WELCOME to the Rev. Ralph E. Fall Parish Hall
Dedicated 29 April 2007
(Formerly St. Peter’s RECTORY)
This is one of the oldest houses in Port Royal. The frame house has end chimneys and a columned front porch (added about 1916). The house is white with green shutters. It is located on Lot 4 on the town map. An artesian well ("an excellent, never failing spring") on the property supplied town citizens with water for many years.
The Parish Hall was built in two sections. The newer part, which you are entering at the front door, was added to the original about 1840. The YA story section at the back of the house was erected about 1740. You’ll notice the wide front hall typical of the period. Behind the front door is a long bar used even today to secure the door.
The Trustees of St. Peter’s Church purchased the house and the land from the Thornton heirs at public auction of $676 on 27 October 1876. The dwelling became the Rectory of St Peter’s and Grace Church, Corbin, until 1903 when St. Peter’s became the separate owner. It was here that Rev. Ralph E. Fall lived for 20 years and reared his two children. At other times the house has been rented. Today it is used strictly as a Parish House and meetings, dinners, etc. are held here.
The hall leads into the large living room with fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and a beautifully carved mantel. The trim is painted the "traditional Williamsburg blue" with white walls. In 1999, a temporary alter was placed in front of the mantel and services were held in mis room and the hall while the church ceiling was being repaired and painted.
As we pass through the hall you will note a curved stairway near the front door. It leads to the upstairs where there are three bedrooms, a hall closet, and a full bath. The original stairway rose from the west wall of the parlor (now the dining room).
The dining room is large with wainscoting around the lower part of the walls. You will note half of its original wide three paneled door used in this wainscoting. Lumber was not wasted, and was often reused. A dentil cornice was added in the room probably in the early 1770s. The windowpanes, doors, and hardware are all very old. Most of the panes are original. Formerly, a corner fireplace was in this room but a fire destroyed the external end chimney and a new interior end chimney was constructed in 1936. At that time the date 1740 was seen inscribed in die original brick.
The original kitchen was outside of course. Today we have a rather modern kitchen in the 1740 section. Under this section is a full bricked in cellar with hand-hewn beams marked with Roman numerals.
There is a full bath in the back hallway and a large pantry. From the outside you will notice the three dormers on me old section and me beaded weatherboarding. There is a wonderful view of the Rappahannock River from both the front porch and the back yard.
Join us here for Coffee following the 11 AM service on the first Sunday of each month.