About Precious Blood · Culpeper, Virginia
Precious Blood Catholic Church is a multicultural Roman Catholic parish in the heart of Culpeper, Virginia, belonging to the Diocese of Arlington. Established as an independent parish on November 15, 1946, and tracing its roots to Catholic services in Culpeper dating back to 1868, it serves Culpeper, Madison, Rappahannock, and (historically) Orange Counties. Today the parish is bilingual (English and Spanish) with five Sunday Masses, daily Mass Monday through Saturday, perpetual-style Thursday adoration, and an active school (Epiphany Catholic School), food pantry, Respect Life, prison, and music ministries.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- The Precious Blood of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin B. Walsh
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
Precious Blood is a joyful, multicultural Catholic community in downtown Culpeper that serves families in English and Spanish across four counties. Parishioners are nourished by daily Mass, Thursday all-day adoration, and a vibrant music program with multiple choirs in both languages, and are sent out through St. Joseph's Table food pantry, prison ministry at Coffeewood Correctional Center, Respect Life collections, an annual homeless shelter, and an inter-parish Catholic school (Epiphany). The parish makes the Gospel visible through its bilingual Masses, communal penance services, scholarships, and warm fellowship — a genuine spiritual home whether you are new to the area or a lifelong Catholic.
Mass times at Precious Blood
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Saturdays 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Or by request
Adoration times
- Thursdays 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Exposition)
- Exposition, Office of Readings, and Morning Prayer follow daily Mass (Monday–Saturday)
Parish History & Heritage
Catholic worship in Culpeper dates to 1868, with the first permanent church site purchased in 1879 by Fr. Patrick Donahue and the cornerstone laid in 1880. For 66 years (1880–1946) Precious Blood was a mission of Warrenton, Manassas, and Charlottesville, with Mass only once or twice a month. On November 15, 1946, it was established as an independent parish serving Culpeper, Madison, and Rappahannock Counties, with mission churches in Orange and Gordonsville. A history booklet, "Precious Blood, the Catholic Presence in Culpeper," was published by Ginny Ferlazzo for the 50th anniversary in 1996; the 75th anniversary was celebrated on November 15, 2021.
- 1868 — First Catholic services in Culpeper
- 1879 — Church site purchased from the Kirkman sisters by Fr. Patrick Donahue
- 1880 — Cornerstone laid
- 1946 — Established as independent parish (30 families); founding pastor Fr. Maurice du Castillon, CICM
- 1996 — 50th anniversary Mass with Bishop John R. Keating
- 2021 — 75th anniversary celebrated
Mission & Pastoral Vision
The parish mission is to proclaim the Gospel (evangelize), to educate and form in the faith (catechize), and to celebrate the Paschal Mystery through the Liturgy. Pastoral leadership under Fr. Kevin B. Walsh has emphasized multicultural community life, with bilingual Masses, bilingual bulletins, bilingual sacramental preparation, and scholarships for young musicians and graduating seniors.
- Mission rooted in Matthew 28:19–20 — 'Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations'
- Bilingual communal penance services
- Pentecost vigil potluck with songs from multiple cultural traditions
- Expansion of Hispanic ministry since 2016
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by a pastor, a parochial vicar, two permanent deacons, and a bilingual office, faith-formation, music, and liturgy team.
- Rev. Kevin B. Walsh — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Joseph Vu — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Deacon Ramon Tirado — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Michael Watts — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Marlen Portilla — Office Manager, Bilingual ([email protected])
- Kelly Wilton — Director of Religious Education, Bilingual ([email protected])
- Patricia Reed — Assistant DRE ([email protected])
- Hannah Masson — Director of Music ([email protected])
- Lizanca Lucero — Liturgy Assistant, Bilingual
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
The parish offers sacramental preparation and continuing catechesis for children in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The CCD office is on the garden level of the parish. Registrations open on March 15 for the following school year. A Vacation Bible School is also offered each summer for rising Pre-K through rising 6th grade (with rising 7th–12th graders serving as volunteers).
