St. John’s Church – 26 September 2026

The trip to visit another historical site in Richmond, Virginia on the way to the airport is the crowning jewel for me – the Historic St. John’s Church.

First, a quick drive through the Hollywood Cemetery opened in 1847 on a hill and modeled after one in Boston. It is impressive as it sits overlooking the James River and of course, several famous people buried here along with many confederate soldiers.

You can do a self-guided driving tour. It’s funny to me that because this cemetery is so beautiful, there are people walking, running, and even picnicking within the cemetery!

I was able to visit two of the famous grave sites. Jefferson Davis – President of the Confederacy and James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.

I was able to find the James Monroe gravesite but missed the John Tyler apparently I was close by. Yep, two presidents buried here.

A beautiful view of the city of Richmond from the cemetery road following along the James River.

After leaving the cemetery, a short drive to the Historic St. John’s Church.

A great way to conclude the week on my Virginia History tour by traveling back in time to a church built in Richmond Virginia in 1741, the first church in Richmond. So many famous people were here, too for the second Virginia Convention – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, and so on.

This historical moment was when the Virginia legislature was forbidden to meet in Williamsburg and moved their meeting to this church in Richmond in 1775. Here they voted to establish a Militia knowing the war with Britain was coming. Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech here to convince the legislature to vote for establishing the Militia knowing war was imminent. …….”Give me Liberty, or Give me Death!”

The tour guide did an awesome job of bringing to life this period of time in our country’s history. He also told the history of the church building and the various renovations. However, the original church structure is preserved throughout the renovations. Fantastic tour!

The tour guide also told us the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard. A graveyard is on church property and you must be a church member. A cemetery is a general location for burials. This location has over 3,000 people buried here, some considered in the graveyard and some in the cemetery! George Wythe was allowed to be buried here even though he was not a member of the church because he was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a law professor at William & Mary University and taught many of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence.