About Us.

St. John’s Church Foundation was created in 1938 to bear the ‘expense incident to keeping a shrine open to the public, seven days a week throughout the year’ when it became too great a burden for the congregation to bear. Of chief concern, was the question of a proper reception for the many visitors and tourists, who arrived singly and in bus-loads, weekdays and Sundays. For years a faithful sexton served as a guide, his informative recital added thrills to one’s mere presence in this hallowed edifice. But when the infirmities of age intervened, it became necessary to finance a custodian, as well as earnestly solicit for the express purpose of maintaining the church that played perhaps the most prominent role in American history.

- from an early brochure of St. John’s Church Foundation, Incorporated

**Antonio Graffini on steps at East door, 1920**

We’ve come along way from those early pleas, but our needs have not changed. We still work tirelessly to keep Old St. John’s standing and ready to welcome future generations. We still greet school children and tourists traveling the Revolutionary Trail, and we still welcome you to visit Old St. John’s.

St. John’s Church Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
St. John’s Church Foundation receives no federal, state, local, or church funding for our mission.
St. John’s Church Foundation is not involved in and does not provide funding for the religious activities of the church.
St. John's Church is not a part of the National Park Service (NPS).

We rely on support from our ~30,000 annual visitors, individual donations, and grants from individuals, foundations, and corporations to ensure the preservation of this National Historic Landmark. Please reach out to any one of us if you’d like to support our mission, better understand our preservation needs, or visit your National Historic Landmark.

SJCF Staff

Stephen Wilson, Executive Director

Spring 2024 Executive Director Report

E41: Patrick Henry, a Church, and the Vote That Tilted a Revolution Podcast

804.729.6881

Sarah White, Director of Operations

804.649.3094

Amy Swartz, Preservation Director

804.690.5619

Dean Knight, Manager of Educational Programs and Marketing

804.643.0555

Board of Trustees

The St. John’s Church Foundation Board of Trustees contributes a variety of time, talent, and treasure to ensure the success of the Foundation. We continue to strive for excellence and to elevate our programming by working with scholars, educators, and through dynamic partnerships.

Dr. Sandra Gioia Treadway President

David Wilkins Vice President

Will Valentine, Secretary

James Starkey Treasurer; Chair, Finance Committee

Renu Brennan

Wymond Cabell Chair, Programs and Education Committee

Marla Coleman

F. Willson Craigie

Frances Fitzgerald

Dr. Charles Lee

David Meyers

Ned Moore Chair, Board Resources and Governance Committee

Blair Nelsen

Pamela Seay

Will Seymour

Dr. Ryan Smith Chair, Historic Preservation Committee

Patty Soileau, Senior Warden, St. John’s Church

The Reverend Amelie A. Wilmer Rector, St. John's Church

2026 Volunteer Ambassador

St. John's Church Foundation is thrilled to announce Alexandria Grant as our official Volunteer Ambassador for 2026.

Alexandria has exemplified the spirit of our mission through service, and a genuine commitment to advancing our work in the community. As Volunteer Ambassador, she will help represent our organization and share our story throughout the year.

Alexandria Grant is a Historical Research & Interpretation Contributor based in the Richmond region. She is the creator of the history blog Exploring with Alexandria, where she documents historical research and photography with a focus on historic architecture and marginalized histories.
Coming from a biracial background, Alexandria brings a personal perspective to her interest in the history of minority communities and the ways these stories are reflected in historic spaces. Her appreciation for historic architecture began at Pembroke Manor in her hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she attended school for several years when it previously operated as a Christian private school. This early exposure sparked her broader involvement in local history in the Virginia Beach area, including participation in the Bayside History Trail and volunteer work at the Ferry Plantation House.
Alexandria lived in Maryland from 2019 to early 2025. During that time, she volunteered with the Howard County Historical Society, contributing research related to Black history and reinforcing her commitment to studying histories that shape public memory and community understanding. She also worked for nearly four years in an ethnic studies program at the University of Maryland, where she contributed her business background to support research and education on Asian American histories, cultures, and experiences. While at UMD, she earned her MBA in 2024.
After returning to Virginia, Alexandria served as a Research Assistant with the VCU Department of History during the fall 2025 semester, focusing on archival research for a faculty book project. She has also been a Member & Volunteer with the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia since the summer of 2025 and serves on its African American History Committee. She is dedicated to uncovering and sharing stories connected to historic architecture, community history, and underrepresented voices.
Through her blog, she has collaborated with local organizations, such as Visit Richmond VA, to promote history. Alongside her historical pursuits, Alexandria works in financial analysis and, in support of her longstanding commitment to historical research and public history, will begin graduate study at the VCU Department of History this spring to pursue a graduate certificate in public history.

Leadership Council

The Leadership Council, created in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty" speech in 2025, will assist the Foundation's Board of Trustees and staff by providing objective advice from a variety of fields of expertise to help further the Foundation's vision and mission.

Dr. Edward L. Ayers, Tucker-Boatwright Professor of Humanities and President Emeritus, University of Richmond
John F. Berry (Jack), President & CEO, Richmond Region Tourism
Elizabeth D. Camp (Lee), community volunteer, retired chair of the history department, St. Christopher's School
David R. Grogan, community volunteer, member, Board of Trustees, Fort Ticonderoga
Dennis W. Hedgepeth, retired, Vice President at Wells Fargo Private Bank, former President St. John’s Church Foundation
A.E. Dick Howard, White Burkett Miller Professor of Law and Public Affairs, University of Virginia
Jon Kukla, Ph.D., historian and author, former Director of Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial
Dr. Lauranett L. Lee, visiting lecturer, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond
Mr. Douglas D. Monroe, III, Community Volunteer, former President, St. John’s Church Foundation
Brian Pitney, Attorney, Shareholder at Sands Anderson PC, former President St. John’s Church Foundation
David Ruth, retired, Superintendent, National Park Service, Richmond Battlefield Park and Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
H. B. Thomson (Tom), community volunteer, retired, Thompson, Siegel and Walmsley
E. Massie Valentine, Jr., former Trustee, St. John's Church Foundation