If you’ve driven down Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach, you’ve traveled a path with a story as unique as its name. Long before it became a bustling thoroughfare, Witchduck Road was tied to a legend that dates back more than 300 years—a story of Grace Sherwood, often remembered as the Witch of Pungo.
The Legend of Grace Sherwood
In the early 1700s, Grace Sherwood was a widowed farmer, healer, and midwife living in what was then Princess Anne County. Independent and outspoken, she soon became the subject of suspicion among her neighbors. When crops failed or livestock fell ill, she was blamed.
On July 10, 1706, Sherwood was ordered to undergo a “trial by water” in the nearby Lynnhaven River. The superstition was simple: if she floated, she was guilty of witchcraft; if she sank, she was innocent (though at the risk of drowning). Bound and cast into the water, Sherwood freed herself and swam to safety. Her survival, however, was seen as proof of guilt. She was convicted and imprisoned, though she eventually regained her freedom and lived well into her eighties.
The site of her ordeal became known as Witchduck Point, and today, her story lives on in the name Witchduck Road.
Faith and Resilience on Witchduck Road
Three centuries later, the landscape has changed, but the spirit of resilience endures. What was once a place of fear and superstition is now home to communities of faith—churches that gather people together in hope, prayer, and service.
Among these sacred spaces is Old Donation Episcopal Church, a parish with roots reaching back to the 1600s. As one of the oldest churches in the United States, Old Donation has stood as a steadfast witness to centuries of change in Virginia Beach. From colonial times throughOld Donation Episcopal Church the present day, it has remained a place of grace, forgiveness, and restoration, serving as a beacon of light for the community along Witchduck Road.
Our Role in Preserving Sacred Spaces
We are honored to have been chosen to refinish the pews at Old Donation Episcopal Church. This project was more than craftsmanship—it was a way of helping preserve a sacred space where history, tradition, and faith meet.
Just as Grace Sherwood’s story reminds us of the endurance of the human spirit, Old Donation Episcopal reminds us of the endurance of faith. Every piece we restore—whether a pew, pulpit, or altar—is more than wood or fabric; it’s a vessel for memory, prayer, and tradition that spans generations.
Carrying the Story Forward
The next time you pass down Witchduck Road, take a moment to remember the story behind the name. It’s a road that has carried both fear and faith, superstition and strength. And today, it carries with it the promise of communities that continue to grow, gather, and worship.
Mcphail Church Services proudly supports that mission by ensuring the beauty and dignity of sacred spaces endure for generations to come.
Witchduck Road may have been born out of a tale of trial and hardship, but today it stands as a place of hope and restoration—much like the work we’re privileged to do at Old Donation Episcopal Church and beyond.
Ready to Begin Your Church’s Restoration Project?
If your congregation is considering pew refinishing or other restoration work, we would be honored to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can preserve the beauty and heritage of your sacred space.
