Christ Church
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Why it's listed
Christ Church is a rectangular brick parish church with a gable roof, measuring sixty by thirty-three and a half feet, located east of Saluda in Middlesex County, Virginia. Begun in 1712 and finished in 1714, it is the second church on the site, replacing a mother church built in 1666. Its walls are laid in Flemish bond with glazed headers, and inscribed bricks in the western vestibule record the 1714 completion and name craftsmen including John Hipkin and mason Alexander Graves. The building was abandoned after the Revolution, then restored beginning in 1843 and altered again around 1931. The churchyard holds an outstanding group of colonial tombs, including those of Wormeley family members, and Sir Henry Chicheley, a deputy governor, is buried beneath the Communion Table. The parish also owns the only colonial vestry book that predates Bacon's Rebellion. The church still serves its congregation and acts as a chapel for the adjoining Christchurch School.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the church as an invaluable survivor of one of Virginia's most significant colonial parishes. It preserves the brickwork and inscribed bricks of the 1714 building and is linked to figures such as Sir Henry Chicheley and the Wormeley family. It also holds the only colonial vestry book that predates Bacon's Rebellion.
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 72001408, listed November 3, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off VA 638, N of jct. with VA 33, Saluda |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | November 3, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001408 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th and 19th centuries; specific dates 1712-1714 |
| Architect / builder | Alexander Graves, mason; John Hipkin, carpentry, plumbing and glazing |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in use for religious purposes, serving as a parish church and school chapel; condition marked deteriorated and altered. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 37.60955, -76.54636 (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 72001408.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712169
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.