About St. Bridget of Ireland · Berryville, Virginia
St. Bridget of Ireland Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Arlington that serves as the Catholic church of Clarke County, Virginia, in the small town of Berryville. Founded in 1999 as a mission church of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Winchester, it was formally erected as the 70th parish of the Arlington Diocese on July 12, 2017. Today it ministers to roughly 560 families (about 1,130 parishioners) from a church building completed and dedicated in May 2002, distinguished by 16 stained-glass windows, a rose window behind the altar, and a gothic-yet-modern interior set on eight and a half acres near the Clarke County fairgrounds.
- Established
- 1999 (mission); 2002 (church dedicated); 2017 (erected as a parish)
- Patron
- St. Bridget (Brigid) of Kildare — patron saint of Ireland, blacksmiths, abused children, dairy workers, and scholars
- Rector
- Fr. Paul M. Grankauskas
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington (the 70th parish of the diocese, erected 2017)
Why belong here
St. Bridget offers the rare gift of a small, close-knit Catholic community that still celebrates the full rhythm of the faith: a full weekly Mass schedule, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays and First Fridays, regular Confession, daily Rosary, an active choir and cantors, and faith formation for every age — Pre-K through adult — taught largely by parent volunteers. Tucked into the Blue Ridge foothills near Skyline Drive, Antietam, and Harper's Ferry, the parish combines a gothic-styled church with modern accessibility (ADA bathrooms, assisted listening devices, ample parking), and its 16 stained-glass windows — many featuring local Virginia landmarks — give the building a quiet, intimate beauty that visitors consistently remark on.
Mass times at St. Bridget of Ireland
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Mondays 7:30–8:30 p.m.
- Saturdays 4:00–5:00 p.m.
- First Fridays 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: Mondays 7:30–8:30 p.m.
- Eucharistic Adoration: First Fridays 1:00–2:00 p.m.
History of St. Bridget of Ireland Parish
Before 1999, Catholics in Clarke County had no church of their own. Mass was celebrated variously at Holy Cross Abbey at Cool Spring Farm, in the Berryville Opera House, and in shared space at Grace Episcopal Church. In 1999, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Winchester, VA officially formed a mission church in Berryville — St. Bridget of Ireland. The current church building was completed and dedicated in May 2002 by Bishop Paul S. Loverde, on eight and a half acres just west of the county fairgrounds. The Chet Hobert Church Hall followed in 2013, named for one of the parish's primary proponents, and a rectory was added in 2017. On July 12, 2017, Bishop Michael Burbidge formally erected St. Bridget as the 70th Parish in the Diocese of Arlington, with Monsignor Stanley Krempa installed as pastor. Monsignor Krempa retired at the end of June 2018 and was succeeded by Father Paul M. Grankauskas.
- 1999 — Founded as a mission of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Winchester
- May 2002 — Church building completed and dedicated by Bishop Paul S. Loverde
- 2013 — Chet Hobert Church Hall added
- 2017 — Rectory added
- July 12, 2017 — Erected as the 70th Parish of the Diocese of Arlington by Bishop Michael Burbidge
- June 2018 — Monsignor Stanley Krempa retires; Fr. Paul M. Grankauskas becomes pastor
Our Patron: St. Bridget of Kildare
St. Bridget's feast day is February 1, the first day of the Celtic spring. She is sometimes called 'Mary of the Gaels' and is often depicted in artwork with her uniquely shaped cross of reeds, an abbess' staff, and a flame or lamp. One of the three major patron saints of Ireland alongside Saint Patrick and Saint Columba, she is the patron saint of Ireland, blacksmiths, abused children, dairy workers, and scholars. According to the parish's own account, Bridget was born to a Christian slave woman and the pagan chieftain Dubthach. As a young servant in her father's household she persistently gave away his food and possessions to the poor. After the intercession of the Christian King of Leinster, she was given her freedom and gathered a group of women devoted to consecrated religious life. Their community settled and built a monastery at what is today Kildare, and Bridget — as abbess — traveled Ireland founding and encouraging new communities, permanently shaping Irish monasticism, faith, and intellectual life.
- Feast day: February 1
- Patron of: Ireland, blacksmiths, abused children, dairy workers, scholars
- Also known as: 'Mary of the Gaels'
- Often depicted with a cross of reeds, an abbess' staff, and a flame or lamp
Architecture, Stained Glass & Sacred Art
St. Bridget's is a blend of modern amenities, traditional design, and gothic architecture. Its most celebrated feature is a set of 16 stained-glass windows: three large windows in the narthex greet parishioners as they enter, a large rose window sits behind the altar, and the remaining twelve are evenly divided on the right and left as visitors face the altar. In addition to depicting Scripture passages and lives of the saints, many windows incorporate Virginia life — small likenesses of Holy Cross Abbey appear in the Good Shepherd window, the San Damiano Retreat Center chapel appears in the St. Francis of Assisi window, the Annunciation includes a white post referencing George Washington's Berryville crossroads legend, and a window of the patroness shows her holding a model of the chapel with the Barns of Rose Hill in the distance. A booklet titled 'The Windows of St. Bridget's' is available in the parish office. A large statue of St. Bridget — holding her namesake cross in one hand and a church in the other — commands attention as visitors approach.
- 16 stained-glass windows
- Rose window behind the altar
- Three large windows in the narthex
- Gothic architecture with modern amenities
- Booklet: 'The Windows of St. Bridget's' (available in the parish office)
- Outdoor statue of St. Bridget with her cross and a model church
Faith Formation
The parish's stated goal is to help every person — 'from newborns to nonagenarians' — take the next step in their journey of faith. Children from Pre-K through 12th grade meet in Hobert Hall on Sundays from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. between Labor Day and the first Sunday of May, preparing for the sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Children not yet baptized take separate preparation classes. All employees and volunteers who work with children must complete a background check, an extensive training course, and yearly re-training; Hobert Hall was designed with child safety in mind, featuring a single entrance and multiple exits.
