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Saltville Hall:
Faith of Our Fathers:
History of Our Local Churches
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The Museum of the Middle Appalachians opened a new exhibit,
“Faith of Our Fathers”, on January 30, 2010 in the Saltville
Hall. The region is
home to many old and beautiful churches. They reflect the
character of our people and their strong faith. Area churches
were asked to prepare a short exhibit telling the story of their
place in the community.
Twenty seven churches responded with displays and memorabilia.
Many include old photos showing how their buildings have changed
to accommodate growing congregations. Others have been lost to
development, declining populations, or tragic demise. Some were
started in abandoned store buildings or houses and have grown to
beautiful, well established places of worship.
The oldest church, the Primitive Baptist Church at St. Claire’s
Bottom, in Chilhowie dates to the 1700s, The Union Church of
Saltville had its beginnings in 1873 during the early days of
the salt industry and served a number of denominations. From it
came the Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, Christian,
and Methodist Protestant congregations that moved throughout the
area and eventually built their own meeting places.
The Plasterco Methodist Church, which sat on U.S. Gypsum
property, was torn down and the congregation was absorbed by
other area churches. The Henrytown Methodist Church was
relocated by the Olin-Mathieson Company when its waste holding
pond was extended. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was built in the
late 1800’s as a place of worship for the British workers coming
to start the Mathieson Alkali Works. The church now called Madam
Russell Memorial United Methodist Church evolved from the
Elizabeth Chapel of 1796 that was named for statesman Patrick
Henry’s sister, Elizabeth. Freedom Baptist Church, in Poor
Valley, began services in a small country store building. And so
it goes, each with its own interesting story.
From the oldest church in the region to those newly formed, the
history of the region’s faith is displayed in the Saltville
Hall. The exhibit is free to the public. The Museum of the
Middle Appalachians is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and
Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 pm. The Museum is a private, non-profit
organization that is funded through donations, memberships, and
volunteers. For more information, or to become a part of the
Museum, you may call 276-496-3633 or go to the Museum Website
www.museum-mid-app.org
[Exhibits] [Saltville Hall] [Education Programs] [Saltville Foundation] [Museum Store] [Links]
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