From the Archives: Monumental Church
Monumental Church on East Broad Street was built in 1814 as a memorial to those killed in the 1811 Richmond Theater fire. This fire killed 72 people, including Virginia’s governor. That night, nearly 600 people had filled the theater for a post-Christmas day performance, which was a local highlight of the holiday season. However, disaster struck when a chandelier was raised into the rafters before it was completely extinguished, and in mere minutes, the building was consumed by flames.
The building was designed by Robert Mills, America’s first native-born architect and the only architectural pupil of Thomas Jefferson, according to the Historic Richmond Foundation, which owns the building today. Mills won a competition to construct the memorial in 1812. The 70-foot octagonal auditorium was accentuated with Roman, Greek and Egyptian motifs and funerary imagery. The Richmond church is considered the most elaborate example of the four-domed churches that Mills designed during his career. Nationally, it is considered one of the earliest and best examples of Greek Revival.
In June 1986, Historic Richmond Foundation leader John G. Zehmer Jr. (center left) reviewed roof plans with architect Kenneth MacIlroy at Monumental Church on East Broad Street in Richmond. The historic church, built as a memorial to those killed in the 1811 Richmond Theatre fire, was getting a new copper roof as a step toward preserving the building.
05-06-1965: New sign proclaims formerly Episcopal Monumental Church as Ecumenical Inter-Denominational Church in 1812.
06-20-1962: Workmen measure Monumental Church with mammoth 'yardstick' Richmond's old Monumental Episcopal Church is hving its measurements taken. The measurements are needed to draw up plans for the proposed restoration of the 150-year-old church.
06-09-1963: The Rev. A. Ronald Merrix examines bricks found beneath stucco exterior. Fine brickwork was discovered during restoration of 150-year-old church.
04-25-1964: Monumental Church, on site of 1811 fire, is observing its sesquicentennial.
04-17-1960: Monumental Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond is preparing for its 150th anniversary.
That foundational aspect of U.S. history shouldn't be too "complicated" to air at a book lecture, or for that matter, a classroom. That it has become so well beyond Florida "says we’re in big trouble," said Rachel Beanland, author of "The House Is on Fire."
In Virginia in 1621, English colonists and the Powhatan people were trying to live in peace, at least for a while, that was born from the 1614 marriage of John Rolfe and Pocahontas. That marriage, agreed to by Chief Powhatan, led to an alliance between the two cultures and afterward it was noted that native people worked, ate and even lived among the English for several years.
In Virginia in 1621, English colonists and the Powhatan people were trying to live in peace, at least for a while, that was born from the 1614 marriage of John Rolfe and Pocahontas. That marriage, agreed to by Chief Powhatan, led to an alliance between the two cultures and afterward it was noted that native people worked, ate and even lived among the English for several years.
