Near Hopewell in Prince George County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Merchant's Hope Church

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 29, 2010

1. Merchant's Hope Church Marker

Inscription. This well-known colonial church's architectural form and detail is typical of early and mid-18th-century Virginia churches. Located half a mile south, the building has Flemish-bond brickwork, modillion cornice, and a gracefully splayed gable roof. Although most of its original interior features were lost during the Civil War, the gallery, stone aisle pavers, and roof framing survived and were repaired by 1870. Historic restoration began in the 1960s and was completed in the 1970s. The original wood trusses were reinforced in 2004. The property was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1968 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-209.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 37° 16.173′ N, 77° 11.78′ W. Marker is near Hopewell, Virginia, in Prince George County. Marker is at the intersection of James River Drive (Virginia Route 10) and Merchants Hope Road (Virginia Route 641), on the right when

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traveling east on James River Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hopewell VA 23860, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Cattle Raid (approx. 2½ miles away); Evergreen (approx. 2.6 miles away); Richard Bland (approx. 2.9 miles away); Powell's Creek (approx. 2.9 miles away); Flowerdew Hundred (approx. 3 miles away); Capt. John Woodliffe (approx. 3.2 miles away); Benjamin Harrison (approx. 3.3 miles away); Origin of Taps (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hopewell.

Also see . . . Merchant's Hope Church. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on November 11, 2021.)

Additional commentary.
1. Oldest Episcopalian church
Prince George is home to the oldest Episcopalian church still standing and still being used as a house of worship in America. Merchants Hope Church was completed in 1657 and was named after the Merchants Hope Plantation which was located west of Martin's Brandon. Even though the church has undergone renovation and restoration, it is virtually the same structure today as it was when it was built 50 years after Jamestown was settled. Merchant’s Hope Church is a state and national landmark.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 29, 2010

2. James River Dr & Merchants Hope Rd (facing east)
— Submitted June 15, 2010, by Tim McCann of Chesapeake, Virginia.

Merchant's Hope Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 29, 2010

3. Merchant's Hope Church

Merchant's Hope Church (interior) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 12, 2011

4. Merchant's Hope Church (interior)

Merchant's Hope Church Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 29, 2010

5. Merchant's Hope Church Plaque

Original ironwork on door image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 12, 2011

6. Original ironwork on door

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,465 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on April 29, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 6. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.