- Children's Religious Education (PreK–12) — Sundays 10:30–11:45 in Hobert Hall
- Sacramental Preparation: First Penance, First Holy Communion, Confirmation
- Baptism preparation classes for unbaptized children
- Circle of Grace child-safety training
- Background checks and yearly re-training for all child-serving volunteers
Adult & Teen Faith Formation
Catechumens and adults benefit from one-on-one meetings with Father Paul Grankauskas and Calvin Smith, the Director of Faith Formation (a former Methodist pastor). The parish offers a summer Bible study, 'Exploring the Catholic Scriptures' (Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. or Thursdays 7:00 p.m. in Hobert Hall), and 'That Man is You!', a men's program running Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in Hobert Hall. For teens, the Youth Ministry has four branches: a monthly Youth Group (6th–12th grade), a Youth Band, the Via High School Small Group (Sundays 10:30–11:45), and Confirmation Preparation with monthly mentor meetings over two years. High School students lead a retreat, plan works of mercy, and even go rafting on the Shenandoah together.
- Exploring the Catholic Scriptures (adults)
- That Man is You! (men's program)
- Youth Group for 6th–12th graders (monthly Sundays, lunch provided)
- Youth Band (monthly Sundays)
- Via: High School Small Group (Sundays 10:30–11:45)
- Confirmation Preparation with assigned adult mentor (Diocese of Arlington)
Liturgical Ministries
Music at St. Bridget's is led by a choir and cantors. The choir season begins the first Wednesday after Labor Day and runs through mid-June, with rehearsals on Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 in the choir loft. The choir sings at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, Christmas Eve, and during Holy Week. Cantors lead the 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil and the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. Liturgical roles include Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (commissioned by the bishop for five-year terms after diocesan training), Lectors, Altar Servers (open to girls and boys in at least fourth grade who have received First Penance and First Communion), Sacristans, Ushers/Greeters, and Offertory Counters (rotating teams of three, serving roughly once a month).
- Choir (rehearsals Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 in the choir loft)
- Cantors (auditions by request)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (4th grade and up)
- Sacristans (contact Becky Jackson at (540) 955-1715)
- Ushers / Greeters
- Offertory Counters
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Father Paul M. Grankauskas, supported by an office manager, parish coordinator, liturgical coordinator, director of faith formation, and facilities manager. Together with longtime sacristan and choir member Becky Jackson, they form a small staff that the parish credits with maintaining its warm, small-town character.
- Fr. Paul Grankauskas — Pastor — 540-277-2943
- Sharon Gormas — Office Manager — 540-277-2943
- Michele Sunderlin — Parish Coordinator — 540-277-2943 ext. 104
- David Youngblood — Liturgical Coordinator — 540-277-2943 ext. 105
- Calvin Smith — Director of Faith Formation — 540-277-2948
- Anibal Mejia — Facilities Manager — 540-277-2947
- Becky Jackson — Sacristan (and choir member) — (540) 955-1715
- Rebekah Smith — Youth / Via Small Group leader
Community Life & Outreach
St. Bridget's cultivates a 'communal feel' through traditions that bring the parish together throughout the year. Highlights include the annual July Fourth picnic (now in its third year, drawing hundreds for fellowship, food, and a view of the Berryville fireworks), a successful new Mardi Gras fundraiser, and a special collection that supported completion of a water reclamation project in Uganda — sparked by friendship with visiting Ugandan priest Father Deogratias SSemaluulu. The parish also welcomed more than 500 visitors when it hosted the traveling Treasures of the Church relics exhibit. Ushers actively seek out new faces to welcome them, and visitors consistently describe a quiet, intimate building that nonetheless offers the full life of the Sacraments.
- Annual July Fourth picnic
- Mardi Gras fundraiser
- Uganda water reclamation project (special collection)
- Treasures of the Church relics exhibit (500+ attendees)
- Welcoming ushers and a tight-knit small-town feel
Visit, Accessibility & First-Time Guests
The parish warmly invites newcomers, returning Catholics, and visitors. Mass at St. Bridget's is described as a 'lively affair, filled with people of all ages and walks of life,' lasting about an hour. The Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass is usually fullest; new attendees are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes early to find a comfortable seat, with overflow seating in the narthex if needed. Both the church and Hobert Hall are handicap accessible with ADA bathrooms and marked handicap parking. Assisted Listening Devices are available for those with hearing loss — please contact the parish office.
- Sunday 9:00 a.m. is the fullest Mass — arrive 15 minutes early
- Overflow seating in the narthex
- Handicap accessible buildings with ADA bathrooms
- Assisted Listening Devices available
- Large parking lot; latecomers may park on the grass
- Mass typically about one hour
Contact & Location
The parish office is located just west of the Clarke County fairgrounds, near the heart of historic Berryville. Visitors traveling to the area often combine Mass with trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Skyline Drive, Antietam National Battlefield, and Harpers Ferry, WV.
- 1024 W. Main St., Berryville, VA 22611
- Office phone: (540) 277-2943
- Website: sbichurch.org
- Near the Clarke County fairgrounds; close to Blue Ridge Mountains, Skyline Drive, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Stanley Krempa2017 – June 2018
Former pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Winchester; oversaw creation and growth of the St. Bridget mission from there. Installed as first parish pastor when St. Bridget was erected as the 70th parish of the Arlington Diocese on July 12, 2017. Retired at the end of June 2018.
- Fr. Paul M. GrankauskasJuly 2018 – present
Succeeded Monsignor Krempa and continues to shepherd the parish, offering one-on-one catechumen meetings and leading ongoing growth.