St. Charles Borromeo (Diocese of Arlington)

Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint Charles Borromeo
Venerated Saints:	None specified
Diocese:	Diocese of Arlington
Deanery:	Deanery 1
Address:	3304 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201
Coordinates:	38.8858, -77.0957
City:	Arlington, VA
Subdivision:	Virginia
Country:	United States
County:	Arlington County
Website:	https://www.stcharleschurch.org/
Founded:	1909
School:	Yes
Email:	No email specified

Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, the sixteenth-century Cardinal Archbishop of Milan renowned for his reforms during the Counter-Reformation and care for the poor and plague-stricken, the parish serves an urban community including many young professionals and the George Mason University Arlington campus. As the diocese's most urban parish, it emphasizes outreach to singles and young adults, charitable works, and evangelization.

Founded in 1909 as one of the earliest Catholic parishes in what was then Alexandria County, Saint Charles has grown alongside Arlington's development. Key milestones include the construction of its first Gothic-style church in 1911, a new church building in 1960, and a renovation in 1990. The parish formerly operated a full elementary school staffed by Benedictine Sisters until 2008; since 2014, it has maintained an early childhood education center. As of 2025, plans are underway for a major site redevelopment, including a new traditional church building.

The parish community, with over 5,000 registered parishioners, is known for programs such as P3 (Prayer, Penance, and Pub) and extensive charitable initiatives, including food assistance and support for a sister parish in Haiti.

History

Saint Charles Borromeo Parish was established in 1909 by Bishop Augustine van de Vyver of the Diocese of Richmond to serve the growing Catholic population in Clarendon and surrounding areas of Alexandria County (now Arlington County). Rev. Frederick P. Lackey was appointed as the founding pastor.

The first church, a Gothic-style brick structure seating 350, was dedicated on March 26, 1911. A four-classroom parochial school opened in 1922, staffed by the Benedictine Sisters of Bristow, Virginia. Expansions followed postwar growth: a new school and convent in 1955, the current church building in 1960, and a rectory in 1965. The church underwent renovation in 1990. The Benedictine Sisters served until 2008, after which the school transitioned to an early childhood program in 2014.

The parish became part of the newly erected Diocese of Arlington in 1974. It has historically supported missions, including the establishment of Saint Agnes as a mission in its early years. Recent initiatives include significant pandemic-era aid and planning for comprehensive site redevelopment to better serve its urban mission.

Special features

• Urban ministry focused on young adults and professionals in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor
• Pastoral care for the George Mason University Arlington campus community
• P3 (Prayer, Penance, and Pub) program promoting Eucharistic adoration, confession, and fellowship
• Extensive charitable outreach, including food pantry, emergency assistance, and support for a sister parish in Haiti
• Early Childhood Education Center (preschool program)

Relics

According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated Catholic churches. Specific details regarding the saints associated with these relics are not publicly documented in available sources. This follows common practice where first-class relics, often of martyrs, are sealed within the altar.

Architecture

The original church building (dedicated 1911) was a Gothic Revival brick structure. The current church, constructed in 1960 and renovated in 1990, reflects mid-twentieth-century design suited to its urban setting.

Associated buildings include the rectory (1965), former school and convent (1955, now adapted), and parish facilities. The parish is actively planning a major redevelopment project featuring a new traditional-style church intended to be highly visible in Arlington.

Art and Devotional Features

Specific details on stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, or other interior artwork are limited in publicly available sources. The church interior supports a vibrant liturgical life, with devotional elements typical of post-Vatican II renovations.

Related parishes

• St. Agnes (Diocese of Arlington) (originated as a mission of Saint Charles Borromeo)