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There's a place for you here.

New to Richmond? Unfamiliar with the Episcopal Church, or with Christianity? Welcome.

Whoever you are, wherever you are in your spiritual journey, the people of St. Stephen's Church hope that your experience with this church will encourage and strengthen you.

As you browse our Web site, you might consider: 

  • visiting St. Stephen's for a worship service 
  • coming to an informal supper
  • stopping by the Farmers Market on Saturday morning
  • attending one of our receptions or lunches for visitors and newcomers (info here) 
  • signing up for an Inquirers Class
  • subscribing to St. Stephen's weekly email, the eSpirit; there is no cost, no obligation, and we will not share your email address with any outside group
  • attending a retreat, workshop or group, or participating in any of the other offerings you'll see on these pages. 

Do as much or as little as you like. There are no "requirements" for being a part of this community of faith. If you wish to be baptized or confirmed, or to transfer your membership from another Episcopal parish, we'd love for you to do so. But it's not required. Everything we do, everything we offer, is open to all, regardless of whether you are a "member" of this church. If you're here, you belong.

Here's an online visitor card: it's not required--it just helps us to be more responsive to you!

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
6000 Grove Avenue
Richmond, VA 23226
804.288.2867

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Our Services

St. Stephen's is a vibrant parish that offers worship, prayer and more seven days a week. Sunday, of course, is our big day. You are most welcome at any of the services held here.

Sunday Worship

  • 8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite One
  • 9:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite Two*
  • 11:15 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite Two*
  • 5:30 p.m., Celtic Evensong and Communion*
  • 6:30 p.m., Sunday Community Supper
  • 8:00 p.m., Compline
*indicates child care available through age 4

Weekday worship 

  • 8:10 a.m., Morning Prayer with Communion
  • 5:30 p.m., Evening Prayer (on Wednesdays during the academic year, this service includes the Virginia Girls Choir) 

Saturday worship

  • 5:30 p.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite Two

Accessibility

There are several entrances to the church and parish house that are designed to be accessible to those with mobility issues or other physical limitations:

All entrances to the church, and the main entrance to the parish house, are equipped with power-assist doors. In addition, the main entrance to the parish house, from the large parking lot, has an elevator on the ground floor that allows you to bypass the steps. The Grove Avenue entrance to the main church is gently sloped, without steps, and the Three Chopt Road entrance has a ramp. 

Inside the church, several pews are shortened to allow space for a wheelchair or walker: the first pews on either side of the center aisle, nearest the altar, and the pews near the large baptismal font.

The church is equipped with assistive hearing devices for the hearing-impaired. Please ask an usher for one of these devices as you enter the church.

More about Services Contact Us

Nursery - Senior High

St. Stephen's Church has an active ministry for children and youth, staffed by an energetic and talented family ministries staff and dedicated, well-trained volunteers. Our family ministry staff sends a regular email newsletter to parents for which you may sign up.

Confirmation

At St. Stephen's, young people who desire to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church may do so in the ninth grade or later. They are prepared in a year-long course called "Philip's Way," and confirmation takes place when one of our bishops visits St. Stephen's, usually in May.

More about Children More about Youth

Are you in your 20-30s?

Young adults are part of every facet of parish life at St. Stephen's, and you are always welcome at any worship service, adult education opportunity or social event—membership is NOT required. You (and your friends and family) are always welcome here. Single or married, with children or not, in school or not--all are welcome.

Get Connected

Some activities and ministries at St. Stephen's are designed especially for young adults, including a young adult Bible study group, social gatherings, retreats, and outreach and volunteer opportunities. The best way to keep up with what young adults are doing at St. Stephen's is to sign up for our e-newsletter.

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A Fellowship

One of the distinctive things about being an Episcopalian is the sense of connection and fellowship one has with other Episcopalian Christians. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is part of the Diocese of Virginia, one of the oldest and largest dioceses in the Episcopal Church.

Our diocese includes 80,000 people who worship God and reach out to others in 181 parishes in 38 counties in central, northern and northwestern Virginia. It is one of three Episcopal dioceses in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the others being the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia (based in Roanoke) and the Diocese of Southern Virginia (based in Norfolk). You can read more about the Diocese of Virginia at thediocese.net.

