When it comes to celebrating anniversaries, St. Paul Mission
Church in Hague knows how to do it right. More than 350
people arrived at the new St. Paul rectory June 29 to
celebrate 125 years of Catholic faith. A large banner
welcomed visitors: “Honoring the past and building the
future” – a fitting motto considering the celebration was
held on land purchased for their new house of worship.
Festivities started out with Mass celebrated by Arlington
Bishop Paul S. Loverde. During his homily, Bishop Loverde
applauded the first families who were responsible for the
mission church’s conception in 1890. A group of Polish
immigrants known as “Bohemians” came from Baltimore to work
in the area’s canning factory. Frustrated that there were no
Catholic churches in the area, they threatened to quit if
they could not practice their faith. The voices of the
faithful were heard, and St. Paul Mission was established.
Those founding families have since left the area, but they
left behind the seed of Catholicism that continues to grow in
the Northern Neck. The area has become a popular destination
for vacationers and retirees who have revitalized the mission
church.
In 2007, St. Paul Mission was assigned its first resident
priest, Father John O’Donohue, who engaged the growing Latino
community by adding a Spanish Mass. The mission has grown
even more with the help of its current parochial vicar,
Father Andrew Heintz, who has been working with the bishop to
plan for a new church for the community.
“We feel very lucky to have a resident priest,” said longtime
parishioner Joni Lawler. “St. Paul is very important to me.
Here everyone knows everyone and (they) have relationships.”
Lawler started coming to St. Paul with her family when she
was a child. Every weekend, they would travel from McLean to
Westmoreland County for sailing. On one of their expeditions,
they got a flat tire, forcing her parents to walk up the road
for help. But instead of buying a new tire, they bought a
cottage.
As the years went by, Lawler’s parents fell in love with the
community at St. Paul Mission where they retired, and they
were eventually buried in the cemetery at the old church.
Another member of St. Paul Mission, Florence Charlie, insists
that while St. Paul might be small in size, it is big in
heart.
“They do a lot to help the surrounding community,” she said.
One of the charitable events hosted by the Ladies of St. Paul
is the annual spaghetti dinner in August. The proceeds go to
support organizations in the local community, such as The
Haven Shelter for battered women.
After the anniversary Mass, guests enjoyed refreshments as
they socialized and talked about the future of St. Paul.
Thanks to the hard work of Father Heintz and the building
committee, architectural drawings are ready and parishioners
are awaiting the groundbreaking on their recently purchased
37 acres.
“St. Paul is really looking forward to the day when we can
finally establish a beautiful new church on our grounds,”
said Father Heintz. “We are so pleased with what we have and
feel that God has really blessed us.”
From the rectory window one can see the rays of the setting
sun on the soy field where they hope to build a church that
will continue to spread the Good News and kindle God’s love
in Hague.
Buyers can be reached at [email protected].
