Massaponax Baptist Church

Massaponax Baptist Church

Massaponax Baptist Church Photograph by Mark Mones
Photo 2 of Massaponax Baptist Church Photo 3 of Massaponax Baptist Church Photo 4 of Massaponax Baptist Church Photo 5 of Massaponax Baptist Church Photo 6 of Massaponax Baptist Church Photo 7 of Massaponax Baptist Church Massaponax Church, 21 May 1864 Council of war, 21 May 1864, with General Grant on left leaning over pew to study a map held by General Meade
1859. c. 1940 and 1961, additions. 5101 Massaponax Church Rd. (U.S. 1 and VA 608)

This restrained brick temple revival structure has a single front entrance and two side entrances which lead to a vestibule and then, through double doors, into the sanctuary, which has two aisles and three pew sections. Three tall windows on each side admit plenty of light. A gallery supported by Tuscan columns runs around three sides. On the end elevation is the pulpit in front of a barrel-vaulted apse, which contains the baptism chamber. On the wall of the apse is a painting of a view down a river. The church was the scene of a council of war held by General Ulysses S. Grant and his staff on May 21, 1864, captured in a series of wet-plate negatives exposed by Timothy H. O'Sullivan.

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