ABOUT US
Find friends & loved ones in our church
Our church is one big happy family
We look forward to sharing our faith journey with you. Emmanuel is a warm and welcoming church. Whether you are here vacationing, visiting friends and family, have recently moved into the area, or are a lifelong Bristolian we are so pleased you decided to worship with us.
We hope your time here with us not only nurtures you spiritually, but also that you have a good time, share a light repast, meet new friends, and that you know we are really glad you are here.
frequently asked questions:
760 Cumberland Street, Bristol, VA
Emmanuel is located at the corner of Cumberland Street and James Street in Bristol Virginia. (View in Google Maps.)
From Interstate 81
- Take Exit 3 onto Interstate 381. Freeway ends and becomes Commonwealth Avenue.
- Go 1.2 miles on Commonwealth and turn left onto Cumberland.
- Go five blocks. Church is on the right at the corner of Cumberland and Johnson.
- Parking is available along James Street, and across Cumberland Street from the church.
From US 11E / Volunteer Parkway
- Cross State Street. Road becomes Commonwealth Avenue.
- Go 0.3 miles on Commonwealth and turn right onto Cumberland.
- Follow directions from #3 above.
You may enter the church through the double red doors on Cumberland Street, or through the red doors on James Street. Handicapped parking spaces are available on the right at the far end of James Street. An elevator is accessible through the James Street entrance on the ground floor, past the bathrooms, and beside the Columbarium.
For parking enter our main parking lot on James Street or across from the church on Cumberland Street.
Emmanuel is a warm, inviting community and almost anyone can help you with questions: however, there is a team of people who are specifically tasked with helping you on your first visit. The ushers or greeters will be offering service bulletins as you enter and they can familiarize you with the facility and help you get oriented.
Nursery is available for children infants to 3 years. Ushers are available to direct you to the nursery.
Our services offer a unique worship experience that meets you where you are in your life. The Saturday 5:00 p.m. service (Rite II) is in the Bledsoe Chapel and is a smaller gathering of people. Our Sunday 8:00 a.m. service is a traditional (Rite I) service that is a quiet and reflective experience that embraces the mystery of God. The Sunday 10:30 a.m., is a more family oriented service (Rite II) that engages traditional forms of music in a slightly less formal atmosphere. All services celebrate The Holy Eucharist and use The Book of Common Prayer. Bulletins are provided at each service which give the order of service and can be used in place of or along with the prayer book.
On Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. in The Bledsoe Chapel, we offer The Holy Eucharist and prayers for healing.
The short answer is where ever you feel comfortable. If you attend the 8:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. service, a person at the door will hand you a bulletin to guide you through our worship service and they can also help you find a place to sit. Otherwise, you are welcome to sit where you please.
Everyone who has been baptized is invited to go to the front and kneel or stand at the altar to receive communion. Place one hand on top of the other to first receive the bread. When the wine comes to you, help the minister guide the cup to your mouth.
If you would prefer to receive a blessing instead, then cross your hands across your chest, and this will indicate your preference to the priest. You may then stand and return to your seat.
We offer an Inquirers Class which will help orient you to the Christian life and in particular what it means to us here at Emmanuel. At the end of this course, you will be offered an opportunity to become a member. If you are interested please let us know.
Meet the Staff
Meeting place
Emmanuel Episcopal Church was established on January 26, 1862, in the hamlet of Goodson — later known as Bristol — Virginia, by sixteen determined men and women, only nine of whom were communicants. A brick structure owned by the Masonic fraternity and known as the Academy Building was secured rent-free; but, as the Civil War was raging, its use was short-lived due to its conversion to a military hospital.
A nearby Baptist church allowed parishioners to use its building for a 9:00 a.m. service, with the proviso that it be cleared for the Baptists to meet two hours later! This meeting place was used until February, 1869, when a frame structure on the corner of Moore and Cumberland Streets was completed. The edifice was consecrated in October, 1872, by the The Right Reverend John Johns.
In 1919 the building was sold, and a house and lot on the corner of James and Cumberland Streets were purchased. Plans for a new church of native gray limestone in the Gothic style, modeled after the 13th-century Church of St. James the Less in Sulgrave, England, were approved and construction was begun. During the interim the congregation met at the YMCA. The present building formally opened for services on June 5, 1921, and was consecrated by Bishop Robert Carter Jett in January, 1926.
The decades since the completion of the present building have seen many changes. The nave and sanctuary have been enriched by the addition of vibrant stained-glass windows and over 100 hand-crafted needlepoint kneelers at the Communion rail and pews.
Spreading love since October 1872.
As the need arose for more space to accommodate the increasing physical needs of the parish, the rectory was demolished and an adjacent lot was purchased. Soon a two-story parish house adjoining the church was ready for occupancy. Dedicated in 1960, it contains a large assembly hall, spacious kitchen, and several Sunday School rooms on the upper floor. The Bledsoe Chapel, created and named in memory of a former rector, Parish offices, nursery, boiler room, and additional Sunday School rooms are to be found below. A lift provides accessibility to all level of the building. The St. Francis Courtyard, which houses a garden and the parish’s Columbarium, was created within the confines of the church yard and parish house.
Beginning in 1990, The Literacy Academy of Bristol (LAB), brainchild of a city resident, was housed in the church’s undercroft. The founding premise of the LAB was to provide preparation for those desiring to earn a General Equivalency Degree (GED). Tutoring in reading and other basic skills required for the GED were offered to them and to other adults seeking employment or a position upgrade. Later, training in computer skills was added to the LAB’s curriculum. When the new Bristol Public Library opened in 2004, the LAB, now a United Way agency, moved to that site. During the almost 15 years that the LAB was at Emmanuel, the parish charged no rent, considering it part of its mission to the city.
In the early 2000s, the parish acquired property across the street on the east side of the building. The house (the “green house”) which had stood there in disrepair for many years was demolished to make way for a Labyrinth and additional parking.
Parishioners at Emmanuel have modernized the church building over the years, enhancing its beauty as well as increasing its usefulness. A successful Capital Campaign, Envision, completed in 2012 allowed many long-deferred building infrastructure projects to be completed, ensuring on-going occupancy of our beautiful building for many years into the future.
From 1981 until 2019 the parish hosted a Community Christmas dinner, serving an average of 500 meals on Christmas Day evening. All phases of the dinner were served by parishioners of the church including cooking, waiting tables, transportation, publicity, and clean up. The event was fully funded from a trust and memorial gifts.
We welcome you to visit our beautiful church, walk our Labyrinth, and join us for worship on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Bottom photo: The original Emmanuel Episcopal Church, at Moore and Cumberland streets, was consecrated in October 1872.
Meet the Vestry
Senior Warden
Ms. Linda Rector (2024-2026)
Junior Warden
Mr. Tom Rogers (2024-2026)
Secretary
Mr. Jeremy McLaughlin (2023-2025)
Treasurer
Dr. Fred Knickerbocker (2023–2025)
Ms. Linda Rector (2024-2026)
Mr. Tom Rogers (2024-2026)
Mr. Jeremy McLaughlin (2023-2025)
Dr. Fred Knickerbocker (2023–2025)
Vestry Members
- Mark Bowman (2025-2027)
- Kyla Duncan (2025-2027)
- Jonathan Harden (2025-2027)
- Tina Hitt (2024-2026)
- Fred Knickerbocker (2023-2025)
- Shawna Knickerbocker (2023-2025)
- Jeremy McLaughlin (2023-2025)
- Ed Powers (2025-2027)
- John Rainero (2024-2026)
- Linda Rector (2024-2026)
- Tom Rogers (2024-2026)
- Loretta Trayer (2023-2025)