Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 09/18/1973
NRHP Listing Date 05/10/1970
NHL Listing Date 04/15/1970
NRHP Reference Number 70000861
Bruton Parish Church, the official house of worship of Virginia’s former capital in Williamsburg, remains one of the state’s most ambitious representatives of colonial ecclesiastical architecture. It was constructed in 1711-15 to replace an earlier structure that stood nearby. The Assembly voted to contribute part of the cost because its members worshiped there while in session. The design is credited to Governor Alexander Spotswood, who called for a cruciform-plan building, the colony’s first. The builder was James Morris. The chancel was extended in 1752, and the tower, with its two-tiered steeple, was added in 1769 by Benjamin Powell. The removal of the capital to Richmond ended Bruton Parish’s role as Virginia’s leading church and ushered in a long stagnant period. The interior was rearranged in the 19th century but was restored in 1905. A more complete restoration was undertaken in 1939 under the guidance of Colonial Williamsburg architects.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: May 17, 2021
