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
Stained Glass Windows in St. George’s
St. George’s has 17 windows (or more depend on how you count them). Most were placed in the decade between 1907-1917. Check out the variety of windows and those who purchased them for the church
Window 17, 18 – Small Windows
These are on the doors leading into the gallery. We think they were done at the same time as Window 5, Nativity
Window 16 – Font
Subject: Font Inscription: “Be Born Of Water And Of The Spirit” Dedication: From Victoria StevensWallace Maker/Date: Charles Hogeman, 1908 Description – Verse is from John 3:5 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Other references Baptized in water- Jesus … Read more
Window 15 – Sun
Lower Subject: Sun Inscription: “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, We Will Go Into The House Of The Lord” Dedication: From Victoria Stevens Wallace Maker/Date: Charles E. Hogemen, 1908. Easter, 1908 Description – The verse is from Psalm 122:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. 1I was glad when they said to me, … Read more
Window 14 – Thurible
Subject: Thurible Inscription: “Let My Prayer Be Set Forth In Thy Sight As The Incense” Dedication: From Victoria Stevens Wallace Maker/Date: Charles Hogeman, Easter, 1908 Lower Description – The scripture is from Psalm 141:2 “Let My Prayer Be Set Forth In Thy Sight As The Incense” David under suspicion, half afraid to speak lest he should … Read more
Window 11,12,13 – Ascension Window
Subject: Ascension Dedication: In memory of Edward C. McGuire, D.D. Maker/Date: German, 1885 Description The Ascension took place 40 days after the Resurrection when Jesus led the disciples to Bethany. He raised his hands, blessed them and the was lifted up until a cloud took him out of their sight. This is shown in the … Read more
Window 10 – Saint Paul Before Agrippa
Lower Subject: Saint Paul Before Agrippa Description Window was reported to be in position by the Daily Star in an article on March 28, 1908 Wistar Wallace was responsible for this window through his will and for investment in what would become the Wallace Library just across George Street. Techniques – Paul is rendered larger … Read more
Window 9 – Christ with the Little Children
Lower Subject: Christ with the Little Children Inscription: “Faithful Unto Death” Dedication: In memory of Marshall Carter Hall Maker/Date: Colgate Art Glass Co., New York, 1907 There are at least 3 scriptural reference with Jesus and the Children Matthew 19:13-15; 3Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them … Read more
Window 8 – Road to Emmaus
This is a double window, both images done by Tiffany. Lower Subject:The Road to Emmaus Inscription: Dedication: In memory of Rawleigh W. Downman, 1860-1881 and James H. Downman, 1862-1911, sons of William Yates and Mary Ann Downman. This was the first Tiffany installed at St. George’s in 1912. Tiffany Studios produced three windows for Saint … Read more
Window 7 – Lamp
Lower Subject: Lamp Inscription: “The Entrance Of Thy Word Giveth Light” Dedication: Victoria Stevens Wallace Maker/Date: Charles Hogeman, Easter, 1908 Lower Description – This verse comes from Psalms 119:130 “The entrance of thy words giveth light. No sooner do they gain admission into the soul than they enlighten it: what light may be expected from … Read more
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
