A Friendly and Memorable Church in Williamsburg, Virginia
JAMESTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WHO WE ARE
Our Mission
to welcome all people, relate them to God through worship, study and fellowship and send them back into the world, strengthened and renewed as Disciples of Jesus Christ to love neighbor, as well as self, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our Staff:
Rev. Donald P. Troast
Nancy Lanier, Music Director
Elaine Hynes, Administrative Assistant
Howard Whitaker, Sexton
PCUSA
About the Presbyterian Church
In 1683, the Rev. Francis Makemie arrived in New York, making his way south to Hampton Roads and finally settled on the Eastern Shore by 1685. He founded the first American Presbytery at Philadelphia with that presbytery reporting in 1710 that, "In all Virginia there is but one small congregation at Elizabeth River and some few families favoring our way in Rappahannock and York."
For more than 300 years, Presbyterians have formed a closely-knit ministry in Southeastern Virginia that includes the southern Eastern Shore, with a region stretching from Gloucester and Williamsburg south to the North Carolina border, and from Virginia Beach in the east to Franklin in the western edge.
About The Presbyterian Church
From 1678, there were at least five Presbyterian ministers assigned to Church of England parishes in Virginia. In 1683, the Rev. Francis Makemie arrived in New York, making his way south to Hampton Roads and finally settled on the Eastern Shore by 1685. He founded the first American Presbytery at Philadelphia with that presbytery reporting in 1710 that, "In all Virginia there is but one small congregation at Elizabeth River and some few families favoring our way in Rappahannock and York." He founded, among others, Makemie Presbyterian Church in Accomack, which existed between 1708 and 1710. It revived in 1837 and continues in ministry today. Naomi and Francis Makemie made their home just outside of Temperanceville, VA. Her father's home was licensed in 1699 as a place for meetings, and is one of the earliest court records of a place of Presbyterian worship in America.
During the 18th century, the Rev. Samuel Davies garnered permission from the Governor to preach and care for several frontier congregations and founded the Presbytery of Hanover.
The Civil War not only divided the country, but the Presbyterian Church as well. The so-called "northern stream" was initiated by Mrs. Samantha J. Neil, who taught classes for African-Americans of all ages, who were thirsting for knowledge. The resulting network of related churches became the Presbytery of Southern Virginia, part of the Catawba Synod. The PEVA congregations of First United, Messiah, Carver Memorial and Community Portsmouth churches spring from this Synod.
The "southern" steam witnessed sixteen new churches established within thirty years. As Hanover Presbytery was becoming very large, a new Presbytery of East Hanover emerged, which was renamed Norfolk Presbytery in 1893.
Fifteen new churches were founded in the fourteen years after WWI. Then after another pause, WWII precipitated eleven churches between 1940 and 1949 as populations shifted significantly from rural to urban centers.
After the reunion of the "northern and southern streams" in 1983, a Steering Committee was tasked with adjusting boundaries and how these entities would be combined. On July 21, 1989, the organizational meeting of the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia was held at First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk.
For more than 300 years, Presbyterians have formed a closely-knit ministry in Southeastern Virginia that includes the southern Eastern Shore, with a region stretching from Gloucester and Williamsburg south to the North Carolina border, and from Virginia Beach in the east to Franklin in the western edge.
In 1683, the Rev. Francis Makemie arrived in New York, making his way south to Hampton Roads and finally settled on the Eastern Shore by 1685. He founded the first American Presbytery at Philadelphia with that presbytery reporting in 1710 that, "In all Virginia there is but one small congregation at Elizabeth River and some few families favoring our way in Rappahannock and York."
For more than 300 years, Presbyterians have formed a closely-knit ministry in Southeastern Virginia.
SINCE 1895
History At A Glance
The Original Church
In 1894, Mr. E. J. Campbell traded a Clydesdale horse for 100 acres of land, donating two acres in 1895 for a church. Sunday school classes began in an old store, and the church was built by the community in 1895-96. It had a low ceiling, a stove for heat, and a reed organ.
