V

At the time of the American Revolution, the Anglican Church was the established religion in Virginia. As such it received special privileges including government money for its support. Although they were not enforced, state laws also restricted religious beliefs. In 1776 Virginia passed a Declaration of Rights affirming religious liberty but it did not disestablish the Anglican Church. As gov­ ernor, Jefferson, a passionate believer in the separation of church and state, proposed a bill in 1779 to remove the church’s official status and public financial support.