Blandford Church and Cemetery
Petersburg, Virginia
Blandford Church and Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia, stand as enduring symbols of the city's rich historical tapestry, reflecting its colonial origins, Revolutionary War significance, and Civil War heritage.
Blandford Church , constructed in 1735 atop Well's Hill—the highest point in Petersburg—originally served as the third and final church of Bristol Parish. Known initially as St. Paul's Church or the "Brick Church," it was part of the Anglican tradition in colonial Virginia. Rich in colonial, Revolutionary, War of 1812, and Confederate history, the building was eventually abandoned after a new Episcopal church was built in downtown Petersburg following the absorption of the town of Blandford into Petersburg. Necessary repairs for its preservation were later made by the City of Petersburg in 1882. Furthermore, memorial services were held here for George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson at their deaths.
During the American Revolutionary War, the area surrounding the church was the site of the Battle of Blandford on April 25, 1781, where British forces under Major General William Phillips defeated American militia. Phillips died shortly after the battle and was secretly buried near the church.2
In 1901, the city delegated to the Ladies' Memorial Association of Petersburg the privilege of developing this church into a memorial chapel and a Confederate shrine in memory of the 30,000 heroes buried in its shadow. Between 1901 and 1912, renowned artist Louis Comfort Tiffany was commissioned to create fifteen stained-glass windows—each representing a former Confederate state—making this shrine one of the art treasures of our country. Other Confederate memorials have also been placed here from time to time.
Adjacent to the church, Blandford Cemetery covers approximately 189 acres, making it the second largest cemetery in Virginia. While the oldest grave marker dates from 1702, the Record of Interments only exists from 1843. The grounds are visited annually by thousands, with part of the old cemetery cared for and beautified by the Cockade City Garden Club. Notable figures buried here include Gen. William T. Mahone, hero of the Battle of the Crater and commander of Mahone's Division (one of Gen. Robert E. Lee's elite commands); Dr. John Herbert Claiborne, the physician in charge of all military hospitals in Petersburg during the siege; and Robert Bolling, one of Petersburg's first major landowners and real estate developers, together with his four wives and their descendants.
One of the Tiffany stained-glass windows at Blandford Church.Photo by Ser Amantio di Nicolao, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Today, Blandford Church operates as a museum, offering guided tours that explore its architecture—including the Tiffany windows—and its multifaceted history. The cemetery remains active and is recognized for its historical significance and collection of 19th-century funerary art.4
Recognized for their architectural and historical significance, Blandford Church and Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia, have been honored with multiple designations. Blandford Church was added to the
Virginia Landmarks Register on April 18, 1972, and subsequently listed on the
National Register of Historic Places on May 31, 1972. The adjacent Blandford Cemetery received its own listings on the
Virginia Landmarks Register on April 22, 1992, and the
National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1992. Additionally, the site is commemorated with a
Virginia historical highway marker located on Crater Road (U.S. 460), highlighting its colonial origins and enduring community importance.
References
Provided source text detailing the history of Old Blandford Church, memorial services, the Cockade City Garden Club, and specific burials.
Wikipedia: Battle_of_Blandford
Wikipedia: Blandford Church
City of Petersburg: Blandford Cemetery
