St. John Neumann Parish Celebrates New Church

Last month marked the joyous end of seven years of hard work, patience and perseverance on the part of the people of St. John Neumann Church in Reston. Celebrating a Mass of dedication, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde presided over the ritual opening of the new church building.

The Mass began outside as Bishop Loverde led the congregation in prayer and song. "Let us go rejoicing into the house of the Lord" was the bishop’s proclamation as the doors were opened by the church’s pastor, Father Robert A. Brown. On hand to deliver the bishop the legal documents, building plans and key to the new church were construction architect David Trowbridge and liturgical designer E. J. Potente.

The parish of St. John Neumann is named for the fourth bishop of Philadelphia (1852-1860), and it was first established on July 5, 1979, by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, the first bishop of Arlington. The parish, under the ministry of the oblates of St. Francis de Sales, was founded to serve the people of south Reston, parts of Herndon, Vienna and Fairfax.

The original church building, dedicated in 1982, had a seating capacity of 550 and was located off of Lawyers Road. The parish center and rectory were built from 1990 to 1991. In 22 years, St. John Neumann has grown from 800 families to over 3,600 families, and it continues to welcome 100 new families each year. The active parish ministries include the participation of over 1,700 children in the religious education program each year.

Growth in Reston has continued at an amazing rate. It wasn’t long before the original building capacity was exceeded at every Mass. Planning began in April 1997 for a larger worship space, classrooms and offices. A series of setbacks along the way challenged the parish’s ability to stay on course, but the final design was approved in December 1999. In the summer of 2002, the contract was awarded to Coakley and Williams Construction. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Oct. 6, 2002, with Father Brown officiating. Construction equipment became a mainstay at the church; chain link fencing went up and construction was at last underway. Father Brown, oblate priests, the staff and parishioners watched the project moved forward despite record-breaking rainfall, snow and mud.

As the steel framework rose from the ground in the spring of 2003, the building began to take shape. Parishioners were even able to sign one of the steel beams before it was used in the structure. The bell tower was erected on June 5, 2003.

The three computer-controlled bells ring in the tones of G, B and D. Collectively they weigh 2,500 pounds and were installed in early 2004.

The new building, which connects to the original worship space and the parish hall, now seats over 1100. The space includes a new sanctuary, altar, baptismal font and meditation area.

Father Brown, of the oblates of Saint Francis de Sales, has served as the pastor of St. John Neumann since 1991. "There were times when the initiation or completion of the project was in serious doubt," he said. "There is gratitude for those who kept faith and trusted that this day would come to pass."

The dedication Mass included an anointing of the altar, an anointing of the four walls of the church and the lighting of the altar and the church by the pastor. Many members of the parish were directly involved in dressing the altar — making it presentable with an altar cloth, candles and flowers.

In the warmest of what were many emotional moments in the Mass, the assembly rose in a spontaneous ovation for their pastor as he addressed it. "Here we are!" said Father Brown. "Congratulations to all who have made this church a reality."

Now, bigger and better, St. John Neumann Parish will continue to offer its parishioners the opportunity to gather together to celebrate the sacraments and special events of family and community life.

"Our dedicated structure has been built by the people of God," Father Brown said to his parish. "I hope you will always find a welcome home here."

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