In early November 2021, community members came together in a small but meaningful gathering to acknowledge, celebrate, and bless the work to repair and restore Reaves Chapel, one of the Cape Fear region’s most culturally and historically significant African American structures. Once the restoration of this irreplaceable community treasure has been completed, the chapel will anchor the Town of Navassa’s future greenway and the northern end of the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.
The Reaves Chapel Restoration Project is the result of a partnership initiated by the Cedar Hill/West Bank Heritage Foundation with the Coastal Land Trust. Reaves Chapel was built by people who were enslaved and who farmed the property where the Cedar Hill Plantation and other neighboring rice plantations once stood. Eventually, the church fell out of use and into disrepair. But the church lived on in the memories of the community.
“Today, we celebrate the preservation of this historic place, so that generations who come after us can know the significance of what our ancestors did,” said Al Beatty, president of Cedar Hill/West Bank Heritage Foundation.
Mr. Beatty continued, “This church had its origins in the 1860’s, and was built on the Cape Fear River, on a plantation by our ancestors. Later, in the early 20th century, the congregation, with logs and a team of oxen, moved this beautiful church about a mile or so, from its original location on the riverfront to its present location on Cedar Hill Road.”
The November 10th gathering included a moment of silence, a blessing by the Rev. Steve Holland, and a symbolic ringing of the Reaves Chapel bell by Jacki Davis and Kariba David, who represented all past members of the congregation and their descendants.
Jesica Blake, Associate Director of the Coastal Land Trust, expressed gratitude to the Cedar Hill/West Bank Heritage Foundation, all the community members and families of the Reaves Chapel congregation, and to the other key partners and funders: Historic Wilmington Foundation, Orton Foundation, the Town of Navassa, Paynter Law Firm, and generous private individuals, whose gifts make it possible to begin the Reaves Chapel Restoration Project.
Ms. Blake then introduced the construction company leading the restoration effort. “I am especially delighted to introduce Balding Brothers Construction, whose specialists have designed the planned restoration, who have lifted the entire structure, and who are now ready to begin the foundation and masonry work which is so urgently needed to restore the structure.” She noted that the design of the grounds, including parking and landscaping, as well as the designing of the separate restroom facilities, is underway concurrently. In addition, the stained glass windows are being restored offsite and will be installed when completed.
“The hope of the Coastal Land Trust and Cedar Hill/West Bank Heritage Foundation,” said Ms. Blake, “is that Reaves Chapel, once its restoration is complete, will be transferred to the State of North Carolina and will be managed in perpetuity as a state historic site. We’re so grateful to all the steadfast volunteers and the funders for their support, which have made this ground-breaking possible.”
Nick Parker, Board member of the Coastal Land Trust who was present for the gathering, said “The Coastal Land Trust is thrilled to have been asked to help save Reaves Chapel, a cultural resource in the Cape Fear, a region rich with natural and wildlife resources, as well.” He noted that Reaves Chapel will anchor the town of Navassa’s future greenway and that officials from the National Park Service and the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor are among those who are excited about the restoration of this irreplaceable community treasure.
Contributions to the Reaves Chapel Restoration Fund can be made securely online: https://CoastalLandTrust.org/reaves
About North Carolina Coastal Land Trust
Founded in 1992, the mission of the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust is to enrich the coastal communities of North Carolina through conservation of natural areas and working lands, education, and the promotion of good land stewardship. The Coastal Land Trust purchased the Reaves Chapel site in 2019, and had previously protected more than 17,000 acres of land along the western banks of the lower Cape Fear River and its tributaries. The Coastal Land Trust has offices in Wilmington, New Bern and Elizabeth City. www.CoastalLandTrust.org.
About Cedar Hill / West Bank Heritage Foundation
Founded in 2013, Cedar Hill/West Bank Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance, develop and improve the cultural heritage of the Cedar Hill/West Bank Corridor through active community involvement. The Foundation has a volunteer Board of Directors is composed of people with family and ancestral ties to Reaves Chapel and the Cedar Hill community. The Board of Directors bring expertise in accounting, parks and recreation, nonprofit management, fundraising, and community organizing to their mission. They have created friends and allies throughout the state committed to save and restore Reaves Chapel.
About the photo
Partners from Cedar Hill/West Bank Foundation, NC Coastal Land Trust, Historic Wilmington Foundation, and Balding Brothers in front of Reaves Chapel, just after the groundbreaking ceremony marking the commencement of the chapel’s long-awaited restoration.
