Plaque Text for Virginia Landmark #E-141:
In 1748, the meetinghouse here became vital to the colonists’ struggle for religious and civil liberty when Samuel Morris and other Hanover Presbyterian dissenters called the Rev. Samuel Davies (1723–1761) to become pastor. Davies, a great orator who inspired Patrick Henry, was Virginia’s first licensed non-Anglican minister. He promoted literacy among enslaved Africans in several colonies with funds he raised in England. In 1759, he became president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University). Polegreen Church burned in June 1864 just before the Battle of Cold Harbor when Confederate artillery fired on it to dislodge Union sharpshooters.
More about Historic Polegreen Church:
After the Polegreen Church burned to the ground in 1864, the congregation couldn’t afford to rebuild it. The site sat unused for a long time until the great-grandson of Union Lieutenant Thomas M. Farrell found his ancestor’s sketches of the church dating back to May 29, 1862! These sketches at least gave enough an idea of how the church looked for a steel frame to be built on its original foundation, giving this a “ghost church” look!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Donate to Historic Polegreen Church!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
6411 Heatherwood Dr
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
The grounds are open daily from sunrise until sunset, while the visitor center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM!
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