CHoWs - By Material


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First Church of Christ, Wethersfield
Wethersfield, CT
Congregational, 1761
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Appoquinimink FMH
Odessa, DE
Society of Friends, 1785
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Hold mouse here for more info!This is one of the smallest CHoWs, and possibly the very smallest Friends Meeting House from the era.
Asbury Methodist
Wilmington, DE
Methodist, 1789
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Hold mouse here for more info!This church suffers from being in a city, with very little property surrounding it, and the visual misfortune of having power lines and power poles installed right along the north wall.
Barratt's Chapel
Frederica, DE
Methodist, 1780
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Hold mouse here for more info!Although there are a few buildings associated with the Methodist Church in America which are older, they were not built as Methodist Churches. This is the oldest Methodist-built church, and has been called the “Cradle of Methodism” in America for many years. In addition to its fine architecture, its setting is quiet enough to allow one to imagine the peace and tranquility of the 18th century.
Christ Church
Dover, DE
Church of England, 1734
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First Presbyterian, Wilmington
Wilmington, DE
Presbyterian, 1740
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Hold mouse here for more info!No longer at its original location, this building now serves the Colonial Dames of America, Delaware Chapter.
Immanuel on the Green
New Castle, DE
Church of England, 1703
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Hold mouse here for more info!Substantially damaged by fire in 1980, restoration returned it to its early 19th century modified appearance.
New Castle Presbyterian
New Castle, DE
Presbyterian, 1707
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Old Drawyers
Odessa, DE
Presbyterian, 1773
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St. Anne's
Middletown, DE
Church of England, 1768
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Welsh Tract Baptist
Newark, DE
Baptist, 1746
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Jerusalem
Ebenezer, GA
German Lutheran, 1767
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Hold mouse here for more info!Oldest in Georgia: Its rural setting allows for an impression of the 18th century.
All Faith Huntersville
Huntersville, MD
Church of England, 1765
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All Hallows Snow Hill
Snow Hill, MD
Church of England, 1784
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All Hallows South River
South River, MD
Church of England, 1727
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All Saints Sunderland
Sunderland, MD
Church of England, 1774
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Christ Church, Accokeek
Accokeek, MD
Church of England, 1745
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Christ Church, Chaptico
Chaptico, MD
Church of England, 1736
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Christ Church, Durham
Ironsides, MD
Church of England, 1732
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Christ Church, Port Republic
Port Republic, MD
Church of England, 1772
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Christ Church, Wayside
Newburg, MD
Church of England, 1750
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Conventry Parish, Rehoboth
Rehoboth, MD
Church of England, 1784
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Doughoregan Manor Chapel
near Ellicott City, MD
Roman Catholic, 1727
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Hold mouse here for more info!This house and chapel are not open to the public, but are quite historic. The home is still in the possession of descendants of the original owners from 1727, members of the Carroll family, including Charles Carroll (of Carrollton), a signer of the Declaration of Independence, said to have been the wealthiest signer and possibly the richest man in America when he died in 1832, aged about 95, the last surviving signer of the Declaration. I’ve seen the house from the air, but have not yet been able to photograph it.
East Nottingham FMH
Calvert, MD
Society of Friends, 1724
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Emmanuel
Chestertown, MD
Church of England, 1768
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Hold mouse here for more info!The church was the setting for the meeting in 1780 which resulted in the official designation as the Protestant Episcopal Church, replacing the Church of England.
Gunpowder Methodist MH
Edgewood, MD
Methodist, 1773
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Hold mouse here for more info!This is on a military post, and thus is not always accessible to the public.
Manokin Presbyterian
Princess Anne, MD
Presbyterian, 1765
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Middleham Chapel
Lusby, MD
Church of England, 1748
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Old Bohemia/St. Francis Xavier
Warwick, MD
Roman Catholic, 1794
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Hold mouse here for more info!While the date of this church is slightly later than my timeline ought to allow, its setting and appearance put it in the colonial era visually. Plus, the name alludes to an estate owned by Augustine Herman, the first Bohemian/ Czech to come to America, and my 8x great-grandfather.
