By: Shayna, Hannah, and Tyler

In Virginia, as in England, religion and government were not separated from each other. England’s king was the head of the Church of England also known as the Anglican Church. Only Anglican could vote or hold government positions. And the law required that all white colonists attend church. Virginians also had to pay taxes to support the official church. The church was located at the center of the town.

Church then Church now Men sat on one side and women sat on the other. Important men sat in the front rows at church. There home slaves might sit with them. When the services ended, the colony’s most important people left the church first. Men and women can sit together. You can come in late or on time. We don’t have slaves now. When church is over you can leave first even if they are not important.

The church in Colonial Williamsburg, it was a social time. It was a time for them to see there neighbors. They also came to share news. They would come and tell other people about a story someone told them.

In some colonies, people had religious freedom. But in other colonies, they had to attend the churches that were supported by the government.