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Church Arrangement |
A Brief Guide to Bruton Parish Church |
 1
- The Tower was added in 1769. Near the doorway is a
bust of the Rev. W. A. R. Goodwin who conceived the idea of
restoring Williamsburg. In the belfry hangs the historic bell
presented to the parish in 1761, which still calls visitors and
townsfolk to worship in this living Episcopal Church. 2
- The West Gallery, erected in 1715, was occupied
in colonial days by students of the College of William and Mary. Initials carved 200 years
ago are still evident on the handrail. Lord Dunmore, the last British governor in
Virginia, occupied this gallery at services before his flight from Williamsburg in
June 1775. 3
- The High Box Pews, with doors designed for warmth
in the unheated church, are typical of eighteenth century English churches. Pews are
dedicated to U. S. Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Monroe and Tyler, who
worshipped here for extended periods, and to illustrious patriots who were leaders of the
parish. 4
- The Governor's Pew, with its canopied chair, was
reserved for royal governors and Council members. In colonial days this pew was
curtained - for privacy and warmth. Pews nearer the altar, once occupied by
church wardens and vestrymen, are used today by the choir. |
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5
- The Bronze Lectern near the
crossing was given in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt during
the 300th anniversary of the founding of the first permanent
extension of the English Church and civilization at Jamestown in
1607. On it rests a bible presented by King Edward VII on the
same occasion. Near the Lectern are the
gravestones of two distinguished men: British Governor Francis
Fauquier and the patriot
Edmund Pendleton. The North gallery was
used by servants. |
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| 6 - The Pulpit, which towers over the rector's pew from which regular services are conducted, is of eighteenth century style, surmounted by a cantilever-supported sounding board. | |
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- The Altar and the communion rail are of black
walnut. The panels behind the altar contain the Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer
and Ten Commandments - fundamentals of faith, Prayer and law, required by Canon Law
to be displayed in the Colonial Period. Sarum colors used in the altar draperies and
hangings are also characteristic of the period. Bruton has in its possession the
Jamestown communion silver, dating from 1661; the silver gilt Lady Gooch set of 1686, and
the King George III set of 1769. This silver is exhibited on certain occasions. |
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- The Baptismal Font, which is used regularly
today, was brought from the Jamestown Tower Church about 1758. George
Washington stood as godfather on fourteen occasions before this font. The first
rector of Bruton Parish (1674-88), the Reverend Rowland Jones, whose
gravestone in under the font, was the great-grandfather of Martha Washington. |
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- The South Gallery was reserved for the speakers of the
House of Burgesses and the college faculty. During special services the speaker
would have joined fellow burgesses in the center. On June 1, 1774 was held Bruton's
most famous service, when legislators mourned the closing of the port of Boston
during a day of "Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer." |
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- The Main Organ is a four-manual Aeolian-Skinner,
rebuilt and enlarged in 1955 and 1976. In the east gallery above the altar may be
seen the 1785 Samuel Green organ case. A harpsichord in the Chancel also is used. Candlelight concerts in the Church are given on a weekly basis. |
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