About Sacred Heart of Jesus · Winchester, Virginia
Sacred Heart of Jesus is a thriving Roman Catholic parish in Winchester, Virginia, the fourth oldest parish in the Diocese of Arlington. With more than 10,000 registered parishioners across roughly 3,400 families, it serves as the mother church for the northern Shenandoah Valley from its campus on Keating Drive and a newer worship site in nearby Stephens City. The parish traces its roots to the 1820s and current building to 1989, and today it is known both for its long Catholic history in the Valley and for its rapid growth in recent decades, fueled in part by an Amazon fulfillment center, manufacturing expansion, and an FBI data center nearby. Worship is offered in English and Spanish, the parish runs a perpetual adoration chapel, and its co-located Sacred Heart Academy educates students from preschool through eighth grade in a Christ-centered environment.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Bjorn C. Lundberg
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
Sacred Heart of Jesus welcomes both long-time Catholics and newcomers to a parish family that is rooted in 150-plus years of Valley history yet actively growing. With five Sunday Masses at the main church (including a weekly Spanish Mass), a brand-new worship site in Stephens City, daily Mass seven days a week, and a Perpetual Adoration Chapel open around the clock, there are abundant opportunities to encounter Christ in the Eucharist. The parish combines a Christ-centered parish school (Sacred Heart Academy, PreK–8), a religious education program serving more than 700 students, a Spanish-language ministry, and dozens of lay groups from Knights of Columbus to a Young Adult Ministry — making it easy to find a place to serve, to learn, and to build lasting friendships in the northern Shenandoah Valley.
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. until the line runs out (Winchester)
- Saturday: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Winchester)
- Stephens City: Wednesday 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Stephens City: Saturday 3:00 p.m.
- Confession is also offered during all Sunday Masses
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel — 24-hour exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; adorers commit to one hour per week through shwinchester.weadorehim.com
- Stephens City: Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday (sign up for an hour)
- First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (when school is in session): after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, with Exposition until 2:15 p.m. Benediction
About the Parish
Sacred Heart of Jesus describes itself as 'a vibrant community of faith in Winchester, Virginia' where 'worship, religious education, and community outreach' are top priorities. In keeping with the Shenandoah Valley's hospitality, parishioners are friendly and welcoming to newcomers and long-time members alike, and visitors are warmly invited to participate in Mass, serve alongside others reaching out to the needy, and join one of the parish's many active groups.
- Headquartered at 130 Keating Drive, Winchester, VA 22601
- Covers all of Frederick County, Virginia
- More than 10,100 registered parishioners in roughly 3,400 families (2023)
- One Sunday evening Mass at 5:30 p.m. and a full weekly Mass schedule including a Spanish Mass
Parish History
Catholic life in Winchester goes back to Father John Mahony's visits in the 1820s. After the original stone chapel was destroyed in the Civil War, Bishop (then Father) John Kain built the Loudoun Street church in 1868 and celebrated the first Mass in its basement in 1870 — the year the parish was founded. The completed church was dedicated on July 28, 1878, and Winchester Catholics worshipped there for 121 years before the present red-brick church was built in 1987–89. The parish joined the newly formed Diocese of Arlington in 1974.
- 1820s — Father John Mahony visits Winchester every third Sunday
- 1860s — Sacred Heart is a mission of St. Peter's, Harper's Ferry
- 1868 — Ground broken for the Loudoun Street church; Bishop Kain dedicates it July 28, 1868
- 1870 — First Mass said in the basement; parish is founded
- 1878 — Church completed and dedicated July 28
- 1880 — 1,640-lb bell consecrated, still standing on the current campus
- 1974 — Parish becomes part of the new Diocese of Arlington
- 1987 — Ground broken for present church
- 1989 — First Mass in the new church on Palm Sunday
- 2020 — Parish marks 150th anniversary
- 2025 — Stephens City worship site opens at 199 Agape Way
Stephens City Worship Site
In 2025 the parish opened a second worship site at 199 Agape Way in Stephens City, VA 22655, under the care of Father Phillip M. Cozzi. It offers a full weekend schedule including a Saturday Vigil at 4:30 p.m., three Sunday Masses (one in Spanish), and daily Masses Tuesday–Friday in English plus Monday and Thursday in Spanish. The site also hosts Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays and additional confession times.
- Address: 199 Agape Way, Stephens City, VA 22655
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m. (Spanish)
- Weekday English: Tue, Wed, Fri 9:00 a.m.
- Weekday Spanish: Mon, Thu 6:00 p.m.
- Confessions: Wed 11:00 a.m. and 6:30–8:00 p.m.; Sat 3:00 p.m.
- Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday
- Church open for private prayer Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri (limited hours)
Sacred Heart Academy
Sacred Heart Academy, founded in 1957, is a PreK–8 Catholic school on the same campus as the parish church. The mission statement reads: 'Strengthened by the Father, led by Jesus, and guided by the Holy Spirit, Sacred Heart Academy nurtures the development of the whole child by providing a Catholic education dedicated to academic excellence, peace and justice, service and spiritual growth. We pray. We study. We serve.' The school is accredited K–8 by the Virginia Catholic Education Association and is re-evaluated every five years.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- Average class size about 25 students; student-teacher ratio roughly 10:1
- Spanish offered PK–8; Latin being phased into 4th and 5th grade
- Athletics: running club K–8; basketball, cheer, cross country, lacrosse, track, golf, tennis, volleyball, soccer for middle school
- Before-care from 6:45 a.m. and 'Bridges' after-care until 5:30 p.m.
