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
Sarah White, Director of Operations
804.649.3094
Amy Swartz, Preservation & Programs Director
804.643.0555
Dana Fariss, Director of Advancement Services and Volunteer Coordinator
804.869.6671
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.
James B. Driscoll President
Dr. Sandra Gioia Treadway Vice President; Chair, Programs and Education Committee
Pamela Seay Secretary
David Wilkins Treasurer, Chair; Finance Committee
David Botkins
Wymond Cabell
Marla Coleman
F. Willson Craigie Chair, Development Committee
Frances Fitzgerald
Jeff Gill
Dr. Charles Lee
Caroline Marvel Chair, Audit Committee
Ned Moore Chair, Board Resources and Governance Committee
Dr. Dan Roberts
Sue Schutt
Dr. Ryan Smith Chair, Historic Preservation Committee
James Starkey
Lora Toothman, Senior Warden, St. John’s Church
The Reverend Amelie A. Wilmer Rector, St. John's Church
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