This hand-painted plate shows St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Springwood (1885-1967). It was donated to the Botetourt History Museum by John and Ruby Leighton.
The Rev. Robert A. McRae’s book “Sentinels of the Faith” provides further information about the history of this church and other Botetourt houses of worship. On page 175, McRae’s research tells that the church’s congregation dates back to 1815. Originally, it was “Jackson Lutheran Church and became St. Mark’s during the 1880s after the area name also changed from Jackson to Springwood. The land on which St. Mark’s stands today was donated to the Jackson Lutheran Church congregation by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Obenshain.” Since 1967 the building has not been used but is still standing on a hill.
Read “Sentinels of the Faith” to learn more about Botetourt County churches. Signed copies are available for purchase in the Botetourt History Museum bookstore.
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
