Saint Mary of the Annunciation Parish  History
 

At the turn of the century, a small group of Slovak immigrants  established the community of St. Mary of the  Annunciation, Mother of Our Savior.  A priest from Fredericksburg traveled  by train to Caroline County to celebrate Mass in homes on a periodic  basis.  In 1914, by the work of their own hands, they built a small wooden  church where the congregation worshiped until October 16, 1996.  This  building had no running water or electricity but did have two  outhouses. Father Delaunay wrote to the Bishop of  Richmond in March 1914, "Never have I experienced a Mass so devoutly celebrated  than by the people of Woodford".  Later in 1937, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis J.  Byrne, P.A., S.T.D. wrote the Bishop, "The people of Woodford are among the best  Catholics in the Diocese". The founders of St. Mary of the Annunciation left a  rich legacy. Originally, the parish was entitled St. Mary of the Annunciation,  Mother of our Savior Parish, a daughter parish of Saint Mary's in  Fredericksburg. For some years the Oblates of Mary (OMI)  provided pastoral leadership for St. Ann in Ashland and for the mission of St.  Mary of the Annunciation.  In 1989 Father Michael M. Duffy requested raised  the question concerning the need for a new church.  In the fall of 1990  Father James F. Kauffmann, S.S.L. was appointed  pastor while pursuing doctoral studies at the Catholic University of  America.  In 1992 the Most Reverend Walter F. Sullivan, D.D., Bishop of  Richmond purchased 23 acres central to the parish population.  A successful  capital campaign to build a new church was undertaken, and with additional funds  from outside the parish, the Extension Society and Bishop's Appeal the new  building begun.  The parish numbered 88 families when the new church was  dedicated on October 16, 1996. On that occasion the pastor,  Father James F. Kauffmann, remarked "Tonight our Liturgy of Dedication gives  witness to the truth that our future lies in the power of God and not on human  calculation.   Thus we receive this new church as a gift come down  from heaven as a sign that we can embrace the future with confidence and  hope.  God has gathered us under one roof to be one people united at one  Holy Table where all are welcome.

During the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 St. Mary of the  Annunciation Parish was privileged to be designated a pilgrimage site for  gaining the Jubilee Indulgence by the Most Reverend Walter F. Sullivan, D.D.,Bishop of Richmond.  The Parish of St. Mary's  comprises only 1/2 of 1% of the population of Caroline County.

Present Church  Building

 The present facility was designed by Wisniewski, Blair and  Associates of Alexandria Virginia, is in excellent condition, constructed in  1996.  The church is a simple wooden structure whose form echoes a  medieval, wooden, Slovak Church.  It seats 200-250 people.  The  generous use of windows allows the room to be flooded by natural light and the  sanctuary is handicap accessible. This openness also allows the community to  enjoy its rural, woodland setting on approximately 15 acres.  The church  complex also includes one small office, one nursery/conference room and a large  narthex with breakfast bar, which is used for social gatherings and religious  education.  The master plan of the facility allows for future expansion of  the worship space and a social/education facility with additional office  possibilities. The worship space is very open and is an excellent liturgical  space.  The musical acoustics in the building are excellent.  The  church recently hosted a concert series and the members of the Richmond Symphony  remarked about the excellent acoustical quality of the church for music  production. Tyra Sexton, a landscape designer from Fredericksburg, designed the  gardens that surround the church.

In front of the church the garden is dedicated to St. Mary of  the Annunciation and in the rear of the facility the garden is dedicated to  Mary, Mother of Our Savior. When benefactors are found statues of Our Lady will  be placed in each of the gardens.