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There's a place for you here.

New to Richmond? Unfamiliar with the Episcopal Church, or with Christianity? Welcome. 

Whoever you are, wherever you are in your spiritual journey, the people of St. Stephen's Church hope that your experience with this church will encourage and strengthen you. 

As you browse our Web site, you might consider: 

  • visiting St. Stephen's for a worship service and/or watching our livestreamed services

  • coming to an informal supper

  • stopping by the Farmers Market on Saturday morning

  • attending one of our receptions for visitors and newcomers

  • signing up for an Inquirers Class

  • subscribing to St. Stephen's weekly email, the eSpirit; there is no cost, no obligation, and we will not share your email address with any outside group

  • attending a retreat, workshop or group, or participating in any of the other offerings you'll see on these pages.

Do as much or as little as you like. There are no "requirements" for being a part of this community of faith. If you wish to be baptized or confirmed, or to transfer your membership from another Episcopal parish, we'd love for you to do so. But it's not required. Everything we do, everything we offer, is open to all, regardless of whether you are a "member" of this church. If you're here, you belong. 

Here's an online visitor card: it's not required--it just helps us to be more responsive to you!

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
6000 Grove Avenue
Richmond, VA 23226
804.288.2867

Our services

St. Stephen's is a vibrant parish offering several kinds of worship services. Sunday, of course, is our big day. You are most welcome at any of the services held here.

Sunday schedule (from the Sunday after Labor Day through the Sunday before Memorial Day)

8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite Two*, in the main church and in Palmer Hall Chapel
10:10 a.m., Education for all ages*
11:15 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite Two*
5:30 p.m., Celtic Evensong and Communion
6:30 p.m., Sunday Community Supper
8:00 p.m., Compline

Sunday schedule (from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend)

8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite One
10:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite Two*
5:30 p.m., Celtic Evensong and Communion*
6:30 p.m., Sunday Community Supper
8:00 p.m., Compline

*indicates child care available through age 4

Weekday worship

Year-round
8:10 a.m., Morning Prayer with Communion

(When the parish office is closed for a holiday or due to inclement weather, weekday Morning Prayer does not take place.) 

Where we're located

St. Stephen's is located at the corner of Three Chopt Road and Grove Avenue (the address is 600 Grove Avenue), near the University of Richmond and across the street from St. Catherine's School.

If you are coming to the church office, the most direct route is through the double glass doors to the parish house off the parking lot on Somerset.  If you're coming for a worship service, you can enter from Grove Avenue or Three Chopt Road.

Accessibility

There are several entrances to the church and parish house that are designed to be accessible to those with mobility issues or other physical limitations:

All entrances to the church, and the main entrance to the parish house, are equipped with power-assist doors. In addition, the main entrance to the parish house, from the large parking lot, has an elevator on the ground floor that allows you to bypass the steps. The Grove Avenue entrance to the main church is gently sloped, without steps, and the Three Chopt Road entrance has a ramp.

Inside the church, several pews are shortened to allow space for a wheelchair or walker: the first pews on either side of the center aisle, nearest the altar, and the pews near the large baptismal font.

The church is equipped with assistive hearing devices for the hearing-impaired. Please ask an usher for one of these devices as you enter the church.

From birth through high school

St. Stephen's Church has an active ministry for children and youth, staffed by an energetic and talented family ministries staff and dedicated, well-trained volunteers. Our family ministry staff sends an email newsletter to parents for which you may sign up.

Our main offering for young children is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. For youth in grades 6-12, we use Journey to Adulthood. Both are highly regarded spiritual formation approaches.

We also strive to provide opportunities for parents to learn, grow, and receive support from other parents and from our clergy.

HOLY BAPTISM

Holy Baptism is available for babies, children, and adults. Read more about Baptism and preparation here.

CONFIRMATION 

At St. Stephen's, young people who desire to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church may enter the preparation process in the ninth grade or later. Confirmation takes place when one of our bishops visits St. Stephen's, usually in May.

Young adults

Young adults--single or partnered, with children or not, in college or working--are invited to take part in everything St. Stephen's has to offer, from worship to small groups, choirs to Sunday Community suppers, from outreach and volunteer activities to our environmental stewardship group.

