FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — St. George’s Episcopal Church invites the public to attend a special presentation of the recently completed archaeological study of the church property on Sunday, August 30, from 2 pm – 4 pm in Sydnor Hall at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg.
The presentation will be led by Dr. Kerri Barile Tambs, Principal Investigator with Mead & Hunt, who directed the archaeological research conducted as part of St. George’s ongoing Open to All in Love construction and accessibility project. The study examined areas within McGuire Hall, Faulkner Hall, and the historic churchyard and has yielded significant new insights into nearly 300 years of Fredericksburg history.
Among the report’s most important findings are the discovery of previously unknown remains of St. George’s second church, built in 1815, and new evidence documenting how the church grounds and graveyard have changed over time. Archaeologists uncovered foundation features, stone column supports, architectural materials, and other evidence that allowed researchers to reconstruct the appearance and location of the long-lost church building.
The investigation also revealed that portions of the churchyard landscape were significantly altered during major construction projects in the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. This research has helped provide a more complete understanding of how the church grounds have evolved through multiple generations of church growth and development.
In addition, the archaeological team recovered thousands of artifacts spanning centuries of local history, including colonial-era ceramics, personal objects, Civil War-era artifacts, and materials connected to the church’s long role in the Fredericksburg community. The team also made significant and surprising discoveries about burials in the graveyard while ensuring that human remains were handled with reverence and respect.
“This project has provided an extraordinary opportunity to learn more about the people, buildings, and events that shaped St. George’s and Fredericksburg over nearly three centuries,” said Dr. Barile Tambs. “The findings demonstrate that there is still much to discover beneath one of the city’s most important historic sites.”
“The wealth of information uncovered through archaeology will undoubtedly help us to better understand our history and continue to tell our story in the future,” noted the Rev. Joe Hensley, rector of St. George’s.
The presentation will include an overview of the archaeological investigation, key discoveries, historical context, artifact findings, and the significance of the work for understanding Fredericksburg’s development from the colonial era to the present day. Time will be provided for audience questions.
Additionally, St. George’s rector, the Rev. Joe Hensley, will provide an update on the church’s Open to All in Love construction project, which includes accessibility improvements, addressing deferred maintenance, constructing a columbarium, and funding a building care endowment.
Event Details
- What: Presentation of the Archaeological Study of St. George’s Episcopal Church Property
- Speaker: Dr. Kerri Barile Tambs, Mead & Hunt; the Rev. Joe Hensley, rector of St. George’s
- When: Sunday, August 30, 2 pm – 4 pm
- Where: Sydnor Hall, St. George’s Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA
- Cost: Free and open to the public
Community members, history enthusiasts, preservation advocates, and all those interested in Fredericksburg’s rich heritage are encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact St. George’s Episcopal Church at 540.373.4133; office@stgeorgesepiscopal.net.
On Sunday afternoon we had a wonderful time reflecting on the life and ministry of Rev. Tom and Mary Faulkner, who served at St. George’s for 30 years. Cindy Helton, chair of our History Committee provided an overview of the the Faulkners ministry and its place in our church history. Ann Faulkner Ridgeway, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Faulkner, shared her memories of growing up at St. George’s and how her parents’ legacy has impacted her into adulthood. Rev. Charles Sydnor, who served as Rev. Faulkner’s Associate Rector before becoming Rector at St. George’s, offered a glimpse into the day-to-day work of serving alongside Rev. Faulkner. Our Rector, Rev. Joe Hensley, shared readings by the Faulkners. Additionally, attendees shared memories of the Faulkners. It was a warm afternoon of homecoming. The event concluded with reception in Faulkner Hall. Rev. Joe offered a blessing for the newly renovated space. A special thank you to Foode who generously donated the catering for the event. 
St. George’s will host a public meeting May 7, 2025 at 5.30 pm in the nave to inform the parish and community about our projects to build an accessibility ramp and a columbarium and how we are caring for our historic graveyard in the midst of construction. This meeting is part of how we are working with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and Dovetail Cultural Resources as we show respect for our ancestors and past while addressing the needs of the present.
St. George’s beloved historic graveyard has recently received some much needed TLC. Recently, we had a special Graveyard Care Day to clean our historic stones. We have also been working with an expert in stone care and preservation to provide some additional care.
Calling in the Experts