Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Blandford Church and Cemetery

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 18, 2026

1. Blandford Church and Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Blanford Church opened in 1737 as the primary church of Bristol Parish, and its north wing was added in 1753. Largely abandoned by 1806, the sanctuary fell into ruin. In 1819 the town of Petersburg acquired the property and adjacent land for use as a public cemetery, enlarging an existing burial ground. Interred here are British Maj. Gen. William Phillips of the Revolutionary War, two governors of VA, and thousands of Confederate dead. A monument honors Capt. Richard McRae and the Petersburg volunteers who won renown during the War of 1812. The local Ladies Memorial Association restored the church as a Confederate memorial and commissioned 15 stained-glass windows from Tiffany Studios in NY.

Erected 2025 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number QA-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • 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 1737.

Location. 37° 13.572′ N, 77° 23.306′ W. Marker is

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in Petersburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of South Crater Road (U.S. 301) and Rochelle Lane, on the left when traveling south on South Crater Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 328 S Crater Rd, Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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: Battle of Petersburg (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Petersburg (here, next to this marker); People's Memorial Cemetery (about 400 feet away); War of 1812 Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Blandford Church

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(about 500 feet away); Cockade Monument (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Petersburg (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Blandford Church and Cemetery (has been replaced with this marker); Blandford Church (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Blandford Church and Cemetery ".

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 63 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on January 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

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