St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

If there’s one stop that captures the spiritual and artistic heart of Ashe County, it’s St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Set in West Jefferson, North Carolina, this beautifully preserved white-frame chapel was built in 1905 and is one of the most beloved cultural and religious landmarks in the High Country. Best known for its remarkable collection of frescoes painted by world-renowned artist Ben Long and his students, St. Mary’s draws visitors from across the country who come to experience a small mountain church holding extraordinary works of religious art. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the place before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Carpenter Gothic Country Church

St. Mary’s was built in 1905 in the Carpenter Gothic architectural style — a uniquely American adaptation of Gothic Revival design, with white clapboard walls, simple decorative trim, and the kind of small-scale charm that small-town North Carolina churches do so well. The building’s signature green trim and red front door give it a distinctive presence that’s instantly recognizable, and despite seating fewer than 100 people, the church has become one of Ashe County’s most cherished historic landmarks.

What sets St. Mary’s apart is just how well it pairs that humble architectural setting with art of genuine international stature. The contrast between the modest country church on the outside and the world-class frescoes inside is part of what makes a visit here so memorable.

The Ben Long Frescoes

The art is what brings most visitors to St. Mary’s, and for good reason. In the 1970s and early 1980s, fresco artist Benjamin F. Long IV and his students created a remarkable collection of true frescoes — paintings completed directly into wet plaster using the same centuries-old technique used by Italian Renaissance masters. The result is a series of works that genuinely move visitors who walk through the doors:

• Mary Great with Child — a striking image of the expectant Virgin Mary that’s become one of the most photographed frescoes in the church.
• John the Baptist — a powerful, larger-than-life figure painted with the same Renaissance attention to color and form.
• The Mystery of Faith — a complex, layered composition representing the central tenets of the Christian faith.

The frescoes are paired with other meaningful artworks throughout the chapel, including The Laughing Christ by Bo Bartlett, plus beautiful stained glass windows that fill the church with soft, multi-colored natural light. The overall effect is one of quiet reverence — a small mountain church transformed into a destination for sacred art.

A Sister Church to Holy Trinity

St. Mary’s is part of the Episcopal Parish of the Holy Communion, sharing its parish with Holy Trinity Episcopal Church just down the road in Glendale Springs. Together, the two churches form what’s commonly known as the “Churches of the Frescoes” — and pairing a visit to both is one of the most rewarding cultural experiences in Ashe County. Holy Trinity holds Ben Long’s celebrated “Last Supper” fresco, while St. Mary’s holds the earlier frescoes that launched his work in this corner of the state.

A Quiet, Welcoming Space

What makes St. Mary’s especially worth visiting is just how genuinely accessible it is. The church is open to the public at all hours, with no entrance fee and no pressure. An audio guide is available inside that walks visitors through the history, the frescoes, and the meaning of what they’re seeing. Donations are gratefully accepted to support preservation, but the chapel is fundamentally a place of welcome — a quiet country church open to anyone looking for a moment of peace or a chance to experience world-class art.

Good to Know

• No entrance fee — donations are gratefully accepted to support preservation.
• Open at all hours for prayer, reflection, and quiet visits.
• Audio guide available inside the church to walk visitors through the frescoes and history.
• Pair it with Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Glendale Springs for the full “Churches of the Frescoes” experience.
• Located at 400 Beaver Creek School Road in West Jefferson, NC.

A West Jefferson Must-Do

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is the kind of stop that earns every bit of its reputation. The building is humble and beautifully preserved. The Ben Long frescoes are genuinely extraordinary. The history of the church goes back more than a century, and the experience of walking into a quiet country chapel and finding yourself face-to-face with world-class religious art is the kind of memory that stays with you. Whether you’re an art lover, a person of faith, a traveler exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, or simply someone who appreciates the quiet beauty of a well-preserved place, St. Mary’s belongs at the top of your list when visiting Ashe County.

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Resources

The Episcopal Parish of the Holy Communion Website

The Ashe County Frescoes Website

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Location

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Social Media

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