On July 20, 1776, John Page - Virginia statesman and Abingdon member- wrote a letter to his close friend and college classmate Thomas Jefferson. Page praised Jefferson's newly drafted Declaration of Independence and pledged to publish it in Gloucester and surrounding communities. 

In commemoration of this letter and the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, on Sunday July 19 Abingdon Episcopal Church will have a reading of the Declaration of Independence by members of the community reading it from the lowest pulpit- the same pulpit where John Page would have likely read it. 

Following the reading, Dr. Sarah Meschutt, Senior Curator with the American Revolution Museum will provide a presentation on “How the Declaration of Independence reached the American people.” A reception follows. 

Worship will take place at 9:30am and the reading will begin 5 minutes after worship (estimated 10:30am).