About

Built in 1739, St. Paul's Church is Norfolk's oldest building, and the only structure to survive the British destruction of the city on New Year's Day, 1776. It was the only house of worship in Norfolk until 1773. There is a rumor that because George Washington stayed the night in Norfolk on his way back from the Dismal Swamp in 1763 he likely attended morning prayer here before carrying on with his journey. As the oldest building in Norfolk, St Paul's has seen its fair share of battles and a cannonball fired by Lord Dunmore of the British Fleet during the Norfolk Fire, remains lodged in the southeastern wall of the church. Featuring a beautiful Tiffany stained glass window, the church retains an active parish to this day. Outdoors, St. Paul's tree-lined cemetery is dotted with 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th-century tombstones. Visitors may tour the churchyard and cemetery at any time.