About Our Lady of the Valley · Luray, Virginia
Our Lady of the Valley is a small Roman Catholic parish serving the Page County area of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Located at 200 Collins Avenue in Luray, the parish was dedicated on October 31, 1954, by Bishop Peter L. Ireton of Richmond, and grew out of a mission started in 1951 by the Redemptorist Fathers for the 36 Catholics then counted across roughly 1,000 square miles. It belongs to the Diocese of Arlington (since the diocese was formed in 1974) and currently shepherds about 400 registered parishioners, with a pastor and tight-knit lay ministries. The parish is distinctive for its Marian devotion rooted in Our Mother of Perpetual Help, its open welcome to tourists visiting nearby Luray Caverns and Shenandoah National Park, and its strong lay organizations, especially the long-running Ladies Council and the Msgr. Paul V. Heller Council 8393 of the Knights of Columbus.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Valley (the Blessed Virgin Mary) — the parish also holds a strong foundational devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, brought by the founding Redemptorists.
- Rector
- Reverend Edwin E. Perez
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington (since 1974; previously part of the Diocese of Richmond, from which the Redemptorists first came)
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Valley offers a warm, close-knit Catholic community in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, with daily Mass, robust Marian devotion (a weekly novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and daily Rosary), monthly Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays, and a full sacramental life including Baptisms, Weddings, CCD/Confirmation classes, and sacramental care for the sick. The parish welcomes both residents and the many visitors who come for Luray Caverns, Shenandoah National Park, and Massanutten, and its lay organizations — the Ladies Council (since 1951), Knights of Columbus Msgr. Paul V. Heller Council 8393, Parish Council, Music Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Eucharistic Minister/Lector programs — make it easy for newcomers to get involved.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Valley
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:30–7:00 PM
- Saturday: 3:30–4:30 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: every First Friday of the month from 3:00 to 7:00 PM
History of Our Lady of the Valley
Catholic life in Page County dates back to the mid-1800s, with Masses in private homes served by priests from Winchester. The modern parish was born as a Redemptorist mission in 1951 for the 36 Catholics then spread across some 1,000 square miles, and was dedicated on October 31, 1954, by Bishop Peter L. Ireton. The parish became part of the newly created Diocese of Arlington in 1974, and has been served by Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular since 1992.
- 1876: Mr. and Mrs. John Cole, Sr., of Rileyville host regular Mass in their home
- 1912: Valley Catholics travel 50 miles round-trip to St. John the Baptist in Front Royal by train, bus, or horse-drawn vehicle
- 1951: Redemptorist Fathers invited by Bishop Ireton; first Masses in the Mimslyn Hotel Rotary Room
- 1953: Ten acres purchased from Maurice Waters (with Theresa Kopec's help)
- October 31, 1954: Church dedicated by Bishop Peter L. Ireton; cornerstone placed
- December 8, 1954: Statue of Mary blessed by Father Eugene Walsh
- 1960: Parish hall dedicated by Bishop John J. Russell
- 1968: Redemptorists relieved; Father Robert O. Hickman appointed
- 1972: Open portico enclosed to form today's vestibule
- November 25, 1973: Parish mortgage retired
- 1974: Parish becomes part of the new Diocese of Arlington
- 1976: Father Charles A. Ryan appointed first resident pastor
- 1977: Father Ryan takes up residence in the new rectory (Oct 4, 1977)
- 1979: Silver Jubilee celebrated
- 1992: Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular begin pastoring the parish
- 1996–1998: Structural upgrades — steeple added; roof cross moved behind the Mary statue
- 2004: Golden Anniversary, with Bishop Paul S. Loverde celebrating Mass
- June 27, 2019: Father Edwin E. Perez installed as pastor by Bishop Loverde
- October 31, 2024: 70th Anniversary celebrated
Marian Identity and Devotion
The parish's name reflects a deep love for Mary. Its Marian roots trace to the Redemptorists — the order entrusted by Pope Pius IX in 1866 with the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and the commission to 'make her known.' The parish still prays the Saturday novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and asks Mary's intercession for the Shenandoah Valley. The parish founders' prayer echoes on the website: 'Our little church at Luray is named after Our Lady Mary. May our valley remind her of her native hill country of Judea; may she intercede for us that God's love and blessing reach into our hearts and lives.'
Parish Ministries
The parish runs an unusually rich set of ministries for its size, from advisory councils to choirs, handbells, youth, and outreach. Liturgical ministers (Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors) are always needed, including those willing to bring Communion to the homebound. Music ministry — coordinated by Mrs. Sandra Modersohn — includes the Women's Choir, a new Men's Schola, two handbell choirs, the children's 'Grace Notes' program, and roles for cantors, keyboardists, and instrumentalists.
- Parish Council (advisory)
- Parish Finance Council (Chair: Frank Pandolfo)
- Ladies Council
- Knights of Columbus — Msgr. Paul V. Heller Council 8393
- Eucharistic Ministers / Lectors (including ministry to the sick and homebound)
- Music Ministry: Women's Choir, Men's Schola, Grace Notes (ages 5–11), two Handbell Choirs
- OLV Youth Ministry / CCD / Confirmation preparation
- Page-One ecumenical outreach (founded in the 1970s)
- Pro-life: March for Life bus trip and 1,000 Rosaries for Life program
Parish Council
The Parish Council works in cooperation with the pastor in an advisory capacity — helping develop programs, supporting parish direction, and assisting where needed.
