028-0042

Vauter’s Church

Essex (County)

VLR Listing Date

1972-08-15

NRHP Listing Date

1972-12-05

NHL Listing Date

NA

NRHP Reference Number

72001391

The ability of the colonial mason to give articulation and dignity to an otherwise elementary structure is no better illustrated than in the brickwork of Vauter’s Church in Essex County’s Occupacia-Rappahannock Rural Historic District. With glazed-header Flemish bond set off by rubbed-brick corners, gauged-brick arches, and molded-and-gauged pedimented doorways, the masonry is a demonstration of early-18th-century craftsmanship. It has long been asserted that the T-shaped building was erected in two stages: the main section ca. 1719 to serve as the upper church of St. Anne’s Parish, and the south wing in 1731. The consistency of the brickwork, however, has led to more recent speculation that the building was erected at one time. The church underwent an interior remodeling in conjunction with the resumption of regular services in 1827, but much colonial fabric was reused. Unlike many other colonial churches, Vauter’s escaped Civil War damage.

Last Updated: June 2, 2023

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Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark

Photo credit: Calder Loth, 2019

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