Unearthing the stories of Christ's Chapel

For 66 years, from the late 19th century until World War II, Saint James’ had a mission church northeast of Warrenton to serve the small agricultural community in what is now a subdivision near Route 605. While the small worship space, called Baldwin Ridge Christ’s Chapel, has long since been torn down, a cemetery at the site continues to offer us a physical connection to this little-known part of the story of our parish. 

The Diocese of Virginia still owns the small parcel, and Saint James’ retains the stewardship responsibility for its care.  Parishioners, adjacent neighborhood property owners, Boy Scout troops and Eagle Scout projects have contributed a great deal of work to maintain the site and open the possibility of making it once again a site of worship, prayer and contemplation. Once we are able to have someone survey the site more closely from an archaeological perspective — we want to ensure that we don’t disturb any unknown graves or artifacts by accident — we plan to install a pathway, benches and interpretive signage. 

The physical space as it now exists is an important part of the story of Christ’s Chapel. But there are other aspects of that story that we have only just begun to explore.  From 1883 to 1949, real people worshiped at Christ’s Chapel. There were Sunday services and school classes, church confirmations and burials. Worship, happiness and sadness. This all happened in the context of an important time in the history of Fauquier County, Virginia and the United States — for example, the chapel was built soon after the end of Reconstruction and demolished as Jim Crow finally began to crumble. 

We know very little about the stories embedded in the life of Christ’s Chapel, only tantalizing bits of information here and there.  But, that’s not to say we can’t fill in those gaps and tell those stories — both happy and sad, good and bad — more fully. It just requires some effort to get there.  That’s where you come in. Maybe you’re interested in genealogical research. Maybe you love going through old newspapers and solving mysteries. Those skills and interests can help us uncover and tell those stories — and help us all learn a little more about our parish and ourselves in the process. 

Can you help? Email Vicky Dinneen at vickydinneen@gmail.com to start the conversation.

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