McDowell Presbyterian Church & Headwaters
Chapel
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Highland County Community Calendar Highland County Public Library The Recorder (local newspaper) McDowell Volunteer Fire Department Highland County Chamber of Commerce
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Our History The ancestor of McDowell Presbyterian Church and Headwaters Chapel was organized in 1822, with these words, "The preaching of the gospel, having been attended with pleasing success on the Bullpasture River in the County of Pendleton, and there being no Presbyterian Church organized [here] . . . we on this day agree . . . and voluntarily consent, united together as a Christian Society and formed into a regular organized church to be known as the Central Union Church." After being recognized by the Lexington Presbytery, Rev. John Hendren became the first Pastor and James Curry and William (Ervine) Irvin were the first members elected to the Session. Construction was started on a two room log church building near the present church in the village of Sugar Tree Grove (changed to McDowell circa 1850). Worship services were held in the Sanctuary and Session and Sunday School used the second room, which was used as a local school during the winter week days. In 1856 Robert Sitlington donated the land for the present church building and manse (pastor's house). Construction was immediately started. Brick was molded and fired on site, and both the women and men of the church took an active part in the process. The manse was completed in 1879, with the Rev. Samuel McCune being the first resident. Located on the turnpike between Monterey and Staunton, the church saw various uses during the Civil War. On several occasions troops were billeted there and once the pews were burned for firewood. Many soldiers scratched the date and their initials in the soft brick work, and some of the names are still visible in the face of the brick today. In May of 1862, a battle was fought in McDowell between the two armies, led by General Stonewall Jackson and General Milroy, during which the church was damaged by a cannonball. There were 754 reported combined casualties during the battle and the church was used briefly as a hospital for both Union and Confederate troops. Many of the dead of both sides are buried in a mass grave across from the church. In 1870 the church name was changed to McDowell Presbyterian Church. Outposts and chapels were established at Palo Alto, Liberty, New Prospect, Bethlehem, Clover Creek, and Head Waters. Of the chapels, only Clover Creek (which was closed many years ago) and Headwaters remain. Clover Creek continues to be maintained as an historic location, listed on the National Register of Historic places. In 1950 a renovation and building program resulted in new hardwood flooring, new pews, repointing of the brickwork, and the addition of Sunday School rooms, a kitchen and Fellowship Hall. The Narthex and Sanctuary remain in much the same appearance today as when first built, save the stained glass windows and replacement of wood-burning stoves with electric heat. The small side entrance to the Narthex and the balcony remain as relics of the unfortunate days of slavery and segregation.
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