|
|
AT THE CORNER of Forbes Street and Jefferson Davis Highway, just north of the chaotic intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 17 in Falmouth, stands a small, white wooden structure currently known as Golgotha Church. The little church has been standing at this location as a local landmark and as the meeting place for various church families for 111 years.
Falmouth Baptist Church was founded in 1891 after several attempts to break from the Fredericksburg Baptist Church. Unsuccessful attempts to separate from the church in the city of Fredericksburg had been made many times, including in 1818, 1861, 1868 and 1888.
The building was completed in 1892 as the meeting place for Falmouth Baptist Church. Between 1917 and 1920 the rear addition was added and the present pews were purchased. In 1932 the Rev. P.H. Clements was called upon to preach on Sunday evenings for the sum of $700 per year.
Clements became the full-time minister in 1941 when Falmouth Baptist became a full-time church, and he remained in that position until 1944. Property at 302 Colonial Ave. was purchased in 1946 for a new, larger church. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Oct. 3, 1954, for the first portion of the new church. The completed building was dedicated Dec. 11, 1955, and the original wooden church was sold.
In 1955 the Highway Assembly of God purchased the little wooden church. It remained in its possession until the mid-1970s. During his tenure, Pastor Robert Revell (now pastor emeritus) lived with his family in the small rear section of the church.
In 1988 the church building was purchased by the Golgotha Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor Keith M. Davis is the leader of this congregation.
Davis takes pride in his church's involvement in helping the needy in the area, and laments the lack of space and the loss of some rooms in the structure due to water damage, which limits his congregation's ability to serve the community even further. As a small church, the monies necessary to save the church and restore it are well beyond the congregation's means.
The most striking feature of the church is its unique bell tower. The bell of Golgotha Church has "C.S. Bell Co 28 Hillsboro O" inscribed on its yoke. The bell is of steel alloy and is mounted on a 4- by 4-inch post frame. The bell has been rotated 90 degrees, but the clapper was not realigned to swing in the same direction, so the bell cannot be rung even if a rope were installed.
"Bells and Belfries" by J. William Mann (1993) tells the story of the late Austin Boutchyard, whose father was the sextant of both Union and Falmouth Baptist churches. As a boy, Austin would ring the bell at Falmouth Baptist Church for morning worship and the bell at Union Church for afternoon services. For funerals, he would climb up into the belfry and toll the bell by swinging the clapper one time for each year of the deceased's life. Austin Boutchyard lived in the small white house just across Forbes Street from the church, and operated a small grocery store and later an antiques shop in the building beside his house for many years.
Today, the little church is in dire need of immediate repairs. The steeply pitched, raised-seam metal roof has rusted beyond repair and needs to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration of the building. Water damage has wreaked havoc with the wooden structure; windows hang at odd angles in their frames, ceilings are collapsing, and at least one room is unsafe for use. The wooden siding on the exterior of the structure is peeling badly and needs priming and a new coat of paint to protect it from the elements.
Nothing short of a miracle is needed to bring the little church back to its former glory. Costs to replace the roof alone are estimated to be approximately $50,000. Extensive repairs are needed to the interior of the church, as well. The Historic Port of Falmouth is attempting to raise funds to bring this resurrection about. The group hopes to be able to raise enough money and/or skilled volunteers to save this historic structure before it is lost forever. It has been a well-known landmark along U.S. 1 in Falmouth for many years, and its demise would leave a gaping wound in the historical structure of the area.
Donations can be sent to: Historic Port of Falmouth Association, c/o Treasurer, Attention: Golgotha Church Restoration Fund Drive, 112 Washington St., Falmouth, Va. 22405.
DONNA CHASEN is a freelance writer living in Fredericksburg. She is a member of the board of directors of the Spotsylvania Preservation Foundation.
