Cranford Methodist Church is another small Northern Virginia church that can trace its history back to the 18th century.   Where the current church stands there have been three churches and two schoolhouses.  The first church that occupied the site from 1730-1774 was called Pohick Episcopal Church.  Being a frame built church after 40 years it began to fall into disrepair and George Washington suggested moving the church and congregation to a better location.  So a new larger Pohick Episcopal Church was built closer to the “main” road.

The old frame church fell into disrepair and the site at the corner of what are now called Colchester and Gunston Roads remained empty for almost 50 years.  Then as the Methodist faith in the area began to grow a new meeting place was needed.  First the congregation met in an old log cabin and then in 1857 a new Methodist Church was built on the site of the old Pohick Episcopal Church.  When the new church was built it was named Lewis Chapel, for the minister who inspired the growth of the congregation. 

As church attendance grew the building was enlarged and the first “free” school for former slaves used the church for classes.  As the church continued to grow a new church was again needed and in 1900 the now standing Cranford Methodist Church was built.  In 1953 the Lewis Chapel which was about a block from where the new church was built was moved and connected to the new church.   At this time, the original exterior clapboards on Lewis Chapel were reversed, inside to outside. This work was accomplished under the supervision of architect Hayward Davis of Lorton.

A walkway of oversized brick, which is thought to be from the time of the first Pohick Church crosses part of the Churchyard and contains an engraved stone marking the site of the first Pohick church dated 1730-1774.  

Historic Churches in Northern Virginia Tour

Alexandria

Fairfax Station

Lorton

©2008.  All rights reserved.  Cindy Jones
All original photos taken January 2008