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
Creating the Cemetery Walk, 1982
Thousands have walked across our graveyard from Princess Anne Street to McGuire hall along a brick walk. There is a little plaque at the beginning of the walk, unnoticed by many ,with “Willliam R. Hollomon” on it. Who was William (Bill) Hollomon? There was a surprising story that was told in 2017, 35 years later, on the background of the walk.
The Maryes’ School for slaves 1765-1770
This school was possibly the earliest effort by St. Georgians to educate both slaves and, in general, poorer populations. It predated the male and female charity schools though it lasted only 5 years.
St. George’s Brass Cross
The brass cross has moved around the church since it was placed there in 1909. Not only that, it was stolen – and then recovered – at two different pieces. The cross story became a much larger story that involved the whole chancel by the 1990’s how it was to express the three elements of worship – initiation, proclamation and celebration.
1990 Directory – “Celebrating 270 Years”
Both people and management systems changed to make 1990 an important year. Kathryn Haymes pictured in earlier yearbooks retired as of Jan 1. Jack Sutor came on as assistant. The commission approved in 1989 was in effect and each commission developed a system of mandates
Rev. Edward McGuire and the Annual Conventions, 1814-1858
McGuire attended the Virginia Diocese Conventions from 1814 until his death. The notes he wrote provide a glimpse into life at St. George’s in a period when we are missing many vital records, such as the Vestry Minutes.
McGuire’s Reports and related topics from the Annual Convention Report, Diocese of Virginia 1814-1862
Excerpts taken from the Annual Convention Reports 1814-1862. Most of these are reports Rev. Edward McGuire submitted with some other issues included.
St. George’s 1813-1861 – statistical data
Data created from McGuire’s parochial reports at the Annual Convention
Winter 1987-1988 Directory
The Winter 1987-1988 Directory was released 4 to 5 years after the previous one in 1983. Thanks to Cindy Helton for contributing this directory to be scanned. Staff changes were noticeable with the first picture in the directory. The Rev. Judy Fleming was now the associate rector. She began at St. George’s July 1, 1986 … 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
