Grace Church summer bible school 2000, "Holyword Studio" project with participants and director Sharon Hovanic. E.H.Sutton photo
21st Century:
Renewal and Building for the Future
2000 - Design-construction committee forms for expanding the parish house, architect Bruce Wardell, contractor Alexander Nicholson (p. 128 Rives) Tom and Julie Estes chair. Agreement with the Diocese to promote the use of the expanded space for community groups and services
2001- Groundbreaking for new parish house, Rev. Norton vacates rectory in order to purchase her own home.
2002 - Grace Church Parish House expansion complete
September 11, 2002 - Zion Hill and Grace hold joint memorial service for community lives lost in the terrorist attack on the national Trade Center in New York. (Rives p.124)
2003 - Reverend R.A. Johnson preaches at Grace Church for joint service April 27
2005 – Grace Church purchased the Ladd-Sorrell property on Millwoood Lane to preserve the natural setting as well as to provide room for future cemetery and other expansion.
2006 -Rectory property sold as clergy were more likely to get a housing allowance than to seek a rectory.
2007 - Michael Latsko begins term as music director.
2008 - The Food Closet began to distribute food weekly. Initially, a Lenten project to meet the needs of those stopping by church for food. Long-term commitment changed to monthly distribution, held in the evening to serve the working poor. No verification of income sought.
2010 - Grace Church initiated the Farm Tour as an effort to increase funds for community services and to host events that engage with the broader community.
2010 - US Census records show that African Americans only make up 8.7% of the Rivanna District.
June 13 2011 - Former St. John Rosenwald School “The former (all black) St. John Elementary School is certified as a Nonprofit Corporation in Virginia, official name is “St. John Family Life and Fitness Center, Inc.”. It is recognized by the Virginia DHR.
2012 - Rev. Julie Norton retires
**2013 - Rev. G. Miles Smith becomes Rector.
**2016- St. John School-Rosenwald receives Virginia Department of Historic Resources state landmark status
** 2017, August 12 - Riots in Charlottesville make the international news; protesters challenge removal of the Lee Statue and other confederate monuments, resulting in one death. Rev Carol Sims, Grace Church, joins efforts by the local churches, synagogues and other faith-based groups to assist in crisis management and civic care.
**2018-2020 - Renovation of Grace Church Sanctuary and installation of Opus77, the new organ.
**2020**- Rev. G. Miles Smith and the vestry sends letter to the congregation and area churches in sympathy for the tragic deaths caused by police brutality. Episcopal Bishop of Virginia requests all parishes to explore ways to help in current national crisis.
August, 2020 - Keswick Heritage Fund created to ..”1)..to provide financial and facilitative support towards educational opportunities for local African-American youth, to which they have historically not had equal access. These may include scholarships for higher education, internships, tutoring, mentoring, assistance with resume or college application preparation, and other similar services….2) …to encourage participation in initiatives that further the education of African-American youth, enhance mutual understanding of how race has been a factor in our mutual local histories and build respectful, appreciative understanding.” First annual scholarship awarded to Ashley M. Williams, B.A. VCU 2021
September 2020 - Grace Church establishes a task force on race and diversity, “Building Bridges to Better Understanding” and begins Sacred Ground study program through the Episcopal Church.
November 21, 2020 – “Community Cares”, volunteer initiative coordinated by Zion Hill Baptist with volunteer help from Grace and donated funds from Grace members for supplies.
February 10, 2021- Pastor G. Miles Smith and lay members from Grace meet with Pastors Carolyn Dillard of Zion Hill, Rickey White of Union Run and Kelvin Hawkins of St. John to discuss the formation of a committee to administer a jointly administered educational fund.
2001- Groundbreaking for new parish house, Rev. Norton vacates rectory in order to purchase her own home.
2002 - Grace Church Parish House expansion complete
September 11, 2002 - Zion Hill and Grace hold joint memorial service for community lives lost in the terrorist attack on the national Trade Center in New York. (Rives p.124)
2003 - Reverend R.A. Johnson preaches at Grace Church for joint service April 27
2005 – Grace Church purchased the Ladd-Sorrell property on Millwoood Lane to preserve the natural setting as well as to provide room for future cemetery and other expansion.
2006 -Rectory property sold as clergy were more likely to get a housing allowance than to seek a rectory.
2007 - Michael Latsko begins term as music director.
2008 - The Food Closet began to distribute food weekly. Initially, a Lenten project to meet the needs of those stopping by church for food. Long-term commitment changed to monthly distribution, held in the evening to serve the working poor. No verification of income sought.
2010 - Grace Church initiated the Farm Tour as an effort to increase funds for community services and to host events that engage with the broader community.
2010 - US Census records show that African Americans only make up 8.7% of the Rivanna District.
June 13 2011 - Former St. John Rosenwald School “The former (all black) St. John Elementary School is certified as a Nonprofit Corporation in Virginia, official name is “St. John Family Life and Fitness Center, Inc.”. It is recognized by the Virginia DHR.
2012 - Rev. Julie Norton retires
**2013 - Rev. G. Miles Smith becomes Rector.
**2016- St. John School-Rosenwald receives Virginia Department of Historic Resources state landmark status
** 2017, August 12 - Riots in Charlottesville make the international news; protesters challenge removal of the Lee Statue and other confederate monuments, resulting in one death. Rev Carol Sims, Grace Church, joins efforts by the local churches, synagogues and other faith-based groups to assist in crisis management and civic care.
**2018-2020 - Renovation of Grace Church Sanctuary and installation of Opus77, the new organ.
**2020**- Rev. G. Miles Smith and the vestry sends letter to the congregation and area churches in sympathy for the tragic deaths caused by police brutality. Episcopal Bishop of Virginia requests all parishes to explore ways to help in current national crisis.
August, 2020 - Keswick Heritage Fund created to ..”1)..to provide financial and facilitative support towards educational opportunities for local African-American youth, to which they have historically not had equal access. These may include scholarships for higher education, internships, tutoring, mentoring, assistance with resume or college application preparation, and other similar services….2) …to encourage participation in initiatives that further the education of African-American youth, enhance mutual understanding of how race has been a factor in our mutual local histories and build respectful, appreciative understanding.” First annual scholarship awarded to Ashley M. Williams, B.A. VCU 2021
September 2020 - Grace Church establishes a task force on race and diversity, “Building Bridges to Better Understanding” and begins Sacred Ground study program through the Episcopal Church.
November 21, 2020 – “Community Cares”, volunteer initiative coordinated by Zion Hill Baptist with volunteer help from Grace and donated funds from Grace members for supplies.
February 10, 2021- Pastor G. Miles Smith and lay members from Grace meet with Pastors Carolyn Dillard of Zion Hill, Rickey White of Union Run and Kelvin Hawkins of St. John to discuss the formation of a committee to administer a jointly administered educational fund.
