Northern Neck Now

The tiny but visually engaging Emmanuel Church is part of Virginia’s small but important collection of Gothic Revival country churches. Completed in 1860 and attributed on stylistic basis to the Baltimore architectural partnership of Niernsee and Neilson, the Emmanuel Episcopal Church has an architectural presence despite its diminutive size. Contrasting with the Gothic nave is the Italianate tower, enriched with a bold bracketed cornice and concave pyramidal cap, similar to Martin’s Brandon Church in Prince George County. Although damaged during the Civil War, the church retains its original gallery and a Henry Erben pipe organ dating to the third quarter of the 19th century. The still active King George County church is the only remnant of the village of Port Conway, and Emmanuel Church is a familiar landmark to motorists crossing the Rappahannock River at Port Royal along U.S. Route 301.

Emmanuel Church