St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Diocese of Arlington)

Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Venerated Saints:	Saint Anthony of Padua
Diocese:	Diocese of Arlington
Deanery:	Deanery 7
Address:	3100 Saint Elizabeth Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Coordinates:	38.8961, -77.2694
City:	Colonial Heights, VA
Subdivision:	Virginia
Country:	United States
County:	Colonial Heights City
Website:	https://steliz.org/
Founded:	1958
School:	Yes
Email:	office@steliz.org

Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, the thirteenth-century Landgravine of Thuringia venerated for her charitable works, care for the poor and sick, and Franciscan-inspired life of penance, the parish also honors Saint Anthony of Padua as co-patron.

Established in 1958 to serve Catholics in the growing Colonial Heights area, the parish initially held Masses in local facilities before dedicating its church in 1961. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School opened in 2007. As of December 18, 2025, Saint Elizabeth continues to offer extensive ministries, including religious education and community service.

The parish community emphasizes devotion to its patrons through liturgical celebrations and charitable outreach.

History

Saint Elizabeth Parish was established in 1958 by the Diocese of Richmond (predecessor to the Diocese of Arlington for this area until 1974) to serve the Catholic population in Colonial Heights and surrounding communities.

The first church building was dedicated in 1961. Growth led to expansions, including a new church dedicated in 2005. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School (pre-K through grade 8) opened in 2007.

The parish has long emphasized education and charity in the spirit of its patroness.

School

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School (pre-K through grade 8) was founded in 2007, providing faith-integrated education.

The school promotes academic excellence and spiritual formation.

Special features

• Strong charitable ministries inspired by Saint Elizabeth of Hungary's care for the poor
• Active religious education and youth programs
• Celebration of patronal feasts: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (November 17) and Saint Anthony of Padua (June 13)

Architecture

The current church building, dedicated in 2005, features contemporary design suited to communal worship.

Art and devotional features

Specific details on stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, or other interior artwork are limited in publicly available sources as of December 18, 2025. Devotional elements typically include representations of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, often portraying her distributing bread to the poor or with roses (from hagiographic tradition), and Saint Anthony of Padua holding the Child Jesus.

Relics

According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated 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.