Elk Run Church Historic Site and Museum
Past, Present and Future
Great strides have been made at Elk Run! In 1999, we embarked on an archaeological quest to discover, and then uncover, the foundation and remains of the 1750s Anglican Church at Elk Run – the first such church in Fauquier County, Virginia. A total of 129 volunteers provided over 5,803 hours of service between 1999 and 2006. See Archaeological Report.
Conversion of the archaeological site to a Historical Church Park started in November 2006. The construction of a Mini-Museum over an excavated segment of the old Church foundation was completed in August 2010. A Dedication Ceremony for the new Mini-Museum building was held on November 14, 2010, and a short church service was held within the outline of the old Church foundation for the first time in over 200 years. About 1,631 volunteer hours of service was provided from late 2006 until the end of 2010 to complete the construction of the Museum and related supporting activities. See Detailed Report on the Establishment of the Elk Run Museum.
The Museum’s goal is to depict the history of the area (Native Americans and settlers), the Church and its first Minister, Rev. James Keith, grandfather of Chief Justice John Marshall. The Mini-Museum covers the seven year archaeological effort, and its conversion to a Historic Church Park.
The adjacent Elk Run Church Cemetery had changed owners over the years but on November 20, 2011, William C. Patton, Jacqueline E. Patton and Christina A. Patton graciously donated the property to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church so that it could become part of the Elk Run Historic Church Park and held in perpetuity. The acquisition of this approximate 100 ft. by 100 ft. Cemetery property adds to the historical significance of the Elk Run Church Site. Another key objective for 2011 was the preparation of a new Cemetery Interpretative Sign summarizing its discovery which was also unveiled on 20 November.
In 2012, used glass display cases were obtained for the Museum. They were modified, painted and artifacts and photos placed within them.
Elk Run Anglican Church
Site Preservation & Historic Park
Follow us on an exciting project of historical significance! We have explored a 250-year-old property in Fauquier County, Virginia – the first Anglican Church in the county!
It all began in 1998, when a neighbor, tired of trash and debris next door, started clearing the brush off the abandoned plot of land. Less than a year later, Fauquier County’s mid-1700s frontier church emerged, one brick at a time. To learn more about how the project developed, click here.
We are awed by what is being revealed at Elk Run. When we took possession of the site in 1999, it was simply a vacant lot with bits of old brick lying about. We had no knowledge or assurance that anything lay below the surface, nor could we be certain that the church was actually located there.
— Edward F. Dandar Jr., Chairman, Preservation Committee
The church, built in the 1750s, is the first brick church in Fauquier County. It is uniquely laid-out as a Greek cross, with all side extensions roughly the same size. This floor-plan is also visible in Aquia and Abingdon, where two other pre-Revolutionary Anglican churches exist. To learn more about the history of the area and the church, click here.
A preservation committee led by St. Stephen’s Church in Catlett, in collaboration with St. James’ Church in Warrenton, is working to achieve the dream of Mr. Edward Parry Browning III, who deeded the 100-foot square lot to St. Stephen’s in June 1999. Sadly, Mr. Browning died only 2 months after the deed, but his dream became a reality. To learn more about Mr. Edward Parry Browning III, click here.
Our Goal is to preserve the 1750s Elk Run Anglican Church site and its history so future generations will have knowledge of its past and an appreciation of our forefathers’ contributions to the settlement of Fauquier County.