Christ Church Glendower
Also known as: Christ Church, St. Anne`s Parish
Why it's listed
Christ Church Glendower is a small brick church set in a patch of woods in the farmland of lower Albemarle County, Virginia. Built in the Roman Revival style popularized by Thomas Jefferson, it has a temple form without a portico, a full Doric entablature, and pediments with lunette windows at each end. The walls are laid in even Flemish bond. Arched doors and windows sit in shallow recessed panels. A small frame vestry was added at the rear, and a graveyard with stones of prominent local families lies behind the church. The parish began in 1745, and earlier churches fell into decay before a new one was authorized in 1831. The contract went to a Mr. Phillips, almost certainly William B. Phillips, a brick mason who had worked for Jefferson at the University of Virginia. Bishop William Meade consecrated the church on June 28, 1832, and it has been in continuous use ever since. A 1958 renovation altered the interior.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is an outstanding example of Roman Revival or Jeffersonian architecture, with classical detail and fine brickwork. It is attributed to William B. Phillips, a brick mason who worked for Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia. It has also been in continuous use as a church since 1832.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 71000974, listed July 2, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | On VA 713, 0.4 mi. SW of jct. with VA 712, Keene |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | July 2, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000974 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | William B. Phillips, brick mason (contract given to "Mr. Phillips" in 1831); later survey notes also name builders J. Walker and J.W. Widderfield and architect Floyd Johnson |
| Architectural style | Roman Revival (Jeffersonian); Early Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In excellent condition and unaltered at nomination; in continuous use as a church since its 1832 consecration. |
| Acreage | 10 |
| Within district | Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.85333, -78.53391 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 71000974.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5108804
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.