Vauter's Episcopal Church

From Tappahannock, intersection of Queen St. (Rt. 360) and Rt. 17 take Rt. 17 North, 16 miles on right.

Vauter's Episcopal Church, the upper church of St. Anne's Parish, was built in 1731 on land belonging to Bartholomew Vauter (originally spelled Vawter). One of the county's oldest structures, it is the eleventh oldest of 48 colonial churches still standing in Virginia. The masonry is among the finest of any colonial church. Bricks, which are laid in a Flemish bond pattern, were probably fired on site and the mortar made from oyster shells.

Noteworthy inside are the high vaulted ceilings and T-shaped floor plan.
Since 1704 there has been a long succession of clergymen, among them Parson Robert Rose, who was an attorney, a physician, a surveyor of the city of Richmond and an active participant in Virginia politics. In 1761 the parish became embroiled with political authorities over the selection of its minister. Gov. Alexander Spotswood selected one man while the vestry chose another, and a lengthy debate ensued. Although the governor prevailed, it was enacted shortly thereafter that vestries in Virginia had the right to select their own ministers. Subsequent to the Revolution, Vauter's Church passed out of service, but it was given protection and saved from vandalism by Mrs. Muscoe Garnett of Elmwood, who claimed the building as standing on her property. At an undetermined time, the Queen Anne communion silver, made in London in 1724, was removed from the church, except for one chalice. In 1909 Mrs. Minnie Garnett Mitchell of Elmwood was instrumental in restoring the pieces to the church from a collection in the north. The flagon has not been found. The 1739 Lectern Bible, published in England, will be on display. Open for the first time to Historic Garden Week visitors.