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.
