Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Grace Church - circa 1697

Photographed By Adam Margolis, December 26, 2014

1. Grace Church - circa 1697 Marker

Inscription.

Grace Church - circa 1697. . , "The pews and windows of the Church all broke and destroyed. The church was used as a magazine." York County Records, Claims for Loses of York County Citizens in the British Invasion, Claim No. 31, 1783., Grace Church, a religious centerpiece in Yorktown's history, has endured two wars, a devastating fire, and at times, the crumbling of "old age," while continuing to serve as a place of worship for over 300 years., Constructed about 1697 for the York Parish of the Anglican Church, the official Church of England, the church was an integral part of the colonial community. Citizens were required to regularly attend services or face criminal prosecution. Additionally, religious events such as weddings, funerals, confirmations and Sunday services provide people with social opportunities., In the aftermath of the American Revolution, Virginian's Anglican churches lost their government support. The churches struggled to survive while reorganization as the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia. The Yorktown congregation has additional challenges because the town's population had decreased over 60% as a result of the war., The resiliency of the congregation was tested again in 1814 when a fire destroyed the church's roof and interior. For the next 34 years worship services were held in various locations, including the courthouse and the Nelson House. In 1847, Bishop John Johns wrote, "The stone walls of the old Church...are still standing. It is proposed to use them, in part, to provide a suitable place for our services." By the fall of 1848, the church has been rebuilt, utilizing the original walls. It became known as Grace Church for the first time., Today, the congregation of Grace Church remains active in the Yorktown community, while the building continues to offer a link to Yorktown's colonial past., (captions) , (lower left) A photograph of the church taken around 1900. In 1927, restoration work added new features to the church, including a Georgian doorway, front steps, a belfry,and colonial windows. , (upper right) A 1947 archeological excavation revealed the marl "bricks" in the churches foundation. , (lower right) A rendition of the church in the 18th century by W. Wildman, 1996. Courtesy of Grace Episcopal Church

"The pews and windows of the Church all broke & destroyed. The church was used as a magazine." York County Records, Claims for Loses of York County Citizens in the British Invasion, Claim No. 31, 1783.

Grace Church, a religious centerpiece in Yorktown's history, has endured two wars, a devastating fire, and at times, the crumbling of "old age," while continuing to serve as a place of worship for over 300 years.

Constructed about 1697 for the York Parish of the Anglican Church, the official Church of England, the church was an integral part of the colonial community. Citizens were required to regularly attend services or face criminal prosecution. Additionally, religious events such as weddings, funerals, confirmations and Sunday services provide people with social opportunities.

In the aftermath of the American Revolution, Virginian's Anglican churches lost their government support. The churches struggled to survive while reorganization as the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia. The Yorktown congregation has additional challenges because the town's population had decreased over 60% as a result of the war.

The resiliency of the congregation was tested again in 1814 when a fire destroyed the church's roof and interior. For the next 34 years worship services were held in various

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locations, including the courthouse and the Nelson House. In 1847, Bishop John Johns wrote, "The stone walls of the old Church...are still standing. It is proposed to use them, in part, to provide a suitable place for our services." By the fall of 1848, the church has been rebuilt, utilizing the original walls. It became known as Grace Church for the first time.

Today, the congregation of Grace Church remains active in the Yorktown community, while the building continues to offer a link to Yorktown's colonial past.

(captions)
(lower left) A photograph of the church taken around 1900. In 1927, restoration work added new features to the church, including a Georgian doorway, front steps, a belfry,and colonial windows.
(upper right) A 1947 archeological excavation revealed the marl "bricks" in the churches foundation.
(lower right) A rendition of the church in the 18th century by W. Wildman, 1996. Courtesy of Grace Episcopal Church

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1783.

Location. 37° 14.147′ N, 76° 30.478′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. Marker is at the intersection of Church Street and Main Street, on the right when traveling

Photographed By Adam Margolis, December 26, 2014

2. Grace Church - circa 1697 Marker

north on Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 Church Street, Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Colonial Grace Church (a few steps from this marker); Somerwell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Medical Shop (Reconstructed) (within shouting distance of this marker); East Along Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); West Along Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); York County War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); York Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Swan Tavern (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Also see . . . Grace Historical Church Preservation Foundation. Grace Episcopal Church (Submitted on January 1, 2015.)

<i>Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown, Va., Erected A.D. 1700.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1916

3. Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown, Va., Erected A.D. 1700.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2014, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 467 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 27, 2014, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on January 1, 2015. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.