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History Unfolds at Loudoun County’s Ebenezer Churches
History Unfolds at Loudoun County’s Ebenezer Churches
Walking through the grounds and cemeteries of the two Ebenezer churches in western Loudoun County, history reveals itself in the stonework of the oldest church, in the beautifully restored mural of the newer church, and in the gravestones bearing the names of thousands of Loudouners.
Mary Liz McCauley, president of the Ebenezer Cemetery Company, Inc. board of directors, pointed left and right as she walked with a visitor through the cemetery to stones bearing the names of her family members buried on this rolling land. It’s a familiar and meaningful place for McCauley and provides comfort to board member Sarah McCracken, whose husband, Terry, is buried in a section of the cemetery facing the mountains.
Much has been written about the two unique churches. Land for both was left in 1778 by Samuel Butcher, Sr., a Pennsylvania transplant who eventually ended up near the tiny village of Bloomfield in western Loudoun. The small, two-story stone structure, constructed sometime between 1755 and 1769, was once called Butcher’s Meeting House and later became known as the “Old” Ebenezer Church.
Butcher intended that the stone church become a Baptist meeting house, which his will stipulated— “and I do give two acres of land to the use of the Baptist Meeting House and School House, the same that the Meeting House is now built upon, to be for that use forever.”
The little Ebenezer church did not remain in harmony for long. By the early 1830s, philosophical differences were rampant in the faith, paving the way for change in a movement called “New School.”
Those who believed in a strict interpretation of the Bible were referred to as “Old School.” Some members of the “New School” of thought at Ebenezer eventually pulled away, forming their own congregation but continuing to share the stone church with its original membership.
This continued for 21 years until fire destroyed a portion of the church along with a balcony where black churchgoers worshipped. The “New School” Baptists, in 1855, received three-quarters of an acre from Mr. and Mrs. William Gallaher. This congregation set about the difficult task of raising funds to build a new church, on land directly adjacent to the “Old School” stone church property.
The Greek revival architectural style of this new church was a far cry from the modest little church next door. A tall peaked roofline and imposing columns fronted the structure, greeting those coming to worship. Once inside, worshippers were treated to a tromp l’oeil painting behind the lectern that provided the illusion of an alcove with columns reminiscent of those at the church’s front exterior.
Change continued to affect the Ebenezer churches and as the years went by, both congregations diminished. Eventually, services were no longer held at either church. Fortunately for both properties, the Ebenezer Cemetery Company, Inc. was incorporated in 1887 and after dealing with its own internal problems for some years it was resurrected in 1959. The company is responsible for its leadership role in the restoration of both churches over the years, maintenance of the cemeteries and ongoing landscaping.
The 24-member board is composed of individuals who have family members buried in the cemetery or a vested interest in the future of the property, said McCauley, adding that her visits to Ebenezer make her feel like she is “coming home.”
Meeting quarterly, the volunteer board members all donate their time and talents to ensure the ongoing success of Ebenezer. Once a year, board members, families and friends come together to hold a Memorial Day service in memory of those buried in the Ebenezer cemetery. Throughout the years, many individuals continue to provide gifts-in-kind and monetary contributions to ensure the maintenance of Ebenezer will remain permanent.
Details: Ebenezer churches and cemeteries are located at 20421 Airmont Road, in Bluemont. Contributions may be mailed to Ebenezer Cemetery, Inc., P.O. Box 174, Purcellville, VA. 20134.
MOSBY CONNECTION
Ten years after the construction of the “New” church, the Civil War tore Loudoun apart and prevented worship at the Ebenezer churches for much of the war’s duration from 1861 to 1865. The aftermath of the “Greenback Raid,” when Col. John Singleton Mosby and his Rangers robbed a nearby train of its Federal payroll and passengers of their valuables, took place on the church property. Here Col. Mosby and his followers divided their spoils of war, with Mosby reportedly refusing to accept his share of the take. As an interesting note, Ebenezer’s oldest cemetery serves as the last resting place for 60 men who served with the Confederacy.
