St. Agnes (Diocese of Arlington)
St. Agnes Parish is in Virginia (United States) and is part of the Diocese of Arlington.
It is dedicated to Saint Agnes.
| St. Agnes Parish | |
| Dedication: | Saint Agnes |
| Venerated Saints: | |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Arlington |
| Deanery: | Arlington Deanery |
| Address: | 1910 N Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22207 |
| Coordinates: | 38.8898, -77.0955 |
| City: | Arlington, VA |
| Subdivision: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Arlington County |
| Website: | https://saintagnes.org |
| Founded: | 1936 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | info@saintagnes.org |
History
St. Agnes Parish in Arlington, Virginia, began as a mission of St. Charles Borromeo Church in 1909, serving Catholics in the Cherrydale neighborhood during a time of limited Catholic presence in Virginia due to historical anti-Catholic laws. The mission’s first church was built in 1919, dedicated in 1920 by Bishop Denis J. O’Connell on land donated by Admiral A.W. Weaver for $1,300, named after his sister Agnes, a Daughter of Charity. In 1936, Bishop Peter L. Ireton elevated it to parish status, appointing Father Edward W. Johnston as its first pastor. St. Agnes School opened in 1946, and by 1952, a new church (now the gym) was consecrated by Bishop Ireton as the parish grew to over 1,500 families by the late 1950s amid Arlington’s postwar boom. The current church, reflecting Vatican II’s liturgical renewal, was dedicated on December 10, 1966, by Bishop John Russell. The Diocese of Arlington was established in 1974, absorbing St. Agnes, which continued to expand with a Parish Center in 1991 and renovations in 2021-2022, including a new narthex and tabernacle platform. Today, it serves over 2,000 families with a focus on charity, education, and faith formation.
Special features
- The “Lord of Lords Window” in the church, with yellow and gold glass, depicts Christ blessing the three branches of the U.S. government, symbolizing a connection to the Feast of Christ the King and the parish’s proximity to the nation’s capital.
- St. Agnes School, serving Pre-K through 8th grade, fosters academic excellence and faith, with a tight-knit community of about 439 students and a robust sports program via the Northern Virginia Junior Catholic Youth Organization (NVJCYO).
- The 2022 renovations added marble flooring, a gold-starred dome, and an oculus to the baldacchino-like bell tower over the tabernacle, blending modern and traditional architecture inspired by Vatican II.
- Charitable efforts include monthly meals at Christ House, nearly 10,000 pounds of food collected annually for Madison County, and support for refugees and pregnant mothers, reflecting a deep commitment to social outreach.
Related parishes
St. Agnes Parish is part of the Diocese of Arlington, serving 21 counties in Northern Virginia. It has historical ties to St. Charles Borromeo Parish, its founding mission, and connects to nearby Arlington Deanery parishes like St. Ann, St. James in Falls Church, and the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, collaborating through initiatives like the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal.