Away We Go: Richmond's St. John's Church: A prelude to liberty

March 23, 1775: Patrick Henry's finest hour!

Testimonies and tempers were heating up at the Second Virginia Convention. More than 100 delegates had assembled in Richmond at Henrico Parish Church - now known as St. John's Church - to organize their protests against the actions of the British Crown. Wanting to avoid the anger and possible punishment by the royal governor, Lord Dunmore, the group decided to meet here; the church was the only place in town large enough to hold the meeting.

While this get-together began with the gentlemen voicing their differing opinions in courteous fashion, the delegates were not...