The 93rd Blessing of the Hounds in 2021
Thanksgiving Morning,
November 25th at 10am
Thanksgiving Morning,
November 25th at 10am
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It is customary each year at the Blessing of the Hounds
for us to collect an offering to benefit local charities.
This year this collection will be divided between
The Keswick Heritage Fund and
Service Dogs of Virginia (https://www.servicedogsva.org/).
You may make an electronic donation at the link near the bottom of this page,
noting “Blessing of the Hounds offering”.
Or, you may mail a check to the church at the address also found below,
made payable to “Grace Episcopal Church” and similarly noted.
Thank you.
for us to collect an offering to benefit local charities.
This year this collection will be divided between
The Keswick Heritage Fund and
Service Dogs of Virginia (https://www.servicedogsva.org/).
You may make an electronic donation at the link near the bottom of this page,
noting “Blessing of the Hounds offering”.
Or, you may mail a check to the church at the address also found below,
made payable to “Grace Episcopal Church” and similarly noted.
Thank you.
First held on November 28, 1929, Grace Episcopal Church was one of the first churches in the country to have a “Blessing of the Hounds” service–a tradition that has continued each Thanksgiving Day since.
By the late 1700’s in England, foxhunting had taken on the forms that remain today. It has been a popular sport in Virginia since colonial times, and it continues customs and traditions that are mostly English in origin. The blessing of hunting hounds is an ancient practice that today features traditions and rituals developed over the centuries. After the foxhunters, their horses and hounds, and even the foxes have been blessed, the hunt begins. All who attend “The Blessing of the Hounds” are welcome to follow across the road for a glimpse of this fascinating tradition.
The Episcopal Church Women serve cider, and hot chocolate in the Parish Hall before and after the Blessing of the Hounds service.
It is an exciting event and will be a great way to begin your Thanksgiving celebration!
By the late 1700’s in England, foxhunting had taken on the forms that remain today. It has been a popular sport in Virginia since colonial times, and it continues customs and traditions that are mostly English in origin. The blessing of hunting hounds is an ancient practice that today features traditions and rituals developed over the centuries. After the foxhunters, their horses and hounds, and even the foxes have been blessed, the hunt begins. All who attend “The Blessing of the Hounds” are welcome to follow across the road for a glimpse of this fascinating tradition.
The Episcopal Church Women serve cider, and hot chocolate in the Parish Hall before and after the Blessing of the Hounds service.
It is an exciting event and will be a great way to begin your Thanksgiving celebration!
2020 Blessing of the Hounds was cancelled due to the pandemic. Below is a video we created instead.
2019 Blessing of the Hounds
The ninety-first Blessing of the Hounds service was held on Thanksgiving morning, November 28th, at 10:00 a.m. This was a beautiful fall service of worship and thanksgiving and was well-attended by the friends of Grace and the general public (approximately nine hundred people including T.V. news networks).
Volunteering
The volunteer hours are 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We want you to be able to worship, enjoy, and attend the service with family and friends, so please consider being a volunteer before the service. We are flexible. Please sign-up in the Parish Hall, call Alison Walden at 434.295.0551, or send an e-mail to alisonwalden@yahoo.com.
This can be a great family event and fun time!
It promises to be an exciting day and will be a wonderful way to begin your Thanksgiving celebration!
It promises to be an exciting day and will be a wonderful way to begin your Thanksgiving celebration!
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See the church calendar for any exceptions
If possible, please call ahead of visiting to confirm availability.
Staff information located here
See the church calendar for any exceptions
If possible, please call ahead of visiting to confirm availability.
Staff information located here
All group gatherings on church property including the cemetery must have prior approval from our office and if you do not receive approval we cannot be held responsible for any injury or damage to property that ensues and it will be considered trespassing.