A History of Grace Memorial

In 1859 a small group of people from the Diamond Hill area of Lynchburg, Virginia, acquired property on the Campbell County Courthouse Turnpike.  The Turnpike was later renamed Grace Street.  Construction of a new church started soon after, and the location became known as Grace Episcopal. 

Just days before the Civil War began, the building construction was completed; but it would not be until after the war that the first church services would be held.  The building was used as barracks and a storage facility during the war.  Through the efforts of the first rector, Rev. William Kinckle, the building was restored and founded as a mission of St. Paul's under Bishop Richard Channing Moore. The first service was held on Easter Sunday in 1866 and the church, now known as Grace Church, Moore Parish, continued serving the community for forty-two years. Separation from St. Paul's took place on May 29, 1870.  The church name became Grace Memorial to honor the late Rev. William Kinckle, its founder.

Another Grace Memorial Church was built after this on Diamond Hill  and was used for about twenty-five years.  In 1928, church leaders determined that the community would be better served in the future by moving to the suburb of Fort Hill.  This resulted in the construction of the present building on New Hampshire Avenue.  The green stone for the bell tower was recycled from the old church on Grace Street.  Other items from the old church and Epiphany Episcopal Church were also incorporated into the new church.  The old bell, pews and clergy furniture, as well as the stained glass were included with the help of architect, S. Preston Craighill.

Significant growth during the 1980's resulted in a substantial addition which was completed in 1993.  The construction included a new parish hall and kitchen on the lower level and classrooms, a nursery room and a parlor on the upper level. A new cloister entrance and handicap accessible restrooms were also included.  Later, the church added a new entrance and atrium, modernized the old parish hall, and added a columbarium and scatter garden.  More recently, at the request of parishioners, a lift was installed enabling those with physical challenges to have easier access to both floors.  The lift was completed in 2014.

After 157 years, our church family is still growing with Grace, and ordinary people continue to do their best to carry on God's work.  The words of the Rev. Kinckle, describing Grace in 1866, are still as true today as they were when he spoke them:

  "The field around it is wide.  It needs only to be faithfully worked to yield an abundant harvest."

 For a more in depth look at Grace Memorial's history, please visit  A History of Grace Memorial by Aubrey Wiley.