Methodist Tabernacle
Why it's listed
Set in a flat, cleared field among the woods of Mathews County, this open-sided pavilion was built in 1922 to shelter revival meetings. It replaced an earlier structure from about 1879. A hipped roof with a shuttered clerestory monitor rests on square wooden posts braced at the angles. Twenty-one rows of wooden benches sit on a dirt floor along three aisles, and a full-width speakers platform holds a central pulpit with tiered choir pews on three sides. A shallow ditch surrounds the building; it drains the low ground and reputedly kept drivers from pulling up to the building. The nomination treats it as a rare Virginia survivor of an early twentieth-century revival facility, kept with its original furnishings and rural setting. Its design reflects regularly scheduled revivals, professional-style staging and the arrival of the automobile, which let worshippers travel to services rather than camp on site. At the time of listing it was unused but in good condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a rare Virginia example of an early twentieth-century revival meeting facility. It is noted for being preserved with its original furnishings and rural setting intact. Its stage-like platform, mourners' bench and surrounding ditch reflect revival practice in the automobile age.
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 75002024, listed May 21, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | SE of Mathews on VA 611 at jct. with VA 644, Mathews |
|---|---|
| County | Mathews County |
| Listed | May 21, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75002024 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1922 |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Not in use at the time of nomination; in good condition, with the new owner intending repairs and a return to religious use. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 37.42202, -76.29636 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 75002024.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712834
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.