St. Luke Catholic Church (Diocese of Arlington)
| Saint Luke Catholic Church | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Saint Luke the Evangelist |
| Type/Classification: | Territorial Parish |
| Non-Parochial: | No |
| Operated By: | Diocesan clergy |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Arlington |
| Deanery: | Deanery 1 |
| Address: | 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101 |
| Location: | |
| City: | McLean, VA |
| Subdivision: | Virginia |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Fairfax County |
| Website: | Website |
| Founded: | 1961 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | None specified |
Saint Luke Catholic Church is a territorial parish in the Diocese of Arlington, located in McLean, Virginia. Dedicated to Saint Luke the Evangelist, the physician and companion of Saint Paul, traditionally regarded as author of the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles—the parish serves a suburban community in northern Fairfax County. It operates Saint Luke Catholic School (pre-K through grade 8).
Established in 1961 from territory of Saint John the Beloved Parish in McLean, the parish initially celebrated Masses in Franklin Sherman Elementary School. The current church was dedicated in 1983. As of December 20, 2025, Saint Luke offers a variety of liturgical music programs, faith formation, and outreach ministries.
The parish community reflects its patron's legacy through emphasis on healing, evangelization, and care for the needy.
History
Saint Luke Parish was established in 1961 by Bishop John J. Russell to serve the growing Catholic population in McLean and Great Falls, carved from the northeast sector of Saint John the Beloved Parish in McLean.[1]
Regular Sunday Masses began on June 4, 1961, in the cafeteria of Franklin Sherman School, with 730 attendees. The founding pastor was Msgr. J. Louis Flaherty. A school building was completed in 1966, opening in 1967. The church was dedicated by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh on February 10, 1983.
The parish has grown with expansions including a middle school wing (1996–2004) and ongoing ministries.
School
Saint Luke Catholic School serves pre-K through grade 8, providing Catholic education with emphasis on faith formation.
The school opened in 1967 and has undergone expansions, including a middle school wing.
Special features
- Renowned liturgical music program with pipe organ (dedicated 1998) and "Music in McLean" concert series
- Active prayer groups, Bible studies, and faith formation for all ages
Relics
According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar, dedicated in 1983, contains deposited relics as is customary in consecrated 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 1983, features design faithful to post-Vatican II guidelines, with a striking bell tower crowning the narthex.
A magnificent pipe organ dominates the sanctuary.
Art and devotional features
The sanctuary includes a large pipe organ symbolic of the parish's commitment to liturgical music.
Specific details on stained glass windows, statues, or other interior artwork are limited in publicly available sources.
Related parishes
- Saint John the Beloved Catholic Church (McLean, Virginia) (mother parish from which Saint Luke was formed)
References
- ↑ "Saint Luke". Catholic Diocese of Arlington. https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/jubilee/our-diocese/our-history/parish-history-profiles/saint-luke/.