Since 1728, St. John’s, Hampton, has worshiped in its current building, its fourth church site. The site of the first church is unknown, while the second and third sites are known and preserved. The second site, where the church dates from 1624, is a grassy .23-acre lot surrounded by a decorative brick wall and located on the campus of Hampton University.
The quest to determine the location of the first site (church) has long been a matter of great interest as well as conjecture, with much speculation that perhaps the site of the second church was, indeed, the site of the first church as well. With this thought in mind, and through the generosity of a generous benefactor, Project Discovering Early Hampton was launched in 2022.
Archaeological & Cultural Solutions, Inc., led by Alain C. Outlaw, M.A., Principal Archaeologist, began a three-year project last summer to investigate the second site with the goal to determine if, in fact, this might also have been the site of the first church as well as Hampton’s beginning. In addition, this investigation was launched to prevent further environmental degradation at the site.
Along with professionals, the project has provided an opportunity for participation by college students. As the project moves toward the close of the second year of investigation, an open house was held on August 9 at the site to allow parishioners and guests to see firsthand the exploratory work completed and underway, as well as an opportunity to discuss the project with those heavily involved with the dig.
Previous digs at the site have uncovered many artifacts, many of which are on display at the St. John’s Museum, but it has been over 50 years since a thorough and comprehensive site dig has been performed.
While several interesting discoveries have been made, at this point no specific evidence of the first church or Hampton’s beginning has been determined. Perhaps next year, as we begin our third year of exploration, more will be revealed one way or the other.
Originally published in St. John’s Newsletter, September 2023.