Holy Week
& Easter
Telling the Christian story
Christians for nearly two millennia have recognized the week leading up to Easter as the most sacred time of year. In 2026, Saint James’ Warrenton hosts services on Palm Sunday (March 29), Maundy Thursday (April 2) and Good Friday (April 3), along with the Great Vigil of Easter on Holy Saturday (April 4) and two services on Easter Sunday (April 5).
Holy Week services help us reflect on the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, his arrest and execution, and the entire arc of God’s redemption of humanity. On Easter morning, we awake to the hope of the resurrection — the central tenant of the Christian faith.
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Palm Sunday (Early Service)
March 29 at 8 a.m.
This service tells the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem before turning to the story of his arrest and execution. This service features less music than the late service.
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Palm Sunday (Late Service)
March 29 at 10:15 a.m.
This service tells the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem before turning to the story of his arrest and execution. This service is especially welcoming for families with children, and it features more music.
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Maundy Thursday
April 2 at 7 p.m.
This service includes the choir and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist as we remember the Last Supper. We then acknowledge Christ’s impending death by stripping the altar and “keeping watch.”
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Good Friday (Noon Service)
April 3 at 12 p.m.
This solemn and poignant service dwells on the story of Jesus’ arrest and execution. There is an opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross following this service.
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Good Friday (Evening Service)
April 3 at 7 p.m.
This solemn and poignant service dwells on the story of Jesus’ arrest and execution. This service features the choir singing anthems and leading us in hymns.
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The Great Vigil of Easter
April 4 at 8 p.m.
This incredibly rich service takes us from the darkness of Good Friday to the light of Easter. A string quartet will complement the choir and organ.
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Easter Sunday (Early Service)
April 5 at 8 a.m.
This is the morning when we find the tomb empty and proclaim the resurrection with joyful songs and a refrain of “Alleluia!” Children are welcome, and there’s an Easter egg hunt after the service. We encourage parishioners who regularly attend Saint James’ to consider worshiping at this service.
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Easter Sunday (Late Service)
April 5 at 10:15 a.m.
This is the morning when we find the tomb empty and proclaim the resurrection with joyful songs and a refrain of “Alleluia!” Children are welcome, and there’s an Easter egg hunt after the service. We especially encourage people who are new to Saint James’ to attend this service.
Getting here
Address
73 Culpeper Street
Warrenton, Virginia 20186
Parking
Street parking is available on Culpeper Street in front of the church. There is also parking available at the public lot between Franklin Street and West Lee Street, and in the Saint James’ Episcopal School lot on Beckham Street.
Accessibility
The church is accessible for people using wheelchairs or walkers.
Frequently asked questions
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Christians for nearly two millennia have observed the week leading up to Easter as the most sacred time of the year. The liturgies of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday helps us reflect on the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, his arrest and execution. During The Great Vigil of Easter, we meditate on the entire arc of God’s redemption of his people. On the morning of Easter Sunday, we awake to the hope of the resurrection — the central tenant of the Christian faith. Walking through the entire week gives each aspect of the story a richer and more personal meaning.
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Yes! Children of all ages are always welcome at every service at Saint James’, and we have coloring materials available for every service.
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Nursery is available during the 10:15 a.m. service on Palm Sunday, March 29, and on Easter Sunday during both services.
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Yes. Any baptized Christian, regardless of tradition, is welcome to receive the bread and/or the wine during any Eucharistic service.
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Yes, the choir and organ will feature at every service during Holy Week and Easter, except for the Good Friday noon service. There will also be a string quartet at the Great Vigil of Easter on April 4. Learn more about music during Holy Week here.
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Yes, the church will be open until 3 p.m. on April 3 following the Good Friday noon service for anyone who wishes to pray the Stations of the Cross.
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Street parking is available in front of the church on Culpeper Street, including reserved spaces for people with limited mobility. Parking is also available in the Saint James’ Episcopal School parking lot on Beckham Street and in the public lot on between Franklin and Lee streets.
Parking may be limited on Easter Sunday. If you can’t find a spot next to the church, there is street parking on Green Street, a public parking lot at East Lee and Fifth streets, and another public lot next to the Warrenton Branch Greenway at East Franklin and Fifth streets.
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Yes! Fill out this form.
Sign up for our newsletter
Our weekly newsletter is the primary way we communicate with our church community about goings on in our parish. We also send an email on Saturday evening links to the bulletin, livestream and Scripture readings for that Sunday.