Old Green Hill / St. Bartholomew's
Whitehaven, MD
Church of England, 1733
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Hold mouse here for more info!Now separated by state and diocesan lines, Green Hill was the mother church of Old Christ Church (Laurel, Sussex Co., Del.). Its beautiful lines were the model for the construction of the newer church, completed four decades later in wood. Green Hill's location is ideal for summoning up the aura of the 18th century.
Old White Marsh Trappe
near Trappe, MD
Church of England, 1685
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Otterbein
Baltimore, MD
United Brethren, 1785
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Patapsco FMH
Baltimore, MD
Society of Friends, 1781
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Presbury Methodist MH
Edgewood, MD
Methodist, 1720
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Hold mouse here for more info!This is on a military post, and may not be accessible to the public. It is also apparently reserved for housing for the military and not open to the public.
Rehoboth Presbyterian
Rehoboth, MD
Presbyterian, 1706
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Sacred Heart
Bowie, MD
Roman Catholic, 1741
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Sater Baptist
Baltimore, MD
Baptist, 1742
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St. Andrew's, Leonardtown
Leonardtown, MD
Church of England, 1765
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St. Andrew's, Princess Anne
Princess Anne, MD
Church of England, 1770
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St. Barnabas Leeland
Leeland, MD
Church of England, 1774
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St. Ignatius, St. Inigoes
St. Inigoes, MD
Roman Catholic, 1785
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Hold mouse here for more info!One of the few Roman Catholic churches from the Colonial English era.
St. James Herring Creek
Herring Creek, MD
Church of England, 1762
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St. James's My Lady's Manor
My Lady's Manor, MD
Church of England, 1750
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St. John's Broad Creek
Broad Creek, MD
Church of England, 1723
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St. Luke's Church Hill
Church Hill, MD
Church of England, 1730
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St. Martin's, Showell
Showell, MD
Church of England, 1755
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Hold mouse here for more info!Beautifully restored in the 2000s, St. Martin’s would be a good place to step back in time.
St. MaryAnne's, North East
North East, MD
Church of England, 1742
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St. Paul's, Baden
Baden, MD
Church of England, 1733
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St. Paul's, Fairlee
Fairlee, MD
Church of England, 1713
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Hold mouse here for more info!Of note in the extensive burial ground is the grave of Tallulah Bankhead. This church is one of the most remote, thus offering one an easy step back 250 years or more.
St. Thomas's, Croom
Croom, MD
Church of England, 1733
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St. Thomas's, Garrison Forest
Greenspring Valley, MD
Church of England, 1743
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St. Thomas's Manor
Chapel Point, MD
Roman Catholic, 1741
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Trinity Oldfields
Hughesville, MD
Church of England, 1769
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Trinity, Church Creek
Church Creek, MD
Church of England, 1675
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Hold mouse here for more info!Oldest in Maryland.
Wye
Wye Mills, MD
Church of England, 1717
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Hold mouse here for more info!Although this church looks the way it does thanks to a very generous 20th century restoration, that doesn’t alter that its appearance is now very evocative of the colonial era.
Holden Chapel, Harvard
Cambridge, MA
Congregational, 1742
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Hold mouse here for more info!Now in use as a music building, this is not open to the public. It is, however, in sight of Christ Church, just across Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge.
Old North Church
Boston, MA
Church of England, 1723
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Hold mouse here for more info!Famous as the church which posted the lanterns advising Paul Revere (on the opposite shore) of his route through Middlesex, it’s a city church which still offers a glimpse of history.
Old South Meeting House
Boston, MA
Congregational, 1729
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Hold mouse here for more info!Benjamin Franklin’s family worshiped here (though this structure was built after he moved to Philadelphia). It also figures prominently in the history of the American Revolution; members of the Committee of Correspondence met here frequently.
South Uxbridge FMH
South Uxbridge, MA
Society of Friends, 1776
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Hold mouse here for more info!This Friends meeting house has a rather isolated location, allowing one to imagine oneself in another era more easily.
Alloways Creek FMH
Hancock's Bridge, NJ
Society of Friends, 1754
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Bordentown FMH
Bordentown, NJ
Society of Friends, 1740
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Hold mouse here for more info!In the past decade, this small meeting house underwent historic preservation research, resulting in the exterior brick walls being covered in stucco and painted yellow – as it had been during the colonial era. It had been exposed unpainted brick for perhaps a century.
