About St. Peter · Washington, Virginia
St. Peter Catholic Church is a small, traditional rural parish in the village of Little Washington, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge foothills of Rappahannock County. Founded in 1979 as a humble mission and elevated to parish status in 2005, it remains the only Catholic church in Rappahannock County, serving around 480 registered families. The parish is known for its strong sacramental life, its Traditional Latin Mass, a beloved on-site cemetery, and a uniquely close-knit community that gathers around Father Kevin J. Beres.
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- St. Peter (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin J. Beres
- Diocese
- Diocese of Arlington
Why belong here
St. Peter offers a rare opportunity for Catholics to belong to a small, traditional rural parish that is also the only Catholic church in Rappahannock County, with a daily Mass schedule and the Traditional Latin Mass celebrated alongside the Novus Ordo. Parishioners describe it as a tranquil, close-knit community grounded in the sacraments, with rich devotional life (daily Mass, weekly Holy Hour, Friday Adoration, Legion of Mary, Seven Sisters Apostolate) and active charity work through the Knights of Columbus and Ministry of Mercy.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00–4:45 PM
- After Monday morning Masses (~10 minutes, or until line is done)
- After Wednesday morning Masses (~10 minutes)
- After Friday morning Masses (~10 minutes)
- After Saturday morning Mass (~10 minutes)
- During the Thursday evening Holy Hour (after 7:00 PM Mass)
Adoration times
- Fridays between the 8:30 AM and 11:15 AM Masses (Blessed Sacrament exposed in monstrance)
- Every Thursday after the 7:00 PM Mass — Holy Hour (with confessions available)
Parish History
St. Peter began in August 1979 when a small group of Catholics began celebrating Mass in an annex of an old school building at the edge of Washington, Virginia. In 1981, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh formally established St. Peter as a mission under Precious Blood Parish in Culpeper. For more than a decade the faithful worshipped at school-building Masses before ground was broken for a permanent church in June 1991 under Missionhurst Father Albert Verbeke. Bishop John R. Keating dedicated the finished church on March 22, 1992. Bishop Paul S. Loverde elevated St. Peter to full parish status in 2005. The 25-acre site was donated by founding parishioners Renate and Ted Chapman.
- 1979 — first Masses celebrated in a school annex
- 1981 — established as a mission under Precious Blood Parish, Culpeper
- 1991 — groundbreaking for permanent church under Fr. Albert Verbeke, CICM
- March 22, 1992 — church dedicated by Bishop John R. Keating
- 2005 — elevated to parish by Bishop Paul S. Loverde
- 2006 — parish cemetery (320 plots) opened adjacent to the church
Pastor and Clergy
St. Peter is currently served by its only assigned priest, Rev. Kevin J. Beres, who was ordained June 10, 2000 by Bishop Paul S. Loverde and installed as pastor of St. Peter on Monday, July 30. A native who grew up in Olney, Maryland, he attended St. Peter Catholic Grade School and Christendom College in Front Royal before seminary at Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg. He introduced the Traditional Latin Mass to St. Peter and is known for offering multiple daily Masses and being active in parish social life. Day-to-day parish operations are supported by Office Manager Rachel Brooks (with Kathryn Reinboldt listed in earlier bulletins) and Religious Education Coordinator Catherine Cobos.
- Rev. Kevin J. Beres — Pastor; [email protected]
- Rachel Brooks — Office Manager
- Kathryn Reinboldt — Office Manager (per earlier bulletins)
- Catherine Cobos — Religious Education Coordinator; [email protected]
- Mary Wingate (parish contact)
- Parish Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Sacraments
St. Peter prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments with an emphasis on family and ongoing sacramental life. Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office and require a class for first-time parents. Marriages are coordinated with the pastor and the Diocese of Arlington's Pre-Cana program, which must be started at least six months before the wedding. The Anointing of the Sick is available to any Catholic with a life-threatening illness, even when not in immediate danger of death. First Communion and Confirmation preparation is provided through the parish Religious Education program.
- Baptism — class required for first-time parents
- Matrimony — Pre-Cana must begin at least six months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation (Catherine Cobos, RE Coordinator)
- Reconciliation — see confession schedule
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Children's faith formation at St. Peter uses the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-style program that has been in place for about ten years for preschoolers through third grade; the program's 'atrium' is set up in the basement of the rectory. Older youth are served by a new group called 'Ignite! Living Our Faith!' which meets after Sunday morning Mass in Father Albert Hall for fellowship, ongoing catechesis, and faith-into-action service projects, with parishioners invited to share their faith stories. Adult formation includes a Legion of Mary-sponsored study group using the Hearts Afire program by Fr. Michael Gaitley, M.I.C., which has worked through '33 Days to Morning Glory,' 'Wisdom and the Works of Mercy,' and Fr. Donald Calloway's 'Consecration to St. Joseph.' Older students also have access to Epiphany Catholic School (PK–8) in Culpeper.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (preschool–3rd grade, atrium in the rectory basement)
- Ignite! Living Our Faith! youth group (after Sunday Mass in Father Albert Hall)
- Hearts Afire study group (Legion of Mary–sponsored)
- Epiphany Catholic School (PK–8) in Culpeper
- Confirmation preparation (RE Coordinator: Catherine Cobos)
Parish Ministries and Outreach
A thriving cluster of lay-led groups carries out the parish's mission of charity, evangelization, and prayer. The Knights of Columbus Fr. du Castillon Council 14755 (founded ~2010) supports local food pantries, the Loaves and Fishes pantry in Front Royal, and the Cemetery of the Innocents. The Legion of Mary conducts apostolic work and hosts public Rosary Rallies on busy Lee Highway in front of the church. The Seven Sisters Apostolate has seven women (plus substitutes) pledging to pray one holy hour each week before the Blessed Sacrament for the pastor. The Ministry of Mercy coordinates charity, the Advent Giving Tree, luminary placements in the cemetery, the parish library, and other mercy works, meeting on Mondays after the 8:30 AM Mass and rosary. The parish also supports the Gabriel Project for mothers in need and Project Rachel post-abortion healing (888-456-HOPE), and maintains an assistance fund for parishioners needing help with mortgages or utility bills.
