Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-23
BY HUDSON CRUNEWALD.

~ LDER by quarter of century than
the American Revolution and still
standing today just as 1t was when
the early English families Of Virginia
came to worship at its altar, Aqua
Church Of Overwharton Parish in County Stat
ford is considered one Of the noblest and finest
of the Colonial churches in the Old Dominion.
Yet, until recently, this hallowed shrine OF
a woodland setting, withdrawn from the pass
ing view.
But change has taken place. Now sign
on the Washington Richmond highway calls at
tention to the historic sanctuary and an arrow
points the way to q newly-built road, where,
Just few hundred yards beyond, may be seen
the simple brick facade Of the ancient edifice
through beautiful vista Of trees And soon
an arch win span the entrance Of the roadway,
gift of the United Daughters Of the Con-
federacy, in memory of the veterans of all wars
Through the efforts Of the Church AsSoci-
alton headed by Miss Pickett Waller of Wide
water, Va its president, and the philanthropy
Of many friends who provided for the rebuilding
Of the road and the erection Of the signs, Old
Aqua, long unobServed except by faithful par
ishoners who attended services there and such
visitors Is were fortunate enough to know where
to find it. has been brought into prominencs
and made easily accessible to all.
The old church, surrounded by venerable
grave yard mellowed by deep sylvan shadows.
brings forth recollections of the early colonists
who like phantom forms seem to wander over
the familiar scene as they did in the days Of
Virginia's infancy. Living for the moment in
the past, the visitor of today drifts back to the
time Of Indian-pathed forest, Of hardy set
tiers, Of courtly cavaliers and ladies, and to the
era Of the Nations struggle for independence
George Washington was a boy 10 years old
when Aqua Church was built More than IS
years were to elapse before the ground upon
which its foundations rose would become dis
tinctively American soil.
THE legend in quaint lettering over the south
door tells the story of the church's Begin
ming with simple directness: Built A. d. ISL,
destroyed by fire 1854, and rebuilt 1857 By
Mourning Richards undertaken: william
Copein. mason" Thus, the present structure
has weathered 173 Winters. no simple tribute to
the two builders whose names appear over its
who have tended its upkeep through these
many generations.
Standing in perfect state Of preservation the
original building unchanged from Colonial
days. Is q remarkable and unique example of
early church architecture. 1t has q noble ex-
terror built in the form of a cross two stories
high, with thick brick walls pierced by three
entrances, the center crowned with turret in
which was once a clock, now long since gone
An unusual three-tier pulpit, Of which only one
similar is extant, strikes the eye Immediately
upon entering. Surmounting it is q sounding
board upon which is affxed q giided six
pointed British star, and under It there Is
"cuddy," dark and mysterious.
The old-faShioned square pews are still pre-
served, the wooden benches just as they were
when the first Pensioners sat upon them. Two
other gilded stars appear afixed to the choir
gallery rising high above the center entrance,
but these are American stars" Of flve-pointed
design. indicating that they were set in place