Organized in 1865, Grace Episcopal
Church is located near the village of Casanova off Rogues
Road which was formerly known as Old Carolina Road. Grace
Church was built on land given by the Randolph family
that was originally part of the King Carter Grant.
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The first simple wooden church was begun in
1868 and called Emmanuel Chapel. By 1871,
Emmanuel Parish had been formed and at that time
stretched from Auburn on Cedar Run to the
Rappahannock River. That building was destroyed
by fire in 1908, and the present church was built
in 1909 as well as a larger Parish House in the
village that remains a focal point for community
life in Casanova today. Part of that life is
The Center which began as a gathering for seniors
and has evolved to include those of all ages who
enjoy good food and fellowship every Wednesday.
Annual Halloween parties, Christmas pageants,
coffehouse music events, dinners and bazaars
offered for all the neighborhood to enjoy, give
shape to each season. The Blessing of the Animals
on St. Francis Day and the Blessing of the Hounds
of the Casanova Hunt are lively reminders of our
need to nurture Christianity in everyday life.
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Now a Family Center has been added near
the church itself to house the Sunday School, smaller
meetings and classes in Christian education for adults. A
Healing Center to aid the recovery of minds and hearts as
well as bodies has been growing with the help of the
church community. A labyrinth for prayer and meditation
was completed in September 2005 on the lovely green which
joins the church to the Family Center.
Strongly rooted in tradition but with our eyes turned
to the future, Grace Church continues to grow and serve
Casanova and its surrounding areas.
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