A Brief History of
Johns Memorial Episcopal Church

1754

On January 1, Prince Edward County is established by dividing Amelia County. “The name of the new county honored a young prince, Edward Augustus, Duke of York and Albany, second son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, deceased son of the reigning sovereign, His Majesty George II” (Bradshaw, 21).

1755

The parish of Saint Patrick is established in Prince Edward County by an Act of Assembly on September 1 (Meade, 24) (Bradshaw, 60). “An election of twelve vestrymen by the freeholders of the parish was directed to be held...the vestrymen were directed to take in Prince Edward Court the oath appointed to be taken in the first year of George I” (Bradshaw, 60). Members of the Vestry performed both civil and religious administrative duties during this time period.

1789

Delegates and clergy gather in Philadelphia to officially adopt a constitution establishing The Episcopal Church as "a constituent of the Anglican Communion...in communion with the See of Canterbury...and upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer" (From the Constitution of the Episcopal Church).

1860’s -1870’s

English immigrants begin to settle in Prince Edward County following the Civil War and hold occasional services in the Courthouse (Bradshaw, 455).

1878

The “Ladies Aid Society” (the beginnings of today’s Episcopal Church Women) organizes in the Farmville area. Several months following, the Society raises approximately $400 to purchase a lot for the church (Church Vestry Minutes).

1879

On May 19, the Episcopalians of Farmville meet in the home of L.M. Blanton and organize a church with the Rev. W.E. Webb, Rector, presiding (Bradshaw, 456). The new name for the church is to be Johns Memorial -- serving as a living memorial to the late Bishop John Johns, Fourth Bishop of Virginia.

1880

The church purchases the lot in the triangle formed by High, Buffalo, and St. George Streets (Bradshaw, 456).

1881

The Building Committee of the Vestry on February 24 selects F.H. Twelvetress to build a church for $3,311.00. This is the existing structure of the sanctuary.

1882

Johns Memorial Episcopal Church is officially consecrated in August.

1883

The church purchases a rectory at the northwest corner of High and St. George Streets.

1892

The Diocese of Southern Virginia (our diocese) is formed by splitting the mother diocese of Virginia. The Right Reverend Alfred M. Randolph (former Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia) is selected to be the first diocesan bishop (Raper and Jones).

1912

The church is expanded to meet the growing demands of the congregation. The choir and sanctuary containing the altar is added. The undercroft is constructed to house vestments, altar guild supplies, and for additional storage.

More Recently

Today, Johns Memorial continues to fulfill its mission of "celebrating Christ and growing." The Children's Choir is established and celebrates its first full year. The Vestry approves ambitious plans to add new lighting to the sanctuary as well as fixing plaster and painting all the old interiors.

Works Cited

Bradshaw, Herbert Clarence. History of Farmville, Virginia 1798-1948. The Farmville Herald, Farmville: 1994.

Bradshaw, Herbert Clarence. History of Prince Edward County, Virginia. The Dietz Press, Richmond: 2003.

Meade, William. Old Churches, Ministers, and Families of Virginia. J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia: 1889.

Raper, Derris L. and Jones, Constance M. A Goodly Heritage: The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia 1892-1992. Pictorial Heritage, Norfolk: 1992.