Bright's Chapel Cemetery Preservation Fund
This fund ensures perpetual care for Bright’s Chapel Cemetery, preserving a historic resting place tied to the region’s early religious and genealogical heritage.
TYPE OF FUND: Cemetery Preservation Sub-Fund / Field of Interest
DATE ESTABLISHED: September 27, 2001
PURPOSE: Maintenance and upkeep of Bright’s Chapel Cemetery located on Rt. 72 North West of Red Creek.
DISTRIBUTION: Upon the recommendation of the Grants Committee, and approval by the Board of Directors of TCF.
VARIANCE POWER: If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the terms of this fund.
FUNDING: Initiated by Kensel E. Stephens (deceased Nov. 2003) with an initial donation of $1,000 and donations by persons interested in perpetual funding for the cemetery.
BACKGROUND: This fund was initiated to provide perpetual funding for the upkeep of Bright’s Chapel Cemetery located on state route 72 about three and one half miles northwest of Red Creek. The late Kensel E. Stephens of Chesapeake, VA, author of Bright Cousins, a genealogy which was printed by McClain Printing Company of Parsons in 1994, opened the fund with a $1,000 donation given to TCEF on March 20, 2000 following the death of his wife, Ethel Bright Stephens, a great-great-granddaughter of the first minister of Bright’s Chapel Church.
The church has a fascinating history with its original minister, Thomas Bright (1797–1873), carrying his mother’s maiden name, Bright. His father’s name was Liptrap, but his arrival in America in 1772 was not a future he chose for himself and his family. Records show that Thomas’ parents, Isaac Liptrap and Mary Bright Liptrap, came to America aboard the ship Tayloe after Isaac was reprieved from prison in England for burglary. His sentence was commuted to transportation to America—considered by many to be a fate worse than hanging.
Their son, then using his father’s last name, Thomas Liptrap, served as a private in Capt. John Dickson’s Company from Rockbridge County, VA, during the War of 1812. It was this Thomas, later known as Thomas Bright, who became the first minister of Bright’s Chapel Church and ancestor of many local residents. He and his second wife, Margaret Cox (1795–1879), raised a large family in what is now Tucker County and were married more than 50 years at the time of his death.
The original log church was built on a one-acre plot deeded by Bright’s daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. James Carr. Original trustees included George Washington Bright, John W. Bright, Hanson Bright, Joab Carr, and Enos G. Carr. A second church building was constructed in 1914 but was later destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt over the years largely through volunteer labor. Ed Carpenter served as pastor until 1996. Services were re-instituted in March 2000 with Rev. Lonnie Daniels of Huttonsville representing Union Mission Conference.