The Rich History of Jamestown Presbyterian Church
In 1894 Mr. E. J. Campbell from Pennsylvania traded a Clydesdale horse for 100 acres of land here in our community and generously donated two acres in May of 1895 for the purpose of establishing a church. Sunday school classes were started in an old store across the street and during the winter of 1895-96 the original part of the church was constructed. The men furnished the timber and labor. Many money-raising projects were undertaken to aid the building fund. The minister, a Methodist, came from Surry each week. In May, 1896, "Powhatan Temple" was dedicated. The original structure had a low ceiling with a stove pipe extending up through the center of the roof leading from a cast iron stove which furnished heat. That spring a reed organ was purchased and the first wedding ceremony was performed.
The church was used as a school house in 1896-97. By 1901 attendance began to decline and the minister stopped coming. In 1905 several new families moved into the community and there was new interest in a place of worship. The church was renamed Five Forks Church. Baptist and Methodist ministers serving churches in Williamsburg came to conduct services twice a month.
In the late teens, Dr. W. W. Powell, who was serving Williamsburg Presbyterian Church became interested in the church at Five Forks and agreed to conduct services every other Sunday afternoon. Norfolk Presbyterian approved and officially organized Five Forks Presbyterian Church in 1920. A decade later the name of "Jamestown Presbyterian Church" was adopted.
Interest and attendance continued to grow and by 1926 additional space was needed. The ceiling was raised and two classrooms were added at both the front and back. The basement was dug in 1933. The men of the church engaged in the task of raising the whole structure and digging a full basement. A serious seepage problem caused this project to be referred to as "Emurian's Pool", after The Rev. S. K. Emurian who came as the supply Minister in 1933.
The first manse was built on Ironbound Road in 1949, by the sharing of the congregation, in contributing land, lumber, furnishings and many hours of labor. In 1950 a well was dug at the church. (Imagine no running water until 1950). In 1952 the church got its first full time minister. For over 30 years the minister was shared with other churches, some as far away as Gloucester. A new education building was constructed and dedicated in October 1959. A new and larger manse was built on Ferncliff Drive in 1963. The church has been self-supporting since 1957 and has helped support several missionaries since 1961.
The first woman to be elected to the Diaconate was Mrs. Virginia Bowen in 1964. The first woman to be elected to the Session as a Ruling Elder was Mrs. Mary Andrews in 1967.
In 1988 a special planning committee was formed to examine the church as it was and the direction it should take. Should it stay a cozy little church or expand to embrace its ever growing community? In 1990 a building committee was formed. The first financial campaign of the building fund was kicked off in January of 1991. Many fund raising projects were undertaken to aid the building fund. The Women of the Church sponsored bazaars and yard sales. Many months of research and work went into efforts to obtain a clear title to the property.
The ground breaking ceremony for the new facilities was held on May 22, 1994. In August of 1994 the manse was sold and the proceeds from the sale went into the building fund. Renovation work on the education building was started in October and the congregation moved into the new 300 seat sanctuary in June of 1995.
The large cross in the sanctuary was made from a tree that was cut down to make room for our new facilities. A tree given new purpose, and an ever present symbol of our roots. Buried under a pillar of our new sign is a time capsule, put there to commemorate our 100th anniversary as a place of worship. To be opened in 2020, it's an ever present symbol of our future.
The highest point in Five Forks is the steeple of the new Jamestown Presbyterian Church. We have a modern new building connected to a completely renovated education wing, but the original old frame church building is still being used. Its basement was filled in, it was moved and updated with siding, and still serves as our fellowship hall and as our reminder of the rich history of Jamestown Presbyterian Church.
The members of this congregation have been dedicated, determined and faithful throughout the past one hundred and twenty-four years in carrying out God's work and we hope to continue in that strong tradition in the future.
(This history was taken for the most part from the 1995 calendar prepared by the XYZers, the history prepared for the fiftieth anniversary celebration, and several church directories. Many thanks to those unknown authors.)
Memorial Garden
A Memorial Garden is a place for reflection and thanksgiving for loved ones and the promise of eternal life. Christians historically buried near family gathering places, but now memorial gardens are developed due to limited space and the popularity of cremation.
Jamestown Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden
Maureen Brown, Delcie Hodge Roach and Marylin Rossland gave the initial contribution towards establishing a Memorial Garden in the existing cemetery at Jamestown Presbyterian Church which had been closed in the 1970’s.
The large cross on the center pedestal in the Memorial Garden was donated by Jean Durham.