Burlington FMH
Burlington, NJ
Society of Friends, 1784
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Chesterfield FMH
Crosswicks, NJ
Society of Friends, 1773
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First Presbyterian, Elizabeth
Elizabeth, NJ
Presbyterian, 1784
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Greenwich FMH
Greenwich, NJ
Society of Friends, 1771
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Moravian
Oliphants Mill, NJ
Moravian, 1786
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Mt. Holly FMH
Mt. Holly, NJ
Society of Friends, 1775
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Old Springfield FMH
Jacksonville, NJ
Society of Friends, 1775
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Old St. Mary's
Burlington, NJ
Church of England, 1703
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Hold mouse here for more info!Oldest in New Jersey.
Pittsgrove Presbyterian
Daretown, NJ
Presbyterian, 1767
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Hold mouse here for more info!Its location in a true village in southern (rural) New Jersey gives this church a distinct colonial-era edge. The extensive property includes some very large old trees, enhancing the colonial atmosphere.
Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville, NJ
Presbyterian, 1764
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Rancocas FMH
Rancocas, NJ
Society of Friends, 1772
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Salem FMH
Salem, NJ
Society of Friends, 1772
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Trenton FMH
Trenton, NJ
Society of Friends, 1739
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Trinity Church, Swedesboro
Swedesboro, NJ
Swedish Lutheran, 1784
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Woodbury FMH
Woodbury, NJ
Society of Friends, 1715
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Woodstown FMH
Woodstown, NJ
Society of Friends, 1784
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Zion Lutheran
Oldwick, NJ
German Lutheran, 1750
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Nine Partners FMH
Millbrook, NY
Society of Friends, 1780
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Hold mouse here for more info!One of several upstate NY FMH’s in ideally colonial rural settings.
Reformed Dutch Middleburgh
Middleburgh, NY
Dutch Reformed, 1786
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St. Paul's, Edenton
Edenton, NC
Church of England, 1736
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Hold mouse here for more info!St. Paul’s, near the waters of Albemarle Sound, bears a strong resemblance to Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg.
St. Philip's, Brunswick
Brunswick, NC
Church of England, 1740
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St. Thomas's, Bath
Bath, NC
Church of England, 1734
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Hold mouse here for more info!The oldest CHoW in North Carolina, and seemingly unchanged since its construction. The small town helps persuade one of the reality of the earlier era.
Christ Church, Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Church of England, 1727
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Hold mouse here for more info!Benjamin Franklin worshiped at this huge church (at one time believed to be the largest enclosed space in the colonies), and is buried in their burial ground two blocks away.
Concord FMH
Concordville, PA
Society of Friends, 1728
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Free FMH, Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Society of Friends, 1783
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Holy Trinity, Lancaster
Lancaster, PA
German Lutheran, 1761
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New Garden FMH
New Garden, PA
Society of Friends, 1743
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Old School Baptist, Southampton
Southampton, PA
Baptist, 1772
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Pine Street Presbyterian
Philadelphia, PA
Presbyterian, 1766
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St. George's Methodist, Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Methodist, 1763
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Hold mouse here for more info!This is one of the oldest Methodist churches, though it was built for the Church of England, and was converted years later.
St. James's, Kingsessing
Philadelphia, PA
Swedish Lutheran, 1760
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St. Mary's, Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Roman Catholic, 1763
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Hold mouse here for more info!The only big city Roman Catholic church from the colonial era.
St. Paul's, Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Church of England, 1760
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St. Peter's, Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Church of England, 1758
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Trinity, Oxford
Lawndale, PA
Church of England, 1711
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York FMH
York, PA
Society of Friends, 1765
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Touro Synagogue
Newport, RI
Jewish, 1759
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Hold mouse here for more info!The only colonial-era synagogue still standing in the US, Touro is also a National Historic Site, and holds a letter written to the congregation by George Washington after he became president, affirming freedom of religion for all religious groups.
