A brief history of Mariah's Chapel

Mariah’s Chapel was established in 1875 by both the Methodists and Episcopalians of the Yadkin Valley so they would have a place to worship. In later years, the Baptists also attended services at Mariah’s Chapel until Grandin Baptist Church was built. A deed of 1878 was given for the nominal sum of one dollar to the trustees of the Lenoir Circuit of the North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South by Martha Maria Earnest, grand-daughter of Catlett C. and Nancy Ann Dula Jones, who lived a short distance from the church. While the church was being built, services were held in the Earnest home.

Mariah’s Chapel was built from timber cut off the surrounding hillside of the church in 1878 - 1879. The first outside siding was placed vertically as shown in old photographs and in later years more timber was cut from the hillside to replace the siding horizontally as it presently stands. When the church
was built, there were two front doors constructed; one for ladies to enter on the left and one for gentlemen on the right.  On the left side of the pulpit, there were pews that were occupied by the elderly ladies usually dressed in black.

Mariah’s Chapel stands much the same as it was over a century ago with its beautiful grounds. This historic site was the beginning of several persons called to serve our Lord, including Dr. R.L. Isbell, who was honored for many years on Home Coming Day. Mariah’s Chapel stands as a rich history of the Yadkin Valley and its people who attended throughout the years. Mariah’s Chapel is on the National Register of historic places and owned by Mariah’s Chapel Preservation Foundation, Inc, established 2013.