Ruins of St. John's Episcopal Church — Abandoned & Forgotten in Washington, D.C.
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Entry No. 55 — the Washington, D.C. file — filed under: ruins

Ruins of St. John's Episcopal Church

Built in 1852, this historic stone church served as a hospital and barracks during the Civil War, sustaining heavy damage. Though rebuilt after the war, it was abandoned in 1895 when the congregation relocated to a new building in the upper town. Today, only the stabilized fieldstone walls remain, standing as a haunting skeleton along the trail to Jefferson Rock.

The move: Hike up the Appalachian Trail steps from lower Harpers Ferry, stopping to admire and photograph the beautiful stone ruins framed by the surrounding forest.

📍 Before you go The ruins are located directly along a public trail within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, though visitors must remain on the path and are prohibited from climbing on the fragile historic walls.

Where: Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

#ruins #civil-war #church #hiking #national-park

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Further reading: nps.gov · Atlas Obscura

last checked: 2026-07-20