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Thieves Make Off With Pews, Choir Benches, Chairs From Baptist Church In New River Gorge National River

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By NPT Staff - February 12th, 2016
Baptist Church, New River Gorge National River/NPS

Authorities are trying to recover a number of furniture items stolen from the Baptist "Black Church" found in New River Gorge National River/NPS

Pews, choir benches, chairs, and tables were among a number of items recently stolen from the historic Baptist "black church" in Quinnimont that stands within New River Gorge National River in West Virginia.

The break-in was discovered Sunday. Rangers identified the missing items as: 11 pews (ranging from seven to ten feet long, most of them with end arm rests and hymnal racks on the back, and upholstered red seat cushions), five spindle back choir benches (approximately six feet long, with end arm rests and red seat cushions), three high back chairs (with arm rests, and upholstered red back and seat cushions), two slat back chairs (no arm rests, no seat cushions), two rectangular tables (several feet in length), a large three-sided podium, and a small lectern stand.

Quinnimont is one of the first coal mining towns of New River Gorge. The "black church" was constructed around 1900 to serve Quinnimont's growing African American community during a time of segregation.

"This church is more than just a piece of our history," Superintendent Trish Kicklighter said Thursday. "It also represents the future preservation of an important story. Local volunteers have donated dozens of hours to participate in a clean-up day, oral history interviews, and other projects to get the church and surrounding area ready to be featured as a premier stop along a new African American Heritage driving tour that the NPS and several community partner organizations are developing this year. These items are irreplaceable and we are reaching out to the community to assist us in finding the person or people responsible for this crime and to have the furnishings returned."

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the National Park Service at 304-465-6516, or Crime Stoppers of Raleigh County at 304-255-STOP (7867). The 24-hour tip line allows callers to remain anonymous. Cash rewards of up to $1,000 are available to anyone providing information that leads to an arrest. Information on this crime or other violations may also be reported online.

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