Bruton Parish Episcopal Church

 September 18, 2022 ~ by Amy

For more than three centuries, worshippers have gathered in this brick building on the shady, westerly end of the Duke of Gloucester Street.  Prior to the initial construction of this place of worship, was a smaller brick building built in the Gothic style and completed in 1683.  The congregation quickly outgrew this location, and by the early years of the eighteenth century, this present building was under construction.  It would, however, go through many changes through the years. 

In its early years Bruton was an activity hub for both locals and government officials.  As members of the Virginia House of Burgesses, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry attended the Bruton service when the legislature was in session.  Many other well-known people attended as well; royal governors, members of the council and local leaders.  Their names are inscribed on many of the elaborate, expansive tombstones that dot the walled lawn of the churchyard. 

The church underwent multiple changes through the years, both inside and out.  Among those was during the Civil War.  In May of 1862, following the battle of Williamsburg, Bruton church was used as a hospital for Confederate soldiers.  Due to that situation and many more, Bruton fell into a state of total disrepair for many years.  Some efforts were made at reconstruction, but the main restoration took place in 1938 and 1939, when team Goodwin and Rockefeller took on the task, along with the rest of Colonial Williamsburg.

I intentionally planned this trip so that we could worship at Bruton on Sunday morning.  I have fond memories of attending the morning service with my parents and daughter Alyssa, as well as a special evensong service.  I like to be on time for a church service, but when I'm going somewhere new, I like to be especially early.  Thus, I allowed plenty of time for a leisurely walk down the shady Duke of Gloucester.  Flowers, in pocket gardens nodded over picket fences as I strolled along. 

Once in the walled-in churchyard, I paused beside this sundial to communicate with my family.  As I looked down at my phone, a woman walking by chuckled as she stated that I must be checking if the clock was showing the right time.  

Members of the choir, easily identified by their white and blue robes, relaxed between services out in the courtyard.  One of them, an elderly man, came to chat with me.  It turns out he was distant cousin to the person buried under a table stone in the courtyard.  I took a picture of the interesting epitaph, but as I was squinting into the sun, and not wearing my glasses, I sadly cut the top off.  What remains is a precious sentiment. 

...by Faith and the Graces of a christian life, all that was Mortal of Mrs. Ann Burges once the tender and affectionate Wife of the Revd HENRY JOHN BURGES, of the ISLE of WIGHT: She died 25th December 1771 in giving Birth to an Infant Daughter, who rests in her Arms; she waits the transporting Moment when the Trump of GOD shall call her Forth to Glory, Honor & Immortality. 

Oh DEATH where is thy Sting?

Oh GRAVE where is thy Victory?

Entry gate to walled courtyard and classic red door to the side entry

Once inside I had time to look around at the various plaques and memorials that had accumulated through the years. 

When I told the usher that my family and I were visiting from afar, he offered us a traditional box pew, way up front.  I've always been intrigue by these, so I accepted.  

Brass plaque in our pew

This put us right up near the beautiful wooden pulpit with its sounding board, as well as the magnificent pipe organ.

Pulpit restored to its former splendor

An elderly member of the alter guild doing her duties following the service

The liturgical service was easy to follow with the multi-paged bulletin.  Some of the readings and prayers were printed in the program, while others were found in the Book of Common Prayer.  It was a joy to sing the many familiar hymns, and do our best to follow a few others.  

Hymnal, bulletin, and the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)

Though many changes have taken place in the church through the past three centuries, and many changes in our modern world, as well as the lifestyles of those who walk by its doors daily, the church stands as a solid testimony to the faith of our founding fathers and the endurance of God’s word and presence in our contemporary world.