We have tagged 20s and 30s as "young adulthood" but many who participate in young adult activities are in their 40s. The bottom line is, no one will ask you your age--if you think of yourself as a young adult, so do we!

While young adults at St. Stephen's sometimes gather with others in their age cohort, everyone is welcome to join a group or a class with adults of all ages. 

Children and teenagers love having adults who are closer to their age as teachers and mentors. You do not have to be a parent to serve in our ministries among children and youth.

Many young adults particularly enjoy the Compline service at St. Stephen's Church, held Sunday nights at 8 in the church. This ancient service is used as the last service of the day in monastic communities, cathedrals, churches, and schools, and many people say it in their homes. (It's found on page 127 of the Book of Common Prayer.) At St. Stephen's, the service is sung by a mixed a cappella choir. The choir chants prayers and psalms, interspersed with motets. It's an exquisite service, with candles (no other lighting) and incense. Those who attend sit in or lie on a pew in silence, praying, meditating or simply listening to the music. The service lasts just 30 minutes. 

We livestream our main Sunday morning service, our Celtic service, and Compline each Sunday. You'll find these on our Web site, on our Facebook page, and on our YouTube channel.

A fellowship

One of the distinctive things about being an Episcopalian is the sense of connection and fellowship one has with other Episcopalian Christians. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is part of the Diocese of Virginia, one of the oldest and largest dioceses in the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Our diocese includes 80,000 people who worship God and reach out to others in nearly 180 parishes in 38 counties in central, northern and northwestern Virginia. It is one of three Episcopal dioceses in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the others being the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia (based in Roanoke) and the Diocese of Southern Virginia (based in Norfolk). You can read more about the Diocese of Virginia at thediocese.net.

The best way to learn about what it means to be a Christian in the Episcopal tradition is to attend an inquirers class. This class usually meets once a week for seven weeks and is taught by our clergy two or three times each year.

 

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Sunday Schedule

Holy Eucharist: 8:00, 9:00, 11:15

Christian Education for all ages: 10:10 (returning September)

OUR LOCATION

6000 Grove Avenue Richmond, VA 23226
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Parish Staff

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John D. Rohrs

Rector

The Rev. John D. Rohrs was called as the ninth rector of St. Stephen's Church in the summer of 2022, and began his ministry here that September. When he was called to St. Stephen's, John had been rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk, in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, since 2009. Before that, he was associate rector at Christ Church, Raleigh, N.C. John's wife, the Rev. Andie Rohrs, is also an Episcopal priest. They have three children: Anna and twins Tom and Will. John is a 1999 graduate of Duke University and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He has extensive community and diocesan leadership experience. He is known for balancing worship and spiritual formation with meaningful engagement in the world through outreach. He has a passion for family ministry and a successful track record of bringing young families into the church.

 
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Cate Anthony

Associate Rector

The Rev. Cate Anthony is delighted to begin her ordained ministry at St. Stephen’s. A child of Florida and Delaware, Cate is a graduate of McGill University, Berkeley Divinity School, and Yale Divinity School. Before earning her Master of Divinity at Yale, Cate spent three years in Chicago. While there, she spent a year in the Episcopal Service Corps (where she met Anna Jones, our farmers market manager), was chaplain to the Emergency Department at Rush University Medical Center, and worked in development at a Roman Catholic seminary. During her time at YDS, Cate’s academic and pastoral work focused on ministry to individuals and communities in the midst of trauma and conflict. As a member of the clergy of St. Stephen’s, Cate will coordinate our extensive pastoral care ministry, act as a dedicated clergy presence to the family and children’s ministries, and help craft a bold vision for our food ministries (a dream come true for Cate, an aspiring master chef).

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Kitty Ball

Office Coordinator

Kitty Ball joined St. Stephen’s staff in July 2022, working in the front office part-time. Kitty is a native Richmonder and proud graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. She has a background in events and legal marketing. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, live music, attending VCU basketball games and her air fryer.

