Popes Creek Episcopal Church
Also known as the Lower Parish Church, Popes Creek was built circa 1742 and replaced Appomattox Church. Amonument to Col. Thos. Lee was erected, but cannot be found today.
From 1788 to 1812, Baptists in Westmoreland and Richmond counties belonged to Nomini Baptist Church. But members lived so far away, they couldn’t attend services regularly and met in homes and barns or under arbors.
In 1812, 40 members branched out from Nomini to start a new church. The group worshipped first in the old Popes Creek Episcopal Church, where George Washington attended services as a boy.
Members eventually built a church, but it was destroyed in the 1860s by a fire, one of many that would do damage at Popes Creek Baptist Church.
On Sunday, member Liz Heatwole reminded the congregation that its ancestors had been tested not just by fire, but by war.
When the church first organized, its members heard British guns during the War of 1812. When its second building was completed in the 1860s, its members had lived through the cannons of the Civil War.
Links for More Information
http://www.rivahresearch.com/westmorelandcty/vitals/resources/cemetery/lowershurch.htm
From 1788 to 1812, Baptists in Westmoreland and Richmond counties belonged to Nomini Baptist Church. But members lived so far away, they couldn’t attend services regularly and met in homes and barns or under arbors.
In 1812, 40 members branched out from Nomini to start a new church. The group worshipped first in the old Popes Creek Episcopal Church, where George Washington attended services as a boy.
Members eventually built a church, but it was destroyed in the 1860s by a fire, one of many that would do damage at Popes Creek Baptist Church.
On Sunday, member Liz Heatwole reminded the congregation that its ancestors had been tested not just by fire, but by war.
When the church first organized, its members heard British guns during the War of 1812. When its second building was completed in the 1860s, its members had lived through the cannons of the Civil War.
Links for More Information
http://www.rivahresearch.com/westmorelandcty/vitals/resources/cemetery/lowershurch.htm