Salem Presbyterian Church (Salem, Virginia)
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Salem Presbyterian Church
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Salem Presbyterian Church, September 2012
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| Location | E. Main and Market Sts., Salem, Virginia |
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| Coordinates | 37°17′34″N 80°3′26″W / 37.29278°N 80.05722°WCoordinates: 37°17′34″N 80°3′26″W / 37.29278°N 80.05722°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1851 |
| Built by | Deyerle, Benjamin |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP Reference # | 74002245 |
| VLR # | 129-0009 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1974 |
| Designated VLR | June 18, 1974 |
Salem Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church at E. Main and Market Streets in Salem, Virginia. It was built in 1851-1852, and is a Greek Revival style temple form church. It has a slightly projecting Ionic order portico in antis with belfry. The church owned the Salem Presbyterian Parsonage from 1854 to 1941.
The church currently sits of the land formerly owned by Benjamin Faris. When the county was formed, the newly installed justices were empowered to choose a time and place for holding their first court. "The time chosen was May 21, 1838; the place, Benjamin Fairs' tavern, where the Salem Presbyterian Church stands today."
"In 1831 Salem Presbyterian Church was organized with the remaining members from Ebenezer and Catawba churches."
"The master builder has not been determined but it seems likely that it was Benjamin Deyerle who built many of the finer Greek Revival plantation houses in the area. The church's woodwork is attributed to Gustavia D. Sedon (Actually, Gustave A. Sedon), a well-known Roanoke County carpenter. Most of the architectural details are based on plates in ante-bellum builders' handbooks such as those of Asher Benjamin and Owen Biddle, Jr.."
The Presbyterians organized in Salem in 1831. The local congregation outgrew their original church and began construction of the present building in 1851. Dedication services for the new building were held August 8, 1852. The church was built primarily with slave labor, and its bricks were burnt on the site. Its approximate cost was $4,500.00, and the entire aunt was paid before the dedication service."
Elijah McClanahan was an early member of the congregation. "He was also among the trustees chosen at the founding of the town of Salem, among the founding elders of Salem Presbyterian Church, and one of the largest landholders in the county."
Wildwood Presbyterian Church came from the Salem Church. "The church was originally a chapel of Salem Church and was organized separately in 1954."
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