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Sarah R. Bartenstein

Director of Communications

When Sarah arrived at St. Stephen’s in December 2005, she was already familiar with the parish and its role as a leader in the Diocese of Virginia, having served as communications director for the diocese for 12 years. Before coming to St. Stephen’s, she was communications director for Commonwealth Public Broadcasting, where she oversaw the rebranding of WCVE radio and television and the launch of a new Web site. She’s also worked at Virginia Wildlife magazine and STYLE Weekly. The Hollins College alumna is the former president of the Diocese of Virginia’s Standing Committee, and recently completed a four-year term as president of Episcopal Communicators, an international organization dedicated to excellence in church communication. As the daughter of an Episcopal priest and born in the mission field (Alaska), she’s one of those cradle Episcopalians you sometimes hear about.

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Larry Bidwell

Facilities Manager

Larry joined the staff in early 2020 when he returned to the Richmond area, just as the pandemic began changing parish life in dramatic ways. He is a graduate of both Maryville College and the University Of Tennessee College Of Law. When not at work, Larry enjoys running, cooking, and learning to play the guitar.

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Omar Catedral

Sexton

Omar joined the staff full time in October 2021, coming from a commercial HVAC company in the Richmond area. Born in Richmond, he is the middle child of Salvadoran parents. Omar is a graduate of Southside Virginia Community College. When not working at St. Stephen’s, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoys weight training and running. Omar is an avid sports fan, especially football.

 
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Diana Chou

Associate Director of Music

Diana holds a bachelor of arts, summa cum laude, from Amherst College, a master of musical arts in organ performance from the Yale School of Music, and master’s and doctoral degrees from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She has been a music intern at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington, Indiana, where she has sung in the choir, conducted the choir and led choir rehearsals, led youth choir rehearsals, and worked in music administration and communications. While working on her doctorate, she was an associate instructor of organ. She was an organ scholar at St. Paul’s on the Green in Norwalk, Connecticut and has served several other churches as an organist, choir director, and accompanist. We are thrilled to have her on our staff as an organist and choral director.

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  cedwards

Chris Edwards

Director, St. Stephen's Choir

Chris joined the staff in 2016 as the director of the St. Stephen's Choir. The Birmingham, Alabama native earned his undergraduate degree at Washington and Lee University and his master of music degree in choral conducting at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Prior to his arrival at St. Stephen’s, Chris held director of music positions at Bridgeport United Church of Christ and Rose City Park Presbyterian Church (both in Portland) and served as director of evening worship at Christ and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Westport, Connecticut. Chris is married to the Rev. Whitney Zimmerman Edwards, vicar of Varina Episcopal Church. They have four daughters: Emmeline, Georgia, Eva, and Selma.

 
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Mary Feldman

Executive Assistant to the Rector and Vicar

Mary joined us in 2022 as the executive assistant to the rector and vicar. She previously served as administrative coordinator at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Chesterfield, executive assistant at Shepherd’s Center of Chesterfield and development assistant at St. Andrew’s School. A native of Philadelphia, Mary holds a B.A. in communications from La Salle University. She spent many years in marketing management for the cable television and internet industry. She lives in Glen Allen with her husband, Todd, and their maltipoo, Bolt. They have two grown sons, Dan and Ryan.

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Dillon Gwaltney

Communications Associate/Videographer

Dillon is a key member of our expanding communications ministry, with a particular focus on video. Although a VCU graduate (Go Rams!) and a Richmond native, Dillon recently returned home from working as an editor in Los Angeles to restore his Virginia roots. He has worked for a majority of his career in action sports media where he produced high energy content for companies like RedBull and NBCSports. Dillon loves skateboarding and surfing, and being outdoors.

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Claire Hackley

Church Supper Coordinator

Claire coordinates the planning and preparation of our Sunday and Wednesday evening suppers. She is well known to many at St. Stephen's Church, since she worked for many years as a barista in the Café @ St. Stephen's. Claire is the back of house manager and lead baker at WPA Bakery, which will not be surprising to those who’ve enjoyed her baked goods at the Sunday Community Supper or in the café. When she’s not working, she enjoys gardening, tending to her 100-plus-collected of houseplants (she calls it her “in-home jungle”) as well as “spending time with my amazing dog and cats, making jewelry and other creations in my small in home studio.” Claire graduated from VCU Arts in 2010. Claire is always eager to have helping hands to prepare our church suppers. Send her an email to learn more.

