Grace Heritage Site in Lincoln moves forward with restoration

The Grace Heritage Site is the former Grace United Methodist Episcopal Church, built by Freedman and other Black residents in 1885. Located in western Loudoun County, Virginia in the village of Lincoln, it was once a bustling center of community. 

When the Black population began to dwindle in the mid- 20th century, the building was eventually abandoned. 

Today, efforts are underway to restore the building and preserve this important symbol of Loudoun’s rich Black cultural history. The project was awarded the Jean Brown Memorial Grant from the Loudoun Preservation Society in 2021. This award is funding the restoration of the retaining wall which was in ruin for decades.

The wall is being built by craftsman John Summers, who has ancestral ties to the building. The stones are all from the original structure. “We want to thank Mr. Summers for his excellent work,” said Carol Morris Dukes, president, Lincoln Preservation Foundation.

For more information about the Grace project, and to donate toward this important effort, please visit the project website at savinggraceproject.org.