St. John the Apostle (Diocese of Arlington)

Saint John the Apostle Catholic Church
Dedication:	Saint John the Apostle
Venerated Saints:	Our Lady
Diocese:	Diocese of Arlington
Deanery:	Deanery 3
Address:	101 Oakcrest Manor Drive NE, Leesburg, VA 20176
Coordinates:	38.7667, -77.4833
City:	Leesburg, VA
Subdivision:	Virginia
Country:	United States
County:	Loudoun County
Website:	https://saintjohnleesburg.org
Founded:	1989
School:	Yes
Email:	office@saintjohnleesburg.org

Saint John the Apostle Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in Leesburg, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint John the Apostle—the Beloved Disciple who rested on Christ's breast at the Last Supper (John 13:23–25), stood beneath the Cross (John 19:26–27), and is traditionally regarded as the author of the Fourth Gospel, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation—the parish operates Saint John the Apostle Catholic School (pre-K through grade 8) and emphasizes faith formation, Eucharistic devotion, and community service.

Established in 1989 amid rapid growth in Loudoun County, the parish initially celebrated Masses in local facilities before dedicating its current church building in 2000. As of December 19, 2025, Saint John the Apostle serves a large community with extensive ministries, including religious education and charitable outreach.

The parish community fosters devotion to its patron through celebration of his feast on December 27 and reflection on his Gospel's emphasis on divine love and witness to Christ.

History

Saint John the Apostle Parish was established in 1989 by Bishop John R. Keating of the Diocese of Arlington to serve the expanding Catholic population in Leesburg.

Initial Masses were held in borrowed spaces. The current church was dedicated in 2000. Saint John the Apostle Catholic School opened subsequently.

The parish has grown with the region, developing robust programs in catechesis and evangelization.

School

Saint John the Apostle 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 and community service programs

Architecture

The church building, dedicated in 2000, reflects contemporary design suited to large suburban congregations.

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 John the Apostle, often portraying him as the young disciple at the Last Supper, with an eagle (his traditional symbol), or receiving the Virgin Mary from the Cross.

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.