|
Old Donation Church is a parish in The Episcopal Church, which is the branch of the Anglican Communion that covers the United States and other areas beyond. More specifically, Old Donation is a member of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, with the diocesan office in Norfolk. We are led by The Rt. Rev. Herman "Holly" Hollerith, who is our bishop. Following is some information about the diocese and a link to their web site. is comprised of 115 parishes and more than 170 clergy. The Diocese was formed in 1892 as a spin off from the Diocese of Virginia, which dates back four centuries to 1607, when colonists sent from England paused on their way into the Chesapeake Bay for fresh water and a view of their new land. The Reverend Robert Hunt, spiritual advisor to the settlers, planted a cross into a sand dune near Cape Henry, proclaiming England's unique brand of Christianity as the official faith of the new colony. The Church of England (Episcopal Church) would remain the established church of Virginia for the next 172 years. Today, the Diocese stretches more than 200 miles from the Atlantic Ocean westward to Appomattox, and from the south side of the James River at Richmond to the North Carolina border. It includes the large metropolitan areas of Hampton Roads and Greater Richmond.  The present size and shape of the diocese dates from 1892, when it was carved out of the Diocese of Virginia, and from 1919 when the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia was formed from its western counties. Today the diocese stretches from the Atlantic Ocean more than two hundred miles westward to Appomattox, and from the south side of the James River at Richmond to the North Carolina border. Click here for the web site for the Diocese of Southern Virginia.  |
