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
A Stroll Down Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, 1772
From the Rappahannock Gazette, June/July/August 2007. A stroll through Fredericksburg’s colonial properties in 1772 and the many St. Georgians who owned them.
Senior High Pilgrimage, 2008 – “Embracing Change – Living the Questions”
In 2008, St. George’s Senior High Sunday School made their pilgrimage that summer on the Appalachian Trail from the Priest Wilderness to the James River, 35 miles over four long hot days of July. The group selected the theme “Embracing Change: Living the Questions”. This was a unique event that has not been repeated.
“They also preached” – Assistants and Associates St. George’s Part 6- Rev. Fletcher M. Wells, 2007-2009
Fletcher Wells was the youngest assistant minister at 27 to come to St. George’s. He had more specific responsibilities as Director of Outreach and Youth. There were many firsts during his years at St. George’s.
A Single Year with Outreach -2009
One year in the life of Outreach provides a an overview of the work of this important commission and expression of St. George’s in the world during the early Dannals’ years
Our Little Roses, 2008, a reflection
I’m happy to announce that Saint George’s mission trip to Our Little Roses, located in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, was a huge success, like always. Our group of 17 people met at Quarles Petroleum at three in the morning on August 4th, and drove to Washington where we took a plane to San Pedro Sula. We stayed until the 14th.
“They also preached” – Assistants and Associates St. George’s Part 4- Rev. Nathan Ferrell, 2002-2003
The Rev. Nathan Ferrell was our youngest assistant since Judy Fleming who was flung into a time of significant change in 2002 based on both local events and personal events affecting Charles Sydnor. This possibly had an effect on his time here, particularly with the retirement of Charles Sydnor in May, 2003. Nathan brought contributions to small group ministry, retreat management and the need to a plan for the future
“They also preached” – Assistants and Associates St. George’s Part 3- Rev. Jack Sutor 1990-1993
Jack Sutor was at St. George’s from March, 1990 to Feb., 1993. He had not even been ordained when he arrived but by the time he departed he had attracted a large following.
“They also preached” – Assistants and Associates St. George’s Part 2- Rev. Judith Fleming 1986-1989
The Rev. Judith Fleming was at St. George’s for 2 1/2 year in the late 1980’s and made a contribution to Christian Ed and mission work
“Joyous Renewal in Christ”, an Episcopal Revival, 1975
This is the closest thing to an Episcopal revival that occurred over 4 nights, Oct. 5-8, 1975. 5 prominent Episcopal priests participated.
Parish Profile, 1976
Congregational Profiles are the way to reflect on who we are and the qualities we look for in a new rector. We have done profiles in 1976, 1993 and 2014. This one is the earliest when Charles Sydnor who had been the assistant was being considered as the rector. The picture was shot in 1978 by Ralph Meima.
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
