Silverbrook Methodist Church-Another Big Piece of Lorton Virginia History
If you follow Cindy's blog you will quickly find that she has a knack for finding the small historical gems in our area. This is another example of a church you might pass by and not realize that it has been around for over 100 years.
At the turn of the century in Lorton Virginia a small group of 22 people created a Sunday school at the one room school house on Silverbrook Road. Prior to the building of Silverbrook Methodist Church residents of the Lorton area had to walk 5 miles to attend church. In 1906 as the area grew it was decided it was time to build a church to accommodate the growing population in the area.
Wanting to stay in Lorton the church was able to buy a piece of property just down the road from the school house for the incredible price of twenty dollars! Carpenters hired to build the church at a pay rate of 25 cents per hour. The cost of the church when completed was $570.
The church typical of the era was erected and dedicated on November 1, 1908. As was common at that time a single church did not have the funds to support their own preacher. Silverbrook Church joined with Cranford Methodist, Lee Chapel, Occoquan and Bethel Churches to share one preacher who traveled between the churches during the week by horse and buggy.
Over the years as the population in the area grew so did the church with two additions added over the last 50 years. Today the church is listed in both the State and National Register of Historic Places. The area around the church has grown and expanded and it now sits across from the new Silverbrook Golf Course and future Equestrian Center.Next time you are driving down Silverbrook Road in Lorton keep your eyes open for this little gem. It is just another piece of the fabulous history scattered throughout Northern Virginia.
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