About Polegreen

Polegreen's Vision & Management

While the great majority of Americans cherish the freedom to worship according to the dictates of one's conscience, it is likely that most know little of the events that secured that right. The first legislative body in the world to adopt a statute of religious liberty was Virginia in 1786. But, the struggle for religious toleration, and ultimately freedom, began four decades earlier in Hanover County, Virginia.

In 1990 the Presbytery of the James, successor to Hanover Presbytery which had been founded at Polegreen in 1755, authorized the creation of a non-profit foundation under the leadership of Dr. Robert Bluford, Jr., ecumenical in nature, to preserve, enhance, and interpret the site of Polegreen Church. The first objective of the foundation was to locate the remains of the colonial church. Archaeologists from Virginia Commonwealth University oversaw the effort, and the remains of the church's foundation were revealed. On the basis of the physical evidence of the church's location and the easily documented record of the important events related to the Hanover Dissenters and Samuel Davies, in 1991 the U.S. National Park Service listed the Polegreen site in the Register of National Historic Places.

The Polegreen Foundation has been the grateful recipient of the advice and counsel of the staff of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Through them the services of internationally known architect Carlton Abbott were obtained. Abbott designed the present unique enhancement over the site of the ancient Polegreen Church. For the first time in 137 years there is something to see on the place which represents one of the great chapters of American history. With growing concern over urban sprawl, which had already begun to have an impact on the surroundings of the old church, the Foundation set out to acquire the viewshed around the original site. To date nearly 147 acres have been preserved.

The Foundation welcomes you into its enlarging family. We hope you will be captivated by the preservation and interpretation of one of America's most important historic sites.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to be known as leaders and stewards of the history and impact of civil and religious freedoms.

Mission Statement

The Historic Polegreen Church Foundation’s mission is to interpret, preserve, and commemorate the struggle for civil and religious freedom in Colonial Virginia initiated by the Rev. Samuel Davies and the Hanover Dissenters.

To what end: By accomplishing this mission, we preserve the memory of Hanover Dissenters who struggled courageously and successfully for civil and religious freedom in Virginia and in so doing increase appreciation for the liberties that we enjoy today in the United States.

Historic Polegreen Church has completed its 2023-2027 Strategic Five-Year Plan that continues to build upon the mission to interpret, preserve, and commemorate the struggle for civil and religious freedom in Colonial Virginia initiated by the Rev. Samuel Davies and the Hanover Dissenters. Click here to view the Strategic Plan.

Who We Are

Board of Directors

David W. Fuller • President
Robert B. Giles • Vice President
G. Everett B. Reveley • Secretary
Jennifer Melton • Treasurer
Robert Bluford, III

Kathryn Bremner BIO

Kathryn is the Executive Director and Head of School at Grace Christian in Mechanicsville. A member of the founding board at Grace, Kathryn has overseen the instructional program and operations since 2013. She has served as a clinical faculty member at James Madison University, and she was the Associate Executive Director for the Virginia Middle School Association.

Marla G. Coleman
Stephen D. Ensign
F. Claiborne Johnston, Jr.

Graham Kirby BIO

Graham works at Capital One, where he has been for the last 7.5 years and is a currently a Senior Manager in the Financial Planning & Analysis department. He also works part time when he is able to help with his family’s farming operation, Creamfield Farm, and he is the current President of the Studley chapter of Ruritan National.

Tommy Nance BIO

Tommy went to Union Theological Seminary and received his Doctor of Ministry Degree and served as Pastor of Mount Olive Presbyterian Church in eastern North Carolina for 3 years; as Pastor of New Hanover Church for 20 years; as Pastor of Northeast Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg, Florida for 7 years. He retired in 2015 and returned to Ashland to plant AIM Church in Ashland.

Suzanne R. Pittman

Bob Seifert BIO

Bob was raised in Hanover County and attended the USAF Academy where he majored in Military History. He served in the Air Force for 20 years and presently flies for a Defense Contractor supporting the US Navy out of the Newport News Airport. He also serves on the Board of the Hanover Youth Basketball League and spends his free time with his family and coaching youth lacrosse and basketball.