Preface
By Rt. Rev. A. M. Randolph, D. D., LL.D., Bishop of Southern Virginia
This book is designed to convey information and
to awaken the patriotic sympathies of our
countrymen in the associations connected
with Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg. Its
author has accomplished the work as a labor
of love, amid his arduous duties as Rector of
the old Church, and Pastor of its Congregation.
The historical significance of the Church is unique among the Colonial Churches of Virginia and America. The names upon its pews, which appear in the restoration, will be at once recognized as those of men whom history has designated as the Fathers of the Republic of the United States of America. The great political thinkers who contributed the largest share towards the conception of the principles of our government and the embodiments of those principles in the formation of the State and the National governments were, with their families, worshippers in this building and contributors to its erection and the maintenance of the ordinances of religious worship. The old Church, since its early days, has undergone, or rather suffered, many alterations in its interior forms. The restoration has swept away these blots upon its ancient beauty and dignity and has revealed the grace and symmetry and the religious aspiration in the mind of the architects who projected its original plans. The work has been done under the supervision of a son of Virginia, who has earned exceptional distinction as an architect in the city of New York. He has contributed time and means and skill in the spirit of enthusiasm for his
