There’s a lot of West Virginia history that will surprise you. For instance, Mother’s Day originated at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in West Virginia. Yep — the spring holiday that honors selfless, wonderful, hard-working moms, started right here in the Mountain State. Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, is one of the state’s most beautiful historic churches, and where the Mother’s Day holiday all began. Let’s take a look:

As you drive down East Main in Grafton, West Virginia, you can't help but notice the magnificent, two-story brick church building presiding over the street.
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This is Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, and it's nearly 150 years old.
Inside, beautiful stained glass windows rim the sanctuary, arching toward the sky and filling the room with dazzling light.
garythephenom/Tripadvisor
Rows of ornate wooden pews and a grand, old pipe organ at the front complete the awe-inspiring effect.
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But this Methodist Episcopal Church in West Virginia is more than just an impressive building.
International Mother's Day Shrine/Facebook
It's also the location of the very first Mother's Day celebration, which happened in 1908. It's since been redesignated from a church to a shrine in order to commemorate that event.
Now known as the International Mother's Day Shrine, Andrews Episcopal Methodist Church honors mothers from around the world every day of the year, recognizing and celebrating their service, strength, and sacrifice.
International Mother's Day Shrine/Facebook
White carnations line the front of the church, in a resplendent tribute to mothers everywhere.
Anna Jarvis, the founder of the original Mother's Day, was a longtime member of Andrews Methodist Church, and her vision for the holiday was as a religious celebration validating, elevating, and appreciating the honor and dignity of motherhood as depicted in the Bible.
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According to the Historic Register Nomination form, "Despite today's popular notion that Mother's Day is nothing more than an excuse to support the flower and greeting card industry, current scholarship demonstrates the importance of the Mother's Day movement within the context of American cultural history; the evolution of Mother's Day as a national and international holiday had roots in the American Sunday school movement, and evolved out of an idealized view of the American family. Mother's Day was never intended to be a commercial holiday, rather it was intended to be a serious and religious tribute to American motherhood...Anna Jarvis proposed and fought for the national adoption of Mother's Day, but was horrified when it developed into a major retail event. She spent the rest of her life trying to instill a sense of integrity and purpose into what she believed to be a religious and moral tribute to mothers across the nation."
So although Mother's Day has become increasingly commercialized in the years since 1908, the International Mother's Day Shrine stands as a pure reminder of the day's original intent.
International Mothers Day Shrine/Facebook
It's a beautiful place to visit any time of the year, but especially in spring, around its namesake holiday.

The church building is one of 16 National Historic Landmarks in West Virginia, and if you’re interested in learning more about its significance, you can read the original National Register of Historic Places nomination form for yourself here. You can also tour the shrine from April to October. To find out details, visit the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church Facebook page.

And if you’re in Grafton with the family in tow, plan on checking out this incredible playground that’s designed like a castle, and it’s a royally fun adventure for kids!

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Methodist Episcopal Church in West Virginia

Sarah | March 07, 2021

Are there many historic churches in West Virginia?

The Mountain State is rich with places of worship. Throughout history, the church has not only been a place of worship, but also a sacred spot where neighbors come together as whole to congregate, to celebrate, and to mourn. The oldest such church in the entire state dates all the way back to three years after the end of the American Revolution. It was built in 1786 – and still stands! The congregation of the Methodist Rehoboth Church began in a schoolhouse two years prior to the construction of the modest church. The tiny church, measuring just 12-by-29 feet, was bigger than most homes in the day and even had a gallery. The pews were simple hand-hewn benches. Outside, there's a cemetery, and the entire place has a serene, sacred feeling. You can visit this historic church from April through October.

What are some facts about West Virginia history not many people know?

Ready for a little West Virginia history lesson? West Virginia has been a state for 157 years, but the story of this region is much older than that. Long before the Europeans settled here, this region was home to the Native Americans, whose presence was recorded as early as 100 B.C. Fast forward to 1671: the European Settlers who had found their way to these shores, had already set roots in eastern Virginia. So the governor of the territory decided to send men out to explore what lay west of the mountains, including George Washington. The American Revolution happened, areas were explored, lines were drawn... and the state of Virginia was divided into two regions. The new state, whose proposed names were Westsylvania and Kanawha, eventually became West Virginia, the wild and wonderful state we know and love. Cool, huh?

What are some other historic places to visit in West Virginia?

If you're into history, West Virginia has endless opportunities for exploration. Historic Harpers Ferry, the site of John Brown’s abolitionist uprising, is a fascinating place of historical significance and one of the best day trips in West Virginia. The West Virginia Penitentiary, a retired prison in Moundsville, operated from 1876 to 1995. It is now a tourist attraction offering paranormal and historical tours. And for a day trip idea, Charles Town is a small town filled with history and a lovely downtown.

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