Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Franklin, Virginia
Parish Profile

Welcome to Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Franklin, Virginia, located in beautiful Southeast Virginia! Please take the opportunity to browse our profile and learn who we are and about our commitment to being a vibrant, open, loving, and sharing worship community. We value the peaceful lifestyle that beautiful farmlands and forests provide. We have been described by newcomers as a “significant find”- take a look!

Our church was established in 1882. The first structure was a wood frame, board and batten building common for rural churches at that time. Our current building was completed in 1913. We hope you love the charm and grace of our classic 109-year-old church as much as we do! Our Parish Hall was added in 1953 and continues to be the hub of many church activities, as well as a meeting place for several local organizations.

Our Congregation

We would best be described as a family style congregation. Because of our small size, we are like an extended family supporting each other in our faith journey. We know each other well enough that we feel comfortable sharing our joys, sorrows, successes, and challenges.

The warmth and a sense of camaraderie you feel once you enter the church promotes a welcoming feeling and a closeness that encourages individual expressions of faith. We strive as a congregation to live the commandments and have been enriched by them. The feeling of closeness is one of our strengths as a congregation.

Christmas Service
emmanuel episcopal worship service

Worship Style

The Holy Eucharist is our focal point utilizing Rite I and II according to the Book of Common Prayer. Casual services are conducted outside as opportunities arise such as an outside Pentecost Service and picnic or the Blessing of the Animals. We have licensed Lay Readers that provide morning prayer when a Clergy member is not available. During the COVID pandemic we utilized ZOOM to conduct our worship services to remain connected with God and each other. We continue to ZOOM services to stay connected with our shut ins and those who cannot attend in person.

Outreach Programs

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We are a small church motivated by Christ’s love, striving to make a difference in God’s world. To that end we put a lot of our resources into outreach programs. Emmanuel has a robust monthly distribution of rice and beans to our neighbors and the local food bank, a spring and fall community garden that supplies fresh vegetables to the local cooperative ministry as well as flowers for the altar. Part of our endowment fund is ear marked for national disasters to help others in times of crisis. We budget annually for local outreach programs. We conduct coat drives in the winter, an Angel Tree at Christmas, and an annual community yard sale. The rector has a discretionary fund that helps local people that are struggling with meeting daily life challenges. The church members donate their time, funds and heart and soul into providing for those in our city and county. Additionally, we provide access to our facilities to the Franklin Rotary Club, Treasure Home Educators (a home school program) and Alcoholic and Narcotics Anonymous We strive to help as many as possible.

Parish Life—Fun and Fellowship

At Emmanuel we love to get together and share a good meal and story. Sometimes our gatherings are inclusive of worship and sometimes we get together just for an opportunity to have fun. COVID 19 placed a hold on many festivities, but we persevered. As COVID 19 recedes, we are working to resurrect these activities. Some include Pentecost Picnic, Fall Oyster Roast, Christmas Season luncheon, Chat and Chew after church, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Easter Egg Hunt and a monthly church breakfast.

Unique Community Assets

For a small town we have multiple great schools both public and private. We are home to the Camp Community College which provides dual enrollment courses, college Associate Degrees and trade programs. Our local hospital is a part of the faith-based Bon Secours Mercy Health system, which has a strong referral base with Norfolk General, Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters and The Eastern Virginia Medical School, all located in Norfolk. Franklin has a well-quipped YMCA. The downtown area is busy with unique shops and restaurants. We are also blessed with the Blackwater Regional library system for all the up to date reads and audio needs. Franklin is close to several big cities (Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Richmond), the ocean and the mountains. If you enjoy nature and the outdoors, there are rivers, hiking trails and just about anything you can imagine close by.

We hope that you have enjoyed your tour of Emmanuel through our Profile. We pray, with you, for our discernment and for yours. Blessings.
Almighty God who watches over your church, give our vestry and congregation the faith, grace, and wisdom to call a priest who will walk with us in our spiritual journey. Make us ever mindful to listen to your voice as we undertake this mission. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Amen