Merchant's Hope
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Merchant's Hope was the name of a plantation and church established in the Virginia Colony in the 17th century. Each was named for an English sailing ship, Merchant’s Hope, which plied the waters regularly from England to the Colonies. In 1635, Merchant's Hope was owned by a man named William Barker who was a wealthy English ship owner.
In the 21st century, members of Merchant's Hope Episcopal Church still meet in its circa 1657 building, which is believed to be the oldest Protestant church in America which is still used as a house of worship.
[edit] Merchant's Hope Plantation
Merchant's Hope Plantation was located west of Martin's Brandon on the south shore of the James River in a portion of Charles City County which was divided to form Prince George County in 1703. It was located on the former site of Powellbrooke Plantation, whose owner Captain Nathaniel Powell (one of the original 1607 colonists), his wife, and ten others were killed during the Indian Massacre of 1622.
Merchant's Hope Plantation was patented in 1638 by William Barker, Richard Quiney, and John Sadler, merchants of London. Ownership of the plantation passed to Nathaniel Harrison in 1720.
[edit] Merchant's Hope Church
Merchants Hope Church was completed in 1657. Even though the church has undergone renovation and restoration, it is virtually the same structure today as it was when it was built 50 years after Jamestown was settled.
Merchant's Hope Church played a part in Bacon's Rebellion. In 1676 at Jordan Point, Nathaniel Bacon of Henrico County and many outraged settlers protested against edicts of the royal governors and demanded home rule. They met at Merchant's Hope Church where they signed petitions to Governor William Berkeley demanding help against attacks by the Native Americans. Berkeley dismissed their petitions leaving Bacon and 211 volunteers to take matters into their own hands.
[edit] Modern church
The circa 1657 Merchant's Hope Episcopal Church is among the oldest Protestant churches in America which is still used as a house of worship. It is also registered as a Virginia and National Historic Landmark. One of the church's great treasures is the "Great Bible". Rebound and not totally complete, it was printed in London in 1639-40. The "Great Bible" is believed to be the Bible with the longest association with one parish. The silver communion set on display was made in Charleston, South Carolina, and dedicated on the 200th anniversary of the parish in 1857.
Following damage during the American Civil War, recreation of the furnishings was patterned after five extant Tidewater area churches, with expert documentation.