804.288.2867

 
  charris

Caroline Harris

Youth Ministry Coordinator

Caroline is honored to serve as youth ministry coordinator at St. Stephen's Church. A recent graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, Caroline holds a B.A. in anthropology and sociology, complemented by minors in health equity and religious studies. Her academic journey has equipped her with a deep understanding of the world and a profound appreciation for diversity and inclusion. Caroline's passion for youth ministry is rooted in her upbringing at St. James Episcopal Church in Wilmington, N.C., and her summers at Camp Trinity in the Diocese of East Carolina. Caroline enjoys exploring the intersections of faith and culture, and she's always up for an adventure, whether it's in the great outdoors or through a good book.

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Chris Holman

Sexton

Chris has been a sexton at St. Stephen’s since 2016, and was baptized here. In his off time, Chris is working toward a degree in Information Technology. He enjoys pro football and is a big fan of the Carolina Panthers. Parishioners are familiar with Chris’s smile and booming laugh.

 
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John Jenkins

Associate Rector

John joined St. Stephen’s in March of 2021, having served as associate priest at Saint Paul’s in Augusta, Ga. since his ordination there in 2015. In lay and ordained ministry he has been active in congregational development, conflict transformation, reckoning with emerging racial consciousness and equity, pastoral care, and Christian formation. Prior to ordination, he served low wealth seniors through the nonprofit sector and has worked in management and fundraising at various institutions. John is native of South Boston, Virginia, a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and the School of Theology at The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. His teenage children, Ellie and John Turner, reside in Sewanee.

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Anna Jones

Farmers Market Manager and Assistant Director of Outreach

After working on vegetable farms and in food pantries in Chicago, Ohio, and Virginia, Anna is thrilled to manage the Farmers Market at St. Stephen's as well as our food ministry. She brings an understanding of the joys and challenges of farm work and interests in sustainability and delicious meals to the vital food ministry at St. Stephen's Church. Anna grew up at St. George's in Fredericksburg and participated in the Episcopal Service Corps in Chicago. She is grateful to have been nurtured by Episcopal traditions throughout her life.

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  wkareem

Wondell Kareem

Sexton

Wondell joined the facilities staff of St. Stephen’s in August 2022 after serving as the facility manager at Episcopal Church of Redeemer. The Huguenot High School graduate played football and was the captain of the wrestling team there. The Richmond native has five brothers, including his twin. Wondell is not only from a large family, but he and his wife have six children themselves, four boys and two girls (also twins). His professional experience includes working at Sunrise Senior Living, first as a caregiver and then in housekeeping and maintenance, including as maintenance coordinator. He has also worked for Richmond Redevelopment & Housing, Shady Grove United Methodist Church, and Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral. In addition to working at St. Stephen’s and raising six children, Wondell also has his own cleaning business!

 
  zkatta

Zaccheaus Katta

Assisting Priest

Zacc served as a rector in the Church of South India, Diocese of Medak, for nearly two decades, where he worked passionately for homeless children and with the dying. He arrived in the United States in 2014, and volunteered with various social organizations. Subsequently, he trained as a chaplain for residents in the memory care portion of Westminster Canterbury in Richmond. Zacc has a master’s degree in Patient Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University and did Clinical Pastoral Education at VCU. He also worked as a chaplain at VCU Health, with special focus on oncology-palliative/hospice care. He graduated with an economics degree and a master’s degree in philosophy from Osmania University in India, holds a master of divinity from United Theological College, and a diploma in social work administration. Zacc uses his gifts of art, photography, and sculpture in his spiritual and pastoral care ministry. He enjoys the nature, gardening, long drives on his motorbike, diverse food and culture, and volunteering for rehabilitation work. Zacc’s wife Suchi is a registered nurse. They live in Glen Allen.

