A historic church in Castlewood is receiving new support to protect a place closely connected with generations of Russell County history.

Bundy's Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church has been awarded $121,000 through Virginia's Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Historic Preservation Grant Program.

The chapel is one of eight projects selected for preservation funding in the commonwealth's latest round of awards.

A gathering place with deep roots

The church traces its beginnings to the period following the Civil War, when newly freed Black residents established places of worship and community life.

Located along Route 628 in Castlewood, the building became an important part of local religious and educational history.

Beyond worship services, it also served as a school for Black children during an era when educational opportunities were shaped by segregation.

The congregation formally joined the African Methodist Episcopal Zion denomination in 1922.

The site also includes a historic cemetery, adding to its significance for descendants and community historians.

Why preservation matters

Smaller community landmarks can hold stories that are difficult to recover once buildings and records disappear.

Places like Bundy's Chapel reflect the determination of residents who built institutions to serve their families during periods of limited access and opportunity.

Preserving the building can help protect not only its physical structure but also memories of education, worship, family and community leadership.

The Virginia grant program supports historic places connected with communities that have often been underrepresented in preservation efforts.

Looking ahead

The newly announced funding is a grant award, not a declaration that restoration work is already complete.

State preservation staff are expected to work with grant recipients as projects move into their next stages.

For Southwest Virginia, the investment offers an opportunity to keep an important part of the region's history visible to future generations.