Cultural Arts

In 2010, America’s Oldest Anglican (Episcopal) Parish in continuous existence will commemorate its 400^th anniversary, complete with special events, activities, and services throughout the year. Established in 1610 when English colonists settled at Kecoughtan, the parish has survived four centuries of sometimes turbulent history in order to celebrate this fortunate milestone.

Other St. John’s Episcopal Church Points of Interest:

• The oldest grave located at the church is of Captain Willis Wilson who died in 170l.
• Near the gates at the southwest corner of the churchyard are markers describing the remnants of the original enclosure wall dating from about 1759.
• Next to the south wall of the church stands a memorial to Virginia Laydon, the first surviving child born in the New World to English parents (born 1609). Laydon’s parents were members of the parish.
• Inside the building one can see the Pocahontas window given in 1887, in part, by Native American students from Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, now Hampton University.  The school was the first in the country to accept Native American students.
• On the chapel wall to the right of the small altar is an aumbry in which consecrated bread and wine are reserved. The door panel consists of pieces of 13^th century stained glass from St. Helen’s Church, Willoughby, England. This is the parish in which Captain John Smith was baptized.
• The most cherished possession of the parish is the communion silver made in London in 1618 for the church community in Smith’s Hundred. When an Indian massacre destroyed that community, farther up the James River in 1622, Governor Yeardly took the chalice and patens to Jamestown. They were given to Elizabeth City Parish (St. John’s Episcopal Church) in 1627 and are still used on major feast days each year. It is the oldest communion silver in continuous use in the area of the United States colonized by the English.
• The parish retains its old vestry book dating to 1751, its large colonial Book of Common Prayer, a 1637 Book Prayer, and a 1599 “breeches” Bible. These, along with other artifacts and a photographic collection may be seen in the museum (located in the parish house building, built 1889, adjacent to the church).