Woodward Baptist Church is a beautiful and historic church in Chester County, located on Ashford Road, but we locals refer to it as Ashford Ferry Road. The church was built in 1830 and should be considered a vital piece and link to the Civil War’s last days.
In 1865, Jefferson Davis and his cabinet left Richmond after it became apparent that the Confederate Army urgently needed to evacuate the city. Davis instructed his wife to board the Confederate Money Train with the children, hoping to offload important documents and treasure at the Charlotte Mint. The train made it to Charlotte but had to be reloaded because the Union captured Salisbury to the north, and the mint was in jeopardy of falling.
The party reached the Chester Depot to find that the tracks to the immediate south were damaged. They traveled by foot through a heavy rainstorm for approximately six miles before finding shelter at Woodward Baptist Church. They spent the night and left abruptly in the morning.
Today, the beautiful old church still sits on the hill. The congregation now worships at a newly built facility at the bottom of the property.
We even hear they have one of the best preachers (Keith Hinson) east of the Mississippi who lays the word down every Sunday morning if you want to visit.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Image By: John G. Clark Jr.