About St. Francis de Sales · Purcellville, Virginia
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church serves the Catholic faithful of Western Loudoun County, Virginia, from its campus at 37730 St. Francis Court in Purcellville. The parish community, founded as a mission in 1919 and formally established with the dedication of its first church in 1921, is today a vibrant, multicultural faith community of more than 7,500 parishioners belonging to the Diocese of Arlington. The parish offers a robust sacramental life — five Sunday Masses plus a Vigil Mass, daily Mass, perpetual-style Friday adoration from noon through Saturday morning, frequent confession times, and livestreamed Sunday Masses — and is distinguished by a 33-foot illuminated cross on its grounds visible from Route 7.
- Established
- 1921
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales
- Rector
- Rev. James R. Gould
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
St. Francis de Sales offers parishioners a full sacramental and devotional life — five Sunday Masses (including a 5:30 p.m. Sunday evening Mass), daily Mass Monday through Saturday, more than 20 hours of weekly confession times, and Friday-into-Saturday Eucharistic Adoration. The parish reaches out to families through its Religious Education program, faith formation for all ages, an active youth ministry for middle and high school students, music and liturgy programs, and a Knights-of-Columbus-led daily rosary. Whether someone is seeking reverent worship, faith formation, or community service, the parish in Purcellville offers a place to grow in Catholic life in Western Loudoun County.
Mass times at St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 8:00 p.m.
- Friday 11:00 a.m.
- Saturday 8:00 a.m.
- Saturday 3:30 p.m.
- 30 minutes before each Sunday Mass
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday: following the 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Mass continuously until the Saturday 9:00 a.m. Mass (begins)
About St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church
St. Francis de Sales is a vibrant, multicultural Roman Catholic parish in Purcellville, Virginia, that has served Western Loudoun County since 1921. As the parish's own welcome page puts it, the community opens its hearts 'to all who enter our doors, offering a place of warmth, acceptance, and shared faith.' The parish belongs to the Diocese of Arlington and, under the pastoral leadership of Fr. James R. Gould, continues to grow as a regional hub of Catholic life in Loudoun.
- Founded 1921 (mission established 1919)
- Diocese of Arlington
- More than 7,500 registered parishioners
- Live-streamed Sunday Masses on YouTube
From Our Pastor
In his welcome letter, Fr. James Gould grounds the parish's identity in the words of the patron: 'The measure of love you give is the measure of love you receive.' He invites newcomers and longtime parishioners alike to discover a sanctuary 'where each person can experience the profound love of God and grow in their spiritual journey.'
History of the Parish
Father Amadeus J. Van Ingelem founded the mission in 1919 and the first church on East Main Street was dedicated May 29, 1921. After decades as a mission without a resident priest, Capuchin Franciscan Friars from the New Jersey Province arrived in 1967 and the community was formally established as a parish. It became part of the new Diocese of Arlington in 1974. As Loudoun County grew, a larger church was built north of Route 7 and dedicated on June 28, 1992. In 2021 the parish marked 100 years since the dedication of the original church.
- 1919 — Mission founded by Father Amadeus J. Van Ingelem
- May 29, 1921 — First church dedicated on East Main Street
- 1967 — Becomes a full parish; Capuchin Franciscan Friars (NJ Province) arrive
- 1974 — Joins the newly created Diocese of Arlington
- 1992 — New church dedicated north of Route 7 (June 28, 1992)
- 1997 — Msgr. Thomas J. Cassidy becomes first diocesan pastor
- 2014 — Parish education center dedicated (Sept. 21, 2014)
- 2017 — Interior of church remodeled
- 2019 — Fr. James R. Gould appointed pastor
- 2021 — 100th anniversary of original church dedication
The Cross on the Parish Grounds
Before construction of the new church began, parishioner and sculptor Tomas Fernandez proposed a 33-foot-tall steel cross — 22 feet wide and weighing 17,000 pounds — to overlook Route 7. With parish approval and private donations, the figure of Christ was created as a cutout, backlit with halogen bulbs so that at night the illuminated silhouette is visible to passing traffic on Route 7.
Parish Staff and Clergy
St. Francis de Sales is led pastorally by Father James R. Gould (Pastor) and Father Joseph R. Kenna (Parochial Vicar), with Deacon Larry Hammel assisting. The parish office is staffed by a full team handling business, communications, faith formation, music, youth ministry, and facilities.
