St. George's Episcopal Church, Fredericksburg
Encyclopedia
St. George's Episcopal Church is a church in Fredericksburg, Virginia
at 905 Princess Anne Street. The church, built in the 18th century and re-built in 1815 and 1849, is a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
.
, the mother of George Washington
, and her family living in the area, attended this old St. George's.
St. George’s joined the new Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States in 1789.
A new building, in brick, replaced the old wooden church in 1815, but that was itself replaced by the present building in 1849.
During the Battle of Fredericksburg
(1862), the church was damaged by cannon fire; it was also used as a command post for the Union Army
when they took the city.
The church has been continuously developed, including the addition of side galleries (1854), the town clock and installation of striking stained glass windows (some by Tiffany) at various times (1885–1943). The original pews are still in use, but there have been various refurbishments and restorations to the organ, the buildings on the surrounding site such as the hall, and to the church building itself.
The Rector is the Reverend James C. Dannals.
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
at 905 Princess Anne Street. The church, built in the 18th century and re-built in 1815 and 1849, is a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
The Diocese of Virginia is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America encompassing 38 counties in the northern and central parts of the state of Virginia. The diocese was organized in 1785 and is one of the Episcopal Church's nine original dioceses. However, the diocese has...
.
History
An area of land was designated as "St. George's Parish" as early as 1720, but construction of a church building was not begun until 1732. The wooden frame church was completed in 1741. Mary Ball WashingtonMary Ball Washington
Mary Ball Washington was the second wife to Augustine Washington, and was the mother of George Washington.-Life:...
, the mother of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, and her family living in the area, attended this old St. George's.
St. George’s joined the new Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States in 1789.
A new building, in brick, replaced the old wooden church in 1815, but that was itself replaced by the present building in 1849.
During the Battle of Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
(1862), the church was damaged by cannon fire; it was also used as a command post for the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
when they took the city.
The church has been continuously developed, including the addition of side galleries (1854), the town clock and installation of striking stained glass windows (some by Tiffany) at various times (1885–1943). The original pews are still in use, but there have been various refurbishments and restorations to the organ, the buildings on the surrounding site such as the hall, and to the church building itself.
St. George's today
The church is an active and thriving community, with a wide range of services, activities and events. Visitors are welcome, and the church is open for prayer and meditation daily from 8 am to 10 pm. On Sunday, the building remains open until approximately 9 pm. Except in summer, Sunday services are at 7:45 am, 9 am, and 11 am. During summer, services are at 7:45 am and 10 am.The Rector is the Reverend James C. Dannals.