August 9, 2020

Morgan Chapel




Christ Church
300 yards west is one of the oldest Episcopal churches in West Virginia. Built in 1740 by Morgan Morgan. Five Revolutionary soldiers buried in church yard. Used as a barracks during War between the States.
Morgan Chapel and Christ Episcopal Church are both names for this church. The original church was built of logs; this brick structure was the third church constructed on the property. It is unclear to me whether the marker was moved or whether the original building was farther west, but the old sign is much less than 300 yards from the chapel.




Washington Heritage Trail
Morgan Chapel
At Bunker Hill in 1726, Colonel Morgan Morgan founded the first permanent settlement of record in what is now West Virginia. In commemoration of this event, the state of West Virginia has erected a monument in Bunker Hill State Park, and has placed a marker at the grave of Morgan Morgan, which is in a cemetery near the park. Morgan Morgan's descendants founded Morgantown.

Morgan's Chapel in Bunker Hill, one of the first places of worship in Berkeley County, was erected in 1740 by Colonel Morgan. The current building, constructed in 1852, is the third built on the site. Evidence indicates that the church was used as a makeshift fort during the Civil War, and areas of the walls sustained damage from artillery fire. The holes in the walls are still visible, and writings and drawings dating back to the Civil War are further proof of occupation by both Union and Confederate soldiers.

Morgan Morgan built his cabin between 1731 and 1734. Using many of its original logs, the cabin was restored as a Bicentennial project in 1976. Located along West Virginia Secondary Route 26 west of Bunker Hill, it is a historically furnished museum.

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