- Rev. James R. Gould — Pastor
- Rev. Joseph R. Kenna — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Larry Hammel
- Laura Burgess — Business Manager
- Lea Anne Kennedy — Communications
- Leslie Sheldon — Office Manager
- Caitlin Orender — Director of Youth Ministry
- Diane Taylor — Director of Religious Education
- Michael Galdo — Director of Music
- Rick Smith — Director of Facilities
- Antonio Alvarenga — Custodian
- Maria Alvarenga — Custodian
Religious Education and Faith Formation
The parish's Religious Education program, directed by Diane Taylor, provides age-appropriate Catholic formation rooted in Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and active participation in the sacramental life of the Church. Open registration for the 2026–2027 program year is featured on the parish website, and families are encouraged to enroll children and youth in ongoing catechesis and sacramental preparation.
- Director of Religious Education: Diane Taylor
- Faith formation for children and youth
- Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation — through parish office)
- Catechist team of faithful and enthusiastic teachers
Youth Ministry
The parish's youth ministry, directed by Caitlin Orender, follows an E.P.I.C. pathway: Encounter Christ in prayer, Scripture, and worship; Proclaim His goodness with courage and joy; Intercede for one another; Commit to living the faith daily. Annual themes draw on Pope Leo XIV and the saints to encourage young parishioners to trust God's call.
- High School Youth Group (grades 9–12): Sundays 6:30–8:00 p.m. in the Upper Room (Room 213) of the Religious Education building
- MAC-PAC Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6–8): monthly meetings with games, prayer, small groups and service activities
- Director of Youth Ministry: Caitlin Orender — [email protected]
- Cancellation notices posted at sfdscc.org and via text message
Music and Liturgy
Music at St. Francis de Sales is led by Michael Galdo, Director of Music, supporting the parish's robust liturgical schedule of daily Mass, weekend Masses, weddings, funerals, and holy day liturgies.
- Director of Music: Michael Galdo
- Sunday and daily Masses supported by parish choir program
Parish Life, Service and Outreach
The parish's ministries and outreach reflect the spirit of the patron, St. Francis de Sales — a Doctor of the Church known for gentleness, patience, and the conviction that 'devotion does not consist in doing extraordinary things, but in doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.' Father Gould joins the Knights of Columbus for a daily rosary for peace in Ukraine, and the parish participates in the wider mission of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington.
- Knights of Columbus (daily rosary for peace)
- Communications Ministry (Lea Anne Kennedy)
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (parish partner)
- Parish Registration for new parishioners
- Facilities and custodial ministries
Giving and Stewardship
Parishioners and visitors can support St. Francis de Sales online or by texting 'SFDS' to 73256 from a mobile device.
- Text-to-give: text SFDS to 73256
- Online giving portal on sfdscc.org
Visit, Connect and Register
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish's 'I'm New' page walks visitors through registration, sacramental preparation, and finding a ministry to join. Parish staff follow up personally with anyone who completes the online registration form.
- Parish Office: 540-338-6381
- Office email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:15 p.m. for lunch; closed major holidays)
- Online registration form via the parish website
Contact and Location
The parish is on St. Francis Court in Purcellville, just north of Route 7 and west of Berlin Turnpike, in the heart of Western Loudoun County.
- Address: 37730 St. Francis Ct., Purcellville, VA 20132
- Phone: 540-338-6381
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.sfdscc.org
- Diocese: Diocese of Arlington
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Amadeus J. Van Ingelem1919–
Founded the mission in 1919; first church dedicated May 29, 1921.
- Capuchin Franciscan Friars (New Jersey Province)1967–1997
Served the parish under an agreement with the Diocese of Richmond (later Arlington); mission became a full parish in 1967 with 99 families.
- Msgr. Thomas J. Cassidy1997–
First diocesan pastor, appointed in 1997 when the Capuchins departed after 30 years.
- Rev. James R. Gould2019–present
Ordained May 9, 1981 by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh; previously diocesan director of vocations (1985–2000) and pastor of St. Agnes (Arlington), St. Raymond of Peñafort (Springfield), and St. John the Evangelist (Warrenton).