Church Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Saint John’s Episcopal Church

Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 28, 2007

1. Saint John’s Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. Here on 23 March 1776 Patrick Henry delivered his “Liberty or Death” speech, calling for American independence, during the second Virginia revolutionary conventions that included as members George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Peyton Randolph, and Richard Henry Lee. Saint John’s Church was built in 1741 by Richard Randolph on land donated by Richmond’s founder, William Byrd II. It continues to serve Henrico Parish (founded 1611). Buried in its churchyard are George Wythe and Elizabeth Arnold Poe, mother of Edgar Allan Poe.

Erected 1991 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-37.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 23, 1776.

Location. 37° 31.918′ N, 77° 25.168′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Church Hill. Marker is on East Broad Street (U.S. 60) near North 24th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2401 E Broad Street, Richmond VA 23223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. St. John's Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); Major William Mayo (a few steps from this marker); British Invasion of Richmond, January 1781 (a few steps from this marker); St. John’s Church (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Historic St. John’s Church (a few steps from this marker); Patrick Henry Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); George Wythe (within shouting distance of this marker); Burton-Farrar House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . . Patrick Henry’s Speech. “...This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country...” (Submitted on July 30, 2007.)

Marker along E Broad Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 28, 2007

2. Marker along E Broad Street

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

Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 28, 2007

3. St. John's Church

<i>St. John's Church, Richmond</i> image. Click for full size.

Photochrom postcard by the Detroit Photographic Company, 1901

4. St. John's Church, Richmond

Image courtesy of the Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, July 13, 2014

5. Saint John’s Episcopal Church Marker

Dedication plaque for the entrance, brick paths and plantings of the churchyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 10, 2023

6. Dedication plaque for the entrance, brick paths and plantings of the churchyard

Saint John’s Episcopal Church Organ image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kyle W., March 30, 2024

7. Saint John’s Episcopal Church Organ

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,829 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 29, 2015. 5. submitted on January 12, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 6. submitted on November 11, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 7. submitted on March 31, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.