Greater Zion Baptist Church Demolition and Construction

The Greater Zion Baptist Church building in Old Ashburn, on Ashburn Road, whose cornerstone was laid in Sept 1889, was demolished in early February 2009.

According to the pastor, Rev James Swanson, the church plans to build a new facility on the site, in the near future. The site encompasses about three acres on Ashburn Rd.

While the old church was being demolished, removal of siding on its tower revealed an intact bell. According to Rev Swanson, the bell was the original, and no one currently in the church had been aware of its existence, and it had not been used during his tenure.

It will be interesting to see what the church's building plans will include. Their website says that they plan to build "a 600-1000 seat sanctuary."

Of all the relatively decrepit historical buildings in Old Ashburn, the church was the most scenic.

I'll miss it.

Will you?

Gloucester Parkway Shortcut to Loudoun Cty Pkwy

There's another way to get to the Post Office, or Wegman's. The new section of Gloucester Parkway is 0pen.

For years, Gloucester Pkwy used to end at Ray Muth Park, just past Farmwell Station Middle School. Now it continues, in four glorious lanes, all the way to Loudoun County Parkway. Redskins Park is just down the road.

Take a left and you're at Rt 7. Take a right and you're at Waxpool Rd in a mile or two.

Above: Traffic on Gloucester Parkway at Loudoun County Parkway

This should reduce congestion on Ashburn Village Blvd, and Waxpool.

Next up: the cloverleaf at the intersection of Rt 7 and Loudoun County Parkway.

Any other good news on roads and infrastructure in Ashburn?

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