St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (Diocese of Arlington)
| Saint John the Beloved Catholic Church | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Saint John the Beloved |
| Venerated Saints: | Our Lady of Fatima, Saint Joseph |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Arlington |
| Deanery: | Deanery 1 |
| Address: | 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, VA 22101 |
| Coordinates: | 38.9689, -77.4083 |
| City: | McLean, VA |
| Subdivision: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Fairfax County |
| Website: | https://sjtb.org/ |
| Founded: | 1959 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | office@sjtb.org |
Saint John the Beloved Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in McLean, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint John the Beloved, the disciple whom Jesus loved, author of the Fourth Gospel and Revelation according to Catholic tradition, and patron of theologians and writers—the parish serves an affluent suburban community in northern Fairfax County. It operates Saint John the Beloved Academy (pre-K through grade 8).
Established in 1959 amid postwar growth, the parish initially celebrated Masses in local schools before dedicating its current church in 1967. As of December 20, 2025, Saint John the Beloved offers daily Masses, perpetual adoration, and ministries emphasizing faith formation and charitable service.
The parish community honors its patron through reflection on his Gospel's themes of divine love and Eucharistic discourse.
History
Saint John the Beloved Parish was established in 1959 by Bishop Peter L. Ireton of the Diocese of Richmond to serve Catholics in the expanding McLean area.[1]
Initial Masses were held in public schools. The current church was dedicated in 1967.[2]
The parish joined the Diocese of Arlington in 1974. Growth has included school expansions and perpetual adoration chapel.
School
Saint John the Beloved Academy serves pre-K through grade 8, providing classical Catholic education.
The academy emphasizes liberal arts and faith formation.[3]
Special features
- Perpetual Eucharistic adoration
- Classical Catholic academy with strong academic reputation
- Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima and Saint Joseph
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.
Architecture
The church, dedicated in 1967, reflects mid-twentieth-century design with later enhancements for adoration and education.
Art and devotional features
The parish includes devotional spaces for Our Lady of Fatima and Saint Joseph.
Specific details on stained glass or other artwork are limited in publicly available sources.
Related parishes
References
- ↑ "Saint John the Beloved". Catholic Diocese of Arlington. https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/jubilee/our-diocese/our-history/parish-history-profiles/saint-john-the-beloved/.
- ↑ "Parish History". Saint John the Beloved Catholic Church. https://sjtb.org/parish-history.
- ↑ "Academy". Saint John the Beloved Catholic Church. https://sjtb.org/academy.