e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia Online

Old Stone Presbyterian Church

Churches Section 7 of 12

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The Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg is one of West Virginia's oldest and most historic buildings. It is believed to be the oldest church building west of the Allegheny Mountains that has been used continuously.

The sanctuary was built in 1796 using thick walls of native limestone. Church history says that the women of the congregation assisted the builders by riding horses to the Greenbrier River to bring back bags of sand for the mortar. The first pastor, Rev. John McElhenney, served for over 60 years, starting an education effort in 1808 that eventually led to the creation of local colleges.

The church was used as a hospital during the Civil War and housed troops. Confederate soldiers who died during the 1862 Battle of Lewisburg were laid in the sanctuary. The Union commander would not allow proper services for the dead as punishment for sniper fire that had killed one of his wounded men. The Confederate soldiers were then buried in a trench next to the south wall. Later, 95 soldiers were reburied nearby in a common grave shaped like a cross.

The Old Stone Presbyterian was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.