Welcome!
Immanuel Chapel 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria (on the campus of Virginia Theological Seminary) |
Whether you are just visiting or looking for a new spiritual home, we are truly happy to welcome you to the website of Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill. We invite you to explore and learn more about our community and our faith.
We hope browsing this site will inspire a visit to our church. Immanuel is a Christian congregation in the Episcopal tradition, where ALL God's children are welcome. |
Zabriskie Chapel 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria (at the corner of Seminary Road & Quaker Lane) |
A faith-based message on inclusion, equality, and justice for all.
The Christian Faith tells us that all people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and calls us to love everyone as Jesus loved (John 13:34).
At Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill in Alexandria, Virginia, we “respect the dignity of every human being” (The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), p. 305), and we welcome all people without judgment as beloved children of God, regardless of age, ability, gender expression, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, nationality, refugee or immigration status, creed, political party, or any other category of humanity.
We strive for a world where diversity, integration, and equality are valued, for an inclusive society that is fair, equitable, and just. We stand up for and support those who need our help: the poor, the hungry, people needing housing assistance, the unemployed, victims of injustice, the excluded, the oppressed, the persecuted, the sick and suffering, the lonely, and those left alone in their grief (drawing from the Prayers of the People, BCP p. 383-393).
We will rise up in the public square to proclaim the Gospel’s message of love and to take a stand against speech or actions that — contrary to the Gospel — dehumanize any person or group, strike fear in people’s hearts, or diminish the health and livelihood of people around the world.
We strive to provide safety to the fearful and stand boldly against tyranny of speech or action
We pray for God to guide and sustain us as we work to bring about God’s Kingdom on Earth.
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Inspired by, and drawing from, the January 2025 pastoral letter issued by the Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. https://episcopalvirginia.org/news/a-letter-to-the-diocese-of-virginia/
At Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill in Alexandria, Virginia, we “respect the dignity of every human being” (The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), p. 305), and we welcome all people without judgment as beloved children of God, regardless of age, ability, gender expression, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, nationality, refugee or immigration status, creed, political party, or any other category of humanity.
We strive for a world where diversity, integration, and equality are valued, for an inclusive society that is fair, equitable, and just. We stand up for and support those who need our help: the poor, the hungry, people needing housing assistance, the unemployed, victims of injustice, the excluded, the oppressed, the persecuted, the sick and suffering, the lonely, and those left alone in their grief (drawing from the Prayers of the People, BCP p. 383-393).
We will rise up in the public square to proclaim the Gospel’s message of love and to take a stand against speech or actions that — contrary to the Gospel — dehumanize any person or group, strike fear in people’s hearts, or diminish the health and livelihood of people around the world.
We strive to provide safety to the fearful and stand boldly against tyranny of speech or action
We pray for God to guide and sustain us as we work to bring about God’s Kingdom on Earth.
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Inspired by, and drawing from, the January 2025 pastoral letter issued by the Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. https://episcopalvirginia.org/news/a-letter-to-the-diocese-of-virginia/
Immanuel Photo Albums
Click below for a sampling of parish activities, and please plan to join us!
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Seasons of Immanuel
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Palm Sunday and Easter
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Advent and Christmas
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Pumpkin Patch
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Episcopal Youth Community
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Senior Adult Ministry Mardi Gras
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History
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Founding
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill was established in 1941 by the Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS). The Very Rev. Alexander C. Zabriskie, then Dean of VTS, served as the first rector. The Rev. Robert F. Gibson, Professor of Church History (and later Bishop of Virginia) served as Priest-in-Charge. Services were held in the historic Immanuel Chapel on the seminary campus. In 1946, the Seminary gave a parcel of land to the parish for the purpose of building a rectory and a parish hall, which were completed in 1948. In 1958, a smaller chapel, named in honor of Dean Zabriskie, was dedicated at this site to accommodate a 9:00 a.m. Sunday service. The Zabriskie chapel and parish hall were renovated in 1992, and a new Mander organ was installed in June, 1994. Fire From 1948 to 2010, Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill conducted services in both the Immanuel Chapel and the Zabriskie Chapel. Immanual Chapel was destroyed by fire on Oct. 22, 2010. Upon completion of the new Immanuel Chapel in 2015, services are once again being held both in Zabriskie Chapel and on the VTS campus. |
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Further reading:
John O. Walker, Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill: Origin and Early Years -- 1936-48 (1966)
Duncan B. MacDonald, Immanuel: In Interesting Times (2d ed. 1995)
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Parish Banners
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The banner of Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill was approved by the Vestry in June 2013.
It features elements that represent the history of Immanuel, as well as our commitment to outreach and mission:
A second banner, donated by a parishioner, carries the seal of Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill.
This banner was designed and produced by Trevor Floyd and Company for Immanuel. |
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Immanuel Crosses
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The beautiful nine-foot cross that graces our services in Immanuel Chapel, and the scaled-down matching cross that crowns the sanctuary at Zabriskie Chapel, were gifts from a parish family, and the result of thoughtful design work by Immanuel parishioner and architect Tom Kerns.
The crosses are made from wood salvaged from the old Immanuel Chapel at the Seminary following the 2010 fire. Indeed, one can see burn marks upon close inspection of the wood. |
Parish Seal
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The Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill Parish Seal was approved by the 2014 Vestry on January 27, 2015.
The Vesica (the overall shape of the seal, on which the name of the organization, location, and date are shown) is oval, which by tradition indicates a church. The Canterbury Crosses at top and bottom of the Vesica link our church to the Episcopal Church of the United States and to the global community of the Anglican Communion. The Shield is the lower portion of the seal. This Shield simply but boldly represents key elements of the identity of our church. It reflects the blue of our church banner, with the Holy Hill of Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) in green and Immanuel’s Celtic processional cross high on the hill. The Bethlehem (Immanuel) star, also from the church banner, is shown in the sky. Use of a cross on the shield echoes the Calvary Cross on the VTS seal. The Crest is the upper portion which sits on top of the shield. Immanuel's Crest depicts the Book of Scripture, with the words “God with us,” as a translation of “Immanuel” as well as a statement of God being with us in all our activities. The lettering of “God with us” is based on hand written script used by Celtic monks. Behind the book are pumpkins and pumpkin blossom vines to reflect our church’s fundraiser and strong commitment to Outreach. The book sits on a stylized wreath of gold and green, pulling the Holy Hill color and the gold metal color from the Shield. The shield was designed by heraldic artist George Cannizzaro, of Cardinal Custom Heraldry, in consultation with Rector Randy Alexander and the Parish Seal committee (Wardens Hance Haney and Sara Fein, the Rev. David Crosby, Dr. Elaine Davies, Tom Kerns, and Kerry Kelly). Mr. Cannizzaro presented the seal and explained it to the parish at a Forum Hour on February 8, 2015. |
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