The Signing the Statute Project

THE SIGNING THE STATUTE PROJECT
The Consortium for Richmond’s Religious History Embarks on a
15,000 Signature Drive to Commemorate Religious Freedom

RICHMOND, VA: 10 historical, religious and civic organizations in the Richmond area have banded together to promote Virginia’s leadership role in establishing religious freedom in the United States. Over the course of 2007 the Consortium for Richmond’s Religious History are encouraging churches, schools and civic organizations to join them by sponsoring a petition drive and encouraging their constituents to sign a reprint of the Statute for Religious Freedom. The Statute was passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 1786 and guaranteed religious liberty in Virginia. The act went on to become the basis of the religion clause in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Statute takes only 4-5 minutes to read but in those few sentences are some of the most eloquent expressions of liberty ever penned by Thomas Jefferson. He thought so much of it that it is one of only three of his many accomplishments to be carved into his grave marker.

The consortium has developed kits including:
• reprints of the statute,
• signing forms
• introductory comments about the Statute and its importance.
• copies of the Statute to be given to anyone signing the petition.

Once contacted by an organization interested in sponsoring a signing, the consortium will mail out the materials and instructions and a date by which the signatures should be returned. On January 16, 2008—the 222nd anniversary of the act’s passage—the group will present the collected signatures in a ceremonial box to the government of Virginia as a demonstration the region’s commitment to the ideals espoused by the act.

Any organization is free to participate. A signing can be a part of almost any service or meeting held by the many groups and faiths meeting in the Richmond area. The more diverse the participation, the better.

As of March, 2007, over 500 signatures have already been collected.

To participate in or inquire about the project, leave a message at 804.261.3837.

This project to collect 15,000 signatures under a reprint of the Statute for Religious Freedom is the result of a partnership among the institutions listed below. The intent is to reintroduce Virginians to the significance of the act and reaffirm its importance. The partnership, called the Consortium for Richmond’s Religious History, was formed to produce collaborative programming that illustrates the Richmond region’s rich religious history in order to promote the importance of religious freedom.

We are:
A More Perfect Union,

Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives

Council for America's First Freedom

Historic Polegreen Church Foundation

Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond

Museum of Virginia Catholic History

Patrick Henry Committee, St. John’s Church

Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Soka Gakkai

Virginia Baptist Historical Society

This project is supported by a generous grant from
The Ukrop Foundation