Jonesville Methodist Campground
Why it's listed
Jonesville Methodist Camp Ground, northwest of Jonesville in Lee County, Virginia, is a site for outdoor revival worship. It consists of a broad lawn where the congregation pitches tents and a permanent pavilion-like auditorium. The gabled frame building measures seventy-six by thirty-six feet, with a twelve-foot shed addition at the south end. Hewn timber framing and center-aisle supports carry the structure, and the walls are weatherboarded. Hinged panels along the east and west sides can be raised for ventilation. Simple slat-backed pews sit on an earth floor, taking advantage of the natural amphitheatre formed by the hillside. The camp ground was established in 1810 for the Methodist-Episcopal Church of Lee County, during a wave of evangelical enthusiasm on the frontier. Elkanah Wynn gave the land to church trustees in 1827, and the auditorium was built in 1827-1828 from massive hewn oak logs. It is regarded as a rare, well-preserved example of the simple shelters erected for revival services and has been used continuously since.
Significance in brief: The camp ground was established in 1810 for Methodist revival meetings during a surge of evangelical fervor on the frontier. The surviving auditorium is described as a rare, well-preserved example of the simple frame structures built to shelter revival services. It has been in continuous use since completion.
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 74002133, listed May 16, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W of Jonesville at jct. of VA 652 and U.S. 58, Jonesville |
|---|---|
| County | Lee County |
| Listed | May 16, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74002133 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1827-1828 |
| Architect / builder | Oak logs hewn by Henry Woodward, David Orr, Reverend Joseph Hasker, and Robert Wynn |
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as well preserved, in good condition, and in continuous use since its completion; the form lists it as occupied with religious use. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 36.68267, -83.14387 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 74002133.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712642
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.