Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-17
FIRST CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA WAS CELEBRATED 81

be pertinent 10 say here tina: 81,
Luke's stands today on the State
Highway from Richmond to Norfolk.
five miles south of the town OF smith
field. and :nnt visitors can always
find guide ut n nearby store who
VIII show them about this church.
Hogan building In IUs..
The building OF 81. Lukc's was be-
gun in 1852 by Joseph Bridgcr. father
OF Colonel Joseph Bridgcr. one ~ the
Kings Council for the Colony of
Virginia. who died In 1859. WAS
buried on his farm, White Marsh"
about three miles away from the
church. md his grave marked Ivy a
marble slab. which later was re
moved and deposited in the aisle "t
the church. This old structur, is
in remarkable state OF prcsrrya-
tion and has stood well araiuS; the
ruvaGcS Of time ON account OF the
cNCcllenCy of the material and n,
fidelity with which il was built aHd
having mad At all times som. kind 81
roof covering il. being rcShimclcd
about l737 and again in 1855, WIKI
good cypress shingles both times
Again in later years the ST i.uilr's
Association had the old shinclc root
removed and n covering put on OF tn.
best slate.
II stands today. beautiful within
and without. mOnumen; to those
who "b-aved The perils OF the sea.
20 build home and land of lib
erty." and filed with memorials to
those connected with its history and
tho history of the colony. ~.
stained glass chanccl window.
eighteen feet by twelve. made in
London. divided into twelve sections.
each section dedicated to some we'll
known character prominent tn
church or state. Is most striking
and beautiful piece OF art. All tho
windows are OF stained glass. me-
MORALS to those connected with it's
history. and OF a beautiful design
Its carved altar and cxquisit. read
ing desk: it's winrglass ruip!t. with
its broad steps and high sounding
board it's beautiful font of pure
Carara marble, made in London. are
all especially attractive
rcws of Original style.
The rcws are OF the original style.
made of native heart pine All
these THINKS impress the worShiper
with n deep sense Of solcmni,y when
worshipnE the God Of our Faith
ers," where they themselves con-
turtles ago. worshipcd: ana 10 the
transient visitor. it cannot fail to
be interesting. both on account or
It's beauty and design and the his
torical memories OF other ana an
cient days in the life OF our coun,
try brings 10 his rccollect!on
Among the stately trees that sur
round this ancient cdiace arc 20 bc
found many trnhs OF notabl.s OF An
almost forgotten age; some arc
crumhling away. vet "Storicdurns
moss-grown nnd indistinct. still arc
able to tell to the Interested TN
quaint legends who los buried
there: tho nohlrman, ~" knight. the
planter. tho plain yeomsn. the bellies
and danes, all are buried here.
Many families prominent I'm Colonial
history are represented: The RrIIc-
crS. Martins, WASHINGTON. Smiths.
f"unGs, Morrisons. Harycvs. Chal
mcrS. LanEhornes and many others.
81. Luke's has had it's quota Of
prominent visitors: among tho long
line was the Marquis do la Fayct;c.
who. with some OF his command
cainp"d among the trees surround
Ing the church for the night. and.
as tradition has IL. was called AWAY
the next morning by the news of
tho approach of tho enemy. Gre he
could enter the church as was his
intention.
Here Tnrlcton'S Troopers Rested.
r"rie,on's British troopcrs rested
mere beneath the shade Of the VEN
cradle oaks: tho virginia mili;ia. in
the war OF lSl2 bivouackcd around
II as also did the Confcdcrntc sol
dI"rs IN 1851 Many political speeches
ana harhccues have TRANSFERRED in the
grove adjoining, whose shade has
furnished the trysting place for more
Than two centuries, OF lovers
~ tn" FOOT Of the hill on which
stands the church from beneath
tcont!nued on TENTH rageJ