Needlepoint Kneelers

In 2015 St. Stephen’s Church underwent a renovation as part of the celebration of our centennial. The project included a beautifully restored worship space and architectural features, enhancements to basic systems, improved accessibility, and special attention to the capital needs of our outreach partners.

The restoration of the church included replacement of the pews in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit with more flexible seating in the form of traditional cathedral chairs featuring cloth-covered kneeling cushions. During the renovation, parishioner John Phillips shared a vision for the formation of a needlepoint guild to stitch covers for the kneelers using symbols and icons reflecting the images already found in the chapel. By the time the church building re-opened for worship in December 2015, the guild had been formed, and plans were underway for the design and stitching of the canvases.

Nancy Lukoskie, who has done work for the Washington National Cathedral and Bruton Parish Church, designed and painted the canvases, and volunteer stitchers began their work. This project, led by Mary Anne Burke, was completed quickly, and the guild turned its attention to the next phase: kneelers for the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd kneelers were designed and the canvasses painted by parishioner Jessica Tongel, with coordination provided by Robyn Kay, Sally Lester, and Helen Sarrett. Each has a red background (completed canvas shown with crossed keys) and a shield with a different symbol, such as this scallop shell, many inspired by motifs found in our stained glass windows.

The current phase provides kneelers for the nave (the main part of the church), and the designs feature verses of scripture with motifs appropriate to each verse. These exquisite canvasses have been designed, hand lettered, and painted by Anne Pennypacker. The first phase of the nave–the pews from the chancel to the crossing (where the baptismal font stands) is complete, and we are now planning for the final phase, the pews behind the font.

The needlepoint kneelers are a beautiful way to remember a loved one, or to honor someone still living. Each kneeler includes a brass plate with the name(s) of the persons being remembered or honored.

The donation for the kneelers in the nave, which are 58 inches long, is $500. You can order and pay online from this page (form and payment link below), or download a PDF of the order form and mail the form with your check to the parish office.

We are deeply grateful to those who made gifts to bring these projects to fruition as well as to those who stitched the beautiful cushions.

Needlepoint Order Form

Please use the form below to place an online order for your kneeler(s).

Once you have submitted the form and your donation, please contact the artist, Anne Pennypacker, to discuss the Bible verse you would like, after which she will paint your canvas.

If you do not plan to stitch the kneeler yourself, you may ask the needlepoint guild to assign a stitcher. Please note that if you, or someone you designate, has not previously stitched a kneeler for St. Stephen’s Church, the needlepoint guild will ask for a sample using a kit we will provide. All kneelers are stitched using the basketweave stitch, which pads and thickens the canvas for durability. All new stitchers must complete a sample form before beginning. We offer lessons and instructions for those who want to learn.

You may make your donation using our online giving platform, or by mailing a check to St. Stephen’s Church, 6000 Grove Ave., Richmond, Virginia 23226. Please make checks payable to St. Stephen’s Church and be sure to indicate on the memo line that it is for a needlepoint kneeler.

(If you would prefer to fill in a paper form and mail it with a check, please download this PDF form.)