Monday, March 21, 2011

Vernacular Virginia Church

This beautiful little church building caught my eye during my travels and I pulled off the highway to have a look at it.
The Cove Presbyterian Church of Coveville, Virginia has been holding services on this site since 1769. The original sanctuary was a log building which was replaced in 1809 by a brick structure...
...which was destroyed by a tornado in 1880 and rebuilt the same year. 
The church has a nice website which includes a history of the early days.
Such a beautiful little building!
I'm safely home now and shall get back to blog visiting and marking Spring's arrival in my own neck of the woods.
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23 comments:

Bernie said...

I am almost sorry you are home Vicki, I love these history post with pictures.....what a beautiful little and quaint church. Were you able to go inside? Have a great week.....:-)Hugs

Unknown said...

Happy equinox Vicky! How fast the seasons come around these days! 1769. Our oldest colonial building in New Zealand is mid 18oo's. Lovely little church.

Marilyn & Jeff said...

I am enjoying all your photos taken when you are out and about. This is a lovely wee church.
Enjoy Spring in all her stages.

Desiree said...

Such a lovely building! My husband and I have stopped at many out of the way, quaint little churches over the years - they always have an air of tranquility (serenity), somehow and make a delightful spot to take tea (we invariably carry a basket with us for impromptu stops such as these)!

Pat in east TN said...

That is such a beautiful building .. I'm glad you stopped to take pictures of it to share with us.

Friko said...

A gorgeous little place, Vicki.
I visit every church of interest, wherever I go, large and small.

They can be fascinating places architecturally as well as historically.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Lovely little church with such a wonderful history. Like Bernie, I love your "history tours." Have a grand day! Cathy

Martin said...

So glad you stopped to photograph this little church, Vicki. We have a little Baptist hall in the village, built in a similar simple design. I had to smile when I passed by, recently. A notice read."What not treat yourself? Come inside for a faith-lift!"

Brian Miller said...

nice. i love old buildings like that...there are so many stories written in those bricks...

Brenda said...

Perhaps you should just roam the country, taking photos and posting them for everyone to enjoy. Such an interesting little church. I'm puzzled by the sign though - built 180e? It looks like the 9 is backwards.

Deanna said...

Wouldn't it be great if the log church was still there? Love the church. The setting is so peaceful. Imagine being able to sit and meditate looking out those windows.

Jill said...

Wow. The bricks on that church are incredible. Very pretty. Is the 9 on the sign above the door backwards?

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

oh, Vicki - I love this!

The simple elegance of this building is just wonderfully restful, I think.

Folkways Note Book said...

Nice example of vernacular Gothic. Windows and steeply peaked gable are terrific. -- barbara

Kath said...

Oh, boy do i get why you were such a successful teacher! I'm a little smarter today, and a lot richer.
Kath

Tess Kincaid said...

This lovely little church reminds me so much of the one-room brick schoolhouse my grandfather attended in Howard County, Indiana.

BB said...

When I was very young my brother lived in Chincoteague VA, and we visited several times. For a small island there were a few of these small old churches that I remember. Love it.

Stella Jones said...

I LOVE that little church. It's just gorgeous.

Vicki Lane said...

Bernie -- the door was locked and I couldn't see the inside. The link and website for the church give a few glimpses -- very plain but perfectly proportioned.

Joan -- I'm sure folks in England and Europe roll their eyes when we colonials talk about how 'old' a building is.

Martin -- "Faith-lift" -- tee hee!

I thought that the backward 9 just adds to the charm, Jill.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I really love old churches- and I probably would have pulled off too. Love your photo tours...

Merisi said...

Something about such humble beginnings of a sacred place like this one and their endurance through time always make me feel that there is goodness out there.

Miss_Yves said...

A lovely tiny chapel !

jennyfreckles said...

That's such an attractive building - a great combination of straightforward, no-nonsense but with lovely symmetry and decorative touches.