Archives for 2007:
Artifacts displayed in Bealeton
October 26, 2007
Fauquier times-Democrat (with permission) WEEKEND — lst Year, No. 43 - Friday, October 26, 2007 - Warrenton, Va.
An exhibit on the Elk Run Anglican Church Site preservation project in southern Fauquier County is currently on display at the Bealeton Library, 10877 Willow Drive North, (540) 439-9728.
The exhibit includes photos, a small case displaying some of the artifacts found at the site, and a 10-minute documentary, “Finding Our Foundation: The Preservation of the Elk Run Anglican Church Site.”
In the documentary, Ed Dandar, chairman of the Elk Run Church Site Preservation Committee, founded in 1999, and Jackie Lee, a volunteer historian, explain the history of the site.
The church began as a wooden structure in the 1740s and was later rebuilt in brick with a four-foot-wide stone foundation. The unearthed foundation revealed the church was built in the form of a Greek cross.
The church congregation declined after the Revolutionary War, and, once abandoned in the early 1800s, local villagers used its fallen bricks, wood and stones in the building of their homes. The site was overgrown until recently, and the church’s foundation and artifacts were hidden from view for about 200 years.
By the time the site’s historical marker was dedicated in 2000, colonial church historian Carl Lounsbury of the Williamsburg Foundation said, “I am deeply awed by all of you for creating history here.”
The documentary shows the church site being excavated by volunteers, many of whom have ancestral ties to the area. Under the direction of archaeologist John Eddins, himself a volunteer, teams have discovered many artifacts, including hand-wrought iron nails, earthenware, window glass, prehistoric arrow-heads and a prehistoric quartz scraper.
The committee is raising funds to convert the dig site to a historic church park. Plans include outlining the foundation with a colonial brick walk-way, building a year-round shelter for public viewing of a segment of the church foundation, and erecting interpretive signs.
Copies of “Finding Our Foundation” were donated to the library and to the county’s elementary schools. The library’s copy is available to check out. The committee also has an extensive Web site that includes historic maps, photos of the site and artifacts, and genealogical information.
Year-Round Shelter is Dug
July 28, 2007
On May 12, 2007, footers for the Year-Round Shelter is dug, and on May 18, the concrete was poured into the footers and leveled by Greg Miller for laying of the block.
On June 9, the laying of the foundation block for the Shelter was started and continued on June 23, 2007.
On July 7 and July 28, block work continued on the Shelter foundation and was almost completed.
Great Meadows Celebration
July 4, 2007
At the July 4, 2007 Great Meadows Celebration in The Plains, Virginia, the Elk Run Church Site Preservation Committee provided a display of artifacts, brochures, postcards, the year-round Shelter model, and the new Elk Run Church Site Video Documentary for public viewing.
Site Documentary Develops
June 24, 2007
On May 20, 2007, work on the Elk Run Church Site Video Documentary continued with the taping of the Aquia Church 1740’s Heritage Day Service which included some re-enactors that was used in part of the documentary. Documentary interviews continued on May 27 and June 4, 2007.
On June 24, the Elk Run Church Site Video Documentary was completed and shown for the first time on June 26 at the Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia on “Legacies and Promise: 400 Years of Anglican/Episcopal History.” The Video Documentary by Sarah Gulick and Professor Erdeljon of Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, and presentations by Ed Dandar, Project Manager, and Archaeologist, Dr. John Eddins, were well received by the audience.
Year-Round Shelter Modeled
April 21, 2007
In April 2007, Carol Miller, architect and parishioner of St. Stephen’s Church in Catlett, Virginia completed a model of the Elk Run Church Site Year-round Shelter that will be used to allow visitors to view a segment of the original church foundation.
Elk Run Church Historic Park Fund Drive
March 9, 2007
DISCOVER (with permission) Independently Owned and Operatedby Discover Publications
Your Business And Community in Action - March 2007
By Kathryn Gendreau
Fauquier County’s first Anglican church (built in the 1750s) was discovered in 1998 when a neighbor was clearing brush on the church site at Elk Run. Less than a year later, members of St Stephen’s Church in Catlett, St. James Church in Warrenton, and other Fauquier County volunteers began to uncover the remains of what was the first brick church of Fauquier’s frontier. In October 2006, the archaeological field work was completed entirely by volunteers. Their efforts (and 54 separate excavations) revealed that the church regarded as the founding Church of Hamilton Parish-had been a substantial building shaped like a Greek cross. Of further significance was the discovery of a cemetery adjacent to the original edifice. Elk Run’s first minister, Reverend James Keith, was the grandfather of Chief Justice John Marshall.
The goal for 2007 is to create a landscaped Historic Park at the Elk Run Church location. Plans include a colonial brick walkway tracing the original foundation, a protective shelter for all-weather viewing, a state historical marker, a parking area, benches, and interpretive signs for the church site, archeological excavation, and adjacent Elk Run Cemetery.
The Elk Run Church Site Preservation Committee is working hard to raise the needed funds to achieve the Historic Park goal. Please consider making a donation to help establish the park and preserve the remarkable treasure of Elk Run Church. Checks can be made payable to “Elk Run Church Site Preservation Fund” and sent in care of St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 8538 Greenwich Road, Catlett, VA 20119.