- CCD (K–12) — Director: Kelly Wilton (Bilingual); Assistant: Patricia Reed
- Phone: 540-825-1339
- Vacation Bible School — rising Pre-K through 6th grade
- Bilingual sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation
Epiphany Catholic School
Precious Blood Preschool opened in 1981 in the new Parish Hall/CCD facility. On January 6, 1997, the Diocese of Arlington established Epiphany Catholic School, the first Catholic school in the four-county area, serving Culpeper, Orange, Madison, and Rappahannock Counties. In 2013 the Diocese purchased the former St. Luke Lutheran School property; the 22-acre campus now hosts preschool through 8th grade, with a gymnasium, library, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Friday-morning Mass is held at the school during the school year. The parish has also purchased four buses for the school that double as parish transport.
- Preschool founded 1981
- Epiphany Catholic School established by the Diocese: January 6, 1997
- Current campus: 22 acres (former St. Luke site), preschool–8th grade
- Friday morning Mass during the school year
- School phone: 540-825-9017
Music & Liturgy
Music is a defining mark of Precious Blood. The English-speaking community has four choirs (including a teen group that serves once a month); the Spanish-speaking community has two choirs and a charismatic praise and worship group. For major liturgies (Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil, Pentecost Vigil) and the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation, the music director coordinates a bilingual choir. Hannah Masson serves as Director of Music, with Lizanca Lucero assisting in a bilingual role.
- 4 English choirs (including teen choir)
- 2 Spanish choirs + 1 Spanish charismatic praise and worship group
- Bilingual choir for major liturgies and sacraments
- Director of Music: Hannah Masson
Outreach, Charity & Respect Life
Precious Blood is energetic in the corporal Works of Mercy. St. Joseph's Table is a parish food pantry — started by Fr. Walsh during the COVID-19 pandemic to help Spanish-speaking families in crisis — that now serves the broader Culpeper community. Fr. Walsh, Deacon Tirado, and Deacon Watts visit the imprisoned at Coffeewood Correctional Center. The Respect Life Committee hosts collections for mothers and their babies. The parish also co-sponsors a homeless shelter each year with local churches.
- St. Joseph's Table food pantry
- Coffeewood Correctional Center prison ministry
- Respect Life Committee (maternal/infant collections)
- Annual homeless shelter with local churches
Parish Life, Giving & Communications
Parishioners can register by completing a parish registration card (available in the Parish Office) to receive weekly contribution envelopes. Online giving is available through Faith Direct (one-time, monthly, or annual donations; processed on the 4th or 15th of each month). The parish subscribes to FORMED for Catholic movies, Bible studies, RCIA content, e-books, and audio talks (parish code V2XJNR). Fr. Kevin also produces a podcast, and homily recordings are posted online.
- Faith Direct online giving
- Parish registration via the Parish Office
- FORMED Catholic content (parish code V2XJNR)
- Fr. Kevin's Podcast and homily recordings
Getting Involved
Volunteers are welcome across all parish ministries. To get involved or for more information about any ministry, contact the parish office at 540-827-4400.
- Music ministry (English and Spanish choirs)
- CCD / Vacation Bible School catechists and volunteers
- St. Joseph's Table food pantry (especially Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Respect Life, altar society, prison ministry, homeless shelter
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Maurice du Castillon, CICM1946; 1955–1979
Founding pastor of the independent parish in 1946; returned to serve 1955–1979. Longest-tenured pastor (25+ years total).
- Fr. Andrew Taillieu, CICM1947–1954
Missionhurst priest.
- Fr. John Jansen, CICM1954
Missionhurst priest.
- Fr. Leo Zonneveld, C.I.C.M.1979–2012
Led three-phase building program: Parish Hall/CCD (1981), church (1983), rectory (1991). 33 years of service.
- Fr. Anselme Malonda, CICM2012–2016
Last Missionhurst priest assigned to the parish.
- Fr. Mark Moretti2016–2018
Parochial Vicar under Fr. Walsh.
- Fr. Augustin Tran2018–2020
Parochial Vicar.
- Fr. Kevin B. Walsh2016–present
Current pastor; linguist and Biblical scholar; expanded Hispanic ministry and founded St. Joseph's Table food pantry.
- Fr. Joseph Vu2023–present
Current Parochial Vicar.