The Old Sentinel Tree

At the main driveway entrance on the south side, a great White Oak once stood. This tree was one of a series of trees selected for use by Washington’s army as a watch tower during the encampments at Valley Forge and the Radnor Piquet. Men climbed high up in the trees and used mirrors to signal one another to relay the movements of the British Army and suppliers.

Tradition holds that after the tree was struck by lightning in 1895, the two aisle benches in the Church were constructed using its wood. Renowned architect and parish member, R. Brognard Okie, created the design.

The Old Sentinel