(Living Church) Virginia Parish Departing TEC Quickly Finds New Land

Church of Our Saviour, Oatlands, which reached an amicable property settlement Feb. 20 with the Diocese of Virginia, has bought a 24-acre site for its new home, only a mile north of its current location in rural Loudoun County. The parish will buy Oaksworth Farm, a former Christmas-tree farm and vineyard, for $1,870,000, said the Rev. Elijah White, rector of Our Saviour since 1977.

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Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, * Economics, Politics, Economy, Episcopal Church (TEC), Housing/Real Estate Market, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Parish Ministry, TEC Conflicts, TEC Conflicts: Virginia, TEC Departing Parishes

8 comments on “(Living Church) Virginia Parish Departing TEC Quickly Finds New Land

  1. David Hein says:

    Not sure what Mr White means–

    “We will not use any plate-glass windows.”

    Wouldn’t clear glass windows be both traditional and just right for the location? Preferable, in my view, to stained glass.

  2. libraryjim says:

    You know, If they restart the Christmas Tree Farm, that could be a good fund raiser for the parish in the future.

  3. orthodoxwill says:

    #1: I don’t think the church has any problem using traditional clear glass windows. I think the objection is to the modern architectural use of massive plate glass.

    #2: There are not that many Christmas Trees left on the property. It has 24 acres fronting a major US Highway in one of the fastest growing and wealthiest counties in the United States.

    After four years of litigation, I thank God that this little, faithful parish’s future is secure. I also thank God for the leadership shown by Elijah White for these past thirty years.

    -Orthodoxwill (Curate, Our Saviour at Oatlands)

  4. David Hein says:

    Amen, and amen.

    On #1: I thought that might be it. Thanks for your comment.

    I’ll look forward to visiting again soon.

  5. AnglicanFirst says:

    And what will ECUSA do with the property that they have seized through legal action?

    Will they be able to replace the departing congregation with a self sustaining non-traditional/non-orthodox congregation?

    It seems like they had to drive out Anglicans in order to carry out their secular agenda.

  6. Archer_of_the_Forest says:

    This is exactly the reason why I counsel people who are thinking of leaving TEC to simply, as it says in the Lectionary reading this morning, to “stop mourning for Saul” and “fill you horn with oil and go.”

    If it is indeed God calling to leave, then God will provide.

  7. Mark Carroll says:

    Congratulations Will!

  8. MichaelA says:

    [blockquote] “People fill the pews if you uphold the supremacy of Scripture,” he said. “Most laity accept that as fact, but many clergy find it inconvenient. If Scripture is authoritative then secondary matters like sex or ordination fall into place — but if Scripture isn’t authoritative, then the final authority is whichever human opinion had the most votes at the most recent meeting.” [/blockquote]
    Amen. Yet one more witness to this fundamental truth. May the Lord bless this faithful congregation and see their labours multiply greatly.