Historic Chapel
The Historic Chapel has a glorious history of survival. The northern two-thirds of the present
building was built in 1774 as a transept to the original 1734 church. After the Revolutionary War,
the church fell into disrepair and the original church was torn down and the southern third of the
present building was added around 1825 to provide space for Hickory Neck Academy. The Academy also
served various denominations as a place to worship before the Civil War. The war years were hard on
Hickory Neck leaving it in near ruinous condition, but again, it was repaired and put back into
service as a school. Eventually James City County erected a public school in Toano and our building
was reconsecrated as an Episcopal church in 1917.
From the 1920s to the 1950s, furnishings for worship were reintegrated into the interior of this
building. Much of this was accomplished by the women of the church through various fund raising events. Additionally, several old James City County families with long ties to the church were determined
to see it survive and provided maintenance services as well as funds to keep the church doors open.
Some interior renovation work was done in the 1980s, but after that time, the congregation began to
grow rapidly. It got to the point that it was difficult to make necessary repairs because of the
need to hold numerous services in the Historic Chapel, not a bad position for a congregation to be
in, but a bad situation for the upkeep of the building.
Like all old buildings, repair needs are ongoing and can be extensive. Knowing that we were about
to complete the New Chapel which would allow time to do necessary work on the Historic Chapel, the
Vestry voted to create the Historic Chapel Preservation Fund in 2005 by taking a portion of a bequest to be the
initial deposit. Soon after that, a family that had early association with Hickory Neck sent a
contribution for preservation citing the special place that our church held in the lives of their
family over several generations. From these beginnings, the fund has grown by generous
contributions from current parishioners.
In the fall of 2007, we were finally able to start a major renovation/restoration project that has
enhanced both the exterior and interior of the building. This work, with normal maintenance, should
carry the structure well for a number of years. However, work on old buildings is never really
finished. The next item may well be a new roof in the not too distant future.
Historic Chapel Preservation Fund
Bequests/Gifts can be made to the Historic Chapel in two ways.
-
If the principal as well as any future earnings from the contribution may be used
for the preservation of the Historic Chapel, make your checks payable to the Historic Chapel Preservation Fund.
This fund is managed by our Parish Treasurer.
- If your gift is a pure endowment, where the principal is held in perpetuity, make your
check payable to the "Historic Chapel Endowment Fund," designating your gift for the Historic
Chapel. This fund is managed by the Endowment Board.
A member of the Vestry, our treasurer, Stewardship Chair or members of the Endowment Board are
available to answer any questions you have about this or other ways to support Hickory Neck Church.
Before the 8:00 a.m. service in the newly renovated historic chapel, January 2008.
January 2008 snow
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