Historic St. Luke's Church

Isle of Wight, VA   

St. Luke’s Church, built in the 17th century, is one of the oldest churches in America and is said to be the oldest Gothic church in the country. This beautiful small church was the center of religious and political life in Isle of Wight County during the early years of English settlement in this area. More recently, it has been called a “national shrine” by President Eisenhower. Like most early churches, the churchyard has served as a cemetery since the church was founded. Now serving as a historic site rather than a functioning church with regular services, it is much visited and still sees plenty of action for "weddings and funerals and feasts." While there is evidence of how this landscape has evolved over time, such as the trace of the old road in front of the church leading to the west that runs through the site, the overriding quality of the site is that it has evolved within a very consistent pattern: large trees in a park-like setting and burial places for the families that sustained the church in their own times. A parking and arrival area, a visitor center, restrooms and a gift shop have been added to serve visitors. Like many of the other churchyards preserved by The Garden Club of Virginia the work at St. Luke’s includes simple, dignified, and subtle enhancements to the quiet beauty of the site.