Annual Blessing of the Hounds in Keswick Virginia
By Pam Dent, REALTOR® - Charlottesville Virginia Homes / Horse
(Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc.)
One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is to attend the annual Blessing of the Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church in Keswick, Virginia. This outdoor service is held at the beautiful stone Grace Church which was constructed in 1896. The origional church on the site was built in 1745 and burned in 1785. The members of the Keswick Hunt attired in their full livery and mounted on their horses are surrounded by the pack of foxhounds. The service includes prayers for blessing and protection of the hounds and hunters as well as thanks for the harvest. After the service spectators can walk across the road and witness the start of the hunt. The first annual Blessing of The Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church was held on Thanksgiving Day in 1929. This ceremony goes back to Saint Herbert who w...
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