Courthouse Renovation Discovery Creates Church-State Concern

A church-state controversy may be in the making in Nelson County, Virginia where $5 million renovation of a century-old historic courthouse has uncovered a religious inscription in the courtroom.  Today's Lynchburg News & Advance reports that as four coats of paint were stripped from the wood structure resting on columns supporting a courtroom balcony, the inscription "Virtus — Keep God’s Commandments — Veritas" was revealed.  Historians say the inscription may date from the 1830's when newly-formed Protestant denominations used the courthouse for worship services.