Join us for Sunday Worship!

9:00-9:45 a.m. – Adult Sunday School in the Parish House (September-May)

10:00-11:30 a.m. – WORSHIP: Holy Eucharist (year-round)

10:00-10:40 a.m. – Children’s Sunday School (Godly Play) for ages 3 through 12 in the Parish House (September – May). At 10:40 a.m. the children join the rest of the congregation in church for communion.

Special Liturgies

As a liturgical church, we mark each season of the Church year with a variety of special services, from Advent and Holy Week to Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. See our calendar for more details.

Please check the calendar periodically for the dates and times of additional services and events.

Welcome to the Historic Fork Church in Doswell, Virginia.

The Fork Church resides in the midst of mature oak trees at the fork of two rivers in western Hanover County. Established in 1722, the first church was housed in a wood-framed structure. The present brick building, laid out in Flemish-bond pattern, was erected in 1735-1740. Since that time this landmark colonial building has sheltered a living Episcopal Church. It is both a symbol of the faith which guided its founders and a witness to the ongoing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are an Episcopal church in the Diocese of Virginia. To describe our congregation is to illustrate a vibrant, committed parish whose members come together to worship God and receive encouragement to honor His Word through our daily endeavors. Our pews are filled with individuals of all ages, diverse backgrounds, and myriad interests. Our common desire is to do God’s will at this time and in this place. At The Fork Church we worship together, have fun together, work together, and learn together. Serving the needs of our children and youth is just as important to us as maintaining relationships with our senior citizens. We emphasize outreach and service to our community; and we seek to minister to one another within our fellowship. We are all important and imperfect children of God.

Worship

We value the many liturgical traditions of The Book of Common Prayer and we celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday morning at our 10 a.m. service. Worship involves many congregants of all age groups. Laypeople serve as lectors and Eucharistic ministers, and our youth bear the cross and candles as acolytes. The Altar Guild prepares for each service and cares for the linens and vessels used at the Eucharist. The Flower Guild creates arrangements that lend beauty to each celebration. Traditional hymns and anthems in the Anglican and other classical traditions are sung by a choir of volunteers. Holy Week is marked by a series of poignant evening services beginning Maundy Thursday and continuing with Good Friday and the Great Vigil on Saturday, and culminating with the celebration and testament of our risen Lord on Easter Sunday.

The seasons of Advent and Christmastide are marked by the singing of familiar hymns, families taking part in the lighting of the Advent wreath, the children’s pageant, an evening service on Christmas Eve, a morning service on Christmas Day, and a service of Lessons and Carols. The Fork Church offered a healing service at one time, held on Wednesdays during the day. This was discontinued with the departure of our previous rector. It has been voiced that some would like this service to resume.

Christian Education

We have active and dedicated members who focus on Christian education for both children and adults. Godly Play is a method of Christian education and spiritual direction for children, ages 3 through 5th grade. Journey to Adulthood (J2A) is a program of spiritual formation for young people 6th through 12th grades. On Sunday mornings the Adult Forum engages in open discussion of the meaning of Christianity aimed at developing a deepening capacity for growth in faith.

Outreach

It is important to us that our outreach and mission projects make a tangible difference in the lives of those to whom we minister. The Fork Church offers many forms of outreach within our own church family, our local community, and beyond. Some examples of this service include the Heavenly Stew and Bake Sale, the occasional Fork Opera, Western Hanover Emergency Action Team (WHEAT), Western Hanover Wood Ministry, and partnering with the Peter Paul Development Center.

Our Community

The area is rich in history. Hanover County was established in 1720. The courthouse was completed in 1735 and is known as the site where native son Patrick Henry launched his oratorical career in the Parson’s Cause case. Mr. Henry’s home from 1771-1778, Scotchtown, is located four miles to the southwest. The area contains many Civil War battlefields, including the North Anna Battlefield Park, which is only three miles away. Hanover County has some of the best schools in the state and is close enough to Richmond to take advantage of its excellent restaurants, vibrant arts offerings, and world class medical facilities. Interstate 95 bisects Hanover County, and The Fork Church is located in a rural area a few miles to the west. Long-distance bicyclists can be seen riding by from spring to fall, as Fork Church is on both Bike Routes 1 and 76. In addition, Kings Dominion theme park is just minutes away. Within a ten-mile radius of Fork Church, one finds the following demographical information:

• Population of 32,200 and growing at a rate of 8% per year

• 12,000 households

• Average age: 39

• Average household income: $77,000

• 33% are empty nesters

• 40% are families with children in school

• 70% believe that God is actively involved in the world