Places of Worship

Episcopal

Bruton Parish Episcopal ChurchBruton Parish Episcopal Church: Located in the heart of historic Colonial Williamsburg, Bruton Parish Church has been a spirited and dynamic parish for more than 300 years. Their doors remain open daily, welcoming people from early morning to evening. Join them in our weekly worship, visit them here on the web, or drop by for a quiet time of prayer and meditation during the week. Bruton Parish always welcomes you!

After Middle Plantation, between the York and James Rivers, was "laid out and paled in" in 1633, a parish with the same name was established. Colonists soon built a wooden church, but no one knows when or where

In 1644, Harrop Parish in James City County became active, and it united with Middle Plantation Parish in 1658 to form Middletown Parish. Still more consolidation followed in 1674 when Marston Parish (1654) in York County merged with Middletown Parish to form Bruton Parish. The name honored the prominent Ludwell family and Governor Sir William Berkeley, whose ancestral homes were at Bruton in County Somerset, England.

The brick church, about 60 feet by 24 feet, rose to the north and west of the present church building. Completed in 1683 and dedicated the next year at the Epiphany, Bruton Parish Church was of Gothic design with supporting buttresses. Soon the vestry authorized a steeple and a ring of bells. Royal approval of the structure came in 1694 when the governor, Sir Edmund Andros, gave the parish a large silver server (paten) which the church still has. Roland Jones died in 1688, and a succession of ministers followed.

Grace ChurchGrace Church: Grace Church has continued to grow. Parishioners are involved in many local and diocesan programs, including Daughters of the King, Episcopal Youth Community, Education for Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, LINK (Living Interfaith Network), United Thank Offering, the Labyrinth Project, Cursillo, Camp Wakonda, and many others. In its liturgy, education, and outreach programs, Grace attracts and appeals ot people across denominational lines.

During the 300th anniversary year, the parish celebrated three "historic" services, using editions of the Book of Common Prayer from 1869, 1818, and 1662 to commemorate the rich heritage enjoyed by the modern congregation. On June 1, 1997, four of the five living former rectors of Grace, Gordon Davis, John Alfriend, Philip Porcher, and Claude Turner, returned for the last of the historic services. Alfriend, rector from 1964 to 1971, looked out over the gathered people and said, "I don't recognize very many faces anymore, but you are all still the same congregation." This has held true over the entire history of the parish.

Like the apostolic succession, in every generation, there have been some who remembered what had gone before. This has been both boon and burden — the history is beguiling to the point that one can almost worship the traditions and forget the call to minister to a changing world. However, at Grace Church the building itself stands witness to the living ministry, having been changed to adapt to the needs of those who worship in this place. Each generation has found comfort and nourishment within the rugged walls that has empowered them to go out and answer Jesus' command: "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15)

St. Martin's Episcopal ChurchSt. Martin's Episcopal Church: St. Martin’s is a welcoming, Christ-centered parish where they value diversity in the expressions of their faith. To meet the needs of all, they offer three Sunday services, each different from the others and grounded in the Episcopal tradition. Once a month, St. Martin’s offers the ministry of healing with laying-on of hands and special prayers.

They also offer a wide variety of small-group experiences, both spiritual and educational, that provide opportunities for fellowship, growth, and support.