Biggin Church
Monck's Corner, SC
Church of England, 1761
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Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant, SC
Church of England, 1724
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Ebenezer Little River
Jenkinsville, SC
Presbyterian, 1788
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Pompion Hill Chapel
Huger, SC
Church of England, 1763
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Hold mouse here for more info!Thanks to its incredibly isolated location on the Black River north of Charleston, this chapel, largely unchanged from the mid-18th century, has a setting which completely replicates that which it had when first built. Except maybe the alligators are less common now.
Prince George, Winyah
Georgetown, SC
Church of England, 1741
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Sheldon
Garden Corners, Yemassee, SC
Church of England, 1745
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Hold mouse here for more info!Although this is a ruin, it is one of the most evocative locations I’ve encountered. Unusual cylindrical brick columns.
St. Andrew's, Charleston
Drayton Hall, SC
Church of England, 1706
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Hold mouse here for more info!Oldest in South Carolina.
St. George's, Dorchester
Dorchester, SC
Church of England, 1719
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St. Helena's, Beaufort
Beaufort, SC
Church of England, 1724
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St. James, Goose Creek
Goose Creek, SC
Church of England, 1713
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Hold mouse here for more info!Isolation works here, but the church has a significant security system, so check their schedule for access. It is not visible from any public road.
St. James, Santee
Santee, SC
Church of England, 1768
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Hold mouse here for more info!Unusual cylindrical brick columns supporting the front portico, found also at Sheldon.
St. Michael's, Charleston
Charleston, SC
Church of England, 1752
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Hold mouse here for more info!It’s a brick building, with stucco painted white.
St. Stephen's, St. Stephen
St. Stephen, SC
Church of England, 1767
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Strawberry Chapel
Huger, SC
Church of England, 1725
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Hold mouse here for more info!This country church might have a better chance at evoking the 18th century if the surrounding fence and wall weren’t topped with barbed wire, which wasn’t invented until the latter part of the 19th century, and if there weren’t security cameras in place near the locked gate.
Unitarian, Charleston
Charleston, SC
Congregational, 1772
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Hold mouse here for more info!Although old, it doesn’t look it.
Abingdon Episcopal
White Marsh, VA
Church of England, 1754
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Acquinton
King William Court House, VA
Church of England, 1760
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Hold mouse here for more info!Substantially restored in the past 15 years.
Blandford Church
Petersburg, VA
Church of England, 1735
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Hold mouse here for more info!The chapel, standing at the edge of the largest cemetery in Petersburg, adjacent to the national battlefield, and resting place of my parents and grandparents, offers a series of stained-glass windows designed by L. C. Tiffany.
Bruton Parish
Williamsburg, VA
Church of England, 1711
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Hold mouse here for more info!One of the most historic churches, thanks to its location in the heart of the colonial capital of one of the most populous colonies. Regular attendees included George Washington, George Wythe, Thomas Jefferson, and most of the other Virginia names one associates with American Independence.
Christ Church, Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
Church of England, 1767
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Hold mouse here for more info!One of the principal churches attended most frequently by George Washington.
Christ Church, Aquia
Garrisonville, VA
Church of England, 1757
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Christ Church, Lancaster
Weems, VA
Church of England, 1732
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Hold mouse here for more info!One of the supreme examples of Georgian church architecture in America, this church is almost entirely unchanged since its completion about 285 years ago. It has the blessing of a rural setting which further enhances the colonial-era atmosphere.
Christ Church, Middlesex
Saluda, VA
Church of England, 1712
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Hold mouse here for more info!In addition to this charming church’s idyllic setting (wood thrushes can be heard in the forest behind the church in season), it is also the burial location of Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller.
Fork Church
Beaver Dam, VA
Church of England, 1735
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Glebe Church
Driver, VA
Church of England, 1738
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Hickory Neck
Toano, VA
Church of England, 1774
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Hungars Church
Bridgetown, VA
Church of England, 1742
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Jamestown Church Tower
Jamestown, VA
Church of England, 1639
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Hold mouse here for more info!The tower is the only part remaining from the 1639 church at English America’s oldest permanent settlement, but work is underway to build a replica of the rest of the church, based on details found in 21st century excavations. This is probably the oldest church remnant in English America.
