The Church Series: Aquia Church, Overwharton Parish

 

Many of Virginia's colonial parish churches have not survived the ravages of time and war, but there are notable exceptions. One of them is Aquia Church in northern Stafford County, just off of US 1 and I 95, a piece of time whose simplicity and light bring a tranquil calm, a calm not always known in her long history.

Aquia Church, Overwharton Parish was founded in 1667 when Stafford County was formed out of Westmoreland. Two buildings preceded the present one,  which was constructed between 1751-57 by Mourning Richards (Architect) and William Copein (Master Mason). It is notable for its unique combination of Flemish brick bond pattern and locally quarried Aquia stone, built in a strict Greek cross design, and a tower added at a later (unknown) date. The former two characteristics can only be found elsewhere in Virginia at nearby St. Paul's, King George (also founded in 1667, but the present building was constructed about ten years later), but the tower with this plan make it unique in Anglican churches throughout the Tidewater region. Regarding the construction of the church, it is impossible to go further without stating the obvious: Richards and Copein were in charge, but the church was almost certainly built with slave labor, a common practice in Virgina that continued until the Civil War. The Aquia stone was almost exclusively quarried by slaves, and it was later used in the construction of the White House and Capitol in Washington, 40 miles to the north. 

Anglican churches of the period were normally placed on an east-west axis, with the chancel and altar on the east end. This placements was meant to have an eschatological dimension, as prayers were directed to the east, looking forward to Christ coming "again in glory" as specified in the Creeds. Galleries were frequently planned and occasionally built, most often on the west end, as is the case here. These were almost always slave galleries that today house the musical establishment, and that is the case here. Pipe organs were rare even in Colonial cities, and unlike the better known churches at Pohick, Alexandria, and Falls Church, the organ here is electronic. The gallery is notable for its intricate combinations of moldings in the cornice.

The view from underneath this gallery, upon entry, is almost unparalleled in Colonial parishes. While parts of the chancel were reworked in the early 20th century, the original altarpiece still stands at the center. To the right, the three tiered pulpit rises impressively to the level of the opposite gallery. While in most churches this was located on the center of the north wall some distance from the altar, the Greek cruciform plan allows for a unique layout that is more in step with the plans of London churches of the period, and that anticipates the layout of Episcopal churches in later centuries.

Three-tiered or triple-decker pulpits were common in Anglican churches of the period. The lowest level, today used by readers for the lessons, was occupied by the parish Clerk. This person had an unusual number of responsibilities with (at times) vague qualifications. They kept records, and also led Scripture and and Psalm readings, or even singing. As both organs and hymnals were a rare commodity in the Colonial period, the quality of singing depended in part on the voice, talent, and training of the Clerk. The second level was for the Celebrant; again, in a poorly resourced period, that person was likely the church's only clergyman. The top level was reserved for preaching. This impressive pulpit is uniquely massive for the time!

Most of the floors of the church were reworked in the 1930s. The old wood floors were removed and the foundation of the building reinforced; the new floor is a combination of concrete, stone, and marble. Most of the marble is in the chancel, where a new communion rail was also installed. The eye is drawn, however, to the center communion table, unusual in style and apparently dating to the 18th century, and the original altarpiece behind it. The surrounding decorative items are not original: crosses and even candles were not used in the Anglican church of the18th century. Walking through the church, the pews are original to the construction, but have been reduced in height over the years.

Cemeteries surrounded churches, both for practical reasons, as well as spiritual ones. The oldest grave in the Aquia churchyard dates to 1698, and burials continue to the present day.

Aquia was part of the Established Church during the Colonial Period. The Church of England/Episcopal Church was disestablished in 1786, and hostility towards English interests led to a general decline in the Episcopal Church. Following the Glebe Act of 1802, many church lands were seized, and while most Colonial churches still exist in neighboring Maryland (43 of 45), approximately 2/3 of Virginia parishes were closed or subsequently fell into ruin. Aquia itself fell into disuse from 1804-17. The building was occupied by both Confederate and Union forces during the Civil War, with both sides leaving graffiti (an example is pictured at right). The principal communion service has been buried twice for its protection, during War of 1812 and the Civil War. In spite of all of this, the building suffered relatively little compared to other churches in this part of Virginia.

More about the history of Aquia Church can be found on its website. Writing as an Episcopalian, Aquia is part of a beautiful and difficult legacy. The grounds and space are lush and peaceful; the contemporary congregation is multi-ethnic. At the same time, Episcopalians generally, and those of us south of Mason-Dixon especially have to deal with the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow. The Diocese of Maryland has begun to do this in a substantial and meaningful way with numerous projects including the Trail of Souls project, and I think Virginia and Aquia would benefit in every way from this kind of self-examination. At the same time, what greets you at Aquia today is a vibrant congregation in a beautiful house of worship.