History of Old St. David's Church

Bennett Hill, a retired teacher, member of the RHS Board, and a guide at Historic Waynesborough, will talk about the church’s history and its connections to the family of Anthony Wayne. Attendees are requested to meet at the flagpole (on right by entrance to old church) to begin the visit to both the churchyard and the church. The original church, established by Welsh settlers seeking religious tolerance, still stands and is in nearly the same condition as when its cornerstone was laid in 1715. With the coming of the American Revolution, a wave of resentment against the Church of England, which professed loyalty to the King, arose among the congregation. Anthony Wayne was a leader of this opposition and a lifelong member of St. Davids. Both the church, the subject of an 1880 poem by Longfellow, and its historic churchyard are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Following the talk, refreshments will be served.

Directions: From the Wayne fire station, follow West Wayne Avenue past the post office 1.0 miles to a T-intersection where West Wayne turns left. Continue on West Wayne 0.3 miles to its dead end at Maplewood and turn right. Follow Maplewood 0.3 miles to a stop at S. Valley Forge Road, and turn left. Church is 0.2 miles down on the right-hand side of the road. There is limited parking at the old church on the right, and more parking at the new church on the left.