Lamb's Creek Church
Sealston, VA
Church of England, 1769
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Hold mouse here for more info!Compare the architecture of this church with Little Fork Church (aka St. Mark’s) in Rixeyville.
Lower Chapel Middlesex
Hartfield, VA
Church of England, 1717
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Lower Southwark
Lawne's Creek Parish, VA
Church of England, 1751
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Mangohick Church
Mangohick, VA
Church of England, 1730
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Merchant's Hope
Prince George, VA
Church of England, 1743
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Hold mouse here for more info!Merchant’s Hope owes its strong 18th century atmosphere to the lucky location on a side road well out of any town. It appears to be unchanged in almost 350 years; it was built in 1657, and is one of the four oldest CHoWs in America’s English colonies.
North Farnham
Farnham, VA
Church of England, 1737
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Old Donation Church
Lynnhaven, VA
Church of England, 1736
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Pohick Church
near Fort Belvoir, VA
Church of England, 1769
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Hold mouse here for more info!This was one of the churches George Washington attended most often (along with Christ Church, Alexandria). This is the one nearest to Mt. Vernon.
St. David's, Cat-tail
near Ayelett, VA
Church of England, 1748
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St. George's, Pungoteague
Pungoteague, VA
Church of England, 1738
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St. John's, Chuckatuck
Chuckatuck, VA
Church of England, 1752
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St. John's, Hampton
Hampton, VA
Church of England, 1727
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Hold mouse here for more info!Oldest congregation in the English Colonies, dating to 1610.
St. John's, Lower Chapel
King William Court House, VA
Church of England, 1732
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St. Luke's, Smithfield
Smithfield, VA
Church of England, 1682
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Hold mouse here for more info!Architectural historians (which I’m not) have debated the exact age of this beautiful building for decades, if not centuries. It has now been confirmed through dendrochronology that the building dates to about 1682. Although it was believed for many years to have been built in the 1630s, that is no longer supported by science. It is one of the oldest churches in the colonies, and it stands in a setting which evokes the colonial period well.
St. Mark's, Little Fork Church
Rixeyville, VA
Church of England, 1776
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Hold mouse here for more info!Compare the architecture of this building with that of Lamb’s Creek Church in Sealston.
St. Mary's White Chapel
Lively, VA
Church of England, 1740
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St. Paul's, King George
King George, VA
Church of England, 1766
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St. Paul's, Norfolk
Norfolk, VA
Church of England, 1739
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St. Peter's, Talleysville
Talleysville, VA
Church of England, 1701
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Hold mouse here for more info!Martha Washington was baptized here, and married here; it is her home church. Her first marriage took place here; her marriage to George Washington may have, but that’s not confirmed. It’s also one of the best preserved in a location evocative of the 18th century.
St. Stephen's Mattapony
Cumnor, VA
Church of England, 1755
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Stratton Major Church
Shanghai, VA
Church of England, 1725
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The Falls Church
Falls Church, VA
Church of England, 1767
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Hold mouse here for more info!George Washington was a vestryman for some years.
Vauter's Church
Loretto, VA
Church of England, 1719
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Ware Church
Gloucester, VA
Church of England, 1715
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Hold mouse here for more info!Although it’s not far from a highway, Ware has an aura of peace and quiet, idyllic for dreaming of an earlier era.
Westover Church
Westover, VA
Church of England, 1731
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Hold mouse here for more info!A simple design, well executed, on land which hasn’t been altered much in centuries, results in a place for stepping into another era.
Wren Chapel, College of W&M
Williamsburg, VA
Church of England, 1729
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Hold mouse here for more info!As the College was alma mater for a few of the US presidents, this chapel was at least occasionally the scene of their worship (Jefferson, Monroe, Tyler). The Wren Building is the oldest college building in the original 13 colonies, though it has been restored multiple times.
Yeocomico Church
Kinsale, VA
Church of England, 1706
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Hold mouse here for more info!The church, one of the best-preserved and best-located for evoking the 18th century atmosphere I value so highly, contains the baptismal font used for the baptism of George Washington.
St. Paul's
Washington, DC
Church of England, 1775
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Hold mouse here for more info!Restored after a fire in the 1920s.


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