Sappony Church
Also known as: Sapony Church; Sappony Episcopal Church
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Sappony Church is a one-story frame building in rural Dinwiddie County, Virginia, three bays long, covered with beaded weatherboards and entered through its west gable end. It was built in 1725-26 as one of two chapels of Bristol Parish, and William Byrd II visited it twice on his travels. A vestry room was added early in the nineteenth century, and the building was remodeled in the mid-nineteenth century and again in 1870 after a balcony and plaster ceiling collapsed. Large nine-over-nine windows with much of their original glass survive. The church is best known for Devereux Jarratt, rector from 1763 until his death in 1801. He supported the American Revolution and encouraged the Methodist movement within the Anglican church. Francis Asbury conducted his funeral here, and in 1869 his remains were moved to the church from Amelia County. Headstones and an 1858 obelisk honoring Jarratt and his wife are set into the interior. A small Episcopal congregation still worships here.
Significance in brief: The church is significant mainly for its association with Devereux Jarratt, its rector from 1763 until his death in 1801, a supporter of the American Revolution and a noted advocate of the Methodist movement within the Anglican/Episcopal church. His remains and those of his wife lie beneath the building. Much early fabric also survives despite later alterations.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76002101, listed April 30, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of Sappony Creek off VA 692, McKenny |
|---|---|
| County | Dinwiddie County |
| Listed | April 30, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76002101 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good and altered; it continues to house a small but active Episcopal congregation. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 36.97087, -77.63594 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76002101.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713179
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.