Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

St. John's Church

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021

1. St. John's Church Marker

Inscription. St. John's Episcopal Church was founded in 1848; its original Greek Revival sanctuary opened in 1850 near the corner of Court and London Streets. During the yellow fever epidemic of 1855, James Chisholm, the church's first rector, remained in Portsmouth to minister to the sick. He died of the disease and was later added to the Episcopal Church's calendar of saints. The Gothic Revival sanctuary on this site, designed by architect Charles M. Cassell, opened in 1898. Mary Brown Channel, the first female architect licensed in Virginia, designed several additions. Her father, William A. Brown (rector 1904-1938), was consecrated Bishop of Southern Virginia here in 1938.

Erected 2019 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-82.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 36° 50.223′ N, 76° 18.244′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is on Washington Street just north of London Street, on the right when traveling south

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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 412 Washington St, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Saint Paul's School (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding of Edmarc (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Dale, U.S.N. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); George Teamoh (about 400 feet away); Emanuel A.M.E. Church (about 500 feet away); Lincolnsville (about 500 feet away); Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (about 500 feet away); St. Paul's Catholic Church Burial Ground (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021

2. St. John's Church Marker

St. John's Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026

3. St. John's Church

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026

4. St. John's Church

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026

5. St. John's Church

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 524 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 12, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.