A Memorial Garden is more than a final resting place for loved ones; it is also a place for quiet reflection and thanksgiving for the promise of eternal life. From earliest times Christians have been buried within the church itself or in a churchyard cemetery where it is near the gathering place of their families. Today, with limited space available and the common acceptance of cremation, this has led to the development of church memorial gardens.
The Jamestown Presbyterian Memorial Garden is an inspirational area, a living garden with no visible evidence of the placement of cremains, set within and connected to the existing cemetery. With a beautiful cross as a tangible symbol of communion and benches provided for prayer and meditation, it allows the church body and friends to refresh their remembrances in a living memorial of natural beauty as part of regular worship.
A bronze plaque placed on a pedestal to the right of the living garden will state who is interred within. A separate brass plaque will be placed in the Church alcove stating those who have contributed to the Memorial Garden as memorials or donations and the names of those interred. The plot plan shows a grid of the garden, including both individual plots and scatter areas. Members and former members of the congregation and their immediate relatives will be eligible to have their ashes interred in the garden. When exceptions are desired, these are to be presented to Session by the Cemetery Committee for approval. Ashes placed in the Memorial Garden are considered final. No containers, individual markers, plaques, or cut flowers real or artificial are permitted. The maintenance of the garden is provided by volunteers and through contributions for perpetual care and shall not draw from the church’s operating budget. All monies so designated shall be used exclusively for the operation and improvement of the Memorial Garden.
Families who choose to use the garden for burial will attend a short prayer service during which the ashes are either poured directly into a prepared hole in the ground or scattered within a scatter area, becoming part of the garden’s soil and helping sustain its life. Arrangements for this interment are made with the Pastor or Church office. After this service a small brass plaque with the interred person’s name, birth and death year will be added to the bronze plaque in the Memorial Garden.
The cost of interment will be determined by whomever is making the arrangements for burial. The bronze plaque with name, date of birth and date of death will be filled in on a church form for our records and to be given to the engraver. The cost of bronzing is not a set price because of the fluctuating cost of copper, therefore the price requires a quote from the engraver. The cost of the paver & brass plaque also must be quoted. The paver will be placed in the Memorial Garden and the engraved brass plaque installed by the church on the Memorial Board in the church alcove. You will be notified when all of your requests have been completed.
The Cemetery Committee or person designated by Session will order the nameplate as requested on the provided Interment Form. Duplicate records of the deceased as well as major donors will also be presented on the brass plaque displayed in the church alcove and records of the deceased and burial placement kept in a log in the Church office. Any request for an addition or change in the physical design of the Jamestown Presbyterian Memorial Garden requires the approval of both the Cemetery Committee and Session.
Cemetery
The original old frame church building now serves as the fellowship hall. There is a small graveyard located adjacent to the original church building, and some of the early members now rest from their labors there in the peaceful shade of several old trees.
Jamestown Presbyterian Church Cemetery
THE FOLLOWING IS ABSTRACTED FROM "JAMES CITY COUNTY, VIRGINIA CHURCH GRAVEYARDS", COPYRIGHT 2013*
On August 1, 1895, Mr. E. J. Campbell donated two acres of land to establish a church. The deed stipulated that the trustees, A. S. Cowles, Jacob Vaiden and Cornelius Nightengale, and the congregation were to continue to raise money to build a house to be used for Divine worship at Five Forks in James City County. If this could not be accomplished, the land would revert back to Campbell (JCC DB 6: 29). The preceding year, he had come down from Pennsylvania and traded a Clydesdale horse for one hundred acres of land, and it was part of this land that he donated. Sunday School classes were begun in an old store building across the road, and in the winter of 1895-96, the original part of the church was built. In May 1896, "Powhatan Temple" was dedicated and a Methodist minister from Surry came over each week to hold services. The church was also used as a school house in 1896-97.
By 1901, attendance began to decline and services were suspended. However, in 1905, several new families moved into the area, and a new interest in the church arose. The church was renamed Five Forks Church, and Baptist and Methodist ministers from Williamsburg conducted services there twice a month. In the late teens, Dr. W. W. Powell, minister at the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church began to hold services there every other Sunday afternoon. The Five Forks Presbyterian Church was officially organized in 1920. About ten years later, the name was changed to "Jamestown Presbyterian Church."
