Trinity
Episcopal Church
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
#NC-08290-WP - Notecards
Also available in Assortment Pack #AST-785
Trinity
Church on German Street was under construction for five years
being consecrated by Bishop Johns on April 5, 1859. However, the
church's history actually began in 1745 when the original "Old
English Church," a log chapel, was erected by old Frederick
Parish. When Shepherdstown (Mecklenburg) was incorporated in 1762,
Church Street was named for the building. The log chapel was replaced
by a stone building in 1769. Known as "Mecklenburg Chapel,"
the building fell into neglect caused by the Revolution and disestablishment
of the Church in Virginia. In 1815 the church was rebuilt by the
first vestry of the newly created St. Andrew's Parish. Enlargement
of the structure took place in 1840-42.
Because
the 1842 church was soon deemed too small, the Rev. Dr. C.W. Andrews
led a movement to build the new church on German Street. It was
built at a cost of about $10,000. A substantial amount was given
by Rezin D. Shepherd, who later threatened to involve the vestry
in a legal battle with the town over his wish to move the church
clock to the town hall (McMurran Hall). The matter was settled
and the clock removed and stored, pending completion of the town
hall. A few months later, John Brown's raid took place. After
the Civil War, the chapel adjacent to the church was built again
under the rectorship of Dr. Andrews.
Text
© 1993 Dianne Harrah, Drawing © 1993 Bill Harrah