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

Trinity Church

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

1. Trinity Church Marker

Inscription.
Built in 1762 as the Parish Church of Portsmouth Parish, established in 1761. Later named Trinity; enlarged in 1829; remodeled in 1893. Colonel William Crawford, founder of Portsmouth in 1752, was a member of the first Vestry. Buried here is Commodore James Barron, Commander of the U.S. Frigate Chesapeake when attacked by H.M.S. Leopard in 1807; the result was his celebrated duel with Stephen Decatur in 1820. The graves of many Revolutionary patriots are here.

Erected 1948 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number Q8A.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1762.

Location. 36° 50.082′ N, 76° 18.063′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is on Court Street north of King Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Court 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: Col. Bernard Magnien (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Trinity Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Portsmouth Public Library

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Commodore Theatre (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Norfolk County Court House (about 300 feet away); Towne Square (about 300 feet away); The 1846 Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Court Street Baptist Church (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Monument (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The linked marker is on the east wall of the church with other markers shown on this page, but contains more detail on the church's founding.

Also see . . . Trinity Episcopal Church-Our History. (Submitted on October 14, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States.)

Trinity Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

2. Trinity Church

The Court Yard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

3. The Court Yard

Virginia Historic Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

4. Virginia Historic Landmark

Trinity Church has been registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark pursant to the authority vested in the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Act of 1966

National Register of Historic Places image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 12, 2007

5. National Register of Historic Places

This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Commodore James Barron's Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy

6. Commodore James Barron's Grave

Marker on Commodore James Barron's Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Laura Troy

7. Marker on Commodore James Barron's Grave

Commodore James Barron, U.S.N.
Senior Officer aboard the Frigate Chesapeake
Placed by Fort Norfolk Chapter
U.S. Daughters of 1812

Virginia War of 1812 Heritage Trail Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

8. Virginia War of 1812 Heritage Trail Marker

On the east wall of the church.

Revolutionary War Patriots & War of 1812 Veterans Buried at Trinity Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

9. Revolutionary War Patriots & War of 1812 Veterans Buried at Trinity Church

As marked on the exterior of the churchyard wall facing Court Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,682 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 8, 9. submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.