This is the second installment on small historic churches in Northern Virginia. Our area gives residents and visitors alike the chance to find history around every corner. Most people can easily find the big attractions in both the history and tourist books but it is the little places that you don’t know about that can also be a fun stop on your exploration of the area.
This installment focuses on Pohick Church called by many historians as the “Mother Church of Northern Virginia.” When the Virginia General Assembly met in 1732 they established an area known as Truro Parish, and Pohick Church became the first Parish Church within the area. One of the first colonists to serve on the parish board was Augustine Washington the father of George Washington. As with other churches in the area the original church was small and as the area developed the church needed to be expanded on a grander scale.
In 1767 three famous Virginians, George Washington, George Mason and George William Fairfax supervised the construction of a new brick church on a hill which was the highest point in the area. The construction of the church was completed in 1774 just before the start of the Revolutionary War.
As with all of the churches at the end of the war the property which had been owned by the Church of England was turned over to the state. The congregation of the church changed after the war but the church survived and services continued.
As with so many historic churches in Northern Virginia the Civil War brought yet challenge and devastation to the property. The interior of the church was gutted with the pews being used for firewood and anything of value was stripped by soldiers. Fortunately the structure itself remained standing and in 1874 restoration of the interior began. The church now looks very similar to what it did when it was first built. The church houses a baptismal font that is believed to be from the twelfth century and is still used today.
The church is a beautiful place to visit and with four centuries of American History to its credit it you should put this on your must see list when as you explore Northern Virginia. The church is located at the corner of Colchester Road and Route 1 just east of Lorton, Virginia.
Information on other historic neighborhoods in Northern Virginia
©2007. All rights reserved. Cindy Jones
All original photos taken by Cindy Jones
Cindy, great info. I'm a history nut. I live here in the Ferry Farm area of Stafford County. This is the boyhood home of Geroge Washington. George's parents are burried in Fredericksburg across the street from the famous Carl's Ice Cream stand.
Fredericksburg has some nice old churches, too.
I'm looking forward to more your posts.
Pat-Don't get to crazy on me now!
Kenny-we have so much history in this area. It is amazing what you find around every corner. I'll have to check out some of the churches in Fredericksburg too!
Hi Cindy, Such a beautiful church and the history behind it is intriguing. I love the photos....how nice it would be to visit there some day,.
Jo
Hi Cindy: I used to live in Northern Virginia, and I enjoyed your post very much. I looked at some of your other posts, and enjoyed them so much I subscribed to your blog, and entered you as an Associate. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
I too am a History nut. My father's mother's family is from Westmoreland County and my mother's mother's family is from Spartanburg, South Carolina. The history of the families are so cool. I have truly enjoyed reading your post and I am looking forward to future ones. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Your neighbor in King George
Cindy, his was really interesting history... the area is beautiful... do you have a map of these maps and other historic places
Dear Cindy,
Please join us and post this blog on our board! TravelingRainers is a brand new group focused on travel.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Cindy-
Great post, as a history major in school I love all the history we have here in Virginia.