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Asbury Church Restoration Moves Forward
Asbury Church Restoration Moves Forward
By Bridge Littleton
Asbury Church, constructed in 1829 in Middleburg, stands as the town’s oldest surviving church and a testament to its rich history.
Originally built for the Methodist congregation on land donated by resident Hugh Grant, the church played a significant role during the Civil War, serving as a hospital and morgue.
In 1864, it was transferred to the African American Methodist Episcopal congregation, becoming a central hub for Middleburg’s African American community and one of Loudoun County’s first free churches for all faiths. For many decades after the Civil War, it hosted a school for African American children, the first of its kind.
Asbury Church was in active use by the congregation until 1994 when they moved to Willisville. The church was left vacant and faced deterioration thereafter.
In late 2014, the Town of Middleburg acquired the building and invested nearly $200,000 in 2016 to stabilize it, preventing further decay. Recognizing its historical significance, in 2023 the Town Council decided to allocate sufficient funding to proceed with the restoration of Asbury Church.
Fortunately, the town’s good financial health, which has been carrying a budget surplus, has enabled the funding for the project. In May, 2024, the Town Council engaged Commonwealth Preservation Group (CPG) to lead community engagement efforts, aiming to identify preferred uses for the restored building.
CPG conducted meetings with local stakeholders, including former congregants of Asbury Church, local historic groups, and citizens.
A public survey also was also launched during the summer of 2024 with the focus of gathering input to guide the building’s future functions and desired uses. A community outreach meeting was held in September to discuss the findings and gather further feedback.
CPG delivered its report to the Town in December with the overwhelming support of the community and the desire for Asbury to fulfill two missions: A living history experience that tells the story of Asbury open to all, and a public space for of use by members.
The Town Council will soon be issuing two requests for proposals for architectural and preservation design services and a construction management firm to oversee the design and restoration of Asbury.
We’ve also brought in a video graphical oral history firm that will interview and record the stories and history of many of the former congregants of Asbury Church and other members of our community to ensure we capture those memories for future generations. Those interviews and video sessions will begin this spring.
The restoration of Asbury Church is an important generation project for the community. Not only will this preserve a historic structure, but it will also honor Middleburg’s heritage. Once completed, the town envisions the church as a venue for learning of all ages of its unique story and a place for community activities and events, reflecting its historical role as a communal gathering place.
This project underscores Middleburg’s commitment to preserving its past while fostering a sense of community for future generations.
