About St. Mary of Sorrows · Fairfax, Virginia
St. Mary of Sorrows is a Roman Catholic parish in Fairfax, Virginia, in the Diocese of Arlington. The parish is rooted in one of the oldest Catholic communities in Northern Virginia: in 1838 two local Catholic families donated land for a church and cemetery near the Fairfax Station railroad depot, and in 1860 Bishop John McGill of Richmond dedicated a small clapboard church on a bluff overlooking the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. That little 'Historic Church' in Fairfax Station still stands, still serves weddings and burials in its original cemetery, and is best known as the place where Clara Barton nursed wounded Union soldiers after the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 — an experience that led her to found the American Red Cross. The growing parish built a 800-seat Worship Center on Sideburn Road (dedicated December 19, 1979) and, on November 15, 2020, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge dedicated a brand-new, much larger traditional church next door at 10500 Zion Drive, completing a campus that today serves one of the most historically-rooted Catholic communities in the diocese.
- Established
- 1838
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Seven Sorrows)
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas P. Vander Woude
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
St. Mary of Sorrows is a place where nearly two centuries of Catholic life in Fairfax are still living and visible: you can worship in the brand-new 2020 church, send your three- or four-year-old to the parish preschool (founded 1997 and still going strong), form your school-age children through the parish Religious Education program, adore the Blessed Sacrament Monday through Thursday, and — on special occasions — celebrate a wedding or funeral Mass in the same 1860 clapboard church where Clara Barton helped inspire the founding of the American Red Cross. A full calendar of parish outreach (FACETS, Food for Others, Lamb Center, Hypothermia Shelter, Gabriel Project, Birthright, pro-life work and more), Knights of Columbus and Ancient Order of Hibernians chapters, a Stephen Ministry for the bereaved and shut-ins, and active youth and young-adult ministry make it a parish with both deep roots and daily life.
Mass times at St. Mary of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM (in the main church)
- Monday: 10:00 AM until the line ends (in the main church)
- Wednesday: 6:30 – 7:00 PM (in the main church)
Adoration times
- Monday through Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (in the Church)
- Holy Hour on Friday: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
History of St. Mary of Sorrows
St. Mary of Sorrows traces its origins to 1838, when the Hamill and Cunningham families donated land near Fairfax Station for a Catholic church and cemetery. In 1860 Bishop John McGill of Richmond dedicated the small clapboard church that still stands as the Historic Church. During the Civil War the church became a field hospital after the First Battle of Bull Run; Clara Barton's work there inspired the founding of the American Red Cross. A new Worship Center was built on Sideburn Road and dedicated December 19, 1979, and on November 15, 2020 Bishop Michael F. Burbidge dedicated the present-day new church at 10500 Zion Drive.
- 1838 — Hamill and Cunningham families donate land to the Diocese of Richmond
- 1858 — Bishop John McGill lays the cornerstone; designated mission of St. Mary's, Alexandria
- 1860 — Church dedicated on a bluff overlooking the O&A Railroad depot
- 1861 — Field hospital after First Bull Run; Clara Barton nurses wounded soldiers
- 1972 — Fairfax County designates the property a historic district
- 1979 — Worship Center on Sideburn Road dedicated Dec. 19 (Farrell Hall)
- 1996 — Adjacent Mack Property purchased; parking expansion completed 2005
- June 2019 — Ground broken for the new church
- November 15, 2020 — Bishop Burbidge dedicates the new St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church
The Civil War & Clara Barton
After the First Battle of Bull Run in the summer of 1861, retreating Union soldiers filled St. Mary's with wounded men; the pews were removed to make room. Clara Barton arrived from Alexandria with volunteers and tended soldiers for three days and nights until the Confederates forced an evacuation; she watched the depot burn from the last train out. Her plan for a civilian relief society grew directly out of this experience and became the American Red Cross. A plaque on the Route 123 side of the grounds commemorates her heroism.
Historic Church & Cemetery
The 1860 clapboard church overlooking the old railroad depot — a Colonial-style single-room structure — is still consecrated and in active use. It is considered the most sought-after church in the Diocese of Arlington for small weddings, baptisms, funeral Masses, and special outdoor Masses. Its original cemetery, consecrated in 1855, is still used for burials and bears the names of the Irish railroad families who formed the parish's nucleus. The property is protected by Fairfax County's 1972 historic-district zoning.
- Used for weddings, baptisms, funeral Masses and special outdoor Masses
- Cemetery still open for burials — earliest graves from 1855
- Clara Barton / Red Cross historic marker on Route 123 side
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, two parochial vicars, and three deacons, supported by a full lay staff for faith formation, outreach, music, preschool, business, and facilities. Fr. Thomas P. Vander Woude became the parish's pastor effective June 27, 2024 (announced May 15, 2024), coming from Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville, where he had served since 2011. He was ordained May 16, 1992 by Bishop John R. Keating.
