St. Matthew's Church
Also known as: DHR File Number 028-0038
Why it's listed
Built as an Episcopal church in rural Essex County, Virginia, this one-story brick building stands at the junction of Routes 17, 631 and 724 in Champlain. Work began in 1861, the Civil War halted construction until 1865, and the church was consecrated in 1870. Its rectangular form, gable-end entry, east-west orientation and plain brick exterior, laid in three different bonds, closely echo Anglican churches of colonial Virginia. Inside, the arrangement reflects nineteenth-century practice: the pulpit and reading desk were placed in the chancel, and rows of pews replaced private boxes. A gallery with fluted Doric columns and a king post truss are among its features. The church served St. Anne's Parish for about a century before it was deconsecrated and sold in 1970. It then became a general store and is now an antique store. Its architecture and its link to the Episcopal revival in Essex County are the basis for its listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a good example of church architecture in Virginia, combining a colonial-style Anglican exterior with a nineteenth-century interior. It also reflects the revival of the Episcopal Church in Essex County in the early to mid-nineteenth century.
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 03001429, listed January 16, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of VA 17, VA 631, and VA 724, Champlain |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | January 16, 2004 |
| Reference number | 03001429 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1860-1953 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Deconsecrated in 1970, converted to a general store, and currently used as an antique store. |
| Acreage | 4.3 |
| Within district | Occupacia-Rappahannock Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.01608, -76.99093 (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 03001429.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713248
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.