Prologue
If you've lived in northern Virginia for a while, you've probably driven past (or even on) Seminary Road countless times. And you may not have given much thought, if any, to the seminary that has been here for two centuries. And chances are you've never visited. This cache and the companion Adventure Lab (which can be launched here) are your opportunities to explore the historic campus.
The Virginia Theological Seminary was established in 1823 and has been on this particular site since 1827. Today, VTS is the largest and second oldest accredited Episcopal seminary in the United States. The Adventure Lab will explain some of the seminary's history, as it takes you on a tour of the oldest and most interesting locations on campus, including buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This virtual cache highlights the location that left the deepest impression on me. It is stop two on the Adventure Lab tour.
Chapel Ruins
This is the site of the former Immanuel Chapel, built in 1881 to replace an older chapel from 1840 that was previously on this site. This beautiful Victorian Gothic structure was designed by noted architect Charles Cassell, who also designed the chapel at the University of Virginia, just a few years after this one.
In the afternoon of Friday, October 22, 2010, a fire broke out in the chapel, leaving it irreparably destroyed.
The seminary decided to save what could safely be retained to create a garden from the ruins – a "landscaped room" to use as an open-air chapel, for social functions, for quiet contemplation, and for the interment of ashes of VTS community members. The stone cross seen in the garden was at the pinnacle of the chapel's west wall.
Below are some historical photos and depictions of the chapel that stood here for 130 years.
To Claim This Find
Note the five lancet windows separated by four columns on the chapel's front facade, above which is some distinctive "basketweave" brickwork. Take a picture of yourself or your username in front of these windows and brickwork and post it with your log.
Rules & Logistics
This cache and the walking tour has been approved by VTS. Coordinates for the visitor parking lot have been provided. Do not visit between dusk and dawn.
Historical Photographs
Some Further Reading
Interim Stabilization Plan for Immanuel Chapel, Virginia Theological Seminary, April 22, 2011.
1881 Memorial Garden, Virginia Theological Seminary, Submission to the Board of Architectural Review, February 21, 2012.
A Word From Our Sponsor
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This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.