special?
Unique Architecture and Materials
Slash Church is a one-story building with a steep roof. It's covered in white wooden boards called clapboards. The building is about 60 feet long and 26 feet wide. It was built using timber from the property. The builders used Southern Yellow pine trees, which can grow very tall. Most of the building was put together with wooden pegs instead of nails.
The wooden clapboards on three sides of the church are still the original ones from 1729! Some on the north side were replaced after a small fire in 1970. Inside, the wainscoting (wooden paneling on the lower part of the walls) on one side is original. It's special because it runs horizontally in wide boards.
Many of the original wooden windows still have their wavy glass. There are also storm windows from the 1950s on the outside.
Inside the Church
The gallery (a balcony area) at the back of the sanctuary is original. So are the pillars that hold it up, the railings, and the stairs. You can even see how it was built by looking under the stairs through a door on the first floor. There are also two original slat benches.
Other old furniture dates back to the 1850s. This includes a heavy, dark wooden pulpit, an oval table used for communion, and two tall chairs with padded seats. There are also different styles of wooden bench seats.
In the 1970s, a fire caused a lot of smoke in the floor area. Firefighters cut away the floor. They found an extra floor underneath! The original builders had added a second floor because the first one was too low. The firefighters also removed the first floor. Since it was very cold, they used the wood for a bonfire. But church members saved some wood to help pay for repairs. They made furniture and small items to sell. Some of these items are in the church's history room.
When both floors were removed, four graves of unknown people were discovered underneath. The second floor had blood on it from when General Branch's soldiers used the church as a hospital in 1862.
Modern Additions
A Sunday School building with a bathroom was built to look like the church. It's connected by a passageway from an existing outside door. This was important because it didn't change the historic church building itself. In the 1970s, a fellowship hall and more Sunday school rooms were built across the parking lot. These brick buildings help serve the church's needs today.
Slash Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. In 1998, a historical highway marker (E105) was placed near the church. It helps people find this special place.
