Our History

In 1890, Staunton was a prosperous commerce hub with a rail line, turnpikes, hotels, schools, a thriving business district--and Trinity Episcopal Church, established in the mid-1700s. Three years later, the town had two Episcopal churches, the second only two blocks from the first. Emmanuel's founders left Trinity over differences with the rector and his authoritarian style. Ninety Trinity members asked for the rector's resignation. When he refused, they left. Hearing of their departure, the rector reportedly said, "We lose very little financially, less socially, and nothing at all spiritually. Let them go!" In March 1893, the group gathered to plan a new church. With approval from the Diocese of Southern Virginia, they met in June at the YMCA building downtown to elect a vestry. Its members were well connected in town: attorneys, bank and insurance company officers, a professor. The new vestry's first jobs were to choose a name--Emmanuel Episcopal Church--and to call a rector. They extended an offer to the Rev. Robert Jett, then serving a congregation in Mount Jackson, Va. He accepted the call in July at an annual salary of $1,500 and led the new church's first worship service in September in the YMCA auditorium. At the same time, women of the church formed the Church Workers Society, which met at members' homes, paid dues and was later instrumental in raising money to furnish Emmanuel's new sanctuary. The Robertson family, founding members, donated a lot at Frederick and Washington streets for the new building. The vestry opened bidding in March 1894 for a church that would seat 400. Architect T.J. Collins, who designed more than 200 buildings in Staunton, drew plans for the Gothic Revival church. Construction started in May. The church was completed in four months at a cost of $20,000 and was consecrated on Sept. 24. Trinity's rector was among clergy assisting in the service. Funds from the Church Workers Society helped to pay for the windows, organ, carpet, communion service and surplices. A small construction loan was paid off in 1899. With membership growing, the congregation voted in 1902 to expand its building. The sanctuary, which initially faced south, was reoriented to face west. The original chancel was closed off and repurposed as a choir and vestry area. The new chancel was raised under a vaulted ceiling with stenciling in blue, green and gold. The parish hall was added in 1929. Mr. Jett served Emmanuel for 20 years, resigning in 1913 to lead the Virginia Episcopal School for Boys in Lynchburg, Va. His successor was the Rev. William G. McDowell, chaplain at Stuart Hall. Since its founding, Emmanuel has had close ties with Stuart Hall, established in 1844 as the Virginia Female Institute. Flora Stuart, widow of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart, was an early Emmanuel member, a teacher and later principal at the school, situated across Frederick Street from the church. In 1907 the Institute was named in her honor. The school still uses Emmanuel as its chapel. Mr. McDowell resigned in 1918 to enlist in the army. His successor, the Rev. John Lewis Gibbs, joined Emmanuel on Jan. 1, 1919, and served for nearly 40 years. Known as Papa Gibbs, he set an example for outreach. Besides serving the church, he was chaplain at Stuart Hall, on the national board of the YMCA, and the boards of Virginia Theological Seminary and the Staunton Public Library. After his death in 1964, Emmanuel established a scholarship in his memory. Mr. Gibbs' successor, the Rev. Victor Ross, led Emmanuel into the tumultuous 1960s. Like the nation, the church was wrestling with racial and political tensions, and reevaluating its mission. In 1964, the vestry stated that anyone, regardless of race, was welcome at Emmanuel. After Mr. Ross resigned in 1965, Emmanuel had two supply priests, two rectors who served for two years each, and in 1971 called the Rev. Hugh White. His tenure brought stability and growth as the church explored ways to make worship relevant for all members and to use the talents of its laity. The church made renovations that included an office for Meals on Wheels and offered meeting space to community groups, including Girl Scouts of the USA and Alcoholics Anonymous. The early 1990s saw a series of personnel changes and declining membership. In a 1994 self-study, the congregation weighed its options: close altogether, merge with Trinity, hire a part-time rector. Choosing the third option, Emmanuel called the Rev. Jane Sigloh, based in Charlottesville, Va. She served part time until 1998. In late 1999, the Rev. Ed Covert, who had retired from a parish in Martinsville, Va., began supplying Emmanuel's pulpit. On Christmas Eve, he led a 5 p.m. service for young families, drawing a large crowd. This opened the door for a series of programs for children and teens. Mr. Covert also renewed ties with Trinity and Stuart Hall, where he was chaplain and a board member. He served Emmanuel for 12 years, during which attendance grew steadily. In 2012, Mr. Covert was succeeded by the Rev. Shelby Ochs Owen. With her guidance, Emmanuel added Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer groups, a Blue Christmas service, a prison ministry, a Pride Eucharist and occasional events with Staunton's Greater Allen A.M.E. Church. The kitchen was remodeled, and a food pantry, stocked by the congregation, was set up on Frederick Street. In 2019, Ms. Owen became Emmanuel's full-time rector, its first in 30 years. She served until May 2020. During the Covid epidemic, Sunday services went online, returning to the sanctuary for Pentecost in 2021. The church at that time was without a pastor. The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Bauer joined Emmanuel as full-time rector in July 2023, resigning two years later. Through more than 100 years and countless changes, Emmanuel has stayed true to its mission: building a deep relationship with God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit; sharing resources and talents with local, national and international communities; offering love, respect, kindness and forgiveness to everyone. Sources "Staunton, Virginia, City Directory, 1890." Staunton Public Library. "Sketch of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Augusta Parish, Staunton, Virginia." The Rev. Robert Carter Jett, 1899. "Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Staunton, Virginia." Alex. F. Robertson Jr., 1969. "History of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Staunton, Virginia." 1978. "Historic Staunton Foundation Christmas House Tour 1981." Douglas Roller, 1981. "Staunton's Newtown. Portrait of a Historic District." Katherine L. Brown, Lot's Wife Publishing, 2005. Recollections of Emmanuel vestry members, 2023. Interview with the Rev. Ed Covert, January 2026 Special thanks to Katharine L. Brown, James D. Lott, Ed Covert