Little Fork Church Notes From History – August 31, 2023

In continuation of our Notes from History Series with Don Stockton, today’s article is titled “1908 Letter to Rev. Stockton Cole”. If you have any questions you may reach out to Don Stockton at [email protected] We hope you enjoy!

The Methodist’s

In my last Notes from History No. 2, 1908 Letter to Rev Stockton Cole I mentioned that not only were the Methodist attempting to use Little Fork but the Baptists didn’t even ask. The following can all be found in Jack’s “The Church in the Fork”. The first mention of Methodist’s at Little Fork can be found on page 25. It was between 1869 and 1871 when The Reverend George W. Peterkin served as Rector of Saint Mark’s Parish.

1889-1894 Rev S. P. Watters

The Methodists again attempted to gain control of Little Fork. An 1892 letter addressed to Mr. T. S. Alcocke, Senior Warden , St. Mark’s Parish and respectfully submitted by Geo. H. Spooner, Preacher in charge of Woodville Circuit Virginia Conference claimed ‘Oak Shade Church’ has been a ‘Free Church’ since the days of the Revolution. They offered to raise funds to repair the church as long as they had continual use of it for any one Sunday and special occasions as circumstances may demand. In no way infringing on the rights of the Vestry to use the building for occasions that would not conflict with theirs. The Vestry formed a committee and with heavy research replied having given patient and respectful consideration determined that the Church was never determined to be a free church open to its use by other denominations but an Episcopal Church under the control of the Episcopal ministry and vestry of St. Mark’s Parish. Finally an agreement was reached on March 21, 1892 and the Methodist congregation of Oak Shade continued to use Little Fork Church on the fourth Sunday until 1955.

1895-1897 Rev William T. Roberts

Little Fork congregation had continued to dwindle and the building again began falling into disrepair. The small number left found it hard to heat in the winter months. As a consequence a small wooden chapel was built near Rixeyville and named St. Mark’s Chapel. It was consecrated by Bishop Newton on August 23, 1896. It was built largely by the efforts of the Lewis family who also cared for the communion silver and Bible. It was one of the Lewis ladies visited the Church several times during the War dressed as an old lady selling pies to the Northern soldiers and gathering information for the first Confederate scout to come by or General JEB Stuart who always stopped by. “More on this in the next Notes from History”.

The building that is today known as Oak Shade Methodist Church.

1896-1955 Oak Shade Methodist

After the agreement was made the Oak Shade Methodist congregation replaced 4000 bricks, mostly in the gutters and outside walls. 240 feet of planking and installed a stove that required a pipe to extend thru the ceiling and roof. The Little Fork congregation continued to meet on one Sunday during each of the summer months and the rest of the time at St. Mark’s Chapel. The Methodist continued to use the Church at $12.00 a year and in 1923 the Vestry extended the use of the Church.

1955 November fire after a Methodist Sunday service. For the rest of the winter the held service across the street in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Carder.

1956 Spring, the Methodist shared St. Mark’s Chapel in Rixeyville on the second and forth Sundays for $24 per year as long as they provide their own heat, clean the Chapel after each use and care for the grounds.

1957 February, Saint Mark’s Chapel is sold to the Methodist for $1750. It was not until this time that the repairs from the fire to the Church were made.