St. Stephen the Martyr (Diocese of Arlington)
| Saint Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Saint Stephen the Martyr |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Arlington |
| Deanery: | Deanery 6 |
| Address: | 30 Skyline Drive, Middleburg, VA 20117 |
| Coordinates: | 39.0667, -78.1333 |
| City: | Middleburg, VA |
| Subdivision: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Loudoun County |
| Website: | https://www.saint-stephen.org |
| Founded: | 1975 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | office@saint-stephen.org |
Saint Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Middleburg, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint Stephen the Protomartyr—the first Christian martyr, stoned to death as recounted in Acts 7:54–60—the parish serves a rural community in Loudoun County, including a significant Hispanic population engaged in equestrian and agricultural work.
The parish traces its origins to earlier missions, becoming independent in 1975 with boundaries spanning western areas. A new church was opened in 2021. As of December 19, 2025, Saint Stephen the Martyr maintains ministries adapted to its country setting, including Spanish-language liturgies.
The parish community reflects devotion to Saint Stephen as witness to faith amid persecution.
History
Saint Stephen the Martyr Parish became independent in 1975, with boundaries from Chantilly to Clark County.[1]
It originated from earlier missions in the area. Growth led to the opening of a new church in May 2021.
The parish has historically included a large Hispanic membership, about one-third of the congregation, serving workers in the horse farming industry prominent in Middleburg.
Special features
- Significant Hispanic community with Spanish-language Masses and ministries
- Rural setting in horse country, influencing community demographics and outreach
Architecture
The current church building was opened in May 2021, reflecting contemporary design for a rural parish.
The sanctuary features an Italian marble altar installed in 2018 (prior to the new building).[2]
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 Stephen the Protomartyr, often portraying him kneeling amid stones or gazing heavenward, as per hagiographic tradition.
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
- Corpus Christi Catholic Church (South Riding, Virginia) (former mission)
- Saint Katharine Drexel Mission (Haymarket, Virginia) (current mission)
References
- ↑ "Saint Stephen the Martyr". Catholic Diocese of Arlington. https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/jubilee/our-diocese/our-history/parish-history-profiles/saint-stephen-the-martyr/.
- ↑ "St. Stephen the Martyr". Arlington Catholic Herald. https://www.catholicherald.com/article/local/parishes/st-stephen-the-martyr/.