Glenn Hughes

• Mr. Hughes brought in photos relating to the early history of Little England Chapel, a notable African-American landmark in Hampton. According to Mr. Hughes, the history of the chapel really began when George Rowe began holding classes for neighborhood children in 1877. It grew so big that, about a year later, he called upon the community to build a shaded shelter for use during warm weather. It was called Bush Arbor and seated about 100 people. There were about 8 Sunday School teachers every week, and they held an afternoon service every other week.

  Eventually, they decided to build more sturdy indoor quarters for the winter. Charles Smith, a black landowner living nearby, offered the group the use of his best room. The original Little England Chapel was built on the site of Bush Arbor. The whole African-American community took part in building the chapel because they felt a need for a day school and a meeting place for the Sunday School. Little England Chapel took its name from its location on a piece of land known as Little England. Hampton Institute [later HU] students added a vestibule during the early 1900’s. The Newtown Club replaced the belfry in the 1950’s which made it taller.

<< back