Pohick Church
Also known as: Pohick Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Pohick Church is a colonial parish church on Richmond Highway in Lorton, Fairfax County, Virginia. Completed in 1772 for Truro Parish, it replaced an earlier frame church of the same name. The rectangular two-story building is of brick laid in Flemish bond, with a modillioned cornice and hipped roof. Its most distinctive feature is fine stonework, including large corner quoins and three doorways with rusticated surrounds, Ionic pilasters and pediments. George Washington and George Mason attended services and served on the parish vestry, and with George William Fairfax sat on the building committee. It has been suggested that Washington drew the south elevation and plans, though similarities to Christ Church in Alexandria and Christ Church in Falls Church, both attributed to John Wren, suggest one designer for all three. Federal troops used it as a stable during the Civil War. Later restorations renewed much of the fabric, and most interior furnishings are conjectural work of 1901-1916.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a fine example of colonial parish church architecture, notable for its stonework. It is also tied to leading colonial patriots, including George Washington and George Mason, who served on the Truro Parish vestry and the building committee. The form notes this significance despite extensive restoration and later building.
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 69000239, listed October 16, 1969. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 9201 Richmond Hwy., Lorton |
|---|---|
| County | Fairfax (city and county) |
| Listed | October 16, 1969 |
| Reference number | 69000239 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (specific date 1772) |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in religious use; condition marked fair and integrity marked altered, with extensive restoration noted. |
| Acreage | 39.5 |
| Coordinates | 38.70801, -77.19389 (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 69000239.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7207768
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.