1903 Sharon Chapel (Site)

These coordinates mark the exact site of the church that stood here from 1903 to 1971. It served as the third of four Sharon Chapels built over the years. No visible remains exist.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Spring 2008 edition of the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

All Saints Sharon Chapel:

1903 – A third chapel was built. Note from a letter from The Rev. Louis Bradford on the history of Sharon Chapel. “Until about 1945, Sharon was the only church of any kind in the immediate area. As such it ministered to the community, and was, its center. Most of the children in the neighborhood who were baptized were baptized at Sharon. Sharon had a flourishing Sunday School and Youth Group, nourished by seminary students, but generally speaking, a low church attendance.”

1955 -- Sharon was closed and combined with St. Mark’s. But soon permission was obtained to have a seminary student hold services. Robert Lyles and later William Parish conducted these services. Mr. Ainsworth, a licensed Lay Reader, continued the work.

1959 – Sharon Chapel was made an aided mission of the Diocese of Virginia and was assigned its first full-time minister. This was the first time that Sharon Chapel, in 110 years, had a full-time minister. The Rev. Louis Bradford, served as Rector from 1959-1966. The congregation consisted of twenty-five communicants. The potential for more existed as Happy Valley and its environs evolved from a rural area of small truck farms to suburban homes occupied largely by government workers.

1961 – Sharon Chapel was admitted to the Diocese of Virginia as a Mission Church. Soon the small chapel was inadequate for the needs of the congregation. Following discussions that Sharon was redundant and should be absorbed, or otherwise disposed of – to wit the people of Sharon Chapel refused to accept this and became independent financially of the Diocese.

1963 – The present, fourth church, an A-frame church was built, entirely from the resources of the Parish.

1964 – Palm Sunday, Dedication of the church.

1966 – The Rev. Louis Bradford, the first Vicar and Rector completed his six years of service.

1966 – 1972 The Rev. Sherrod Albritton was Rector. During this period the church attendance was high and in 1969 a second service was added.

1968 – The congregation raised $2,000 to pave the parking lot. One year later, the Diocesan Missionary Society loaned the money to open a much-needed additional access road from Franconia Road.

1971 – Gunnell Hall was built. It is a multipurpose brick building to meet educational and social needs. This was built on the site of the 1903 Chapel which was torn down. The building was named after Mr. Bruce Gunnell, a man devoted to Sharon Chapel, who died in 1996.

All Saints Episcopal Church, Sharon Chapel is located at 3421 Franconia Road.