St. John Bosco (Diocese of Arlington)

Saint John Bosco Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint John Bosco
Venerated Saints:	None specified
Diocese:	Diocese of Arlington
Deanery:	Deanery 6
Address:	314 N Main Street, Woodstock, VA 22664
Coordinates:	38.8833, -78.5000
City:	Woodstock, VA
Subdivision:	Virginia
Country:	United States
County:	Shenandoah County
Website:	https://sjbwoodstock.org
Founded:	1956
School:	Yes
Email:	office@sjbwoodstock.org, office@sjbwoodstock.org

Saint John Bosco Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Woodstock, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint John Bosco, the nineteenth-century Italian priest and founder of the Salesian Society—canonized in 1934 by Pope Pius XI and venerated for his work with youth, preventive educational system, and devotion to Mary Help of Christians—the parish serves Catholics in Shenandoah County and surrounding rural areas.

Established in 1956 to meet the pastoral needs of the growing Catholic population in the Shenandoah Valley, the parish initially held Masses in local facilities before dedicating its church building. As of December 19, 2025, Saint John Bosco continues to offer ministries focused on faith formation, youth programs, and community outreach, including administration of the mission Our Lady of the Shenandoah in Basye.

The parish community fosters devotion to its patron through celebration of his feast on January 31 and reflection on his charism of joyful education and care for young people.

History

Saint John Bosco Parish was established in 1956 by the Diocese of Richmond (predecessor to the Diocese of Arlington for this area until 1974) to serve Catholics in Woodstock and Shenandoah County.

The current church building was dedicated subsequently. The parish has historically included missions such as Our Lady of the Shenandoah in Basye.

The parish remains a rural community within the diocese, emphasizing Salesian spirituality in youth ministry.

Special features

• Administration of Our Lady of the Shenandoah Mission in Basye
• Youth and family ministries inspired by Saint John Bosco's educational charism

Architecture

The church building reflects mid-twentieth-century design typical of rural parishes.

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 19, 2025. Devotional elements typically include representations of Saint John Bosco, often portraying him with youth or with Mary Help of Christians.

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.

Related parishes

• Our Lady of the Shenandoah Mission (Basye, Virginia) (mission church)