St. Patrick (Fredericksburg) (Diocese of Arlington)

Saint Patrick Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint Patrick
Venerated Saints:	None specified
Diocese:	Diocese of Arlington
Deanery:	Deanery 6
Address:	9149 Elys Ford Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Coordinates:	38.2989, -77.5667
City:	Fredericksburg, VA
Subdivision:	Virginia
Country:	United States
County:	Spotsylvania County
Website:	http://www.saintpatrickparish.org/
Founded:	1987
School:	Yes
Email:	office@saintpatrickparish.org

Saint Patrick Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint Patrick, the fifth-century Apostle of Ireland and patron saint of Ireland—venerated in Catholic tradition for his missionary work, use of the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and establishment of Christianity in Ireland—the parish serves a growing community in northern Spotsylvania County.

Established in 1987 to accommodate Catholic expansion south of Fredericksburg, the parish initially celebrated Masses in local schools and facilities before dedicating its current church building in 2000. As of December 21, 2025, Saint Patrick offers regular liturgies, faith formation programs, and ministries supporting spiritual growth and community service.

The parish community honors its patron through annual celebrations on March 17 and promotes evangelization in a suburban-rural setting.

History

Saint Patrick Parish was canonically erected in 1987 by Bishop John R. Keating of the Diocese of Arlington to serve Catholics in the rapidly developing area south of Fredericksburg.

Initial Masses were held in public schools and other borrowed spaces. The current church was dedicated in 2000.

The parish has grown with the community, developing ministries suited to its location.

Special features

• Annual celebration of Saint Patrick's feast on March 17
• Ministries focused on faith formation and community outreach in a growing area

Relics

According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar, dedicated in 2000, contains deposited relics as is customary in consecrated 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 church building, dedicated in 2000, features contemporary design appropriate for a suburban parish community.

Art and devotional features

Specific details on stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, or other interior artwork are limited in publicly available sources. Devotional elements typically include representations of Saint Patrick, often portraying him with a shamrock or driving snakes from Ireland, symbols derived from hagiographic tradition.