The Memorial Church in Historic Jamestown
While this is the Memorial Church, Captain John Smith reported that the first church services were held outdoors “under an awning (which was an old saile)” fastened to three or four trees. As part of a rebuilding effort following a fire that burned much of the fort in January 1608, the settlers built the first church building. Smith said it was “a homely thing like a barn set on crachetts, covered with rafts, sedge and earth.” Made of wood, it needed constant repair. Pocahontas and John Rolfe were married in the first church.
The Memorial Church in Historic Jamestown
While this is the Memorial Church, Captain John Smith reported that the first church services were held outdoors “under an awning (which was an old saile)” fastened to three or four trees. As part of a rebuilding effort following a fire that burned much of the fort in January 1608, the settlers built the first church building. Smith said it was “a homely thing like a barn set on crachetts, covered with rafts, sedge and earth.” Made of wood, it needed constant repair. Pocahontas and John Rolfe were married in the first church.