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

First Suffolk Church

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

1. First Suffolk Church Marker

Inscription. Here stood the Colonial Suffolk Church, a large, cross-shaped, brick building, erected in 1753 as the second parish church of Upper Parish, Nansemond County, and the first house of worship in the town of Suffolk. It survived the burning of Suffolk by the British in 1779 but fell to ruin and was torn down by 1802.

Erected 1959 by Virginia State Library. (Marker Number QB-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1753.

Location. 36° 44.19′ N, 76° 35.042′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Western Avenue and Church Street, on the right when traveling west on Western Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Suffolk VA 23434, 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: The Site of the First Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Riddick's Folly (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lafayette’s Tour (about 600 feet away); Korea and Vietnam Wars Memorial (approx. 0.2

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miles away); Early History of Suffolk (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nansemond River Crossing (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War I Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Riddick’s Folly (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Western Ave & Church St image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

2. Western Ave & Church St

Western Ave (facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

3. Western Ave (facing west)

Church site opposite marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014

4. Church site opposite marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,230 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.