- Registered parishioners receive priority enrollment and an in-parish tuition discount
- Financial aid available through the diocesan process
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Under Director of Religious Education Julia Carty, the parish's religious education program serves more than 700 students each year and depends on volunteer catechists and aides. The parish also runs the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) through Mary Thompson for adults preparing to enter the Church, and a Catholic Biblical School directed by Dr. Nicholas Lebish. A summer program called 'Summer at Sacred Heart,' directed by Christopher Ricketts, rounds out formation offerings.
- Parish School of Religion serving 700+ students
- RCIA for adult initiation (Coordinator: Mary Thompson)
- Catholic Biblical School (Director: Dr. Nicholas Lebish)
- First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Holy Family Homeschoolers support group
- Summer at Sacred Heart enrichment program
Parish Groups and Ministries
The parish organizes its lay life around an extensive directory of groups, ranging from liturgical roles (Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Ushers) to family- and youth-oriented groups (Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Holy Family Homeschoolers, Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry) and service and fellowship organizations (Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, Parish Organization of Catholic Women, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts Pack 45, Respect Life Ministry). The parish regularly encourages new parishioners to 'find what appeals to you' and join after the Sunday morning Masses for coffee and donuts.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Lectors, EME, Ushers
- Music: Sacred Heart Adult Choir, The Sacred Sounds, Resurrexit Schola
- Family: Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Holy Family Homeschoolers, Family Life and Evangelization
- Youth/Young Adult: Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry
- Service: Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, POCW, Respect Life
- Scouting: Boy Scouts, Cub Scout Pack 45, Newspaper Recycling Program
- Spiritual: Divine Mercy Cenacle, Perpetual Adoration Chapel
- Fellowship: Coffee and donuts after Sunday Masses
Hispanic Ministry
An active Hispanic Ministry, coordinated by Ana Fitzpatrick, serves the parish's Spanish-speaking community. Spanish-language offerings include a weekly Spanish Sunday Mass at 1:15 p.m. at the main Winchester church, a Spanish-language Sunday Mass at noon at the Stephens City site, and weekday Spanish Masses at the Stephens City site on Monday and Thursday evenings.
- Coordinator: Ana Fitzpatrick, (540) 665-1975
- Spanish Sunday Mass — Winchester: 1:15 p.m.
- Spanish Sunday Mass — Stephens City: 12:00 p.m.
- Spanish Weekday Masses — Stephens City: Mon & Thu 6:00 p.m.
Sacraments and Parish Services
The parish provides preparation for all seven sacraments. Baptisms are scheduled for infants and older children; First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are typically prepared through the Parish School of Religion; adults enter through RCIA. Marriage preparation is required, and the parish reaches out to the sick and homebound through Communion calls and Anointing of the Sick. Bereavement support is offered for funerals.
- Baptism (infant and adult through RCIA)
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion to the homebound
- Funeral and bereavement ministry
Getting Involved
Sacred Heart frames stewardship in three steps: (1) sign up for parish communications and introduce yourself, (2) prayerfully reflect on where you can best serve, and (3) join a group that matches your gifts. The parish specifically invites practicing, Confirmed Catholics to consider volunteering as a religious-education teacher or aide, signing up for Lector training, joining the grounds committee, singing in one of the parish choirs, or serving as an usher at Masses and Holy Days.
- Volunteer as a catechist in the religious education program (700+ students)
- Lector training and Extraordinary Minister formation
- Grounds and facilities volunteering
- Join one of three music ensembles (Adult Choir, Sacred Sounds, Resurrexit Schola)
- Stay after Mass for coffee and donuts to meet parishioners
Directions and Contact
Parish offices are at 130 Keating Drive, Winchester, VA 22601, with a Parish Office line at (540) 662-5858, a Business Office at (540) 808-2736 (fax 540-313-4915), a Religious Education Office at (540) 662-2651, and Sacred Heart Academy at (540) 662-7177. The Stephens City worship site can be reached at 199 Agape Way, Stephens City, VA 22655. Email addresses for virtually every staff member are published on the Directions and Contact page.
- Parish Office: (540) 662-5858
- Business Office: (540) 808-2736
- Religious Education: (540) 662-2651
- Sacred Heart Academy: (540) 662-7177
- Stephens City worship site: 199 Agape Way, Stephens City, VA 22655
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Mahony (and other visiting priests)1820s–1860s
Traveled from out of town to say Mass in Winchester every third Sunday before the parish was established; Winchester was served as a mission of St. Peter's, Harper's Ferry.
- Fr. John J. Kain (pastor of St. Peter's, later Bishop of Wheeling)1868–1878
Raised money and broke ground for the Loudoun Street church in 1868; celebrated first Mass in the basement in 1870 (founding year); the building was completed and dedicated by him in July 1878.
- Msgr. Stanley J. Krempa1999–2017
Long-serving pastor who led the parish into its sesquicentennial era; in 2017 he became the first pastor of St. Bridget of Ireland in Berryville, then retired in 2018 after being named a monsignor. He also previously served at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria and presided over its 1995 bicentennial.
- Rev. Bjorn C. Lundberg2017–present
Current pastor; a former history major who led the parish's 150th anniversary commemoration in 2020.