Submitted

WOODLEAF — Historic St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, established in 1840, will celebrate its annual service at 11:15 a.m. on Aug. 25. It is among the oldest churches in western Rowan County and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The church and graveyard overlook the bottomlands of the Fourth Creek and the South Yadkin River. The church is built from heart pine and electricity and water have never been added to the building.

The burying ground is surrounded by stacked basalt stones. For many years the churchyard was kept swept clean of grass, but it is now covered with native wildflowers. The graves of an unknown number of enslaved persons are buried in the lower cemetery. Restoration of the lower half of the cemetery was begun in 2013, when Bishop William Gregg dedicated the restored cemetery.

The 2024 annual service will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke. He was raised in Memphis and served as executive assistant to the rector of New York City’s Trinity Church, Wall Street and missioner to St. Paul’s Chapel at Ground Zero. He was at the World Trade Center on 9/11, has worked in the ministry of recovery, and was involved in rebuilding lower Manhattan. He retired from the Diocese of North Carolina in 2008 and lives in Charlotte.

Since the 150th anniversary of the church’s consecration in 1990, repairs to rafters and replacement of the entire roof was completed in the past few years. The siding on the exterior walls facing the cemetery and the south end of the church was replaced in 2015. The north and west exterior walls are in desperate need of new siding. Doors shutters and window frames throughout the church are very much in need of repair/replacement. These items as well as several other items are a very high priority and will be accomplished as much needed funds are available.

A committee appointed by the Diocese of North Carolina is responsible for maintaining the church and grounds. If you are interested in assisting with these efforts, please contact Betsy Brown at 919-619-8588 or send a donation to St. Andrew’s Church Repair Fund, P.O. Box 1150, Manteo NC 27954.

To reach St. Andrew’s from Salisbury, take Woodleaf Road from Statesville Boulevard. Turn right onto Wetmore Road and cross Potneck Road, then turn right onto St. Andrews Church Road. After the service, lunch will be served at Unity Presbyterian Church, Woodleaf. Copies of a history of St. Andrew’s published in 1990 are available at the church and at the luncheon