St. Peter (Diocese of Arlington)

Saint Peter Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint Peter the Apostle
Venerated Saints:	Our Lady
Diocese:	Diocese of Arlington
Deanery:	Deanery 6
Address:	12762 Lee Highway, Washington, VA 22747
Coordinates:	38.8000, -77.6333
City:	Washington, VA
Subdivision:	Virginia
Country:	United States
County:	Rappahannock County
Website:	https://stpeterparishva.org
Founded:	1880
School:	Yes
Email:	office@stpeterparishva.org

Saint Peter Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Washington, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle, the first Pope and leader of the Apostles—venerated in Catholic tradition for his confession of faith (Matthew 16:16–19), primacy among the apostles, and martyrdom in Rome—the parish serves a rural community in Rappahannock County and surrounding areas.

The parish traces its origins to the late nineteenth century, with the current church building dedicated in 1880. As of December 19, 2025, Saint Peter continues to provide pastoral care in a rural setting, with Masses and ministries supporting the local faithful.

The parish community fosters devotion to its patron through celebration of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29.

History

Saint Peter Parish in Washington, VA, was established in the late nineteenth century, with the church building dedicated in 1880.

It has historically served Catholics in the rural Rappahannock area, with priests residing in the rectory and offering Masses in the mountain region.

The parish remains a small rural community within the diocese.

Special features

• Rural parish serving Catholics in Rappahannock County and nearby areas
• Community-focused ministries in a small-town setting

Architecture

The church building, dedicated in 1880, reflects nineteenth-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 Peter the Apostle, often portraying him with the keys of the kingdom or a fisher's net.

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.