So, this pilgrimage draws to an end. There will be much to consider in the coming months. In one way, it seemed to end quickly… in other ways it seemed to last a very long time.

Sunday, September 28, 2025: We stayed two nights near Alexandria to be able to worship at Trinity United Methodist Church this morning. As I noted in my previous update, we took a “day trip” to a couple of waypoints south of here, to shorten the list of stops following worship this afternoon.

We arrived at Trinity UMC early enough to allow time for conversation. We were warmly greeted by the ushers, who delivered one of my Prologues to Pastor Han. Pastor Han joined us in the narthex and we engaged in a time of conversation related to our pilgrimage there. She was so gracious, especially considering she had a “full” service that day, with mission project sharing and baptism of an infant. As you can see the sanctuary is beautiful and complete with a beautiful (both sight and sound) pipe organ. Of the five Sundays we worshipped while on the road, this was the only church where we would enjoy the remarkable music produced by a pipe organ.

There were many historical displays in the narthex of Trinity UMC… among them a picture denoting various locations of Trinity. Pastor Han gifted us a copy of the history of Trinity… I look forward to sitting on our porch and reading it. And then there was this door, with an explanation next to it:

Trinity’s minister during many points in its early history was William (Billie) Watters, who commuted 12 miles on horseback from his home in McLean to Alexandria. Watters is acknowledged to be the first Methodist itinerant preacher born in America. This door was from his home “Church Hill,” a frequent stop for many Methodist preachers in early America, including Francis Asbury and Thomas Rankin. The home was torn down in 1964.

Some more conversation with folks after the end of the service, and we were on our way. Our next stop was Wallers Church, about 70 miles south-southwest of Alexandria. On December 9, 1791, Asbury preached at “widow Waller’s.”

This is Waller’s Baptist Church, as you can see, it has a rich history of its own. The time period intersects with Asbury’s circuit through this area. I will stop short of suggesting that Asbury preached in the early Waller’s Baptist Church, as I can find no evidence to that… but the name association presents a “connection.” Back “in the day” it was not unusual for cross-denominational use of buildings and meeting houses. Asbury notes in his own journal of many times there was an ecumenical worship gathering of Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, even Mennonites… suggesting a “round robin” day of preaching by all.

In keeping with the spirit of ecumenicalism… here is Fork Episcopal Church, which is the last stop on our pilgrimage of Asbury’s circuit of 1791. It is located in Hanover County, VA. In studying various local histories, I have been convinced… or more conservatively “suggest” that this was a likely Asbury preaching location on his circuit. His journal entry in mid December, 1791:

Friday, 16. After fasting and prayer our conference rose. My subject at the new chapel was 1 Chronicles 24:15-17. Saturday I rode to Hanover Town.

Sunday, 18. I preached at Hanover on 2 Corinthians. 2:17.

As you can see from the historical marker, this actual building existed during the times that Asbury would have passed through here, in fact, it even predates Asbury’s arrival in the colonies in 1771. This corridor through Virginia was well traveled by Asbury in his north to south transitions. From an earlier time:

Friday, October 6, 1780. We went forwards; the Fork Church seven miles distant.

(endnote, referencing this entry): There were two Fork churches, this one in Fluvanna County and an old Established Church in the western part of Hanover County. The Hanover church derived its name from the location between two rivers, the North Anna and South Anna; and many Methodists preached and worshiped there.

”Many Methodists preached and worshipped there.” Ponder a time when we were more interested in the worship of our God, than maintaining the sanctity of a building.

I gave my final voice command to the GPS app: “Directions home” – we turned westward and was guided by the GPS voice onto Route 33 west, that would take us back to Greene County, VA. Asbury would continue through Richmond and on to Portsmouth, very near his starting point of 1791. I refuse to say that the handful of waypoints I chose to skip were insignificant, as I believe all of Asbury’s stops were significant. But, there were no churches defined, only crossroads where he preached a couple more times in the cold of late December. So, I parted ways with my dear friend at this point… his journey will continue for another 24 years.

Postlude: I have been asked a recurring question during this pilgrimage: “Is it what you expected it to be?” I didn’t begin the journey with any particular expectations… I tried to remain as open as possible to the experience. There were surprises, some disappointments, excitement in discovering unknown tidbits about Asbury. I felt like I met, face to face, some of today’s giants of Methodist history. We visited disaffiliated churches… because even though they have left the connection, they will always be connected to us by way of the rich history of Methodism in America.

Today, Tuesday, September 30, 2025, I sit on our three season porch at home in Ruckersville, composing this final update. It is one of my favorite places in which to ponder… and I have a lot to ponder! In the coming days and weeks, I will try to find time to organize and make sense of my own journal and notes. And then, there’s the book to write!

This is our mapbook/travelog and notebook that I carried into every place we visited… a little tattered, had water spilled on it once… the next photo shows some “adjustments” made to the circuit and the last photo was where we recorded mileage and gas purchases. Almost every page has important notes.

I’m going to sit on the porch a bit longer, it is a rather dreary, drizzly day, today… a day that encourages ponder and rest. Once again…

Peace,
-Pastor Tim