Clementina V. Hammet: Founding Faith and Community in Radford, Virginia

Stained Glass In Memory of Clementina V. Hammet

In the chronicles of early Radford, Virginia—once known as Central Depot—certain names echo through time. Among them is Clementina V. Hammet, a woman of quiet conviction whose generosity helped lay the foundation for both the town and its spiritual life. While her legacy is often overshadowed by her more prominent descendants, Clementina’s foresight and philanthropy remain integral to Radford’s story.

Norwood Farm: A Family Legacy on the River Bluff

Clementina and her husband, Colonel Edward Hammet, were among the first permanent residents in the area that would become Radford. In the 1830s, they built a two-story home on a high bluff above the New River, nestled in a grove of oak trees on land known as Lovely Mount. This property—later called Norwood Farm—was part of Clementina’s inheritance from her father, James Craig, and spanned hundreds of acres.

From their homestead, the Hammets witnessed and helped shape the transformation of a quiet frontier into a vital railroad hub. When the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad expanded westward, the Hammets sold parcels of their land to make way for depots, shops, and new homes. Their home stood not only as a physical landmark but also as a symbol of civic leadership during a time of rapid change.

A Gift That Built a Church

By the early 1870s, the burgeoning railroad town lacked a dedicated house of worship. Services were held in general stores or borrowed halls. Seeing this need, Clementina Craig Hammet took decisive action. In 1874, she donated a prominent lot across from the Central Depot, on what is now Norwood Street, for the construction of the town’s first church building.

This simple frame structure served all denominations, offering a central gathering place for worship and community. It was, by all accounts, the first church erected in Central Depot—a gift of land and vision that gave spiritual shelter to a rapidly growing population.

The Next Generation: Sue Hammet and the Tyler Memorial Church

Tyler Memorial Presbyterian Church - Courtesy of McConnell Library Archives and Special Collections, Radford University, Radford, VA

Clementina’s influence did not end with her passing in 1879. Her daughter, Susan “Sue” Hammet Tyler, carried forward the family’s legacy of civic and spiritual leadership. After marrying James Hoge Tyler, who would later serve as the 43rd Governor of Virginia, Sue remained deeply rooted in Radford. 

In 1894, the Tylers led the effort to establish a permanent Presbyterian church on land that had once been part of Clementina’s estate. Central Presbyterian Church, later renamed Tyler Memorial Presbyterian Church, was built of red brick using clay from the site itself. Governor Tyler oversaw its construction, while Sue and the Ladies Aid Society helped furnish the sanctuary with stained-glass windows, pews, and sacred decor. The largest window was dedicated to the Memory of Clementina V. Hammet. The couple even donated land for the church residence, ensuring the pastor had a home near the congregation.

When the building was sold and demolished in the early 2000s, the church bell and seven exquisite stained glass windows were carefully stored for decades. Today, these treasured pieces find a new home at Belle Hampton, where they shine beautifully in their replaced setting within The Homestead Pavilion, continuing to inspire and captivate all who see them.

Homestead Pavilion with Stained Glass Windows from Tyler Memorial Presbyterian Church

A Legacy Still Standing

Today, little remains of the original Hammet homestead, but its legacy endures. The streets of Radford still follow the original layout made possible by the Hammets’ land sales. The site of the first church, donated by Clementina, is now hallowed ground in Radford’s spiritual history. And the name Hammet—though perhaps quiet in the record books—is etched into the landscape and memory of the town itself.

Clementina Venerable Hammet did not build monuments to herself. But she built a community. Through a gift of land, a home on a hill, and a daughter who followed her example, she helped transform Radford from a depot to a town—and left behind a legacy of enduring grace.