 
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Abby Kocher

Director of Children's Ministry

The Rev. Abby Kocher is an elder in the United Methodist Church and has been involved at St. Stephen's for several years as a catechist in our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Abby joined our staff in March 2023 as director of children's ministry, where she will continue to be involved in Catechesis as well as the Palmer Hall service, Vacation Bible School, and other offerings for young children. Abby has served in several Methodist churches, include Reveille UMC here in Richmond, several congregations in North Carolina, and was on the staff of Duke University Chapel. She is a graduate of Duke University and holds an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School. Abby has also been a teaching assistant at Richmond Montessori School. She and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Craig Kocher, have two children.

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  smcnamara

Susan McNamara

Finance and Administrative Assistant

Susan’s portfolio includes processing contributions, stock gifts, accounts payable, and other financial transactions; administering employee benefits; record-keeping for annual giving and our membership database; front office support; and other projects related to finance and administration. Susan has had a successful banking career, first as a vice president for portfolio management at Truist and then as a vice president for credit analysis at Atlantic Union. She has worked at a number of small businesses and banks as a staff accountant, accounting director, and in other roles. Susan has an active CPA license and brings great expertise and skill to this position. She brings a warm personality to her work, along with varied experience volunteering at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she is an active member.

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William L. Sachs

Associate Rector

This is Bill Sachs’ third time on the staff of St. Stephen’s Church, having served during the late Raby Edwards’ tenure as rector. After leaving St. Stephen’s, he served several parishes as rector and was on the staff of the Episcopal Church Foundation. He returned to this parish in 2006 to found the Center for Interfaith Reconciliation. Beginning in 2019, Bill served as interim rector of two parishes in our diocese. He is the author of numerous books and articles, and is well-known throughout the church for his expertise in interfaith relations, church renewal movements and church growth. He and his late wife Austin Tucker have a daughter, Sloan, and two grandsons.

 
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Fred Staley

Executive Director of Church Operations

Fred E. Staley Jr. joined St. Stephen's staff in early November 2022. With many years of experience in church and private sector settings, Fred brings valuable skills as well as comprehensive knowledge of business affairs in the church. Most recently he served in a similar position at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, another large parish. He is active in several church-related professional networks, including the Episcopal Parish Network (formerly the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes), to which St. Stephen’s belongs. Fred serves on their board and is assistant treasurer. Hegraduated cum laude from King College in Bristol, Tennessee, and holds an MBA from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. Fred’s wife, Debbie, works from home as a health and life insurance agent, a freelance editor, a writing coach, and is herself is an award-winning published author. They have one son, Ethan, who lives with his wife Shelby in Nashville.Fred and Debbie are also the parents to two precious dachshunds, Buster and Phillie, who was named for Fred’s beloved Philadelphia Phillies, who made it to the World Series this year!

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  wstanley

Will Stanley

Vicar

The Rev. William S. Stanley was called as vicar of St. Stephen's Church in January 2020. Besides sharing in the pastoral, preaching, and teaching ministries as a member of the clergy team, Will leads the program staff and helps ensure both attention to detail and faithfulness to vision. A native of Washington, D.C., he is a graduate of the Landon School, the University of the South, Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. He was ordained deacon and priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and served Holy Innocents’ Church as curate for two years. He was then called west to Southern California where he served two different Episcopal parishes—St. Cross in Hermosa Beach and All Saints’ in Beverly Hills—focusing on pastoral care, outreach, and work with youth and young adults. Will lives in Carytown and outside of work he enjoys exercise, time on the golf course, and exploring Richmond’s excellent food and beverage scene.

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  btevelde

Brent te Velde

Director of Music

Brent came to St. Stephen’s in 2019. A native of Stillwater, Oklahoma, he earned his undergraduate degree in organ and German at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, his master’s degree in organ and sacred music from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and his doctoral degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Prior to arriving at St. Stephen’s, Brent served as associate organist and choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina, and has served churches in Indiana, Connecticut, Texas, and Oklahoma. Brent is married to the Rev. Jennifer te Velde, a chaplain at Westminster-Canterbury of Richmond. They have two children, Charlie and Anna, as well as five cats.

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