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
Adult Education during the Dannals’ Years (2005-2013)
The Dannals years saw an expansion in the number of Adult classes, an increasing diversity of both topics and speakers. They reached of a significant number of parishioners with a variety of experiences. Christian Education also extended beyond the traditional Sunday morning experience.
Explore Adult Education, 2005-2013
Explore Adult Education through this spreadsheet of Adult education sessions during the Dannals years.
Change is in the Wind
Fletcher Wells in January, 2009 thanks Jannan Holmes, Tracey Hormuth, Eleonore Spears, Lolli Fensterer and Donna Creasy for their work with the Outreach Commission
When Phillips Brooks came to St. George’s…
This an excerpt from Bishop Lawrence’s book on Phillips Brooks which describes when he came to St. George’s in 1859 at the invitation of then rector Rev. Alfred Randolph. Brooks became the preeminent Episcopal preacher of the late 19th century and gave his first sermon after ordination at St. George’s
Fredericksburg: City of Hospitals – 2017 special event
St. George’s docents special event for 2017 – a double header around the topic, “Fredericksburg: City of Hospitals”, Aug., 2017 beginning at 6pm.
Bazil Gordon (1768-1847), benefactor of the 2nd Church
Bazil Gordon was connected to the 2nd Church (1815-1848) through the gift of the font which is still used today and for supporting the church by becoming a pew holder. He was a good example of wealth generated by merchants in the early American republic.
Parish Profile, 2014
This parish profile was created in the interim period between Jim Dannals leaving in July, 2013 and the arrival of Joe Hensley, 2015.
Parish Profile, 2004
Charles Sydnor left in May 1, 2003. 10 months later in March, 2004, chair of the Search Committee Ed Jones presented the parish profile for approval by the Vestry. This was the culmination of creating parish-wide survey, working with reflection groups and compiling other information. A CD ROM would be inserted in the back page of the color 16 page profile. This CD contained more detailed information about the church, which prospective candidates could review.
This document was on a CD and made into a web site by Earl Baughman.
National Park Service at St. George’s, Dec. 10, 2016, “Voices from the Storm”
Update July 10, 2017. The Video has been posted inside the article.
Approximately 250 people crowded into St. George’s on a cold, but clear night to hear a presentation of the Battle of Fredericksburg told through first person accounts.
FredCamp – fixing-up homes in our community
FredCamp, a summer work camp which eventually involved over 20 churches in the Fredericksburg area, was the brainchild of Jan Saylor while youth director at St. George’s. The idea was to get the youth involved in giving back to the community in the form of home repairs for low income, handicapped or elderly residents.
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
