Augusta Stone Church

Augusta Stone Church
(U.S. National Register of Historic Places)
Location:	Fort Defiance, Virginia
Coordinates:	38°14′17″N, 078°58′32″W
Built/Founded:	1749
Added to NRHP:	1973-05-09
NRHP Reference#:	73001994

Augusta Stone Church is a Presbyterian place of worship located in Augusta County in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the unincorporated community of Fort Defiance. The church was one of two meeting houses established by The Congregation of the Triple Forks of the Shenandoah in the year 1740. Augusta Stone and sister meeting house Tinkling Spring were both served by the Rev. John Craig. The final structure which was completed in 1749 is still in use and holds the distinction of being the oldest Presbyterian Church in continuous use in Virginia.

History

Construction began in 1747 and was completed in 1749 on the permanent stone structure which was meant to be both a meeting house and a fort against Native American raids. In the minister's office, there is a small "secret passageway" that was formerly used for security reasons when used as a sort of fort. Because the church was used in the fort capacity, the small community surrounding the church would come to be known as Fort Defiance. The structure completed in 1749 still stands and is in continuous use today. Two major additions were later added to the rear of the church: a wing of rooms and offices was added in the 19th century, and a large social hall (called "John Craig Hall" for the founding minister) and kitchen which were completed in the early first-half of the 20th century. The church also has its own museum on the property containing artifacts from the church's early history. Visitation to the museum is by appointment and can be made by contacting the church office.The last minister to serve Augusta Stone was Reverend J. Mark Stanley from 1994-2005. He, his wife, and two daughters, Emily and Elizabeth, were very happy there, but he felt called to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hendersonvill, N.C., and Augusta Stone is still searching for a new pastor. Currently, the church's interim is pastor Sally Robinson.

Location

Augusta Stone Church is located on U.S. Route 11 (also known as the Lee Highway) adjacent to Fort Defiance High, Clymore Elementary, and Stuart Gordon Middle schools in the Shenandoah Valley, eight miles north of Staunton and 15 miles south of Harrisonburg in the small, unincorporated community of Fort Defiance, Virginia. It is accessible by U.S. Interstate 81 via exits 227 (Verona) and 235 (Weyers Cave).

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