e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia Online

Virginia's Chapel

Churches Section 12 of 12

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Virginia's Chapel, also known as the Little Brick Church, is a historic building located in Cedar Grove (Kanawha County). It was built in 1853 by William Tompkins Jr., a successful businessman in the salt and natural gas industries. The chapel is named after his daughter, Virginia.

The chapel was constructed using red bricks made on site. It was originally nearly square, but later construction made it longer and added an octagonal cupola (a small dome) above the entrance. In its early years, the chapel was nondenominational, meaning it wasn't tied to any one religious group.

During the Civil War, the chapel was used by both sides. Union soldiers kept their horses inside, while the Confederate army used it as a hospital.

The church was actively shared by local Methodist congregations until the 1920s. In 1975, Virginia's Chapel was placed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The chapel is no longer an active church but is still used for special events like weddings, funerals, and holiday services. The grounds contain two cemeteries: one for local White residents and one for enslaved Black people.