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
St. George’s Civil War – Part 4 – Parishioners in the Fray
Return to referring page Even before forces clashed Fredericksburg, we were close to the early battles in central Virginia to have an affect on life here. Confederate troops were garrisoned here and unfortunately fell victim to disease. Minutes from a City Council meeting on Nov. 1, 1861, record how a section of the city-owned Potter’s … Read more
St. George’s Civil War – Part 3 – The Church in 1860 at the Eve of the Civil War
Return to referring page Both St. George’s and Fredericksburg were on a growth spurt just prior to the Civil War when the disaster of war struck. The Church experienced rapid growth in membership in the 1820’s, early 1830’s and then in the year prior to Edward McGuire’s death in 1858. However, there had been some … Read more
St. George’s Civil War – Part 2 – Pictures and Photographs
Return to referring page There are only a few photographic pictures of St. George’s during the Civil War. However, those we have show a young church less than 15 years old. The next pictures would not be taken until 40 years later after George Eastman had developed transparent roll film and the roll holder that … Read more
St. George’s Civil War – Part 1 – An Introduction
Return to referring page 150 years after the Civil War, Fredericksburg remains a richly stocked laboratory for studying that conflict. You can see it in the homes and buildings that remain from the conflict; you can feel it in the vivid descriptions left by soldiers and observers. Rather than only a study of the combat, … Read more
St. George’s Bell – “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
Return to referring page In May, 1856, the Fredericksburg News reported that the 1,510 pound bell for St Georges was “elevated to its position” into the steeple. That implies a hoist or lift but given no modern cranes or helicopter at the time it was still a job. Did it go through the middle of … Read more
Photography of St. George’s, exterior – 1930-2000
Return to referring page You can click on any of the picture for a larger view.
Photography of St. George’s, exterior – 1900-1930
Return to referring page Photography progressed in the late 19th century so that the first years of the 20th century saw more pictures of the church. Kodak provided many of the innovations which allowed consumers to be their own photographers 1888: First Kodak camera, containing a 20-foot roll of paper, enough for 100 2.5-inch diameter … Read more
Photography of St. George’s – the 20th Century steeple pictures
Return to referring page In 2009, the church was painted again after 10+ years providing yet another opportunity to view the surrounding area from “on high.” These pictures were mostly taken by Ralph Powell and the Free Lance-Star at the time. Ralph took the first 6 with the others being Free Lance-Star pictures. The views … Read more
Photography of St. George’s – the 19th Century – Part 3 – Complete Set of Steeple Pictures
Return to referring page This is the complete set of the 20 pictures which were published in Volume 3 of the Journal of Fredericksburg History showing the 1888 view and 1997 when scaffolding was around the church for AIM 2000. Currently the pictures reside with the National Park Service. 1. Looking south down Princess Anne … Read more
Photography of St. George’s – the 19th Century – Part 1
Return to referring page There are only two periods of known photographs about St. George’s in the 19th century: 1. Civil War 1862-1864 2. Steeple Pictures 1888. These are views FROM St. George’s but unfortunately the unknown photographer did not take one of the church! John Hennessey did 2 online posts about the “steeple pictures”. … 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
