Cameron Parish, Virginia facts for kids

Cameron Parish was an important church area in colonial Virginia. It was part of the Anglican church, which was the official church in Virginia back then. This parish covered the western part of Fairfax County and all of Loudoun County after 1757.

The parish was named after Thomas, Lord Fairfax, who had a special title called Baron of Cameron. Cameron Parish was created in 1748. Later, in 1770, it was divided, and a new parish called Shelburne Parish was formed from its western half. Cameron Parish then covered eastern Loudoun County until the church system changed around 1786.

What Was a Parish in Colonial Virginia?

The Anglican church was the main religion in the Colony of Virginia from 1619 until 1776. Each parish was like a church district. It had one minister who led the church services.

A group of 12 important local men, called a vestry, managed each parish. These parishes were created by laws passed by Virginia's government, which included the House of Burgesses and the Governor's Council.

How Cameron Parish Was Formed

Virginia's government created Cameron Parish in 1748. It was formed by splitting Truro Parish. The new parish included what is now Loudoun County and the western part of Fairfax County.

The parish was named after Thomas, Lord Fairfax. He was a very powerful landowner in Northern Virginia during the colonial period. He owned a lot of land that he had inherited.

In 1763, the parish borders were changed to include all of Loudoun County. Then, in 1770, Shelburne Parish was created from the western part of Cameron Parish. After that, Cameron Parish's borders were the Potomac River to the north, Bull Run to the south, Goose Creek to the west, and the Fairfax County line to the east.

Churches in Cameron Parish

The very first church building in what became Cameron Parish was a "Chapel of Ease." It was built in 1733 by Truro Parish. This chapel was a simple log building located near a place called Big Spring, about two miles north of today's Leesburg. It was built to make it easier for people living further away to attend church.

Other churches built in the parish were also made of wood. These included Rocky Run Chapel, Broad Run Church, and Mountain Chapel. In 1773, a brick church called Sugarland Run Church was built. It was located in what is now Sterling.

Ministers of Cameron Parish

Here are some of the ministers who served Cameron Parish:

• Rev. John Andrews (1758–1767)
• Rev. Archibald Avens (1767–1771)
• Rev. Spence Monroe Grayson (1773–1776)