POPLAR GROVE CHURCH
Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Dinwiddie County
Built 1865; demolished 1868
Photograph: Virginia Historical Society
The 50th New York Engineers, attached to the 6th Corps, was engaged in the Battle of Peebles Farm in September
1864 and then set up winter camp in the vicinity, where they remained until early April 1865 when they participated in the
final assault on Petersburg. In February 1865, they turned to building a church for themselves. Poplar Grove Church
was designed by Captain Michael H. McGrath, Commander of Company F, in part to replace the Poplar Springs
Church that had been destroyed during the Battle of Peebles Farm. The new building, which seated about 225,
was built entirely of materials gathered from the woods, including stripped logs, saplings, and bark. Soldiers
brought their own three-legged stools into the church with them. Intended as an auditorium for profane as well
as sacred uses, it was first utilized for a strolling minstrel show.
Next: Christ Episcopal Church
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