Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (Norfolk, Virginia) facts for kids
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St. Paul's Church
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Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in 1907
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 201 St. Paul's Blvd., Norfolk, Virginia |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1739 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 71001058 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1971 |
Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is a very old church in Norfolk, Virginia. It is also known as Borough Church. The main part of the church was built way back in 1739. It is the only building from the colonial times that survived all the wars Norfolk has seen.
Over the years, different church groups have used the building. It started as a Church of England parish. Then, in the early 1800s, a Baptist group used it. Finally, it became an Episcopal church again.
A Look at History
Who Used the Church?
During the American Revolution, the Church of England changed in Virginia. It became the Episcopal Church. In 1797, the local Episcopal church group split into two. One group started a new church called Christ Church. The other group kept using the Saint Paul's building.
In 1803, a Baptist group took over the church. But in 1832, the Episcopalians got the building back. A bishop named Richard Channing Moore officially named it Saint Paul's.
The Church in Wartime
After losing a battle, a British leader named Lord Dunmore attacked Norfolk from the sea. This happened on January 1, 1776. In response, American patriots set fire to homes of people who supported the British. But the fire got out of control. Almost the entire town of Norfolk was destroyed.
Saint Paul's Church was the only big building that was not badly damaged. However, a cannonball hit its wall. People believe it was fired from a British ship called the Liverpool. By the 1830s, the cannonball was gone from the wall. But in the 1840s, it was found buried in the churchyard. It was then put back into the wall, where you can still see it today.
During the American Civil War, the church was used as a chapel for the Union Army. Later, during World War II, a British leader named Lord Louis Mountbatten visited the church. He supposedly joked that Dunmore's cannonball "near missed" its target.
Special Events at the Church
General Douglas MacArthur was a very famous American general. He wanted to be buried in Norfolk. This is because his mother was born there, and his parents got married there. So, his funeral service was held at St. Paul's Church. His body was then laid to rest in the Douglas MacArthur Memorial on April 11, 1964.