- Rev. Thomas P. Vander Woude — Pastor
- Rev. Keith D. Cummings — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Edwin Seh — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Nicholas LaDuca
- Deacon David Maurer
- Deacon Jeffrey Meyers
- Irene Alexander — Pastor's Assistant
- Christina Benedi — Director of Parish Outreach Ministry
- Allen Blehl — Music Director
- Tina Buckholz — Preschool Assistant
- Mary Catherine Brooks — Youth Faith Formation Assistant
- Kathy Coleman — Comptroller / Business Manager / Scheduling / Funerals / Cemetery
- Michelle Huber — Director of Preschool (703-978-4557)
- Mary Ellen Kelliher — Bookkeeper
- Jonathan Rosato — Director of Youth Ministry and Young Adults
- Pat Ronner — Preschool Assistant / Baptisms
- Mary Elizabeth Seiffert — Religious Education
- Aida Willis — Director of Religious Education
- Richard Witter — Facilities
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education Program partners with parents as the primary educators of their children. Sacramental preparation is a two-year process: First Holy Communion is typically received in 2nd grade and Confirmation in 8th grade. Older children are placed in age-appropriate classes. Volunteers serve as catechists, aides, hall monitors, and retreat/event helpers; training and support are provided. Director of Religious Education: Aida Willis (ext. 129).
- First Holy Communion — two-year formation, typically 2nd grade
- Confirmation — two-year formation beginning in 7th grade
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Level 1, ages 3–6, in the Atrium)
- Parent meetings, retreats, parent involvement required
- Contact: Aida Willis, [email protected], 703-978-4141 x129
St. Mary of Sorrows Preschool
Founded in September 1997 under founding director Elena Quartuccio and then-pastor Fr. Donald C. Greenhalgh, St. Mary of Sorrows Preschool was the first standalone preschool in the Diocese of Arlington. It is a hands-on, Montessori-based, faith-formation program housed in the Worship Center, with monthly adoration for all classes and monthly Mass for the 4-year-olds. In 2022 the school celebrated its 25th anniversary with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. Director: Michelle Huber (703-978-4557).
- Opened September 1997 — 60 inaugural students
- Founding director Elena Quartuccio served 20 years
- First standalone preschool in the Diocese of Arlington
- Monthly adoration for all classes; monthly Mass for 4-year-olds
- Plans for an on-site Catholic elementary school were halted by Fairfax County zoning concerns ~15 years ago
Parish Outreach & Charity
Christina Benedi directs a robust Parish Outreach Ministry (2024–25 directory) coordinating more than two dozen service programs in Fairfax and beyond, including FACETS, Food for Others, Lamb Center hot lunches, Martha's Table Dinner Van, SOME (So Others Might Eat), the St. Lucy Food Project, the Parish Food Pantry, Fairfax FISH, the Hypothermia Shelter, Easter Basket Outreach, Christmas Giving, Back-to-School Supplies, Blood Drive, Community Clothing & Coat Drive, the Car Ministry, and pro-life / March for Life work.
- Advocacy: Blood Drive, CRS Rice Bowl, Pro-Life / March for Life
- Direct Service: FACETS, Food for Others, Lamb Center, Martha's Table, SOME, St. Lucy Food Project, Parish Food Pantry, Fairfax FISH, Hypothermia Shelter
- Seasonal: Christmas Giving, Easter Basket Outreach, Back-to-School Supplies
- Pastoral: Gabriel Project, Birthright 101, Project Rachel, Parish Care Ministry
- Health: 101 Bittersweet Breast Cancer Support Group
Parish Groups & Organizations
Lay-led parish organizations round out parish life, with men's, women's, heritage, senior, and recovery groups all active.
- Knights of Columbus Council 8600
- Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Mary's Division
- Women's Group and Mother's Group
- Shepherd's Center of Fairfax/Burke (seniors)
- Italian Heritage Society
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Lenten Suppers
- Stephen Ministry (lay caring ministry)
Music & Liturgy
Allen Blehl serves as Music Director. The new 2020 church was designed to highlight traditional Roman Catholic liturgy, with stained-glass depictions of the Seven Sorrows of Mary above the altar and a brick from the 1860 church built into the facade.
Locations & Visiting
The parish operates three sites in the Fairfax area. The main new church (2020) is at 10500 Zion Drive, Fairfax, VA 22032. The Parish Center — housing the preschool, Religious Education offices, and the main parish offices — is at 5222 Sideburn Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032 (office hours Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM). The original 1860 Historic Church and its consecrated cemetery sit at the corner of Fairfax Station Road and Route 123 in Fairfax Station, VA 22039, and are open for weddings, baptisms, funeral Masses, and special outdoor Masses. The campus is near the City of Fairfax and George Mason University.
- Church: 10500 Zion Drive, Fairfax, VA 22032
- Parish Center / Mailing: 5222 Sideburn Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032
- Historic Church & Cemetery: Fairfax Station Rd & VA-123, Fairfax Station, VA 22039
- Main phone: (703) 978-4141
- Sacrament Emergencies: (571) 217-0945
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Richard J. Farrell, CMF1969–1981
Pastor during construction and December 19, 1979 dedication of the Worship Center on Sideburn Road; social hall named Farrell Hall in his honor.