The congregation grew and more space was needed. There were several additions including classrooms and later, a new education building and a manse. Ultimately, a new three hundred seat sanctuary was built and dedicated in 1995. The original old frame church building now serves as the fellowship hall. There is a small graveyard located adjacent to the original church building, and some of the early members now rest from their labors there in the peaceful shade of several old trees.
The list of tombstones begins in the back left corner. There are three rows of graves that come toward the parking lot with the Robinson family plot in front of these three rows.
First Row:
Our Father Our Mother
Walter David Buckner Etta Buckner Mary K. Alley
Jul. 11, 1880 Dec. 25, 1880 Oct. 15, 1906
Nov. 26, 1952 Feb. 25, 1920 Aug. 6, 1985
Double Marker
RIISGAARD
Soren A. Riisgaard Emilie K. Riisgaard Axel M. Riisgaard
July 20, 1877 Nov. 25, 1876 Mar. 6, 1914
May 3, 1947 Feb. 9, 1961 May 18, 1934
Soren and Emilie Riisgaard immigrated from Denmark in 1909 with two children, Mary K. Riisgaard (Alley) [grave marker above] and Fritz E. Riisgaard. They had two more children born in the U.S., Axel E. and Anna. Axel was killed in an automobile accident in Pennsylvania.
Charles V. Mahone Elsie Eubank Mahone Double Marker
1882-1956 1901-1950 Luretta R. Mahone James H. Mahone
At Rest At Rest 1861-1939 1856-1941
Double Marker
Pearl S. Mahone Guy E. Mahone
1896-1948 1896-1966
Second Row:
Double Marker
Edgar M. Morecock Mary A. Morecock Harvey C. Babcock
Sept. 21, 1879 Oct. 19, 1885 Aug. 22, 1883
Aug. 11, 1940 Aug. 11, 1940 Dec. 3, 1943
Father Mother Asleep
Mr. and Mrs. Morecock were killed in an automobile accident at the intersection of Ironbound and Route 5, when a Greyhound bus struck their car as they were leaving the church.
Sarah Frances Nightengale Babcock Helen Elizabeth Seal
"Aunt Fannie" Sept. 20, 1977
Jan. 12, 1883 Sept. 22, 1977
Jul. 22, 1976
Double Marker John A. Babcock
James C. Babcock Sarah P. Babcock Feb. 4, 1910
1887-1960 1891-1967 Apr. 9, 1988
Double Marker Double Marker
Carol Lee Hodge Raymond Dean Hodge Claude Dallas Onley Lucy Wilson Onley
1946- U.S. Air Force 1889-1965 1890-1956
1943-1987
Third Row:
Marker made from a Double Marker
marble table top Cornelius E. Nightengale Mary A. Nightengale
Joan Nightengale Jan. 21, 1855 Aug. 28, 1857
& Ann Nightengale Oct. 20, 1928 Sept. 2, 1927
Died FS: Father FS: Mother
Mary A. Nightengale was the daughter of James S. Morris and Frances J. Harrell.
Sadie Laranda Babcock Goodman small stone base adjacent, no writing, may be
B. 1880-D. March 1910 Sadie's first husband, Anson Babcock, or
second husband, ___________ Goodman.
Our Brother Our Mother
William K. Bulifant Mary E. Bulifant Nellie V. Bulifant Ella B. Bulifant
Nov. 10, 1876 Mar. 25, 1856 Aug. 2, 1894 Nov. 18, 1881
Aug. 21, 1942 Mar. 28, 1944 May 25, 1953 May 12, 1963
At Rest At Rest
Additional information on the Nightengale and Bulifant families may be found in Volume I.
Robinson Family Plot:
Double Marker
Thomas Robinson, Sr. George A. Robinson
May 22, 1892 Nov. 6, 1874
Mar. 20, 1914 Nov. 1916
Double Marker
Thomas K. Robinson Thomas Robinson Annie W. Robinson
Infant 1870-1943 1874-1964
Died 1911 Thomas Robinson's wife was Annie B. Waltrip,
daughter of R. L. and Sarah Waltrip.
