| Bruton Parish was formed in 1674 by merging earlier parishes, dating to 1633. It was named for an English parish on the River Brue in Somerset, from where came several of its most prominent parishioners, including Sir William Berkeley, then governor, and Thomas Ludwell, secretary of Virginia. |
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| In colonial times, church and state were united in Virginia; separation of church and state did not exist. In fact, all officeholders were obliged by law to attend church regularly. Yet Virginia Anglicans (Episcopalians) led in the disestablishment of the church. George Mason and James Madison drafted the provision for religious toleration in the Declaration of Rights of 1776, and Thomas Jefferson's Statute of Religious Freedom was introduced in Williamsburg in 1779. |
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 Bruton
Parish and Williamsburg settled into a gradual decline following the
Revolution. In 1840, the colonial plan of the interior was reversed so one
faced west toward the altar.
A guide to Bruton Parish Church is here. |
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Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin became rector in 1903 and realized the importance of preserving the
city's priceless landmarks. He completed in 1907 a partial restoration of the church
for the 300th anniversary of the establishment of Jamestown and later inspired John D.
Rockefeller, Jr., to undertake the restoration of the entire old city.
The church's
present authentic appearance was achieved in 1937-38 through the leadership of Dr. Goodwin
and Mr. Rockefeller. |
| <===BACK | Bruton Parish Church web site |
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