History Lunch and Learn: Parish and Power: Religion and Government in Colonial Virginia

More than a place of worship, the colonial Virginia parish was the foundation of community life. Long before there were public schools, social service agencies, or modern local governments, the parish cared for the poor, apprenticed orphaned children, maintained moral order, and played an important role in the administration of justice. Vestries levied taxes, oversaw public welfare, supported education, maintained roads in some communities, and worked alongside county courts to address the needs of the colony. This lecture explores how the parish became one of the most influential institutions in early Virginia, shaping not only the religious lives of its people but also their legal, educational, and civic experience.

Talk will be led by John Ericson, executive director of St. Luke's Historic Church & Museum.

Bring your own lunch to enjoy during this free discussion!