Culpeper Presbyterian Roots can be traced to 1767

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: August 22, 2008

Culpeper Presbyterian Church’s history dates as far back as 1767 when Donegal Presbytery of Lancaster, Pa., sent seven young men to the mission territory of Culpeper and the surrounding area to spread the gospel.

The Bethesda Presbyterian Church, the church’s original name, was formally organized here in 1772. At the time, ministers from Georgetown and Alexandria would frequently provide the sermons. In 1814, the church was reorganized under its first pastor, Samuel Davies Hoge, on a half-acre lot at the intersection of North Main and William streets. During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers used the church as a hospital.

By the end of the war, it was in no condition to be used as a church, so the property was sold and a new church (original illustration at top) was built in 1869 at the corner of South Main and Locust streets. The name of the church was also changed this year. The Rev. Wayne Bernardo has served since 1990.