One of the best parts of writing regional history books is the wonderful people that you get to meet in the course of doing research. It’s also great to have an opportunity to visit places of interest that you drive by everyday, but have never taken the time to call on. This is especially true for churches. Most people have the church that they regularly attend, and probably never visit another unless attending a wedding or funeral. This project, I have got to visit eight of them and each one has been a blessing indeed. During these visits, I have met with some remarkable clergy, historians, and members. This includes representatives from Fredericksburg Baptist, Shiloh Baptist (Old Site), St. George’s Episcopal,  Fredericksburg Presbyterian, Fredericksburg United Methodist, Salem Baptist Church, Massaponax Baptist Church, and Zion United Methodist. Each one of these special congregations boasts a storied history and this book would not have been made possible without their enthusiasm and cooperation. I look forward to attending a service or two at these wonderful places of worship. 

On a related topic, here is an upcoming event that may interest you:

Faith Under Fire: Spotsylvania's Churches During the Civil War
A Lecture Presented By John Hennessy (Chief Historian / Chief of Interpretation Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP)
Date: Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Time: Lecture 7 p.m. (Preceded by a Complimentary Spaghetti Dinner at 5:30.)
Place: Zion United Methodist Church, 8700 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, Virginia

Reservations required by Monday, October 15 at (540) 582-3141. Please specify if your reservation is for both the dinner and the lecture, or for the lecture only. Provide your name, phone number, and the number of people attending.

I'll be attending an award ceremony for my son that evening.