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Our HistoryFollowing closely on the heels of the Quakers who founded Waterford, Scottish and Irish Presbyterians migrated south from Pennsylvania into Loudoun County around the middle of the eighteenth century. It was these immigrants who founded Catoctin Presbyterian Church, one of the oldest Presbyterian organizations in Virginia.The church was founded in 1765 when Amos Thompson was ordained as the first pastor of Kittocktin Presbyterian Church. Three years later, a plot of land two miles south of Waterford was conveyed to the church, and a log church was built on that site. Today no trace of the original church building remains, but grave markers bearing the date 1776 still stand on that site. The land on which the present church stands was conveyed to Catoctin Presbyterian Church in 1814. A brick church was built between 1814 and 1833, and was used for worship intermittently until it was destroyed by fire in 1878. While the church was being rebuilt, the congregation met in the Baptist church across the street. The church was rebuilt in 1882, using many of the bricks from the original structure. The fellowship wing was added in 1951; the basement of the fellowship wing was recently renovated, and further improvements are planned. The stained glass windows in the sanctuary were installed in 1952, replacing clear glass windows that had been covered with colored paper to simulate the look of stained glass. The large Moline cross was placed in the sanctuary in 1994. A modern heating and air conditioning system was installed in 1999. Today, Catoctin Presbyterian Church continues to serve the spiritual needs of Waterford and the surrounding community. In addition to the Sunday worship service, Catoctin Presbyterian offers a full range of Christian Education classes and a vibrant music program, participates in many local mission projects, and provides a wide variety of opportunities for fellowship.
-- Catoctin Presbyterian Church Windows by Jane D. Piercy, September 2001
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