Return to referring page On Oct 18, 1815, the Virginia Herald reported the consecration of the 2nd Church on Sunday, Oct. 15, 1815 by Bishop Channing Moore. “The occasion brought together a larger congregation than was ever witnessed in this place. About sixty persons were confirmed; and the Holy Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was … Read more
Return to referring page These notes are from Paula Felder and were addressed to Barbara Willis and at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Felder was possibly the leading colonial historian in Fredericksburg
Return to referring page 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 … Read more
Return to referring page Music was late in coming to the colonial church. Barbara Willis wrote in the “Three Churches of St. George’s that “In 1770, the church was repaired and a gallery erected in the new addition. In 1789, an addition was made to the south side of the Church “so as to form … Read more
Return to referring page It is appropriate that when we re-hung the plaques after the renovation the Phillips Brooks plaque was moved from the back wall of the Church to the front next to the pulpit. From the time he preached at St. George’s in July, 1859 until his premature death in 1893 at … Read more
Return to referring page 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. … Read more
Return to referring page Editor’s note – Trip Wiggins is St. George’s archivist Rev. Edward Charles McGuire. What do we know about him? Longest serving Rector of St. George’s (45+ years) Only Rector buried in our churchyard McGuire Hall named after him We have a nice portrait of him and his wife in McGuire Hall … Read more
Return to referring page Bazil Gordon is known for supporting the 2nd church throught the gift of the font (still used today) and for purchasing a pew. He was not only a prosperous merchant in Falmouth in the import export trade, but has said to be the first millionaire in America by the time he … Read more
Return to referring page This plaque is hung in the stairway in the narthex going down to Sydnor Hall. When going down to Sydnor Hall, below the Nave, imagine yourself going down to a ship’s galley and you will have an appropriate setting for this month’s story. John Minor Maury was eclipsed by his famous … Read more
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