The History of Buck Mountain Church
Buck Mountain Parish is one of two original parishes in the northern portion of Albemarle County authorized soon after the county was established in 1744. This was a time when church and state were not separate; the county (state) dealt with civil issues while the church had governance over ecclesiastical affairs which included regular church services as well as what, in today’s lingo, could be called the welfare system.
Buck Mountain Church building was completed in 1747 and was a frontier church as it was at the edge of our western expansion. The building was located a mile or two west of the present location on the farm of John Mills. It was just off Buck Mountain Road, a route which has held pretty much to its original layout since colonial times. The building was very simple in architectural style and the outside clapboards were also the inside wall.
Soon after the American Revolution, the established church (Church of England) came into disfavor as it had been a tax supported entity and other denominations felt they had rights to what had been an institution paid for by taxpayers’ money. In fact, as early as 1809, Baptist’s congregations occupied the building. A legal battle ensued led by the Michie brothers who won back the building for what had now become the Episcopal Church. The building was in ruins. The present site was purchased from John Early and this building was built in the late 1850’s or early 1860’s.
Architecturally the buildings were similar with useable materials being salvaged from the former site and recycled. Much new material was needed to complete the structure. This building is slightly larger than the old and reflects Greek Revival styling which had come into vogue at that time. Later, plaster interior walls were added and a vestry room was built on the south end of the building. Gradually, other improvements were added including heat, electricity, even air conditioning and the privy moved inside.
In the early 1900’s additional property and a house (red building next to the Parish Hall) was purchased just to the north. The house was to be used as a rectory and the additional land could enhance the cemetery. In recent times, however, the clergy of the parish chose not to live in the house and it was rented to individuals and even Albemarle County for housing. It became a financial liability to the parish and was sold with one acre of land in the mid 1990’s.
The Parish Hall started life as a dance cabriolet at Zion Crossroads. In 1933 it was moved to its present location and became a center of activity for the parish and community. For a period of time it was a health clinic for the children in the area and subsequently it has been used by a great variety of organizations as a meeting hall.
By 1994 the parish recognized that additional space was needed for the Sunday School, small group meetings, an office, a nursery and a host of other events. Thus, Deese Hall came into existence. Enormous effort went into the design and construction of this addition to keep it in the proper perspective of the old building and not to take away from any of the landmark designated features of a building which has stood the test of time for 150 years.
Our parish continues to thrive after 261 years of existence and welcome others to join in a rich tradition and heritage that is Buck Mountain’s.