Little Brick Church

Virginia’s Chapel, known as The Little Brick Church, is a historic Presbyterian church in Cedar Grove, Kanawha County, West Virginia. Built in 1853 as a graduation gift from salt industrialist William Tompkins to his daughter Virginia, it reflects the area’s early settlement and industrial history. Review 1 mentions the church's need for maintenance.

Virginia’s Chapel, or The Little Brick Church, is a historic Presbyterian church located in Cedar Grove, Kanawha County, West Virginia. Built in 1853 as a graduation present from William Tompkins, a prominent salt industrialist and discoverer of the first commercial use of natural gas, to his eldest daughter Virginia. William Tompkins, who settled in the Kanawha Valley in 1815, was also related to Ulysses S. Grant through his wife Rachel, who was the aunt of the Union Army general and 18th U.S. president. The church features a small cemetery with 19th-century headstones and plain grave markers, as well as a roadside park and historical markers detailing the area’s history.

Little Brick Church in Sheridan, WV, is a charming historic site offering a glimpse into 19th-century faith and industry. Visitors may appreciate the peaceful roadside park and informative historical markers that set the scene for this Presbyterian congregation’s legacy. While the church’s interior is not described, its well-maintained cemetery with 19th-century headstones suggests a community rooted in preservation and quiet reverence.

Pros

• Historic significance tied to early salt and natural gas industries in the Kanawha Valley.
• Roadside park provides a welcoming space for reflection or rest.
• Cemetery with 19th-century headstones offers a tangible connection to the past.
• Historical markers and plaques educate visitors about the area’s heritage.
• Ties to notable figures like Ulysses S. Grant through family connections.

Cons

• The church’s current condition may require maintenance, as noted in recent observations.
• Limited information is available about contemporary congregation activities or services.
• Accessibility details for the site are not provided.
• No clear guidance is offered for newcomers or visitors seeking to participate in worship.