A Guide to the MCV Foundation/Monumental Church records 2005.Jun.13
A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Accession number 2005.Jun.13
![[logo]](http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/vcu.jpg)
VCU Health Sciences Library
Special Collections and Archives 509 N 12th StBox 980582
Richmond, Virginia 23298
Business Number: (804) 828-9898
libhssca@vcu.edu
URL: https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/locations/
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Preferred Citation
Records of the MCV Foundation/Monumental Church, Accession #2005/Jun/13, Special Collections and Archives, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Received from David Bagby, Executive Director of the MCV Foundation ca. 1980.
Biographical / Historical
The Monumental Church stands on historic ground. The land was first used in 1786 by the Chevalier Quesnay de Beau Repaire as the location of his Academy of Arts and Sciences. The school only lasted a few years and Quesnay returned to France. One of the buildings that survived was the assembly hall that was quickly converted into the Academy Theatre. It was there that Virginia ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1788. In 1802, the wooden theater caught fire and burned to the ground, but another was erected on its foundation.
This new theater was very popular and often drew large crowds. On December 26, 1811 the theatre was full. During a scene change, a lantern caught the stage backdrop on fire and soon the entire stage was ablaze. In the aftermath of the fire 73 people, mostly women, were killed including Governor George William Smith. The next day a town commission met and resolved to create a memorial to those who died on the theaters grounds. Monumental Church became this memorial.
Two heroes who emerged from the inferno were Gilbert Hunt, an enslaved blacksmith and Dr. James McCaw, a Richmond physician (and grandfather of Dr. James B. McCaw).
Opened in 1814 the Church was built on land "for ever kept sacred". In a vault under the church lay the bodies of those who perished that night, and several plaques and memorials line the churches walls. Chief Justice John Marshall was instrumental in the initial phases in creating this Greek revival church. And after it opened, Marshall was a congregation member. Designed by Roberts Mills, Monumental is the only surviving Church Mills designed with its dome intact. The church was known as Monumental Episcopal Church.
As the City of Richmond grew so did the Medical College of Virginia, taking up most of the city plots around the Church. Under an agreement with Virginia Commonwealth University the Church became a religious center for the student body supplementing its own congregation in 1958. After a major renovation phase of the Church that began in 1960, the Episcopal diocese found the cost too high and moved the congregation to a newer building in 1965. Ownership transferred to the University who attempted to continue the renovations. The Church was listed on National Registry of Historic Places in 1971. The University gave Monumental Church to the Historic Richmond Foundation in 1983, and they began a series of restorative projects that are ongoing.
Scope and Contents
The collection includes minutes of the Monumental Church Endowment, correspondence with J. Ambler Johnston who oversaw the early renovation. Also included are clippings and articles relating to the Church and its members. The Collection focuses on the time of its first renovation from 1960-1965. It does not cover activity of the congregation or of the years of University ownership.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in chronological order.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Church architecture -- Conservation and restoration -- Virginia -- Richmond.
- Medical College of Virginia
- Monumental Episcopal Church (Richmond, Va.)
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Johnston, J. Ambler (James Ambler), 1885-1974
Container List
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.1
Historical Accounts, Rev. A. Ronald Merrick1901-1981Scope and Contents
This folder contains photocopied Church programs, papers written about the history of the Church, and several retyped newspaper articles collected by the last rector of the Church. Also included are the following:
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.1
A Brief Historical Sketch of The Monumental Church1924Scope and Contents
by Mary Newton Stanard
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.1
Monumental Church Issue1966Scope and Contents
Bulletin, Medical College of Virginia, Vol. LXII, No. 4
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.1
The First Academy1966Scope and Contents
by Samuel J. Gamble, The Virginia Journal of Science, Vol. 17, No. 1, 1966
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.1
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.2
Rev. A. Ronald Merrick, Contents of Envelope from W. T. Sanger's Office1911-1963Scope and Contents
This folder contains papers, articles and clippings saved by Dr. Sanger and given to Merrick. Included are lists of parishioners in military service, clippings, a theatre bill, an artist rendition of downtown Richmond, and a Church program.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.3
History of Monumental Church, newspaper clippings1933-1966Scope and Contents
This folder contains newspaper clippings and other articles on the history of the Monumental Church.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.4
History of Monumental Church, Rev. George OssmanScope and Contents
This folder contains historical articles and clippings collected during Ossman's time as rector. In addition to clippings and articles, the following items are included;
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.4
"In Old Virginia"02 Dec, 1945Scope and Contents
Transcript for radio program on WLEE
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.4
"The Chaplaincy At The Medical College of Virginia"1945Scope and Contents
Virginia Medical Monthly, Vol. 72
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.4
"An Address delivered in Connection with the Unveiling of the Moore, Marshall, and Fisher Memorial Windows"1901Scope and Contents
Rev. W. E. Evans.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.4
"Monumental Church, 13th Annual Discourse"5 Dec. 1875Scope and Contents
Address given that anniversary Sunday.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 1.4
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.1
Board of Management Minutes1911-1926, 1933-1947, 1955-1960
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 2.2
Board of Management Minutes1960-1965
This series contains the correspondence concerning J. Ambler Johnston of Carneal and Johnson architectural firm. Johnston was also a member of the Monumental's congregation. These papers cover topics including bids and contracts, vendor relations, budgetary issues and other business contacts.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 3.1
Folder A1954-1963
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 3.2
Folder B1954-1963
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 3.3
Folder A1963-1965
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 3.4
Folder B1963-1965
-
Folder A1965
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 3.6
Correspondence between Johnston and MCV Officials1926-1970Scope and Contents
"Sundry Papers Incident to Transfer to Medical College Foundation."
-
Address given by Johnston at Monumental Church rededication1965
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 4.1
Paintings and pictures, Teusler Hall1958-1961
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 4.2
Monumental Church, handrails. A. Ronald Merrick1961
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 4.3
Monumental Church, windows. A. Ronald Merrick,1961-1965
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 4.4
Monumental Church, Restoration Fund1963-1965
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 4.5
Monumental Church, miscellaneous documents.Scope and Contents
This folder contains product brochures, an outline specification, and a report on costs and objectives.
This series contains the records of these committees, correspondence and articles. Also included are the following:
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 5
"Monumental Church, A History"February, 1976Scope and Contents
VCU Magazine
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 5
List of items found in the Church belonging to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.Scope and Contents
Items on list included baptismry bowls, religious ornamentation and vestments.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 5
Program from the Re-Opening Ceremony5 November, 1978
This series contains several plans and proposals for Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Monumental Church
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 6.1
"Outline Specification for the Preservation of the Monumental Church"January 1961
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 6.2
"A Study of the Architectural Preservation Potential of the VCU Academy Campus"1970Scope and Contents
This folder contains photographs and blueprints by Virginia Historic Landmark Commission.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 6.3
"200 Block of Franklin Street, A Statement of Circumstances and Objectives."1974Scope and Contents
by Virginia Landmark Corporation
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 6.4
Robert Winthrup1974-1978Scope and Contents
This folder contains files regarding Robert Winthrup, architect from Glave, Newman, Anderson.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 6.5
"Adaptive Preservation Study for the Monumental Church"1974Scope and Contents
by Glave, Newman, Anderson.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 6.6
"Eleven Projects in Adaptive Preservation."Scope and Contents
by Glave, Newman, Anderson.
- Mixed Materials Box-folder: 6.7
Miscellaneous and unidentified.