The Ceremony Site

After a lot of looking around, mainly by Mr. Riley and his Mom, we decided that we would get married at my church in Fredericksburg, VA. We both liked the idea of following tradition but I also love my pastor and the history behind the church's sanctuary.

" [The] current sanctuary, the second one to be used by Presbyterians in the city, is an example of Jeffersonian Reformed Revival Architecture, and it is Fredericksburg's oldest house of worship. During the Battle of Fredericksburg in December of 1862, the church was heavily shelled, and in 1864, the interior was sacked and the roof partially destroyed. Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, cared for wounded Union soldeirs in the church." -From The Fredericksburg PC Website

If you look closely at the picture below you can see one of the cannon balls from the Battle of Fredericksburg referenced above. (It's the black spot on the second column above the light fixture).

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Although the church does not have a traditional steeple the bell tower is a prominent figure in city skyline.

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The wrought iron gate entrance mirrors the entrance to our reception site, The Jepson Executive Alumni Center.

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Below is a picture of the sanctuary. It was recently redone with new carpet installed, new paint, and all the wood trim and embellishments restored.

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Another, better picture of the sanctuary. The pews are traditional box pews. During the battle of Fredericksburg the church was utilized as a field hospital. The original box pews were removed to construct coffins for deceased soldiers. The pews now used are replicas.

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