Waddell Memorial Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian church in Rapidan, Virginia.
Waddell Memorial Presbyterian Church is a wooden-frame building designed in the Gothic style with board-and-batten siding covering its exterior walls. A three-stage tower with double pointed-arch windows in the belfry forms the most distinctive feature of the structure.
The building was constructed in 1874 by carpenter J.B. Danforth and embodies the Carpenter Gothic architectural style of that era. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, securing its protection as a significant regional landmark.
The church takes its name from James Waddell, a blind preacher whose influence shaped the spiritual life of the region. It continues to function as a gathering place for the community and remains central to local religious practice.
The church is located southeast of Rapidan along Virginia Route 615 and can be viewed from public roadways without obstruction. Since this remains an active place of worship, visitors should approach respectfully and plan visits accordingly.
Original architectural drawings by John Gibson, a carpenter-architect from Richmond, are preserved in the church's collection. These drawings reveal design details from the initial conception, including a planned steeple that was ultimately not constructed.
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