St. George’s History comprises individual articles, documents and collections around the 300 year history of St. George’s Episcopal Church, located in Fredericksburg Virginia. This site is unrelated to St. George's main website.
Supplementing them are a category-based search, a content index and a timeline. We have two tour documents - a building summary and a 15 minute walking tour you can take in the church.
If this is your first visit, check out the 2 tours - building summary and a 15 minute walking tour.
Recent articles
Books of the Rectors – Part 3 – Thomas Faulkner
Rev. Tom Faulkner’s book, Gospel for the 21st Century, was published in 1996 after he had been gone from St. George’s for 20 years. It is in two parts – spiritual autobiography and then a treatise on 12 religious topics. The treatise is the result of a 20 year “spiritual journey.” “In the process I have seen in the crucified Christ a window into the character and depth of God’s love that I had never seen before.” His family also contributed to the volume.
Books of the Rectors – Part 2 – John Jabez Lanier
John J. Lanier was the rector of St. George’s from 1913-1922. He was the most prolific author of St. George’s rectors, the author of 9 volumes. He had already written four when he came to St. George’s. All of his books can be purchased but also are available online as this article shows
Books of the Rectors – Part 1 – McGuire’s Spiritual Diary
From the Puritans onward, books written by American ministers are an important contribution to the story of America. There have been at least 4 works published as books by St. George’s rectors: 1. McGuire’s Spiritual Diary. 2. Randolph’s Day of Fasting and Prayer address on June 13,1861. 3. Several works collectively by John J. Lanier … Read more
Thanksgiving 1955 – an unusual church service
Back to the Future, Fredericksburg, Nov. 24, 1955 on Thanksgiving day. The day would start early for a group of James Monroe High school students at a St. George’s church service and end later than night at a high school homecoming dance. In between there was a football game at Maury stadium that would be long remembered by a group of high school seniors and juniors.
The Renovation 2002-2011, Part 6- 10+ Discoveries made during the Renovation
This was the basis for an ECW talk done at the time about these discoveries.
The Renovation 2002-2011, Part 5 – Justification of a New Organ
Our organ, much of which dates back to 1876 must be replaced. Today our organ has sets of pipes and two consoles. It would cost more to renovate the existing organ thatn replace it. ..The current chancel configuration will not accommodate a growing music program
The Renovation 2002-2011, Part 4 – The Ceiling Study
In the process of the Renovation, Earl Baughman, our Clerk of the Works, was able to document several layers in the ceiling and found a design painted onto the original ceiling that supplemented our knowledge of the original construction and modifications over time.
The Renovation 2002-2011, Part 3- Before and After
Ralph Powell captured these pictures of before and after the Renovation
1. Carrol Quenzel's History of St. George's
Quenzel's 1951 history is still the standard for the church. He was a librarian for Mary Washington College as well as being active at St. George's, helping to create the St. Georgian newsletter as well as a part of the Vestry. We have the entire book online which was published by St. George's
2. The Three Churches of St. George's - Barbara Willis
Barbara Willis was a local historian and writer and long time St. Georgian with her husband Mac. This paper is a detailed summary of the evolution of St. George's church from its wooden colonial church to the impressive 1849 brick building we have today.
The Civil War may be the most popular historic topic in all of our history. The church served in 3 capacities - as a fortress, center of revival and as a hospital. We have a 9 part series on our role and relationship to Fredericksburg.
McGuire served all 3 churches over the course of 45 years. He is probably the most influential of all our rectors in all phases of ministry from preaching, teaching, and outreach. Trip Wiggins, our archivist, wrote this for a Sunday school class and has been teaching classes for years
5. Charles Syndor on Social Policy
Charles Sydnor served St. George's from 1972-2003 and was responsible for furthering Thomas Faulkner's outreach ministries and creating new ones. This paper he wrote in 2009 was for an adult forum in that year.
6. Tom Faulkner confronts the Vestry on race
Faulkner served St. George's for 30 years from 1946-1976. During these years racial policies were paramount, especially 1954, in the year of Brown vs. Board of Education, Faulkner was challenged by the Vestry on the role of Blacks in our service. He was able to move St. George's toward racial justice that other rectors would further
