Hanover County had a special visitor last week.

Hosted by Delegate Chris Peace, the current Miss Virginia, Caitlin Uze, took a tour of Hanover’s Pole Green Church site off Rural Point Road.

“As she tours Virginia, I wanted her to come to see a site that was significant to the life of Virginia’s first governor, Patrick Henry,” Peace said. The Pole Green site is part of the county’s Road to Revolution trail that highlights sites associated with Henry’s life.

Peace said he hoped the visit would instill the important role Henry played in America’s history, and the vital role Hanover provided in his life.

“I hope she’ll take that message across the state as she visits and continue it when she completes in the Miss America contest,” he said. “I wish her the best in that venture, and I know she’ll represent us well,” Peace said.

Uze strolled the historical site, taking time to note the many people who associated themselves with Pole Green and the importance it played in America’s path to religious and individual freedom.

Pole Green was instrumental in Virginia’s early religious history, and minister Samuel Davies made a name for himself from the pulpit of the small church. While most colonists attended Anglican churches, people who attended Pole Green risked life and limb to attend the independent meetinghouse.

“The people were willing to dissent and go to jail to attend the church they chose. People came here and risked their lives,” Peace said. Those first signs of dissent against the King provided the backbone for future confrontations regarding liberty and personal freedoms.

“If it weren’t for that Great Awakening and the movement to religious freedom, we may not have had the courage and conviction to challenge the King in a political and military way,” Peace said.

Uze said the message is important today, and the story of Pole Green is relevant and important to all Americans.

The church was destroyed in 1864 by Confederate artillery round, and the shell reconstructed in 2001. The unique design of a frame and windows with no walls or ceiling also provided a message for Uze.

“I think it’s symbolic and beautiful how they have the frame of the church only because it represents the framework of our freedom of religion,” Uze said. “This is something very special to Virginia and something we should all be proud of,” she added.

Uze said religious freedom is a vital factor in the establishment of our other freedoms. “One of the most beautiful things about our nation is our diversity,” she said. “One of most important freedoms is the right to choose and practice any religion we choose. The fact you have the choice is what’s important and that all started right here,” Uze added.

She also appreciates the role Henry played in our national legacy. “We should be proud we’ve had men and women who were strong enough to stand up against what was the norm and speak up for what they believed.”

Uze will serve as the state’s ambassador for the upcoming year in her role as Miss Virginia, and then compete for Miss America Jan. 15, 2011. She hopes to follow in the footsteps of the current Miss America Caressa Cameron, a past Miss Virginia from Fredericksburg.

The thought of two winners in a row brought a smile to Peace’s face.

“I’m hoping for back to back wins.”

So is Caitlin.