- Keith Robinson, Chair
- Eleanor Ames, Secretary
- Jay Fuller
- Susan King
- Frank Pandolfo
- Rose Ann Smythe
- Burrous Snellings
- David Wittich
- Sharon Booker (Finance Committee Chair)
- Father Perez (Ex-Officio)
- Kathleen Murphy (Admin/Bookkeeper, Ex-Officio)
- Sandra Modersohn (Music Ministry, Ex-Officio)
- Joel Fernandez (Youth Ministry, Ex-Officio)
Parish Finance Council
Provides financial oversight and guidance for the parish.
- Frank Pandolfo, Chair
- Eleanor Ames, Secretary
- Sharon Booker
- Irene Sommers
Ladies Council
Every woman in the parish is a member of the Ladies Council. It has been the parish's quiet backbone since June 1951, when it began as the Ladies Altar Society even before the church building was constructed. The Council meets quarterly at 10:00 AM in the parish meeting room and runs the Altar Guild, the church cleaning, seasonal decorating, the funeral reception ministry, hospitality, and needs-based outreach.
- Altar Guild (vestments, albs, altar linens, sacred vessels)
- Care of the Church building and supplies
- Decorating for Easter, Christmas and Pentecost
- First Communion and Confirmation flowers and refreshments
- Coordination with the Knights of Columbus on Christmas Party and Church Picnic
- Luncheons for bereaved families after Funeral Masses
- Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for families in need; Page-One Manna Sunday food donations
- Parish Committees: Hospitality, Mercy Ministry (funeral reception), Martha's Ministry (church cleaning), St. Joseph's Committee (maintenance), Our Lady's Gardeners
Knights of Columbus (Msgr. Paul V. Heller Council 8393)
The parish's council of the Knights of Columbus meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM in the parish's shared room. They host parish events such as the Silver Rose Icon Prayer Service and Rosary, and coordinate the annual Christmas Party and summer picnic with the Ladies Council.
Music Ministry
Music ministry at OLV is unusually active for a small parish. Coordinator Mrs. Sandra Modersohn oversees the Women's Choir, a new Men's Schola, two handbell choirs (one youth/family, one adult), and the Grace Notes program for Catholic children ages 5–11. There is also always room for cantors, keyboardists, organists, and string, woodwind and brass instrumentalists.
- Grace Notes (ages 5–11) — songs, games, handbells, Catholic hymns and chants
- Men's Schola — rehearses 1st Tuesday; chants propers and Mass parts; performs monthly
- Women's Choir — rehearses 2nd and 4th Thursdays; monthly performance
- Youth / Family Handbells — 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 6–8 PM
- Adult / Open Handbells — Wednesdays, 10 AM–12 PM (except 3rd Wednesdays)
- Cantors, keyboardists, organists, and instrumentalists always welcome
Youth Ministry and Faith Formation
Faith formation for young parishioners is led by Youth Director Mr. Joel Fernandez. The CCD program meets Sundays 9:45–10:45 AM, between the two Sunday Masses, and Confirmation classes are arranged through the pastor. The parish also welcomes youth participation in the music ministry through Grace Notes and the handbell choirs.
- CCD: Sundays 9:45–10:45 AM
- Confirmation Classes: contact the Pastor
- Youth Director: Mr. Joel Fernandez
- Grace Notes (music program for children ages 5–11)
- Handbell choirs open to youth
Sacraments
Our Lady of the Valley celebrates the usual sacraments for a small parish: Sunday Baptisms at 1:00 PM (call the Rectory one week in advance), Weddings scheduled at least six months out and requiring the Marriage Preparation Course, daily Mass and Communion to the sick on request, and First Communion and Confirmation preparation through CCD. Funeral Masses are followed by luncheons for bereaved families organized by the Ladies Council.
- Baptisms: Sundays at 1:00 PM
- Weddings: contact rectory at least 6 months ahead; Marriage Preparation Course required
- First Communion and Confirmation: prepared through CCD/Ladies Council-supported celebrations
- Anointing / Holy Communion to the Sick: call 540-743-4919
- Funeral Masses: with Ladies Council funeral reception
Contact, Location, and Welcome
The parish warmly welcomes visitors — both local and those drawn to Luray Caverns, Shenandoah National Park, or Massanutten Ski Resort. The office is open Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM, and registration forms are available in the church vestibule.
- Address: 200 Collins Avenue, Luray, Virginia 22835
- Phone: 540-743-4919
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM
- Music email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.ourladyofthevalleyluray.org
- Parish registration form available in the vestibule
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Eugene Walsh1954 (blessed site and cornerstone, dedicated church)
Pastor of St. John's in Waynesboro; blessed the land and the statue of Mary in the churchyard on Dec 8, 1954.
- Father Robert Smith, C.Ss.R.1950s–1960s
Redemptorist who served as resident pastor in Elkton and traveled to Luray; oversaw the 1960 parish hall dedication.
- Father Robert O. Hickman1968–c.1976
First non-Redemptorist pastor after the Redemptorists were relieved in 1968; oversaw enclosure of the portico in 1972 and the mortgage payoff in 1973.
- Father Charles A. Ryan1976 (first resident pastor)–
First resident pastor of the independent Luray parish; moved into the new rectory Oct 4, 1977; founded the ecumenical outreach Page-One.
- Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular (various fathers)1992 onward
Religious order that has pastored the parish since 1992.
- Father Christopher Lemme, T.O.R.serving as of Oct 2011
Featured in the Arlington Catholic Herald as pastor of the 'one-man shop' diocese's smallest parish.
- Father Edwin E. PerezJune 27, 2019–present
Installed by Bishop Paul S. Loverde (ordained to the priesthood June 9, 2001 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Arlington).