Founded in 1632, Historic St Luke's Church is the oldest church of English origin in America and is the oldest example of Gothic architecture in America. Located in Smithfield, Va. - Isle of Wight County. The church was originally referred to as the "Old Brick Church" until named St. Luke's Episcopal Church in 1820. The church has played a prominent role in the early colonial era as well as the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. In 1953 St' Luke's was declared a National Shrine and in 1960 becomes a National Historical Landmark.



Below is one of my favorite headstones erected for a 10 year old girl that died in the 1920's

Below is a detail of the Pocahontas Stained Glass Window within the Church

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Wow! Nice pictures. I would be "lost" in that graveyard. Must be some history buried there.
Kenneth-
The church and cemetery grounds are almost 400 years old, so there is lots of history there. Thanks for the compliment on my images.
Happy Holidays!
what stunning photos! I can see the professional touch at work. Nice work!
Eileen-
Thank you very much, my photography is my passion and I guess it shows in my work. Thanks for the kind words.
Happy Holidays!
Bryant: I also love photography. Ask me for something in NYC and when I'm nearby I'll shoot it for you.
Kenneth-
Thank you very much, I have been told there is a little lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge that I am planning on visiting or the USS Intrepid - Sea, Air , and Space museum. I have always wanted to visit and am planning to visit soon.
Take care and Happy Holidays!
If I go before you visit, I'll take a few shots. Plan on staying for the entire day at the air-sea-space museum. I've been there twice and am planning on going again. Maybe, if you think of it, you can tell me when you are about to come, and we can meet. I've been here in NYC all of my 65 years. Have a good knowledge of the place. Just a thought.
Wonderful photographs Bryant! There is so much history in the east, which I was so priveleged to experience on my travels in Canada's Maritimes thois summer.
Bryant, What a fabulous historical building. I always enjoy your photos. Thanks for sharing them.
Kenneth-
Thank you for the offer I will call you before I visit! Always nice to go shooting with a fellow photographer.
Deborah-
Thanks so much for the kind words, I do love all the history here.
Bob-
Thank you for the encouragement and all the kind words, by the way I'm sorry for the result of the Army-Name game this year. =0)
Great. Love to show off "My town". BTW, did you shoot the crecent moon with Venus and Jupiter last week?
Bryant, There is only one way to say it - you are one helluva' photographer. You brought that church to life, Karen
I love it. It's beautiful, yet it feels like you could shoot a scene of a horror movie there. I love antyhign that feels like it has layers or is multi-faceted.
Bryant: thank you for pleasantly educating me! Lovely photos, interesting text.
This is now a featured blog on the Traveling Rainers group. Congratulations and thank you for the fine job!
Kenneth-
No unfortunately I missed the cresent moon, But I bet it was great.
Karen-
Thank you so much, my photography is my passion along with history. I have visited many of the old historical churches in Prince William and Fairfax counties when I was younger. I need to come up and shoot them the next time I am up that way.
Lisa-
Thank you, I love the different feel in the church images, I shot them in one day, but by varying exposure they have different moods. The first one is springlike and inviting where the rest with the graveyard I was going for a more somber look and underexposed the images a bit to bring out that feeling.
Mirela-
Thank you so much for the feature in your group!
Absolutely, beautiful pictures. thanks!
Jenny
Jenny-
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed them. Happy Holidays!
Bryant -
Absolutely beautiful pictures! Next time we are in the area, we will check out St. Luke's! Virginia has some beautiful churches, doesn't it? Thanks for posting!