Update: The Waterford Foundation is requesting bids for the restoration project!
The Waterford Foundation is currently accepting bids for contractors for the John Wesley Community Church Restoration Project. This project is designed to follow the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Contractors experienced in historic preservation are invited to bid starting on Friday August 1st through Monday, September 1st. For any questions, request to see the space, and to submit an official bid please email our historic preservation director Abigail Zurfluh at azurfluh@waterfordfoundation.org.
To access the Request for Bid, please click this link. Appendix A-Design Documents are available at this link.
In 1888, the local trustees of the African American Methodist-Episcopal Church that met at the Second Street School was able to purchase a hilly lot on Bond Street to construct a permanent church building. The John Wesley Community Church would take three years to build- men of the congregation (many being local craftsman) would work on the building at night while women would hold up lanterns for light. In 1891, the John Wesley Community Church was completed. The church congregation would meet in the building for years- hosting countless services, baptisms, weddings, ice cream socials, and more. The church officially closed in 1968, when the dwindling congregation combined with another in western Loudoun. In 1999, former members and descendants joined with the Waterford Foundation to preserve this integral property to the Waterford National Historic Landmark, and the stories of the community it served be preserved and celebrated as well.
In 2002, a long term capital rehabilitation and restoration project began at the John Wesley Community Church. The goal now is to finish returning the building to its period of significance and to make historically sensitive capital improvements to the building to improve accessibility and long-term stability. As well, the Foundation aims to implement interpretive materials in the space long term that shares the story of the African American community of Waterford, with involvement from the descendant community. This would support the long-term preservation of integral property to the Waterford National Historic Landmark and help in sharing the history of the church and its congregation with the public.
Read on below to learn more about updates on the project (last updated on 2/4/2025), past work at the John Wesley Community Church, and ways to support the restoration!
Updates:
August 2025
The Waterford Foundation is accepting bids in response to the Request for Bid (RFB), starting August 1st. Contractors specializing in historic preservation are invited to send a formal bid, and any questions or requests to see the property to our Historic Preservation Director at azurfluh@waterfordfoundation.org. Bids will be received through Monday, September 1st.
The Request for Bid is available here, and Appendix A (Design Documents) is available here. For any questions, to see the space, and to submit a formal bid- please email our historic preservation director Abigail Zurfluh at azurfluh@waterfordfoundation.org. Bids will be accepted from Friday, August 1st through Monday, September 1st.
June 2025
The John Wesley Community Church restoration project design documents were approved by the easement holder- the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
May 2025
The design and engineering documents for the John Wesley Community Church Restoration were finalized. Thanks to SmithGroup for completing the architectural design documents pro-bono!
February 2025
The last stage of the restoration project was kicked off with our restoration kickoff open house on February 22. Visitors were able to explore the church, ask questions about the project to project managers, and learn about the history of the church. Thank you to everyone who came out to learn about the project!
The goals of this part of the project is to:
- Installing historically sensitive accessible ramp entries for both exterior entries.
- Stabilize the sanctuary balcony
- Restoring the sanctuary to its period of significance by removing the composite boards from the ceiling and altar wall to replace with plaster, repair the plaster on the three other walls, and refinish the original woodwork on the pews, altar, balustrade, floor, and windows to protect it.
- Finish work on securing the exterior by repointing the stone retaining wall, repairing the sashes and panes of windows, and painting the exterior of the building.
Late 2024
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) awarded a partial funding grant from the Virginia Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Fund. Money from this will go to help covering the balcony stabilization, plaster restoration on the ceiling and altar wall, improvements to exterior entries to make them more accessible, and exterior repairs. Work with these funds must be completed by the end of 2026. The Foundation is continuing to look into other funding opportunities for the remaining work costs.
Past Work:
2022: Lighting upgrades were made in the fellowship hall. Thanks to the help of volunteers, the fellowship hall walls were limewashed.
2019: a Historic Structures Report (HSR) was created through an in-kind donation by SmithGroup. This report provides architectural documentation, details, and recommendations to support the last stage of the restoration project.
2018: Work finished on bringing water to the building through the digging of a well on the property. The water goes to support two bathrooms (one being accessible) and a small kitchenette in the fellowship hall.
2017: The interior staircase was reinstalled to connect the fellowship hall and sanctuary.
2011: The chandelier in the sanctuary was reinstalled.
2002: Stabilization work at the John Wesley Community Church first started, with the first priority being the foundation and the bell tower. HVAC was also added to the building during the time, and repairs were made to the electrical wiring.
Ways to Support the Restoration Project
There are two main ways that you can support the Restoration Project monetarily: donations to the Lantern Light Fund and becoming a member or sustaining donor to the Waterford Foundation! To learn more about all the ways to support the Waterford Foundation, check out the support page.
Lantern Light Fund: The Lantern Light Fund is a restricted fund where all donations to it supports the sites, stories, and artifacts of Waterford’s African American heritage, including the John Wesley Community Church restoration. To learn more about the Lantern Light Fund and to donate, click on this link.
Becoming a Waterford Foundation Member or Sustaining Donor: The Waterford Foundation relies heavily on the support from members and sustaining donors to fulfill our mission of preserving the historic buildings and open spaces of the Waterford National Historic Landmark, and through education, increasing the public’s knowledge of life and work in an early American rural community. This includes the restoration project at the John Wesley Community Church, which when completed will help preserve this integral property to the Landmark long term. A member to the Waterford Foundation receives various benefits, including voting power and Fair tickets. To learn more about becoming a member and different membership levels, click on this link.
Sustaining donors are those who donate at regular recurring intervals one or more times per year. To set up a recurring donation, check out our donation page here or reach out to the office at oldschool@waterfordfoundation.org.
Thank you for your support of the John Wesley Community Church Restoration Project, and the Waterford National Historic Landmark. Make sure to keep checking this page for updates, or follow along on social media! You can find the Waterford Foundation on Facebook or Instagram