Historic Epiphany mural in colonial courthouse marks its 100th anniversary

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Epiphany mural for the Epiphany Chapel, now part of the Middlesex County Woman’s Club (MCWC) site. For many years, the historic colonial-era courthouse had been used by Methodists, Baptists and Episcopalians as a convenient place to offer Sunday school.

Anne Fletcher was commissioned to paint an Epiphany scene on what was then the sanctuary wall behind the altar. In 1920 the newly renovated chapel was dedicated by Bishop William Cabel Brown as the Epiphany Chapel.

Jessie DeBusk reports that in 1991 there was a fire in the basement of the building which caused extensive smoke damage to the mural. At this time Anne Fletcher had passed away and another artist was commissioned by the Woman’s Club to restore the mural.

The building is on the State and National Historic Registries and is one of only 11 Virginia colonial courthouses still in existence. The Middlesex County Woman’s Club continues to maintain the historic building. It is still used for club meetings and community events by the MCWC and on Sundays by Trinity Lutheran Church. The mural can be seen in the historic clubhouse on Saturdays through August from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.