Dinwiddie Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
Also known as: 017-5015
Why it's listed
Dinwiddie Presbyterian Church, completed in 1948 in Carroll County, Virginia, is a fieldstone building with a front entry bell tower, crenellated parapets, triangular-headed windows and thick stone buttresses. Inside, exposed pine trusses, knotty-pine paneling and a natural stone altar and pulpit define the sanctuary. A large cemetery with fieldstone pillars and chain fencing occupies the high ground beside it. The church was built after James Arthur Mitchell, returning from World War II, sought to revive a congregation that had languished for decades. Minister Robert Childress agreed to lead the effort, and he and Richard Slate laid out the foundation without architects or plans in 1946. Stone was hauled from Buffalo Mountain, and the first service took place in September 1948. It is one of six Childress rock churches in southwestern Virginia, recognized for religion, social history and architecture from 1948 to 1956, the year Childress died.
Significance in brief: It is one of six Childress rock-faced churches built in Floyd, Carroll and Patrick counties between 1919 and the early 1950s. It reflects Appalachian Presbyterian worship and social activism in western Virginia and the ministry of Robert W. Childress. It is significant for religion and social history, and for its distinctive architecture.
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 07000228, listed March 30, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2698 Homestead Rd., Hillsville |
|---|---|
| County | Carroll County |
| Listed | March 30, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000228 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1948-1956 |
| Architect / builder | Childress, Rev. Robert; Slate, Richard |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Religion, Social History, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility and cemetery; the fieldstone altar and pulpit remain unchanged, and a modern brick addition has been added at the rear. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 36.86288, -80.71684 (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 07000228.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5278765
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.