The Virginia Diocesan Center at Roslyn (Roslyn) was bequeathed to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia (the Diocese) in 1934 by Miss Annie Rose Walker (pictured), whose fortune came from inherited interests in tobacco and the Life Insurance Company of Virginia, which was founded by her father. This is the largest financial gift ever received by the Diocese.

Miss Walker had residences in New York City and the City of Richmond. She also owned Roslyn, a 186-acre horse farm overlooking the historic Kanawha Canal (which was engineered by George Washington to facilitate the movement of soldiers and supplies along the James River) and the James River. The original buildings on the property were the farm house (now Powers Hall), the stables (now Tucker Hall) and the pump house (located behind Tucker Hall in the woods along the nature trail). Though Miss Walker never lived at Roslyn, she devoted time to beautifying the grounds and remodeled the farm house to serve as a guest house. She never spent the night at Roslyn but often came out from her Richmond home to spend the day.

Miss Walker had intended to bequest Roslyn to a favorite nephew who unfortunately died an early death. After her nephew's death, Miss Walker sought solace in her church, the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond, where she was friends with its parish rector, Beverley Tucker, and his brother, Henry St. George Tucker, the Bishop of Virginia. As she became more active in her parish, Miss Walker began hosting friends, clergy, and scholars on Roslyn's farm house porch for lunch and spirited Sunday afternoon lectures and discussions.

It was during this time that she began to envision a diocesan 'center' that would continue to provide a place for religious education and spiritual growth to clergy even after her death. So in memory of her favorite nephew and her three brothers, she bequeathed Roslyn's land, buildings, and a generous endowment for their care to a Board of Trustees. The property was to be used by the Diocese with the stipulation that it be governed independently of the church.

In its early days, Roslyn was utilized for diocesan committee meetings, clergy conferences and summer camps. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s construction was almost continuously underway as Walker Hall, the maintenance building, and the picnic pavilion were built. The Ross and Hall lodges followed during the 1980s. The Dining Hall and Goodwin, Pullman and Palmer lodges were added in 2003. The Bishop's Chapel was completed in 2010.

Roslyn has meeting space for groups of ten to 150 people. Overnight lodging is available for up to 96 people in 48 peaceful rooms. There is room for an additional 13 people in the dorm style lodging which is located in Tucker Hall. Meals are served in Roslyn's main dining room. Outdoor facilities include a picnic pavilion with seating for up to 100, nature trails, a sand volleyball court, and horseshoe pits. Roslyn's natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and hospitality continue to reflect the faithful and generous spirit of its original steward and benefactress, Miss Annie Rose Walker.