At the conclusion of a gathering of remembrance on Dec. 26, 2011, on the 200th anniversary of the Richmond Theater fire, a wreath was placed at the foot of the brick crypt where the victims of the fire were buried in the basement of Monumental Church in Richmond.
Richmond author Rachel Beanland thought she was set to headline a $100-per-person book luncheon in Florida. But on Aug. 14, the first sign arrived in her inbox that her book, “The House Is on Fire,” was too hot for some folks to handle.
Monumental Church, at 1224 E. Broad St., was built over the site of the 1811 Richmond Theater fire that killed 72 people. The structure broke ground in 1812 and finished in 1814. The domed ceiling, octagonal body and dramatic porticos were designed as a memorial for those killed.
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.
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.
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.
Bruce Parker
05-06-1965: New sign proclaims formerly Episcopal Monumental Church as Ecumenical Inter-Denominational Church in 1812.
Staff photo
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.
Staff photo
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.
Times-Dispatch
04-25-1964: Monumental Church, on site of 1811 fire, is observing its sesquicentennial.
Staff photo
04-17-1960: Monumental Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond is preparing for its 150th anniversary.
Monumental Church, at 1224 E. Broad St., was built over the site of the 1811 Richmond Theater fire that killed 72 people. The structure broke ground in 1812 and finished in 1814. The domed ceiling, octagonal body and dramatic porticos were designed as a memorial for those killed.
At the conclusion of a gathering of remembrance on Dec. 26, 2011, on the 200th anniversary of the Richmond Theater fire, a wreath was placed at the foot of the brick crypt where the victims of the fire were buried in the basement of Monumental Church in Richmond.
