St. David’s Celebrates America 250

St. David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church Announces America 250 Celebrations and Historical Programs

The Parish History & Archives Committee of St. David’s Episcopal Church invites the wider community to its America 250 Celebrations beginning this spring with a self-guided Churchyard tour, a June celebration and reading of the Declaration of Independence and continuing into late July through their annual Summer Talks. All events will be held in-person on church property, located at 763 S. Valley Forge Road, Wayne, PA 19087.

Quick summary of events, by date:

  • Sunday, March 1 at 9:15 a.m. – St. David’s Day and Self-guided Churchyard tour opening
  • Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. – Summer Talk: “The Importance of Our First Amendment Freedoms”
  • Sunday, June 28 at 6 p.m. – A Celebration and Reading of the Declaration of Independence
  • Wednesday, July 8 at 7 p.m. – Summer Talk: “When the Declaration was News”
  • Wednesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. – Summer Talk: “The tumultuous birth of The Episcopal Church”
  • Wednesday, July 22 at 7 p.m. – Summer Talk: “William White: Patriot and Founder of The Episcopal Church”

St. David’s Day and Self-guided Churchyard tour opening

Sunday, March 1 at 9:15 a.m.

March 1 annually is the Feast of St. David of Wales, the church’s patron saint. The 9:15 a.m. worship service, held in the large Chapel building, will include readings and musical elements connected to the saint. Following worship, hospitality will include additional celebratory elements and guests will be invited to continue across the street to the Church (small, historic building) for a ribbon-cutting style ceremony and opening of the self-guided Churchyard tour at approximately 10:30 a.m. The Churchyard (graveyard) includes several Revolutionary War soldiers, as well as Major General Anthony Wayne. All are welcome; free; no registration is required.

The Churchyard tour will then be fully open to the public on a permanent basis.

A Celebration and Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Sunday, June 28 at 6 p.m. in the Fairgrounds

This event will include a cookout and reading/presentation of the Declaration of Independence. Family-friendly, this event will include games and patriotic activities for people of all ages. All are welcome; free registration is coming soon and is strongly encouraged; food is first-come, first-served. The Fairgrounds are located behind the Church (small, historic building) and sheds.

Summer Talks

Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Chapel

The 2026 Summer Talks are four lectures held in the church’s large Chapel building. Each program features distinguished historians of national and international repute discussing the Revolutionary War and religion in the early United States. Free admission. Full details and registration may be found at https://stdavidschurch.org/archives.

Wednesday, June 17: “The Importance of Our First Amendment Freedoms”
Michael Moreland—scholar of constitutional law—will focus on two of our five First Amendment freedoms: speech and religion. We’ll discuss why these freedoms are so important for you.

Wednesday, July 8: “When the Declaration was News”
Emily Sneff published her book, “When the Declaration of Independence was News,” for the 250th Anniversary of the United States. This talk, like her book, focuses on the nation’s founding document at the moment of its creation in 1776. She will explore how the Declaration was communicated to people in the new nation and around the Atlantic world and reveal the stories of the many people involved in the process of declaring independence, from printers to soldiers to diplomats to translators.

Wednesday, July 15: “The tumultuous birth of The Episcopal Church”
The Rev. Robert W. Prichard will discuss the various crises facing churches and clergy, particularly those of the Anglican Church, during the Revolutionary War. Hear about the church’s decline and ultimate revival with the development of what is now The Episcopal Church following the war.

Wednesday, July 22: “William White: Patriot and Founder of The Episcopal Church”
Sarah Barringer Gordon will present on Bishop William White. She’ll illuminate Bishop White’s role not only as the founder of the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1789, but also his life as a patriot during the American Revolution.

Summer Talk series details

  • Hosts: The Parish History and Archives Committee of St. David’s (Radnor) Episcopal Church
  • Address: 763 S. Valley Forge Road, Wayne, PA 19087. Chapel building.
  • Registration: Please register at https://stdavidschurch.org/archives
  • Admission: Donations welcome.
  • Contact: Natalee Hill, Director of Communications • 610-688-7947 x230 • nhill@stdavidschurch.org

About St. David’s Episcopal Church

Founded in 1715, St. David’s is a liturgically rich, family-focused parish serving the Main Line and beyond. The church is committed to worship, formation, and service—inviting all people to know God in Jesus Christ and make Christ known to the world. Learn more at https://stdavidschurch.org.

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Published January 22, 2026.