Wickliffe Church facts for kids
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Wickliffe Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Wickliffe Church, April 2013
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | VA 608, E side, .5 mi. S of VA-WV line, Berryville, Virginia |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1846 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000241 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 17, 1995 |
Wickliffe Church is an old and important church building in Berryville, Virginia. It's an Episcopal church, which is a type of Christian church. Even though it's not used for regular services anymore since 1918, people still gather there once a year in August for a special "homecoming" event. Sometimes, other special events are held there too.
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The Story of Wickliffe Church
This brick church was built in 1846. It replaced an older stone church that was built between 1817 and 1819. Families in the area found it hard to travel to other churches because the roads were bad. So, they decided to build a church closer to home.
The church is named after John Wycliffe. He was the first person to translate the Bible into English. A religious leader named Rev. William Meade lived nearby. He helped with the churches in the area. Later, he became a bishop, which is a high-ranking church leader.
Building a New Church
In 1834, the Episcopal Church allowed a new church area, called Wickliffe parish, to be created. The old stone church was not built very well. By 1845, it was becoming unsafe. So, it was taken down, and the brick church you see today was built.
A school called Wycliffe Academy was also on the church property. It operated from 1828 to 1852, and again from 1865 to 1867.
The Church During the Civil War
The area near the church was important during the American Civil War. A big battle happened nearby on July 17–18, 1864. This was the largest battle in Clarke County during the war.
Right before this battle, Confederate soldiers camped on the church grounds. These soldiers were led by Major General Robert E. Rodes.
After the War
After the Civil War, the church community worked to spread its message. They helped start other churches nearby. These included St. Mary's in Berryville and the Church of the Good Shepherd.
In 1905, a woman named Hannah Williams gave money to build a school. This school was for African American children. Later, that school building was moved to Berryville. It is now used as a hall for St. Mary's Episcopal Church.
In 1918, fewer people were attending Wickliffe Church. Also, cars made it easier for people to travel to other churches. So, the Wickliffe Church joined with Grace Episcopal Church in Berryville. Grace Episcopal Church now takes care of the old Wickliffe Church. You can still rent it for weddings and other events.
Church Design and Features
The Wickliffe Church is a two-story brick building. In 1995, it was recognized as an important historical site. It's a great example of the Greek Revival style. This style looks like ancient Greek temples.
The church has a special front porch called a distyle-in-antis portico. It has two large columns in the Doric order style. These columns lead to two main entrance doors. Inside, these doors open into the main part of the church, called the nave. There are also other doors on the sides. These doors lead to stairways that go up to a balcony, called a gallery.
The church also has stepped gables, which are parts of the roof that look like steps. It has an open belfry, which is where the church bell would be. Wickliffe Church is very well-preserved. It has never been updated with electricity, plumbing, or other modern changes. This means it looks much like it did when it was first built!
Church Cemetery
On the church property, there is also a cemetery. Members of the Williams family are buried there. This family donated the land where the church was built.
The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This means it's a special place that is protected for its history.
