St. Michael's Lutheran Church and Wilfong Church Historical Marker

Originally a log church built around 1800, the current structure of St. Michael's Lutheran Church was built in 1921. Many of the congregants were descendants of the German immigrants to Pendleton County that started settling the area in the 18th century. The original church was known as the "Wilfong Church," for the Wilfong family that purchased the original land and supported the church throughout the years.

German immigrants first settled Pendleton County in the mid-1700's. Most famously, some "Hessian" soldiers that fought in the war decided not to return to Europe after the revolutionary war, and instead travelled to what was then the hinterlands of Virginia to purchase land.

In 1794, Michael and Sophia Wilfong purchased the land around what is today known as St. Michael's Lutheran Church for one shilling. Although dedicated to St. Michael, the church is historically known as "the Wilfong Church" as the Wilfong family continued to support the church and attend services. Many Wilfongs are buried in the adjacent cemetery.

The church was first built around 1800 as a log construction, the same as many churches built throughout the county. Unfortunately, few of these buildings survive today. The current structure was built in 1921 and remains standing, although dwindling attendance numbers led to a merger with other congregations.

St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church near Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, W. Va., West Virginia History OnView. Accessed August 23rd, 2022. https://wvhistoryonview.org/catalog/051152.