- Knights of Columbus Fr. du Castillon Council 14755
- Legion of Mary with monthly public Rosary Rallies on Lee Highway
- Seven Sisters Apostolate (one holy hour weekly for the pastor)
- Ministry of Mercy (charity, Advent Giving Tree, cemetery luminaries, library)
- Gabriel Project (mothers in need) and Project Rachel (post-abortion healing)
- Parish assistance fund (mortgage/utility help) and food-pantry support
St. Peter's Cemetery
St. Peter is one of only ten parishes in the Diocese of Arlington that maintains its own parish cemetery. Opened in 2006 on land adjacent to the church, the cemetery holds about 320 plots. At the entrance, a Marian garden features a bronze statue of the Blessed Mother that replicates the statue inside the church. A memorial stone for the unborn was placed there by the Knights of Columbus, and the walkway around the garden is lined with the Stations of the Cross placed as an Eagle Scout project. Each November the Ministry of Mercy places roughly 150 luminaries at the headstones for All Souls, and the Knights of Columbus maintain a Cemetery of the Innocents on the edge of church property near Route 211, with one small white flag for each of the approximately 3,300 lives lost to abortion daily in the United States.
- 320 plots; opened in 2006
- Marian garden with bronze Blessed Mother statue
- Knights of Columbus memorial stone for the unborn
- Stations of the Cross placed as an Eagle Scout project
- Annual All Saints luminary placement (~150 luminaries)
- Cemetery of the Innocents near Route 211 (3,300 flags)
Parish Art, Architecture, and Treasures
The church is small but rich in art given by its founders. The stained-glass windows were donated by founding parishioners and all but one depict a scene in the life of St. Peter; the rose window depicts the keys of the kingdom and the upside-down cross of St. Peter. The altarpiece — a larger-than-life painting of Christ handing Peter the keys — was painted by parishioner Henry Wingate. Beside the altar is a 3-inch replica of the Cross of the Millennium, given to the parish by sculptor Frederick Hart, a former parishioner; the original life-size Cross of the Millennium in clear acrylic resin was presented by Hart to Pope John Paul II for the 2000th anniversary of Christ's birth, and when illuminated the cross reveals the image of the crucified and rising Christ. The sanctuary was renovated with a new altar and ambo built by Strong Oaks Workshop; the former altar is now the altar of repose for the tabernacle. The altar linens were sewn by parishioner Jill Storey, with parishioner Peter Edivan as architect and Scott Long as contractor. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge dedicated the new altar at Mass on September 13.
- Stained-glass windows depicting scenes in the life of St. Peter (donated by founders)
- Rose window — keys of the kingdom and the upside-down cross of St. Peter
- Altarpiece painted by parishioner Henry Wingate (Christ handing Peter the keys)
- Frederick Hart's 3-inch replica of the Cross of the Millennium beside the altar
- New altar and ambo by Strong Oaks Workshop, dedicated by Bishop Burbidge (Sept. 13)
- Marian garden bronze statue (replica of the statue inside the church)
Devotions and Parish Life
Devotional life is at the heart of St. Peter. Every Thursday after the 7:00 PM Mass, the parish gathers for a Holy Hour that includes confessions. Every Friday, Adoration is offered between the 8:30 and 11:15 AM Masses. The parish celebrates the Solemnity of Corpus Christi with a solemn procession led by Fr. Beres followed by a parish picnic — a tradition that doubles as the parish's summer kick-off. Each year Father offers an All Souls Novena of Masses beginning November 2 for deceased family and friends, and the parish participates in monthly public Rosary Rallies on Lee Highway. The annual Advent Giving Tree hosts families from Social Services, with all gifts due back by December 5.
- Thursday Holy Hour after the 7:00 PM Mass (with confessions)
- Friday Adoration between the two morning Masses
- Solemn Corpus Christi procession and parish picnic
- All Souls Novena of Masses each November
- Monthly Legion of Mary public Rosary Rallies on Lee Highway
- Advent Giving Tree for Social Services families
Practical Information and Contact
St. Peter Catholic Church is located at 12762 Lee Highway (Routes 211/522), Washington, Virginia 22747. The parish office can be reached at (540) 675-3432 or by email at [email protected], with office hours on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Bulletin submissions are due by noon Monday ([email protected]). The parish uses Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) for secure electronic giving.
- Address: 12762 Lee Highway, Washington, VA 22747
- Phone: (540) 675-3432
- General email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- RE email: [email protected]
- Cemetery email: [email protected]
- Bulletin: [email protected] (deadline: noon Monday)
- Electronic giving via Our Sunday Visitor (OSV)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Albert Verbeke, CICM (Missionhurst)at least 1991–1992
Mission pastor under whose leadership the permanent church was built and dedicated by Bishop Keating on March 22, 1992.
- Fr. Dudzinskiaround 2010s
Founded the parish's Knights of Columbus council (Fr. du Castillon Council 14755) around 2010; led early pro-life and food-pantry outreach.
- Rev. Kevin J. Beresinstalled July 30 (current)
Ordained June 10, 2000 by Bishop Loverde; introduced the Traditional Latin Mass to the parish; only priest assigned to St. Peter; celebrated his Silver Jubilee in June 2025.