Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
strenghten exsisting churches reach out to neighbors in need expand youth ministries enhance conference centers build new churches
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Strengthening the Body of Christ through the planting of new congregations and the revitalization of existing churches is an exciting undertaking. The Spirit of God working in and through us provides the Bread of Life to those who have no church. It is, in the words of one sage, "one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread."

A Story
When La Iglesia de Santa Maria, Falls Church was consecrated, it was the realization of a dream over ten years in the making for people across the Diocese. Thousands of Latinos living in the Northern Virginia area received a spiritual home of their own– a place to pray in their native tongue. Forty-nine congregations of the Diocese representing all 15 regions provided financial support and volunteered their time over the years to make the dream become a reality.

It is our responsibility as Christians to reach those who do not know the love of Christ in their daily lives. In Virginia, we have a special responsibility to reach burgeoning populations in Charlottesville, Spotsylvania, Harrisonburg and Northern Virginia, which is home to the second fastest growing county in the country – Loudoun County.

New congregations are magnets to attract new Christians. Roughly half of the members of a two-year-old mission are people who had not previously been part of a church community.

The people of the Diocese of Virginia have planted 16 congregations in the last 10 years making Virginia a national leader in church planting within the Episcopal Church.

This year alone, the Diocese has provided grants to forming congregations around the Commonwealth including Christ the King, Harrisonburg; St. Ives’, Arlington; All Souls’, Atlee; St. Augustine-in-the-Fields, Stafford; and St. Francis’, Goochland.



Structure and Staff
This priority is aided by a host of dedicated volunteers, including the members of the Commission on Church Planting, and led by the Bishop Suffragan, Missioner for Church Planting.

Related Links

New Missions Budget
Support for new congregations has been a diocesan priority for many years. A successful new church start requires a multi-year partnership of financial support from the Diocese, the region and local congregations. Financial support comes from a variety of sources including the annual budget of the Diocese and the 5th Century Fund.

Commission on Church Planting
The mission of the Commission on Church Planting is to mobilize the Diocese in the planting of new churches.The commission's 20-year strategy has identified over 50 potential new church locations.