Colonial Williamsburg , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

African Americans and Bruton Parish Church

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, May 17, 2025

1. African Americans and Bruton Parish Church Marker

Inscription.

African Americans and Bruton Parish Church. . Free, freed, and enslaved African American people were an essential part of the colonial economy and contributed significantly to the success of the colony. Although we do not know their names, they provided much of the labor to construct the church and its additions during the colonial period. Some enslaved people were baptized, and an early parish register records more than 1,000 such baptisms between 1739 and 1797. Churches and their clergy often owned slaves, who worked to maintain the church and its land, serve the rector and support alms houses which provided care for the poor and infirm. The enslaved people who were allowed to attend church generally stood in the rear, though personal servants ay have sat with their owners. By 1852, a gallery was added to the Church's north side for free, freed, and enslaved African Americans, separating them from white parishioners. Decades of strict segregation followed emancipation, and Bruton remained segregated until the 1950s when Dr. James Blayton and his family joined Bruton at the invitation of the rector, Reverend Craighill., Many churches, including Bruton Parish Church, supported the institutions of slavery and segregation. Justification for slavery was often taken from the Bible, or through the belief that Christianity was being provided to the enslaved people. Although we find these justifications abhorrent today; they were common and deeply held beliefs of many people at the time., Please prayerfully consider: , Why did they hold these beliefs? , How did they reconcile their professed faith with their support of slavery and its oppressive legacy? , Are our attitudes and actions consistent with our faith? , How can we continue to seek truth and justice in the world we live in?, (caption) Left: This page from the Bruton Parish Register records the baptism of an enslaved infant "Judah belonging to Commisary Dawson" on August 2, 1747. The Rev. William Dawson was the official representative of the Bishop of London in Virginia and president of the College of William and Mary at the time. Nothing more was recorded about Judah or his family.

Free, freed, and enslaved African American people were an essential part of the colonial economy and contributed significantly to the success of the colony. Although we do not know their names, they provided much of the labor to construct the church and its additions during the colonial period. Some enslaved people were baptized, and an early parish register records more than 1,000 such baptisms between 1739 and 1797. Churches and their clergy often owned slaves, who worked to maintain the church and its land, serve the rector and support alms houses which provided care for the poor and infirm. The enslaved people who were allowed to attend church generally stood in the rear, though personal servants ay have sat with their owners. By 1852, a gallery was added to the Church's north side for free, freed, and enslaved African Americans, separating them from white parishioners. Decades of strict segregation followed emancipation, and Bruton remained segregated until the 1950s when Dr. James Blayton and his family joined Bruton at the invitation of the rector, Reverend Craighill.

Many churches, including Bruton Parish Church, supported the institutions of slavery and segregation. Justification for slavery was often taken from the Bible, or through the belief that Christianity was being provided to the enslaved people. Although we

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find these justifications abhorrent today; they were common and deeply held beliefs of many people at the time.

Please prayerfully consider:
Why did they hold these beliefs?
How did they reconcile their professed faith with their support of slavery and its oppressive legacy?
Are our attitudes and actions consistent with our faith?
How can we continue to seek truth and justice in the world we live in?

(caption) Left: This page from the Bruton Parish Register records the baptism of an enslaved infant "Judah belonging to Commisary Dawson" on August 2, 1747. The Rev. William Dawson was the official representative of the Bishop of London in Virginia and president of the College of William and Mary at the time. Nothing more was recorded about Judah or his family.

Erected 2025 by Bruton Parish Church.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 37° 16.289′ N, 76° 42.16′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is in Colonial Williamsburg. It can be reached from the intersection of West Duke of Gloucester Street and Palace Green Street, on the right

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when traveling west. The marker for is located on the north side of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

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: Custis Tenament (within shouting distance of this marker); George Wythe House and Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia Road Wagon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Taliaferro-Cole Shop (about 300 feet away); Hartwell Perry’s Tavern (about 300 feet away); Taliaferro-Cole House (about 400 feet away); Elkanah Deane (about 400 feet away); Shoemaker’s Shop (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Also see . . . Historical Bruton church seeks to tell whole story about the horrors of slavery. Episcopal News Service (4/29/25) (Submitted on October 29, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 22 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 27, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?