August 14, 2016 (full size gallery)
This is a visit to the former Grace Episcopal Church, Corbin, Va. on August 14, 2016. The church is exactly 20 minutes from Port Royal along Route 17 and then across to Pepmeier Hill Road. The object was to inspect the outside of the church. There is a graveyard with 22 graves according to this inventory. There are 50 slides in the gallery.
On trying the door I found it was open. What a surprise! Inside was like a museum. There are wooden pews, 9 on each side with about 5 people in a pew for 90. Upstairs there is a gallery. Benches could seat at least 20 more.
The church originated in 1830’s. The first rector of St. Peter’s, William Friend, was also first rector of this church. The church served as a hospital during the Civil War. Records indicate the church was occupied by Gen . Robert Rodes in 1862. It was abandoned early in the 20th century.
This chancel area was in front of the arch. There probably would have been high pulpit in the center, desks on either side when the church originated. This church retains a desk on the right. The pulpit is on the left. The arches lead to the high altar. A pump organ is on the left. There is an ascension art scene above the cross.
The church appears stable though there is apparent water damage on the walls and gaps in the flooring on the left. No detail inspection was done – the church is also very dark. No lighting was apparent. It appears it may have been hooked up to electricity.
Prospects
The church is in the path of current or future development. It is 3 minutes or 2 miles to Route 17 at New Post. Here are some of the developments with no intent on being comprehensive.
1. Mallard Landing – Mallard Landing is a townhome community located off of Route 2 / Tidewater Trail in Spotsylvania County, VA and only 3 miles from the new Spotsylvania VRE. It is approximately 4 miles from Grace and under construction
2. New Post – 188 acres, 425 homes. Approved in late 2013 for Tricord Homes with development underway in 2016. This is about 4 miles from Grace along Route 17
3. A new VRE station in Spotsylvania at 9442 Crossroads Parkway is 4.6 miles or about 7 minutes from Grace. In 2015, Tricord proposed and submitted an application for the Village at Crossroads Station, which would include 425 townhouses and 136 detached homes off the U.S. 17 Bypass on Thornton Rolling Road near Fredericksburg Christian Upper School.
4. Ruffins Pond subdivision. An existing subdivision. About 3.3 miles, 5 minutes from Grace.