Holy Family (Diocese of Arlington)
| Holy Family Catholic Church | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Holy Family |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Arlington |
| Deanery: | Deanery 5 |
| Address: | 14160 Ferndale Road, Dale City, VA 22193 |
| Coordinates: | 38.9078, -77.2214 |
| City: | Dale City, VA |
| Subdivision: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Prince William County |
| Website: | https://www.holyfamilycatholicchurchdalecity.org/ |
| Founded: | 1976 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | office@holyfamilydalecity.org, office@holyfamilydalecity.org |
Holy Family Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Dale City, Virginia. Dedicated to the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—the parish venerates the earthly family of Christ as the model for Christian family life, humility, and fidelity to God's will.
Established in 1976 to serve the rapidly growing Catholic population in Prince William County, the parish initially held Masses in local schools before dedicating its church in 1981. Holy Family Catholic School opened in 1993. As of December 17, 2025, Holy Family continues to offer extensive family-oriented ministries, religious education, and charitable outreach.
The parish community emphasizes devotion to the Holy Family through liturgical celebrations and programs supporting marriage and parenting.
History
Holy Family Parish was established on July 1, 1976, by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh of the Diocese of Arlington to accommodate population growth in the Dale City area.[1][2]
Initial Masses were celebrated in local public schools. The church building was dedicated in 1981. Holy Family Catholic School opened in 1993.
The parish has expanded facilities and ministries over the decades to meet the needs of a diverse and growing community.
School
Holy Family Catholic School (pre-K through grade 8) was founded in 1993, providing faith-integrated education.[1]
The school emphasizes academic excellence and spiritual formation in a family-centered environment.
Special features
- Strong focus on family ministries, marriage preparation, and parenting support
- Active religious education programs for all ages
- Charitable outreach including food assistance and community service
Architecture
The church building, dedicated in 1981, reflects late twentieth-century design with spacious interior suited to large family congregations.
Associated facilities include the school and parish center.
Art and devotional features
As of December 17, 2025, specific details on stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, or other interior artwork in the church are limited in publicly available sources, including the parish website, photo galleries, and related online resources.
Devotional elements typically include representations of the Holy Family, portraying Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in the home at Nazareth, consistent with the parish dedication.
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
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "History". Holy Family Catholic Church. https://www.holyfamilycatholicchurchdalecity.org/history.
- ↑ "Holy Family". Catholic Diocese of Arlington. https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/jubilee/our-diocese/our-history/parish-history-profiles/holy-family/.