There are two marble plaques inside the Church toward the front. One of the individuals is well-known – Rev. Edward McGuire who served the Church for 45 years from 1813-58. The other plaque on the right or south side of the Church honors a gentleman less well known – Reuben Thom. Together they dominated St. … Read more
BARBARA P. WILLIS The first church built in Fredericksburg was by action of the Vestry of St. George’s Parish at a meeting on March 13th, 1732. Col. Henry Willis contracted to build it and the new church at Mattapony for 150,000 lbs. of tobacco. George Home, who surveyed the newly established town of Fredericksburg (1728) … Read more
Part 1 – The Builder
Edward McGuire is arguably the most important figure in St. George’s almost 300 year history. He served as rector for 45 years, 1813-1858 the longest in our record and served in all three St. George’s Church buildings and helped to build two of them. That alone makes him a pivotal figure in this Church. But, his influence stretched beyond the confines of St. George’s
Most of the church bulletins in our archives are post 1970’s. One exception is the one below from 1883 which is wonderfully preserved. Christmas from at least the 1880’s through the 1920’s featured only one Christmas Eve service which was a Sunday School celebration around 7pm with a single service at 11am on Christmas day. … Read more
Return to referring page The war ended in 1865 leaving Fredericksburg in disarray, affecting all life within. John Hennessy, National Park chief historian of Fredericksburg, writes “By war’s end, the community had been transformed, physically (more than 80 buildings destroyed – just under 10% of the city), economically (personal wealth dropped by more than 70%), … Read more
Return to referring page Church services had been a part of the both armies on Sunday. But after Antietam in September, 1862 more and more revivals were requested by the soldiers themselves and not necessarily from chaplains. Many troops also came from a revivalist background. Officers supported revivals since there was the belief that Christian … Read more
Return to referring page Beginning on the night of December 11, 1862 and continuing into the 12th, Fredericksburg suffered a level of destruction that had not been seen up to that time. After the event about $170,000 in donations came to the city to cover part of the losses or about $3.6 to $3.7 million … Read more
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
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
Return to referring page 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 … Read more