Virginia: Episcopal parishes in Emporia, Purdy quit over gay issue

By Steven G. Vegh
The Virginian-Pilot
October 11, 2008

Two small parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia have quit the denomination because of objections to gay ordination and have joined a like-minded group of dissident churches based in Northern Virginia.

The break away Anglican District of Virginia announced Friday that Christ Church in Emporia and Grace Church in Purdy had become members. The district now includes 23 parishes that have cut ties with the Episcopal Church.

The Southern Virginia diocese has about 120 parishes, including more than two dozen in South Hampton Roads.

Church of the Messiah in Chesapeake quit the Episcopal denomination in 2006. Grace Episcopal Church in Newport News left a couple of years earlier. the rest