For more information, call Edward Dandar, Jr. at 703-791-6158
Elk Run Church Strives for Historic Park Status
VIRGINIA EPISCOPALIAN (with permission) Publication of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia
March 2007 - Volume 116 - Number 2 — News of the Diocese
By Ed Dandar
The discovery of Fauquier County’s first Anglican Church, built in the 1750s, began in 1998 when a neighbor began clearing brush on the church site at Elk Run, Va. Less than a year later, members of St. Stephen’s, Catlett and St. James, Warrenton and county volunteers began to uncover the remains of what they soon discovered was the first brick church in Fauquier County’s mid-1700s frontier.
When they took possession of the site in 1999, it was simply a vacant lot with bits of old brick lying about. They had no knowledge or assurance that anything lay below the surface, nor could anyone be certain that the church was actually located there.
Eight years later in October 2006, all-volunteer archaeological field work was completed. Fifty-four separate excavations revealed a substantial brick building shaped like a Greek cross. It is regarded as the founding church of Hamilton Parish, Elk Run’s first minister was the Rev. James Keith (circa 17421751), grandfather of Chief Justice John Marshall.
The Elk Run Church Site Preservation Committee has begun work to convert the site to a Historic Park. Goals for 2007 include outlining the original foundation on the surface with Colonial-style bricks; building protective shelter over a corner of the foundation for year-round viewing; placing archaeological and cemetery information interpretative signs for visitors; installing split-rail fencing for cordoning the parking area; placing benches for visitors to rest and meditate; and planting shrubbery. Once completed, the Committee will apply for Virginia Landmark status and then the National Register of Historic Places, pending available funds.
How You Can Help
The Elk Run Church Site Preservation Committee is renewing its fundraising efforts to achieve its goal of becoming a historic park. Tax deductible contributions can be made payable to Elk Run Church Site Preservation Fund and sent in care of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 8538 Greenwich Road, Catlett, Virginia 20119. More information can be found online at www. elkrunchurch.org, or by contacting Ed Dandar by email at efdandar@us.net or telephone at 703-791-6158.
Warrenton-Fauquier Visitor Center Display
February 15, 2007
On February 15, 2007, the Elk Run Church Site Preservation Committee set up an exhibit of artifacts and photos at the Warrenton-Fauquier Visitor Center from the 1750’s Elk Run Church Archaeological Dig. The Visitor Center Manager, Becky Crouch, will be hosting the exhibit during the next several months along with other items of historical significance in celebration of the forthcoming 250th Anniversary of Fauquier County in 2009.
Historic Park Effort Needs Your Help
January 31, 2007
The Fauquier Times-Democrat, Wednesday, January 31, 2007 (with permission)
The discovery of Fauquier County’s first Anglican Church, built in the 1750s, began in 1998 when a neighbor began clearing brush on the Church site at Elk Run, Virginia. Less than a year later, members of St. Stephen’s Church in Catlett, St. James’ in Warrenton, and County volunteers began to uncover the remains of what was the first brick church in Fauquier County’s mid-1700s frontier.
When they took possession of the site in 1999, it was simply a vacant lot with bits of old brick lying about. They had no knowledge or assurance that anything lay below the surface, nor could anyone be certain that the church was actually located there.
Eight years later in October 2006, the all-volunteer archaeological field work was completed. It revealed through 54 separate excavations and discovery of numerous artifacts that the 1750s church was a substantial brick building shaped like a Greek cross. It is regarded as the founding Church of Hamilton Parish. Of further significance was the discovery of a cemetery adjacent to the original edifice. Elk Run’s first minister was the Rev. James Keith (circa 1742-1751), grandfather of Chief Justice John Marshall.
Work to convert the site to a Historic park has begun. Our goal in 2007 is the creation of a landscaped historical park that will include: (1) outlining the original foundation on the surface with Colonial-style bricks, (2) building a protective shelter over a corner of the foundation for year-round viewing, (3) placing archaeological and cemetery information interpretative signs for visitors, (4) installing split-rail fencing for cordoning the parking area, (5) placing benches for visitors to rest and meditate, and (6) planting shrubbery. Once completed, we will apply for Virginia Landmark status and then the National Register of Historic Places, pending available funds.
We are renewing our fundraising effort so as to achieve our Historic Park goal. We appeal to you for help in establishing and preserving this remarkable treasure. Financial donations and or materials for the Historic Park will be greatly appreciated. Every contribution is important. Checks may be made payable to “Elk Run Church Site Preservation Fund” and sent in care of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 8538 Greenwich Road, Catlett, Virginia 20119. Donations are tax deductible.
We send in advance our deep appreciation for your support in preserving Fauquier County’s heritage at Elk Run. Your contribution will help to secure the rightful place of Elk Run Church in the history of Colonial churches in Virginia.
Accompanying photos shows a top-down photo of the completed Elk Run Church archaeological dig and an artist rendering of what the completed Historic Park would look like when completed.
A timeline of significant events, photos, artifacts, cemetery findings, and future plans for the Elk Run Church Historic Park can be found on our new Web Site.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Ed Dandar by email efdandar@us.net or telephone (703-791-6158).
Fund Drive Initiated
January 29, 2007
On January 27, 2007, the Elk Run Church Site Preservation Committee met and prepared 550 Fundraising Letters for mailing on January 29, 2007, to kick off the Fund Drive to complete the conversion of the Archaeological site to a Historic Church Park.
