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. When the congregation grew to over 70 people it was decided that it was time to build a church to accommodate the growing interest in church services 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!
A small white clapboard 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 so the 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.
So 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.
Details on other Historic Churches in Northern Virginia
Pohick Church
Cranford Methodist Church
St Mary of Sorrows
Wakefield Chapel
Washington Street
Sacred Heart Chapel
Cindy, you are by far the go-to church expert for Northern Virginia.