The Rock Church on the Parkway

A stone’s throw from the Blue Ridge Parkway, at mile post 180.1, down the road from Meadows of Dan, you’ll find a structure that will take you back in time. Mayberry Presbyterian Church is one of five historic rock churches located in Patrick, Floyd, and Carroll Counties.

The Story

Most people familiar with the Blue Ridge Parkway or southwest Virginia have heard the story of Rev. Bob Childress. He was a Presbyterian minister who lived in the area in the 1920s and 1930s. According to the story, Rev. Childress and his congregation built Mayberry Presbyterian and the other rock churches. The Reverend drove his Ford Model A from one church to the next to lead services on Sunday mornings.

The Church

Mayberry Presbyterian is simply beautiful. Small, clean, neat with an exterior made from rocks. According to the plaque on the front of the church, it was built in 1925 and it’s still home to Sunday services---every Sunday at 9 a.m. In fact, the church is led by Rev. Stewart Childress, the grandson of Rev. Bob Childress. What a cool story!

The quaint church has just 16 rows---eight on each side with an aisle in the middle and the altar in the front. It was designated a Virginia Historic Landmark by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2007.

Not much has changed since it was constructed over 80 years ago. Some security lights have been added. The church has heat and air conditioning now. Additional parking is in the works. When I was there two Saturdays ago, construction equipment had cleared the way for a new parking lot across the street from the church. Now, there’s a gravel parking lot adjacent to the church. Other than the lights it looks pretty much like it did in the 1920s.

Not the Only One

If you like Mayberry Presbyterian, jump back on the Blue Ridge Parkway and you’ll find Bluemont Presbyterian Church just 12 miles down the road at mile post 192. It, too, is one of the historic rock churches built by Rev. Childress.

Gonna Go Back in Time

Just looking at the church makes you feel as though you’ve gone back in time. It’s simple and perfect. The craftsmanship is outstanding. And the story of Reverend Childress and his congregation building the church is remarkable. If you really want the complete experience, take part in the 9 a.m. Sunday service.

The Story of the Fairy Stone

When you tell people about fairy stones, they give you that “bless his heart” look. They tilt their heads, smile, and whisper to themselves, “He expects me to believe there are rocks shaped like little crosses near his cabin.” When you tell them the part about the fairies, they wonder if you just took a major blow to the head.

The Geological Answer to Fairy Stones

If you’re familiar with the Fairystone area, you know that the little stones shaped like crosses, are, in fact, real. They can be found in Fairystone State Park. There is an answer to why the stones look the way they do. They are staurolite. When staurolite crystallizes, it does so at and angle which makes it look like a cross. I have no idea what I’m talking about here, but those who do say in order for a rock to take on that shape it must have experienced intense heat and pressure, the kind the earth’s crust experienced when the Appalachian Mountains were formed.

Shapes and Sizes

There are four types of fairy stones:

Single---it looks like a one-inch, mini 2 x 4
Maltese---a cross or bow tie inside a solid frame
St. Andrews---shaped like an X
Roman---the most sought-after; a cross

How Can You Find Them?

The best way to find fairy stones is to go on one of the guided hunts that Fairystone State Park offers. You’ll meet at the Park’s Visitor’s Center then drive your own vehicle to a site a few miles away, on Route 57. Then, the guide will take you into the woods, which is actually part of the Park. You’ll find the tour guide to be helpful, knowledgeable and incredibly patient. Patience is necessary because every three seconds someone holds up a rock and asks, “Is this something?” There next scheduled Guided Fairy Stone Hunts are on April 18th and 25th. Here’s a link for more information: http://www.dcrintra.state.va.us/dcr_forms/events/ViewEvent.cfm?id=6195 . If you don't want to go on the tour, you can go to the hunt site on your own.

Now for the Fairy Part

Rather than a geological explanation, some people prefer a story about how these unique stones made their way here. Legend has it that many centuries ago, fairies lived in a remote area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One day when playing, an elfin messenger came from far away. He told them of the death of Jesus. As the fairies heard the story of the crucifixion, they wept. When their tears fell to earth, they crystallized and formed stone crosses.

Sorry About the Photo

I’ll admit I’m not the best fairy stone hunter. When we go, I usually end up wondering around the woods instead of looking down. The photo at the top of this post includes two Maltese, the stones with the bow ties in them.

If you have a photo of a Roman, please send it to me and I’ll happily replace the current photo here on the blog.

Have Fun

Little stones that look like crosses. Very unusual and unique to the Fairystone Area. It’s fun to look for them, identify them, and trade them. If you find a great example of a Roman, people are more likely to believe you about fairy stones and fairies, too. Enjoy the hunt.

A Blast From the Past-Covered Bridges

I wonder what it was like when people relied on covered bridges. Did folks really use them to dodge rain storms? Did kids hang out on them? Did young couples meet there?

There are only eight covered bridges in all of Virginia and two are about ten minutes away from the cabin. Both are located a short distance from one another in Patrick County.

Bob White Bridge

The Bob White Bridge is near Woolwine just off Route 8. There are plenty of signs so you can't miss it. It's a big bridge---80-feet long. It's the bridge in the photo. Originally, it was a connector between the road and a church. The road and church are still there---and so is the bridge. I’m told it's not the original bridge. It's been replaced. But it's open and you can walk on it. It's really something to see. The Smith River runs underneath. It's a cool area to either relax or let children run around and play on the banks of the River. It's fun to imagine people 80 years ago using the bridge to get to church.

Jack's Creek Bridge

A couple miles away you’ll find Jack's Creek Bridge. It crosses the meandering Smith River, too. It's smaller than the Bob White Bridge, just 48-feet long. According to VDOT, the original was built in 1914 and was later replaced with more modern materials. Still, it looks old and when there, your mind wanders back generations.

Covered Bridge History

There were hundreds of covered bridges in Virginia at one point. Floods and fire damaged or destroyed many. A VDOT publication I read stated metal bolts and steel made the bridges all but obsolete. With so few to be found, it's a rare and special treat to have two of them right in the neighborhood. They are in terrific shape.

Honest, It’s Fun

When you hear someone say, "We're going to visit the covered bridges," it doesn't necessarily make you think “party time.” But, when I visited both bridges with my family, we ended up spending hours there---taking pictures, playing near the water, and just hanging around. It made for a wonderful afternoon. Somehow, like many other places around Fairystone, the covered bridges make you slow down, relax, and enjoy. I hope you'll take some time to see both bridges sometime. They are a real treat.