SMITHFIELD, VA & HISTORIC ST. LUKE'S CHURCH

Smithfield, VA is another new "find" we had on this stay in Williamsburg. We had planned to visit Smithfield when we went to Surry County, but there was just too much to see in one day. We did drive to Smithfield to eat that day because we couldn't find a place in Surry, but then we drove back to Surry to visit the historical places there.

Our waitress at the Main Street Restaurant confirmed Leon's suspicion regarding the relationship between Smithfield Foods and Smithfield. She even told us where to turn on our way back to Surry to drive down to the packing plants for Smithfield Foods.

The pork packing plant 

The packing plant across the street for dog food.

The day we went back to Smithfield, we decided to come over the James River Bridge from Hampton, VA instead of the ferry at Jamestown/Surry.

One of the sites we came upon after entering the Isle of Wight County and turning to go to Smithfield was historic St. Luke's Church c. 1632. It is Virginia's oldest church.

We had such an informative tour (I'm sorry I forgot the name of our docent but she was so knowledgeable) and left knowing so much more than we did beforehand. Here are some of the pictures I took inside....

Examples of Gothic Architecture

Stain glass windows honoring Pocahontas. The window on the left says, " The first Convert of Virginia to the Gospel."

The pulpit faced the left side where the prominent members sat.

Beautiful stain glass windows. 

These windows were so beautiful. Each window is in honor of two different men. The top four are the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and also for early priests in the church. The bottom four are Moses, David, Isaiah, and Zechariah and also General George Washington (The first president of the Republic), General Robert Edward Lee (Soldier, Patriot, Churchman), Captain Joseph Bridger (The builder of this church), and Reverend William Hubard (The last colonial Rector of this church).

Yes, that's an hour glass ministers could use to time sermons.

The nation's oldest intact organ.

Remember how I like to take pictures of signs.....

Then we drove on into Smithfield and were astounded by the beauty of this town that was colonized in 1634.

Here are some of my pictures of Smithfield...

These first ones were taken along historic Main Street that has gone through a renovation ...

The first two pictures show just two of George Lundeen bronze statues. 

My hubby visiting with George Washington

Janice was cozying up to this older couple called the Valentine Couple...

Other sites along Main Street...(some I can't identify for you)

The Smithfield Ice Cream Parlor. Best ice cream ever.

R. S. Thomas House c 1889

Moody House c. 1880

The house in the next two pictures really fascinated me. According to a walking map of Smithfield it is the Todd House. Apparently I didn't take a picture of the plaque you can see on the front corner of the white portion. I have been unsuccessful in trying to find the history of the house. I remember that the brown portion was the original house and then the front white portion was added at a later date c. 1753.
Captain Mallory Todd is the first documented person to cure and export Smithfield hams.

Bricks were often used for sidewalks and roads.

Another one of my signs

The old Isle of Wight Courthouse

I have to admit there was a lot to see in Smithfield that we didn't see because of poor planning on my part. It is definitely a place that deserves a complete day to enjoy it all.