Ghost Church

This is a picture of the "Ghost Church." This structure was erected on the site of Pole Green Prebyterian Church and is supposed to show the outline of the church as it stood in 1864. The church was founded as the first Presbyterian Church in the Colony of Virginia, before the USA was born. Among its parishoners was Patrick Henry, who would later play a key role in the American Revolution against British rule. It survived on this site until June 1, 1864 when it played a key role in the battle of Totopotomy Creek.

Totopotomy Creek was a short battle fought just before the larger battle of Cold Harbor during Gen. US Grant's Overland Campaign. The two opposing armies slid along against each other, rather than an all out collision of forces. Union sharpshooters took up position in the church. Confederate artillery drove them out by setting fire to the church, which was then destroyed. According to the National Park Service, the cannoneer who fired the fatal shot was also a life-long parishoner of the church. One might guess he was not happy about burning down his own church.