Set back from West Main Street in the Loudoun County town of Purcellville, Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church has built its identity around a simple but bold claim: "a beacon of peace and love where everybody belongs." The congregation of roughly 150 families describes itself as spiritually progressive and intentionally inclusive, with members of different ages, races, economic backgrounds, and family configurations. It is also openly affirming of its LGBTQIA+ members and proud of its diversity as a source of strength. As followers of Jesus Christ, the church says it is "being transformed through the courageous and healing work of reconciliation." Saint Andrew is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Sunday Worship and What to Expect
The church gathers for a single Sunday service at 10:00 a.m., held both in the sanctuary and online through a YouTube livestream. The order of worship moves from a gathering song of praise to Scripture readings, an interpretation of the texts for today (what the church calls the sermon), and a response time that includes prayer, an invitation to share time and talents, and a financial offering. The service ends with a blessing.
Visitors wondering about clothing will find a relaxed congregation. Some dress up; most come casually. There is no Sunday-best tradition, but the church asks that what people wear be respectful and free of slogans that demean or promote violence. The building sits off the road at 711 W. Main Street. Visitors come to the main entrance either by stairs or by a ramp, and a friendly greeter meets them in the foyer with a program and directions. The sanctuary is to the right; the fellowship hall is to the left.
Children are absolutely welcome in worship. Each service includes a "Word with Children" moment when young ones are invited to come forward. After that, preschoolers through second graders can be dismissed for Sunday school with the church's volunteers and picked up after the service. For children four and under, a paid nursery caregiver and a helper provide care from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays; the caregiver has a completed background check and childcare experience. The church is clear that it does not expect stillness or quiet from kids.
A Progressive Voice in the Heart of Purcellville
Saint Andrew calls itself "a spiritually progressive community that celebrates the simple, profound truth that every person is a beloved child of God." It is a place where members are encouraged to bring their questions and doubts alongside their hopes, and to explore faith with curiosity and honesty. The church's core beliefs are stated plainly on its own page: "We are Christian: We follow the path of Jesus, who calls us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God and one another in a spirit of reconciliation and love." And "We are Presbyterian: We are held by the powerful belief that absolutely nothing, in life or in death, can separate us from the boundless love of God in Jesus Christ. This is a promise for you, too."
The congregation reflects that posture in its identity, but also in its preaching. The pastor, the Rev. Amanda Kemery, regularly works through difficult biblical texts with the congregation, drawing on Rachel Held Evans's book Inspired as a guide. Recent sermon series have walked through war stories, wisdom literature, deliverance stories, and resistance stories in scripture, including hard texts from Judges, Revelation, and Genesis. The sermons, posted on the church's YouTube channel and Sermon Blog, treat scripture as a library in conversation with itself rather than an instruction booklet, and they often point toward themes of justice, persistence, and hope.
The Neighborhood Learning Center
An award-winning childcare center operates on the church's property under the name the Neighborhood Learning Center (NLC). It is led by the Rev. JoAnna Rich and is recognized for the quality of its program. The NLC shares space and mission with Saint Andrew, extending the church's ministry of hospitality and care for the youngest members of the wider Purcellville community beyond Sunday mornings.
Music That Ranges from Hymnbook to Karaoke
Music is central to the worship life at Saint Andrew. The music ministry draws from vintage hymns, global church music, and contemporary Christian songs, and from time to time the congregation may even sing a song heard on a karaoke stage. The program includes a vocal choir and a bell choir, both open to adults and youth. Vocal choir rehearsal is on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m., with bell choir following at 8:00 p.m. On the morning of worship, the warm-up begins at 9:00 a.m., in advance of the 10:00 a.m. service. Susan Yantis, Director of Music Ministries, leads the program and occasionally preaches.
Children, Youth, and Families
Lisa Massey, the Director of Children and Youth Ministries, oversees the programming for the church's youngest disciples. Children from babies through high school are taught that God's love is for them, and the church's Children and Youth Ministries committee provides "fun and interactive learning activities" throughout the year. The dedicated nursery on Sunday mornings gives parents a place to leave infants through age four if they prefer, while children in preschool through second grade can join Sunday school after the Word with Children moment during worship.
The youth ministry describes itself as a "safe space for all where everyone is welcome," with the goal of helping young people "learn and grow together, ready to serve Christ wherever they go." In addition to Sunday morning worship, the youth group meets for dinner and fellowship on the first and third Sundays of each month, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall and youth room. Families with middle-schoolers and teens will hear directly from youth ministry members in planning and leadership.
Adult Life at Saint Andrew
The congregation's adult ministry is built around a web of small gatherings and active teams. On Thursday mornings at 9:15 a.m., adults gather for Coffee and Conversation at Doppio Bunny, a local coffee shop. The Bible Bunch meets monthly for study. The church keeps its many ministry teams active and invites newcomers to plug in. Most community building happens on Sunday mornings and at the fellowship and refreshments that follow the service, but the rhythm of adult ministry extends throughout the week. The Beacon, the church's monthly newsletter, lists the latest opportunities to serve and connect.
Leadership and Pastoral Staff
The Rev. Amanda Kemery serves as Pastor. Susan Yantis is Director of Music Ministries, Lisa Massey is Director of Children and Youth Ministries, and the Rev. JoAnna Rich directs the Neighborhood Learning Center. Together this small staff leads a congregation that values thoughtful preaching, faithful pastoral care, strong music, and intergenerational ministry.
Practical Details for Visitors
Saint Andrew is located at 711 W Main Street in Purcellville, Virginia, with easy access to the surrounding Loudoun County communities. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The building is set off the road; visitors can use either the stairs or the accessible ramp at the main entrance. Greeters are stationed in the foyer to hand out bulletins and to point out the nursery, fellowship hall, and sanctuary. Sunday worship is at 10:00 a.m., both in person and on the church's YouTube livestream, with recordings archived on the Worship Videos page. Giving is available online through the church's secure giving partner, and past sermons and bulletins are posted for reflection throughout the week.