What makes a church a church?

Is it the building, the history, the burial ground, the congregation or “all of the above?” Is it possible to eradicate the aura that once existed within the consecrated walls and grounds of a place of worship? Would you want to? Can unrelated congregations of differing theologies, one belonging to the past and the other a vibrant component of the here and now, harmoniously coexist in the shared structure?

Lying at the foot of Slaughter’s or Cedar Mountain on Cedar Mountain Road is a little country church full of answers to those questions. In honor of those who have worshiped there since about 1855, in memory of those buried on the grounds with the promise of eternal peace, and in celebration of its current mission, join me as we unravel its hidden history.

This week will examine the bare bones — hopefully there will be none — more accurately, the structural history of the building and the surrounds of the little church known by many names and most commonly All Saints’ Episcopal Chapel.

Calvary Chapel, 1860-1862, was constructed between 1855-1860 by the Rev. Philip Slaughter, D.D. below his home “Highlands” located on Slaughter’s Mountain — more commonly known today as Cedar Mountain.

During the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, the church was destroyed and Slaughter’s house was ravaged. After several months of refuge in Scottsville, Slaughter returned with his family to the Highlands and temporarily ministered from his home to those who sought his counsel.

The 2nd Calvary Episcopal Church, 1882-1928, with Slaughter’s blessing was built in the village of Mitchells. Slaughter died in 1890 and was buried in the cemetery associated with the Mitchells Calvary Church, never realizing a dream to rebuild at the original location. The congregation grew smaller and smaller until the doors were closed in 1928. After a lightning strike and continued deterioration, the church was torn down and a private residence was built in its place.

The rebuilding of the original Calvary at the base of Slaughter’s Mountain was completed in 1893. The name Calvary Episcopal Church was already in use and in 1894 the little country church was consecrated as All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 1894-1956, in memory of “those who fell on the battlefield of Cedar Mountain, and who have ‘fought the good fight of faith in the daily walks of life’.” The graves from the 2nd Calvary Church were reinterred at All Saints.

Passed down within the Slaughter family are the comments of a veteran Union soldier visiting the battlefield while All Saints Church was under construction.

“I was made, under orders from my officers, to help pull down that old church in 1862. I thought it was a sin then, and I think so still, and to prove it, here is this dime which I know will at least buy a shingle for the roof.”… Early Churches of Culpeper County, Virginia: Colonia and Ante-Bellum Congregations

Culpeper Full Gospel Church, 1979-1986 leased the facilities from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and St. Mark’s Parish, restoring its religious purpose.

Today the Divine Life Ministries holds regular services at the little country church at the foot of Slaughter’s Mountain.

The history of the structures tell a critical story and next week will reveal a glimpse at the human side.

Until then, be well.