Although many came to the New World seeking to practice their spiritual beliefs as they saw fit, America’s early colonial history was hardly one of religious freedom.

Robert Teagle, Education Director and Curator of the Foundation for the Historic Christ Church in Weems, provided an overview of “Church and State in Colonial and Revolutionary Virginia” at the Nov. 27 meeting of the Gloucester Genealogical Society, which was held in the Community Room of the Gloucester Public Library.

Following an introduction and remarks from outgoing Genealogical Society president Phil Morton, Teagle began his lecture, which centered on the transition from an official state religion to the practice of “toleration” and eventually the religious freedom enshrined in both Virginia and federal law. 

“In the 18th century there is no religious freedom in Virginia,” Teagle said, “and even the Puritans, who we typically think of as coming to this country f...