The 1617 Church Site

In recent years, Jamestown Rediscovery excavated in and around the 1906 Memorial Church to learn more about the 1617 timber-frame church, and the two later 17th-century brick churches and tower built on the same site. The timber-frame church was Jamestown’s second church, where representative government in English America began with the convening of the first General Assembly from July 30 to August 4, 1619. Excavations in this area also revealed several interesting features that shed light on the church’s surroundings as Jamestown grew and changed over the course of the 17th century.

In 2019, the Memorial Church reopened after undergoing three years of excavations within the building’s interior followed by the installation of a new floor and exhibits. The updated space reflects the original footprint of the 1617 church. Additional exhibit components explain more about the original church and the significance of the First Assembly.

Meanwhile, the 1617 Church is the first building to be digitally reconstructed as part of the Virtual Fort Project. A high-detail 3-D model of the church is now nearly complete.

Location
Excavations are taking place next to the 17th-century church tower (#10 on the Visit Map) .

Schedule
Archaeologists are on site daily, weather permitting, from 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

The Knight’s Tombstone
The Knight’s Tombstone, a black limestone ledger stone, has been conserved and relocated into the chancel of the 1617 church.