St. John the Evangelist

Parish History

Catholic life in Warrenton traces back to December 20, 1855, when Bishop John McGill celebrated the first recorded Mass in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rice Payne. Mrs. America Payne championed the founding of a Catholic church in Fauquier County, and the original St. John the Evangelist church was dedicated October 20, 1861. The parish was founded on July 16, 1860 and operated as a mission of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Richmond until 1872. It became a full parish in 1874 with Rev. James Dougherty as the first resident priest. After another long stretch served only by visiting circuit priests, a resident pastor was again appointed in 1913, and continuous pastoral leadership has been the norm ever since. The current stone church on Winchester Street was dedicated in 1965, replacing the original building; the parish school on the same campus opened in 1960. In 1974, St. John the Evangelist became part of the newly formed Diocese of Arlington.

• First Mass: December 20, 1855, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rice Payne (by Bishop John McGill)
• Parish founded: July 16, 1860
• Original church dedicated: October 20, 1861
• Full parish status: 1874; first resident pastor Rev. James Dougherty
• New stone church dedicated: 1965 (built by Bruce Noland)
• Joined the new Diocese of Arlington: 1974

Devotions

Daily devotions anchor the parish's spiritual life, including a morning Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, and special Holy Hours focused on the Miraculous Medal, Divine Mercy, and children and teens.

• Rosary — Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.
• Chaplet of Divine Mercy — Monday–Friday following the 8:30 a.m. Mass
• Children's Holy Hour — Wednesdays, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
• Miraculous Medal Holy Hour — Wednesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
• Divine Mercy Holy Hour — Fridays, 3:00–4:00 p.m.
• Teen Holy Hour — 4th Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic School

Sharing the Winchester Street campus, the parish school serves preschool through 8th grade with a Christ-centered, holistic approach that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit of every child. The school was first staffed by Benedictine sisters from Bristow, then by the Sisters of Notre Dame (Chardon, Ohio) from 1968; today it is staffed by lay teachers. The current school building was constructed with the support of Father Majka's pastorate (1984–1996), and a new preschool was added under Father James Gould. Families interested in a tour can visit 'VIP for a Day' or contact the school through its website.

• Preschool through 8th grade
• Christ-centered education (mind, body, spirit)
• Originally staffed by Benedictine sisters from Bristow
• Sisters of Notre Dame (Chardon, OH) from 1968
• Today staffed by lay teachers
• School website: sjesva.org

Faith Formation and Religious Education

The parish partners with parents as the primary educators of the faith, offering Religious Education (CCD) for children in grades K–12, sacramental preparation, family faith events, and OCIA/OCIC for adults and children entering the Catholic Church. All parish families with children in K–12 are asked to register, including homeschoolers and Catholic-school families, so the parish can keep accurate sacramental records and stay connected. Catherine Cobos serves as Director of Religious Education.

• Children's Faith Formation (CCD) — weekly classes, K–12
• Sacramental preparation (First Communion, Confirmation)
• OCIA / OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults / Children)
• Family faith events
• Registration required for all K–12 children, including homeschoolers and Catholic-school students

Youth and Young Adult Ministry

St. John's builds a vibrant community for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and young adults through retreats and youth conferences, service projects and mission work, social activities, and summer outings (tubing trips, beach days, theme park trips). A dedicated Teen Holy Hour is held on the 4th Tuesday of each month, and Young Adults (ages 18–35) gather for casual meetups, talks, and small groups. Fr. Aaron Zanca supports Young Adult Ministry, and Chris Galvin serves as Director of Youth Ministry.

• Retreats and youth conferences
• Service projects and mission work
• Social activities and parish events
• Summer tubing trips, beach days, theme park outings
• Teen Holy Hour — 4th Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m.
• Young Adults (18–35) — casual meetups, talks, small groups

Outreach and Service Ministries

Outreach is woven into parish life. The St. John the Evangelist Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, founded in 2007, makes Home Visits and provides rent, utility, food, and clothing assistance to neighbors in need across Fauquier County. The Care Ministry organizes volunteers to provide meals, housekeeping, respite, errands, transportation, prayer, and fellowship to fellow parishioners. The Respect Life Ministry participates in the annual March for Life, prays the rosary for the unborn, and supplies items to struggling new mothers. Additional groups include the Legion of Mary lay apostolate, St. John's Home Educators (Catholic homeschoolers consecrated to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart), a Trail Life USA troop for boys K–12, and a Funeral Reception Ministry.

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Conference founded 2007) — Home Visits and material aid
• Care Ministry — meals, housekeeping, respite, errands, transportation, prayer, fellowship
• Respect Life Ministry — March for Life, rosary, material support for new mothers
• Legion of Mary
• St. John's Home Educators (Catholic homeschoolers; sjhehomeschool.com)
• Trail Life USA troop (boys K–12; 1st & 2nd Wednesdays, Sept.–May)
• Funeral Reception Ministry

Hispanic Ministry / Comunidad Hispana

St. John the Evangelist has a vibrant Spanish-speaking community, supported by Parochial Vicar Fr. Aaron Zanca. A weekly Spanish Vigil Mass is celebrated Saturday at 7:00 p.m., a Spanish Vigil Mass is offered for Holy Days, and the Apóstoles de la Palabra movement holds a class using 'Historia de la Salvación' on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in Mercy Hall, with an additional Friday-evening class using 'La Respuesta está en las Escrituras.'

• Spanish Vigil Mass — Saturday 7:00 p.m.
• Spanish Holy Day Vigil — 7:00 p.m.
• Apóstoles de la Palabra — Sundays 11:00 a.m., Mercy Hall
• Hispanic Ministry contact: Fr. Aaron Zanca

Parish Staff

The parish is served by a pastor, two parochial vicars, and a lay staff responsible for music, faith formation, youth ministry, business operations, communications, and maintenance. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (closed on holidays; follows Fauquier County Government for weather closings). Sacramental emergencies are handled through the main number (540) 347-2922.

• Fr. Charles Smith — Pastor, ext. 203
• Fr. Andrew Lewandowski — Parochial Vicar, ext. 205
• Fr. Aaron Zanca — Parochial Vicar (Hispanic & Young Adult Ministry), ext. 212
• Elisa Spencer — Secretary (General Inquiries, Baptisms, Funerals & Registrations)
• Kandace Leypoldt — Business Manager (Financials, OCPYP, Risk Mgmt, & Weddings)
• James Noakes — Music Director
• Bill Helsel — Maintenance
• Catherine Cobos — Director of Religious Education (OCIA/OCIC)
• Andrea Covarrubias Arellano — Sacramental Record Keeper
• Chris Galvin — Director of Youth Ministry
• Lauren Karhoff — Bulletin & Communications Editor

Practical Information

• Address: 271 Winchester Street, Warrenton, VA 20186
• Phone: (540) 347-2922 (with extensions for clergy and staff)
• Parish Office: Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• Sacramental emergency line: (540) 347-2922 (follow the prompts)
• Parish website: sjeva.org
• School website: sjesva.org
• Diocese: Diocese of Arlington (arlingtondiocese.org)
• Follows Fauquier County Government for weather closings and delays