Thomas Robinson, Sr. was born in Sleaford, England and immigrated to New Jersey where he became a seafaring man. After retiring, he moved to James City County to live with two of his sons, Thomas, Jr. and George. His wife, Sarah, predeceased him in New Jersey, and he was survived by six additional children.
Tradition at the church is that an old lady and her daughter are buried in unmarked graves immediately to the right of the Riisgaard graves. Their names are not known.
* James City County, Virginia Church Graveyards was Compiled by Frederick W. Boelt, Barbara Kaufmann & Merle Kimball; Copyright 2013; The Hugh S. Watson, Jr. Genealogical Society of Virginia; Printed by: John Henry Printing, Inc, Yorktown, VA 23692.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Local Missions
Williamsburg House of Mercy provides quality compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith.
Williamsburg House Of Mercy
Williamsburg House of Mercy provides quality compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. They provide a safe and welcoming environment for area homeless to find respite, receive services, and work toward ending their homelessness, and emergency assistance and supportive services to those struggling to maintain housing and regain stability. They serve the Tidewater region. You're invited bring feminine hygiene items, diapers, baby wipes and toiletry items and we'll drop them off to support the needy.
FISH
FISH, Inc. of Williamsburg, Virginia, is an all-volunteer not-for-profit agency providing help to residents of the greater Williamsburg area.
FISH
FISH, Inc. of Williamsburg, Virginia, is an all-volunteer not-for-profit agency providing help to residents of the greater Williamsburg area. FISH depends entirely upon a caring community for food, clothing, volunteers and financial donations, in order to serve our neighbors in need. While FISH was founded by local religious organizations, FISH does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender or national origin.
The first Sunday of each month has been designated FISH Sunday for JPC. You're invited to bring food items to the church and we'll drop them off to support the needy.
American Red Cross
Blood Drive
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering due to emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. JPC sponsors a blood drive twice a year.
From His Hands
From His Hands is a Christian Ministry made up of churches and other caring groups in our community that serves meals to those in need in the Williamsburg - James City County area.
Grove Christian Outreach Center
Grove Christian Outreach Center serves the poor and disadvantaged in the Grove area of James City County by addressing their physical and spiritual needs.
Grove Christian Outreach Center
The mission of Grove Christian Outreach Center is to maintain an outreach center in the Grove area of James City County in order to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the poor and disadvantaged in the community.
Boy Scout Troop 102
BSA Troop 102 is an active Scout troop that meets on Mondays from 7:00-8:15 p.m. They go on campouts once a month and also fun day trips and events. Every year they attend summer camp where they can swim, earn merit badges and fun!
Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands
Since 1919 the Presbyterian Children’s Home of the Highlands has provided love, sanctuary, guidance and support to children that have been removed from their homes and families.
Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center
A place for all people to experience God. Providing year-round programing, camping and conference opportunities.
Williamsburg Area Faith In Action
Provides free volunteer services with a personal touch to more than 300 seniors in our community.
SERVING THE WORLD
Worldwide Missions
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Focuses on the long-term recovery of disaster impacted communities.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Focuses on the long-term recovery of disaster impacted communities.
- Provides training and disaster preparedness for presbyteries and synods.
- Works collaboratively with church partners and members of the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) internationally, and nationally with other faith-based responders.
- Connects partners locally and internationally with key organizations active in the response — United Nations, NVOAD (National Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster), World Food Program, Red Cross, FEMA and others.
PCUSA One Great Hour of Sharing
The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need.
PCUSA One Great Hour of Sharing
The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.
PCUSA Joy Gift Offering
Provides assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
PW Birthday Offering
The Birthday Offering is one of Presbyterian Women’s two offerings. Received in the spring each year, it gives women a tangible way to celebrate the blessings in their lives. The Birthday Offering funds up to five projects each year, in amounts of $75,000 to $150,000 each.
PW Thank Offering
The Thank Offering is one of Presbyterian Women’s two offerings. Received in the fall each year, it gives women a tangible way to express their gratitude for the special blessings in their lives. Thank Offering grants range from $5,000 to $50,000. At least 40 percent of the offering funds health ministries.
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan's Purse stands ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. They specialize in international disaster relief, meeting critical needs for victims of conflict, disaster, famine, and epidemics throughout the world, often working through ministry partners on the ground. They provide food, water, shelter, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ.