Historic Church in Virginia Beach, VA, 1754 Image

This vintage photograph, attributed to Frances Benjamin Johnston, captures a historic church in Virginia Beach, Princess Anne County, dating back to 1754. This building represents the third chapel constructed on the site, a significant location just a few miles from Cape Henry, where the first colonists landed and erected a cross on April 29, 1607. The churchs architecture reflects the colonial style and holds historical importance in the region.

The image showcases architectural elements typical of the era, including a prominent bell tower and decorative gables. Notably, the old communion silver used in the church is still in service today, underlining the continuity of tradition within this historic structure.

Published in Henry Irving Brocks Colonial Churches in Virginia in 1930, this photograph is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, a project aimed at documenting the architectural heritage of the American South. This image serves as a valuable resource for understanding early American religious architecture and its enduring legacy.