Hickory Neck Church
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Why it's listed
Hickory Neck Church is a small brick church on the east side of Route 60, one mile north of Toano, and one of the few colonial buildings visible from the highways leading to Williamsburg. Originally the Lower Church of Blisland Parish, it was ordered built in 1733 and finished by 1738. A transept was added in 1773-1774. During the Revolution it served as a hospital, and British, French and American troops camped in the churchyard. After the vestry book closed in 1786, the building deteriorated. In 1825 the old nave was pulled down, and the transept was shortened and closed up to house Hickory Neck Academy, which Union and Confederate soldiers also used as barracks. The school stayed until 1907, when the building was reconsecrated as an Episcopal church. Today's structure is only a fragment of the colonial church, with eighteenth-century Flemish and English bond brickwork, later alterations, and a simple, unelectrified interior apart from the organ.
Significance in brief: The church is one of the few colonial buildings visible from the highways leading to Williamsburg. It is a surviving piece of the colonial Blisland Parish church, with an 1773-1774 enlargement and an 1825 conversion into Hickory Neck Academy. It also served as a hospital and campsite during the Revolution and as barracks in the Civil War.
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 73002023, listed July 2, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of Toano on U.S. 60, Toano |
|---|---|
| County | James City County |
| Listed | July 2, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73002023 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1733-1738 (18th Century) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good, solid condition and altered; in use as an Episcopal church since reconsecration in 1907. Roof and interior finish are modern. |
| Acreage | 9.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.39311, -76.80409 (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 73002023.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712528
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.