Page owned and copyrighted by Gene Williams
st. paul's blvd and city hall ave
norfolk, va 23510
757 627 4353
tours given tues- friday 10-4
The early history of St.Paul's Church, as we now call it, is practically the history of Norfolk. In 1637 the Elizabeth River Parish was established. At that time the Reverend John Wilson was resident & minister in the parish. According to the Court records, the first church, Ye Chappell of Ease," was completed in the fall of 1641. It was the Parish Church from that date until 1680 when Norfolk Town had it's founding. Seven Ministers served the Parish Church during that time.
In 1686 Governor Howard gave 100 acres of land adjoining Norfolk for a Glebe for Elizabeth River parish. The glebe land, together with the payment of tithes of tobacco and corn, supported the minister and the parish church. In the year 1734 an act was passed which authorized the sale of 86 unproductive acres of the Glebe & supported the purchase of land elsewhere in Norfolk County. In September of 1736, Norfolk Borough was established by Royal Charter. It was considered by King George II to be a healthful & pleasant place, commodious to trade and navigation. By 1738 the old church had become inadequate for the needs of the thriving borough of Norfolk. The present building was completed in 1739, the date appears on it's southern gable. Tradition informs us that Colonel Samuel Boush, the first mayor of Norfolk, gave the bricks for the erection of the present church. Tradition also holds that he implanted the initials of his father's name upon the southern gable as a memorial. Whether it was initialed for father or son, the history of the Elizabeth River Parish from 1700 to the American Revolution shows no name more worthy of being perpetuated than that of Samuel Boush.
IN 1741 With England and Spain at war, the loyal colony and her principal seaport, Norfolk, sympathized with the mother country. The colonists were in the midst of exciting times. A resolution was passed by the Board of Alderman, "that for the future the inhabitants of this Borough shall, to prevent any invasion or insurrection, be armed at church on Sunday's and other days of worship at divine services, under penalty of 5 shillings. 1759 the church yard wall was begun.
1761 the parish was divided by act of assembly and the Portsmouth & the St. Bride's Parishes were created. We have now come to the American Revolution, a most interesting period in the history of the old church. it was on new year's day, 1776 that Norfolk was bombarded by the frigate, Liverpool, and other vessels of Lord Dunmore's fleet. The woman & children of the borough who were unable to get away gathered under the shadow of the walls of the old church to protect themselves from the enemy's shots. On that dismal night the church was the only significant structure which survived the shelling of Norfolk. (In 1840 a cannon ball, believed to be the one which had earlier lodged in the wall of the church, was discovered several feet underground beneath the depression in the wall. the ball was placed in the hole & marked appropriately & remains today to the delight of the parishioner and visitor alike.
The church established by law in Colonial Virginia, was disestablished by the revolution and it's glebe lands were confiscated by the Commonwealth of Virginia. For 9 long years the old walls stood in silent desolation. After the meeting of the first convention in oct 1785 an act of assembly was passed authorizing a lottery to raise a sum of money not to exceed 17,00 for rebuilding a church in the parish of the Elizabeth river. After this a trying period in the life of the old parish contributed largely to increase in other denominations in the borough notably the Presbyterians. In 1789-91 the Reverend James Whitehead appeared at several conventions as minister of Elizabeth River Parish, Norfolk, after this the old church was not represented until the convetion in 1832. It was during the ministry of Mr. whitehead that a most unfortunate controversy occurred in the congregation of the Old Church concerning rival claims of himself & Reverend William Bland for the possession of the church. The same pulpit served both ministers, one in the morning &one in the afternoon. Although Mr. Whitehead had the recognition of the Diocesan Convention in 1790, he was unable to get complete control of the old church. Sometime prior to 1798 he & his supporters left the mother church of the Elizabeth river parish in the undisputed possession of Mr. bland, his supporters & friends. Mr. Whitehead & congregation worshipped in the courthouse on main street. There were 9 ministers who served the church in the 18th century. 1800 the papers announced a subscription for the purpose of building a new Episcopal church on the east side of Church St. this split the congregation of the old church. They lost many families to the Presbyterians who at that time build their own church in the borough, & so crippled the Old Church that after parson blands death in 1803 the congregation scattered like a flock that had lost shepherd.
For a while the old church was occupied by Baptists. In 1816 the Baptists built their on church on Cumberland St. the old church was then occupied by black congregation. The first church (Christ) burned in 1827. The congregation moved to the old parish church & remained their until their new building was completed. subsequently the old church was used for the Christ church Sunday school until 1831. On April 24th 1832, a meeting of Episcopalians of Norfolk convened at the old church for the purpose of electing avestry repairing the building and organizing a new congregation . As it was necessary to ask readmission into the diocese under some distinctive name, the vestry agreed that it be called St. Paul's church. On May 7th 1832 it solemnly conscretated by bishop more. Once more the old church took it's place in the life of the town it had do so much to nurture. In 1834 the first tower of old St. Paul's was erected at the foot of the cross. 4 gold crosses, one on each spire, caused a great deal of controversy. the vestry for want of unobjectionable substitute, ordered that four gold balls be placed in their stead. The present tower was built in 1901. From 1845-1849 under the ministry of the Reverend David Caldwell, St. Paul's regained much of it's strenght & dignity. The Reverend William Jackson who was minister from 1849 to 1855. gave his life in the line of duty in the yellow-fever epidemic of 1855. He was followed by the Reverend Nicholas Okeson who served from 1856-1882. Dr Okeson name was a household word in Norfolk, at the outbreak of the civil was his communion listed had reached 280. Every pew except one at the west door was rented and balconies were crowded.
The presence of the federal army in 1863 inaugurated a new order of things. St. Paul's was found to be a suitable place for religious services for the benefit of officers and soldiers of the federal army.
On Nov 1, 1865 St. Paul's Church, being no longer need by the military authorities, was returned to the congregation. During this period Dr. Okeson of St. Paul's acted as rector of Christ Church & ministered to both congregations.
Due to federal occupation, St Paul's was sadly out of repair & over $4000 was spent before it was delcared fit to use. On Feb 14 1866 services were resumed & a good congreagion was present. Very soon all of the avail pews were rented and a feeling of interest & friendship for the old church marked the entire community. Dr Okeson took charge again & remained until his death in 1882.
It is pleasing to record that the federal government reimubrsed St Paul's Church $3,600 for the lossses incurred by the occupation of the edifice by the military authories. Under the rectorship of the Reverened Beverly D Tucker 1882-1906, St Paul's numbered nearly 400 communicants & ministered to as many as her time honored walls would contain.. The Reverend James M Owens succeeded the new consecrated Bishop Tucker form 1907-1912. During this rectorship the parish was built. The stone on the front wall indicates that it is St Paul's Church Memorial Hall. The church was renovated in 1912- 1913 as it now, is with the pews, pupit & general furnishing in the chaste & simple style of the best colonial churches. The Reverend Henry H. Covington dd was rector from 1913-1933. Under his leadership the pews became free. His was the last burial in the yard by special permssion of the city council. The Reverned Vincent C. Franks dd was rector from 1933-1937. During his ministry, the
Alter Guild published it's history of St. Paul's church. From the 1938-1957 the Reverend Moultrie Guerry served as Rector. St. Paul's flourished during the pre war year's and thereafter. He served St. Paul's and the whole of Norfolk with his spiritual love and care and was affectionately known by many citizens as "the Dean of Norfolk". The Reverend Walton W. Davis succeeded him in 1959 and served the present congregation until his retirement in 1981. During Davis's ministry St. Paul's became a vital part of Norfolk's Historical Tour.
Page owned and copyrighted by Gene Williams