About Us
St. Anne's Parish is a community of faith striving to become increasingly involved in God's world by deepening our commitment to Christ, the Church and each other, through worship, fellowship, education and outreach.
St. Anne's Parish was founded as a Church of England parish in 1745. During the pre-Revolutionary war period, this parish was the center of sacred and secular life in Albemarle County. The original parish church was "The Ballenger Church" near Howardsville. North Garden Church, Forge Church and Broken Backt Church near Palmyra followed. Our most famous parishioner of the Colonial Period was Thomas Jefferson. Unfortunately, none of these pre-Revolutionary war buildings survived although historic signs near their locations tell their story.
Today, the parish is comprised of three beautiful active churches (Services are held in all our churches):
Christ Church, Glendower, Keene, 1832;
St. John's Church, Scottsville, 1875;
St. Stephen's Church, Esmont, 1914.
The Holy Eucharist is central in our worship. Through Holy Communion and preaching, we strive to express the fullness of our biblical and catholic heritage. It sustains and strengthens us in our love of God and others.
Our Parish Prayer:
Almighty and everlasting God, you established St. Anne's Parish in colonial times to glorify your holy Name and inspired the generations that came before us in this place to attract others to the Good News of your Gospel.
Now give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, to bring many to the joy of knowing and worshiping you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Anne, Our Patron Saint
St. Anne - Feast Day is July 26
St. Anne, the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus, is said by an ancient Christian tradition, to have been married to Joachim. For many years they were without children until finally they were blessed with a child, a girl, whom they called Mary.
They raised her in their own strong Jewish faith, and arranged her marriage to Joseph of Nazareth. However, before they came together, the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was to be the mother of Jesus, Son of God.
As grandparents of Jesus, Anne and Joachim were naturally involved in raising him and assisting his parents. They were close to the holy Child.
People throughout the ages have prayed to St. Anne as someone aware of family needs. Her shrines, churches and parishes can be found everywhere in the Christian world. (The Regina Press)
In the mid 1700's, good Queen Anne of England was very generous to many parishes in the American colonies. She provided books for clergy and many churches now proudly display the communion cups and patens given them by Queen Anne. Anglican Christians showed their love and affection for good Queen Anne by naming their churches and parishes in honor of the one saint that shared her name - St. Anne.
In the diocese of Virginia there are two existing parishes that are named St. Anne; ours in Scottsville and the other in Reston. Our own parish founded in 1745, was probably named to honor both St. Anne and good Queen Anne.