Register for the Polegreen Field Trip
On Saturday, September 26, members and friends of WPC are invited to step into a remarkable chapter of Presbyterian—and American—history with a visit to Historic Polegreen Church in Hanover County.
Our day will take us from the story of religious dissent and the struggle for freedom of conscience at Polegreen to Union Presbyterian Seminary, where we’ll share lunch and explore the role clergy played in the American Revolution.
A Church Without Walls
At first glance, Polegreen is unlike any church you’ve ever visited. Instead of brick walls and stained-glass windows, a striking open-air structure traces the outline of the eighteenth-century meetinghouse that once stood there.
The absence of walls is intentional. It reminds us that the Church is never simply a building. It is God’s people, gathered by Christ and sent into the world.
Polegreen’s story begins long before the American Revolution. In colonial Virginia, the Church of England was the established church, and Presbyterians were considered dissenters. They could not freely organize congregations or preach without government permission.
Yet they persisted, convinced that God alone is Lord of the conscience and that people should be free to worship according to the leading of God’s Spirit.
Faith and the Fight for Freedom
That conviction found a courageous voice in the Rev. Samuel Davies, one of the first licensed Presbyterian ministers in Virginia. Serving congregations that included Polegreen, Davies preached the gospel, encouraged education and literacy, and became an influential advocate for religious liberty.
Long before religious freedom became a constitutional principle, leaders such as Davies were making the case that liberty of conscience should extend beyond their own congregations.
During our guided tour, we’ll explore this history where it happened and consider how Presbyterian faith contributed to the developing American understanding of religious freedom.
And we’ll consider questions that remain relevant for the Church today: What does it mean to be a faithful citizen while remembering that our highest allegiance belongs to Christ? How do Christians engage public life with both courage and humility?
Revolution from the Pulpit
From Polegreen, we’ll continue to Union Presbyterian Seminary for a boxed lunch and the second part of our exploration.
Pastor John Morgan will present a revised version of “Revolution from the Pulpit: How Clergy Influenced the Fight for Independence,” a talk developed from research undertaken during his sabbatical. John will explore the influence of clergy—including Presbyterians—on the American Revolution and the continuing relationship between Christian faith and public life.
Together, the visit and talk offer an opportunity to move beyond simply reading about this history: we’ll stand in a place where some of these ideas took root and then consider how they became part of a much larger revolutionary story.
Join Us September 26
Saturday, September 26 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
We’ll begin with a guided visit to Historic Polegreen Church, 6411 Heatherwood Drive, Mechanicsville, followed by lunch and Pastor Morgan’s presentation at Union Presbyterian Seminary.
Participants may travel directly to Polegreen or meet at WPC to carpool or ride the church bus. Carpool and transportation arrangements will be confirmed with participants later.
A boxed lunch from Richmond's Garnett’s Cafe is $15 per person, with selections made when registering. Water will be provided.
Whether you enjoy history, value our Reformed heritage, or are curious about the connections among faith, religious freedom, and the American Revolution, we hope you’ll join us for this day of learning, fellowship, and reflection.
–The Adult Christian Education Team
