The Old Sperryville Bookshop is located in a charming 101-year-old wooden Gothic church near Shenandoah National Park at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The former Episcopal church was built in 1902 and was used for church services until 1955 when it was decided that the parish could no longer support it. Most of the members of the parish moved to Trinity Church in the nearby town of Washington.
In 1967, the property was rented to the members of the church of God of the Gospel, who held services there for a time. This was followed by a number of years during which the beautiful old building sat vacant and neglected.
On December 23, 1987, the property was sold to John and Judith Tweel, who operated a gift and antique shop known as The Church Mouse for several years. In July, 1998, the building was purchased by Jim and Joan Gannon, who opened it as the Old Sperryville Bookshop on October 3rd of that year.
The unique structure changed ownership once again in August 2003, when it was purchased by Nancy and Greg Ostinato. It was love at first sight for the Ostinatos when they saw the interior architecture with its original woodwork, gothic style windows, and the altar platform of the old church. They were struck by the peaceful feeling of the place and hope that their customers will experience that same feeling as they browse through the books or read in a wing-backed chair near the fireplace while enjoying gourmet coffee and freshly baked cookies.