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Sunday Schedule

Holy Eucharist: 8:00, 9:00, 11:15

Christian Education for all ages: 10:10 (returning September)

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OUR LOCATION

6000 Grove Avenue Richmond, VA 23226
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Online worship

Read about the weekly rhythm of our parish life for the fall and beyond here.

Like other churches in the Diocese of Virginia and neighboring dioceses, St. Stephen's Church suspended Sunday services March 15 until further notice, to safeguard the health and well-being of all during the global COVID-19 pandemic. In response, St. Stephen's began producing weekly videos with prayers, Scripture, hymns, and a homily for each Sunday. In November, we shifted to a livestreamed service of Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m., followed later by in-person distribution of Communion (bread only). The livestreamed service is recorded so that you may watch it later, if you wish.

Can we worship in person?  

All Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Virginia are prohibited from holding in-person worship indoors because of the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus. Some churches have been holding outdoor services for some time; even then, attendance is capped at a number based on the most recent public health data.

With that in mind, and with cold and inclement weather arriving, our staff have worked with our bishop to allow St. Stephen’s to pilot a way for parishioners to enter our beautiful church, not for full worship services, but for brief times of personal prayer and devotion, and to receive Holy Communion. This offering, from noon to 2:00 each Sunday, has proven enormously popular, offering much-needed spiritual refreshment for our parishioners. Our musicians, our sacred architecture, our gracious volunteers, and our devoted staff all contribute to a most holy, in-person experience each Sunday from noon to 2:00. 

Our plan is to expand this opening of our worship space to weekdays, when conditions allow, and eventually to allow small groups to reserve large, indoor spaces in our parish house so that they can meet in person (masked, of course).  We have been approved by the bishop to continue piloting such offerings for our parishioners, with the understanding that other parishes can learn from our experience and perhaps allow them to do the same in the future. If you wish to take advantage of these opportunities, you will sign up in advance using a link we'll provide on this page.

Sunday, November 29, 2020
  • The sign-up for receiving Communion ion November 29 is HERE.
  • The bulletin for this Sunday's service will be available here later this week.
  • A link to "Wondering about the Gospel in Palmer Hall" will be posted here on Sunday.
  • The livestream for November 29 is below.
  • Looking for the Daily Morning Prayer livestream? It's here.

Livestream for Sunday:

 

Receiving Communion

The distribution of Communion will be offered from noon until 2:00 p.m. and from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

If you wish to take part in the in-person distribution of Communion, please sign up here, and read carefully the protocols and procedures in place.

These include:

  • Signing up in advance.
  • Using one entrance--the Three Chopt Road entrance (the west door)--to enter the church, and the north and south doors to exit. This will allow our ushers to ensure that the maximum number of people permitted in the building at one time is not exceeded, that we have an accurate list of those who attended (should contact tracing become necessary), and that people are able to maintain safe distance from one another.
  • Wearing a mask at all times except the moment when you consume the bread.
  • Maintaining distance of six feet or more from anyone outside your household, except when receiving the bread from a priest.
  • Following the instructions of the ushers.
Past services

November 22, 2020; preacher: Claudia Merritt | program
November 15, 2020; preacher: Will Stanley | program
November 8, 2020; preacher: Gary Jones | program

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Sunday Forum 

Want to hear the homilist reflect on his or her message and take your questions about it? Register to participate in the Sunday Forum (10 a.m.) here. Watch past conversations here.

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Worship videos

November 1, 2020, All Saints' Day | Program (PDF download)
October 25, 2020, Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download)
October 18, 2020, Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download)
October 11, 2020, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download) 
October 4, 2020, Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download)
September 27, 2020, Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download) 
September 20, 2020, Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download) 
September 13, 2020, Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download) 
September 6, 2020, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download) 
August 30, 2020, Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download) 
August 23, 2020, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download) 
August 16, 2020, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download)
August 9, 2020, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download)
August 2, 2020, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost | Program (PDF download)

Earlier videos are available here.

Other resources for prayer and reflection at home:

 

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