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Jamestown, Virginia, Old Church, historic photos and vintage postcards

Old Church Tower, Jamestown, Virginia, 1639

An historic photo view of the ruins of the Old Church Tower, at Jamestown, Virginia. Built in 1639, the ruins of this historic church are the oldest and only remaining original structure remaining from the 1600's of the original Jamestown Settlement. This photo is by photographer William Henry Jackson, Detroit Publishing Co., 1902. Additional views of the old Jamestown Church and its history are below.

Old Church Tower, Jamestown, Virginia, 1639, with warning signs

Another photo view of the Old Church Tower, at Jamestown, Virginia. The signs on the tree at left read: "Warning - The Constable in charge of these grounds has authority to arrest all depredators upon the property of the A. P. V. A." "Notice - Persons are prohibited under penalty of the law from disturbing, injuring or carring off anything on this property. Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities." Note the cross at the far right in the adjoining cemetery.

Church Tower ruins, Jamestown, Virginia picturing the Visiting Congressional Committee Appointed to Arrange for the Tricentenary Celebration of the Settlement of Virginia

A vintage postcard view of the Church Tower ruins, Jamestown, Virginia picturing the Visiting Congressional Committee Appointed to Arrange for the Tricentenary Celebration of the Settlement of Virginia which would be held in 1907.

Visitors at old Church ruins, Jamestown, Virginia

A vintage postcard view of Visitors at old Church ruins, Jamestown, Virginia This large group of mostly women is likely representatives of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America which built the last and current church at this location in 1906, dedicated in 1907 on the 300th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.

old Jamestown Church Tower ruins with the newly built (1907) Church

A vintage postcard view of the old Jamestown Church Tower ruins with the newly built (1907) Church adjoining at the rear. This view is from about 1915-1920.

1930 view of the old Church Tower (1639) and new Church building (1906)

A 1930 view of the old Church Tower (1639) and new Church building (1906). This view is somewhat similar to the postcard shown above. This photo is by Frances Benjamin Johnston.

new Jamestown church building built in 1906, side view

A side view of the new Jamestown church building built in 1906. The old church tower can be seen at the upper left. This photo is by Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1930.

new Jamestown church building built in 1906, back view

A back view of the new church building built in 1906. Note the tombstones on the ground next to the church building. This photo is by Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1930.

A total of six Jamestown church buildings have occupied this location. They are as follows:

First church: Built upon the founding of Jamestown in 1607, this building burned in January, 1608.

Second church: Built soon after the first church burned. In this church, Pocahontas and John Rolfe were married.

Third Church: Built in 1617-1619. The original foundations of this church can be viewed under glass panels in the floor of the current (sixth) church building.

Fourth church: Built in 1639, the tower ruins were a part of this church building and the only part of the building still in existence. This church building was burned during Bacon's Rebellion, September 19, 1676. Bricks from the church building were used to build the cemetery wall.

Fifth church: Built about 1678, this church building was used until the 1750's when it was abandoned for a church building at a nearby location.

Sixth church: This building was built in 1906 by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America and was dedicated in 1907 in celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. This building sits next to the remains of the 1639 church tower ruins. This church is now open to the public.

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