Rooted in Religion: Morattico Baptist Church + Christ Church Showcase History

Richard Abbott

“We want to tell the story for the church because we were founded in the midst of the Revolutionary War and have grown up with America,” says Richard Abbott, pastor of Morattico Baptist Church.

Abbott has been the pastor for two years and a member for 18 of the “mother of all local Baptist churches.”

“The people made me fall in love with it,” he said. “The people were kind and welcoming. I ended up having two children and raised them through the church, as well.”

Morattico Baptist Church was constituted on January 7, 1778. By 1843, the church was most likely the largest Baptist church in the world with a membership of 948. According to most accounts, the Northern Neck of Virginia was a lightning rod in the struggle for religious freedom.

“Every local Baptist church can trace its roots back to Morratico,” Abbot says. “I want people to know our little church on the hill is significant in its history not just here but all around the world.”

When you step into the church, you will be stepping into a building that was built in 1856, true to its original construction. During the pandemic, the physical church was less accessible. Abbot worked to expand church attendance and reach though virtual educational and outdoor worship programs. Facebook Bible studies welcomed 300+ attendees from Florida to Sweden.

In Weems, Christ Church also evolved during the pandemic. A weekly history quiz kept the community engaged. Unlike Morattico, Christ Church does not host religious programming. Grace Episcopal Kilmarnock does host services, weddings, and other religious events at Christ Church.

“Our foundation’s mission is preservation, research, and education,” said Executive Director Robert Teagle. “It’s one of America’s great buildings and one of the 18th Century buildings that are this well preserved.”

Many visitors come to see the architecture preserved just as it looked in 1735. The sophisticated brick work, the intricate entablature on the roof, and the pristine woodwork inside can be viewed both in-person and online. The museum to the south of the church takes a deeper dive with interactive exhibits about the building and the lives of the people who worshipped here.

This summer, visitors can see research in the works and even get dirty to help. To protect the museum from water, the church is installing an underground drainage system. To do this, the church is digging around the building and documenting the artifacts they find. Teagle is hoping to shed light on a wooden church that was once there, uncover new artifacts that can paint a clearer picture of the parishoners of the past. Look out for announcements about cultural dig days to join in on the fun.

The museum is gearing up for other events including the Chesapeake History Forum in September, summer history camps for kids, and concerts.

Learn more about Christ Church at: www.christchurch1735.org and Morattico Baptist Church at moratticobaptistchurch.org.