st. philip's church

St. Philip Parish Opens Newly Renovated Church

By Henrietta Gomes
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 5/31/07) st. philip church

FALLS CHURCH — Every Saturday afternoon for the last eight months, parishioners of St. Philip Church in Falls Church, set up the school cafeteria for Mass. Rendering it as reverent as possible, parishioners had a make-shift church where they worshipped. After the last Mass on Sunday evenings, they unassembled their temporary church in order for the school children to dine there during the week.
Last Saturday evening, parishioners excitedly walked in a different direction from the school cafeteria to see their newly renovated church. It was no coincidence that the renovation project was completed in time for Mass on the vigil of Pentecost, said Father Kevin Walsh, pastor, who celebrated Mass Saturday evening.
“This day is more important than Christmas,” said Father Walsh during his homily, noting the second holiest day of the liturgical year after Easter. Switching back and forth from English to Spanish, the priest welcomed his diverse flock into their church, a gift from God, he told them.
It was also timely for the two baptisms held that evening in the new cross-shaped inground baptistry, located at the back of the church close to the entrance. Three steps lead into the waters, which avails baptism by immersion. As the neophyte enters, they “strip off the old man, are buried with Christ, rise with Him and put on Christ,” said Father Walsh, explaining the symbolism.
A strip of dark brown tiles leads from the baptistry to the altar, which is symbolic of the connection between the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist, the priest said.
It was an exciting time for the priest and the rest of the parish, he said. Parishioners have been waiting for nearly 40 years, said the priest, explaining that the original church structure actually once served as the school’s basketball court. Thanks to the dedication of many parishioners, the project was completed early and under budget at about $2.1 million.
The church will be dedicated on Aug. 18 when Bishop Paul S. Loverde will celebrate Mass and bless the church and the new altar, cut from Jerusalem Stone shipped from the Holy Land. Until that time, parish priests will celebrate Mass on the old wooden altar temporarily placed behind the new one.

Henrietta Gomes can be reached at hgomes@catholicherald.com.