St. Anthony (Diocese of Arlington)

Saint Anthony Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint Anthony of Padua
Venerated Saints:	Our Lady
Diocese:	Diocese of Arlington
Deanery:	Deanery 1
Address:	3301 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041
Coordinates:	38.8167, -77.1333
City:	Falls Church, VA
Subdivision:	Virginia
Country:	United States
County:	Fairfax County
Website:	https://www.stanthonyparish.org/
Founded:	1947
School:	Yes
Email:	office@stanthonyparish.org

Saint Anthony Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Falls Church, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, the thirteenth-century Franciscan preacher and Doctor of the Church venerated for his eloquence, miracles, and finding lost things—the parish operates Saint Anthony Catholic School (pre-K through grade 8) and emphasizes faith formation and community service.

Established in 1947 to serve the growing Catholic population in Falls Church, the parish initially held Masses in local facilities before dedicating its church in 1953. As of December 19, 2025, Saint Anthony continues to offer extensive ministries, including religious education and charitable outreach.

The parish community fosters devotion to its patron through celebration of his feast on June 13 and traditional blessings of lilies.

History

Saint Anthony Parish was established in 1947 by the Diocese of Richmond (predecessor to the Diocese of Arlington for this area until 1974) to accommodate population growth in Falls Church.

Initial Masses were celebrated in borrowed spaces. The church building was dedicated in 1953. Saint Anthony Catholic School opened subsequently.

The parish has expanded ministries over the decades to meet community needs.

School

Saint Anthony Catholic School (pre-K through grade 8) provides faith-integrated education within the parish community.

The school emphasizes academic excellence and spiritual formation.

Special features

• Active religious education and youth ministries
• Charitable outreach programs

Architecture

The church building, dedicated in 1953, reflects mid-twentieth-century design with later expansions.

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 Anthony of Padua, often portraying him holding the Child Jesus or a lily, symbols from 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.