St. Mary Church Preserves Past, Looks Toward Future

By Alfonso Aguilar
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 3/20/03)

ALEXANDRIA — During his first nine months as administrator of St. Mary Church in Alexandria, Father Dennis Kleinmann has learned that the parishioners are very loyal and generous, ready to offer their best and at the same time expecting a lot from the parish, the oldest Catholic church in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The young priest, born in Wisconsin in 1959, is also very aware that leading the parish toward the future while preserving its historical character is a great responsibility.

"The day our Bishop Paul S. Loverde told me I would be the administrator of St. Mary, it was very unexpected, but I accepted and assumed the responsibility as a privilege and a challenge."

Last June, the 208-year-old parish was entrusted to his faith, experience and skills. Since then, Father Kleinmann has dedicated his energy to developing a great sense of devotion paramount to the parish tradition of two centuries of faith in the life of Alexandria and surrounding areas.

"We are building a stronger spiritual life along with a greater sense of community," said Father Kleinmann, mentioning the efforts devoted to pro-life activities.

"St. Mary is a very busy parish with wonderful people, young and old, full of history and tradition," said Father Kleinmann after celebrating the Ash Wednesday Mass, which was packed. "We have many weddings and baptisms, numerous groups and committees helping people in need and a strong commitment to promoting respect for life," he emphasized.

A few weeks ago, snow paralyzed normal daily life, but not the desire of parishioners to attend Mass. Father Kleinmann understood that gesture of devotion as a sign of the true perseverance and courage of the parishioners.

Other optimistic thoughts are expressed in his column "From Green to Gold," which appears in the church’s newsletter and honors his beloved team, the Green Bay Packers:

"The snow created a beautiful, almost pristine, atmosphere here in Old Town. People seemed to be more hospitable. There was no place to rush, for nearly everything came to a halt. All the Masses were held and most were better attended under the circumstances than I expected. Maybe this storm was a message of hope and a call to focus more on what is truly important —things like faith, trust, family and simplicity.

"My hope and prayer is that the Blizzard of 2003 is not soon forgotten. I particularly hope the good that came from that experience is lasting. As we begin Lent, the Church provides yet another opportunity to work on all that matters, especially our salvation. In one sense with all its added activities may this Lent be a continuation of what God started two weeks ago and may it help to even more strengthen our life with God and each other."

Father Kleinmann is in charge of continuing what started two centuries ago, when Colonel John Fitzgerald, mayor of Alexandria, organized a collection to build a parish. Following local tradition, his friend, President George Washington, made the first donation. Soon there was enough money to build a chapel in this city, whose population was smaller than the current number of St. Mary parishioners 12,057.

The chapel was built in 1795 on land that is now part of the cemetery, which also is among the oldest in Virginia, adjacent to the St. Mary School, also among the oldest schools in the state, established in 1868. The founding priest was Father Francis Neale. In 1810, the chapel was moved to the church’s present location on Royal Street.

Probably many parishioners and neighbors of Alexandria and surrounding areas remember, or have once been told, that in 1929 lightning struck the church and ignited a fire which caused severe damage. But only three years later, generous and committed parishioners restored their church. The construction efforts are considered the most extensive of several 20th-century renovations.

On the occasion of the bicentennial, the parish was again renovated in such a way that everything now seems new. The three main entrance doors made of solid mahogany give the impression that everyday they are cleaned and polished. These doors are living witnesses of parishioners since 1856. More recent projects embellish its Gothic image. The limestone in the façade was freed of grime accumulated over the time, and the gilded cross in the bell tower looks more radiant.

Although St. Mary has 12,000 parishioners, it is not a big church. The seating capacity is 750.

St. Mary has the traditional cross shape, with two small wings and many impressive and historical stained-glass windows along the side walls, and above them, small-round skylights, medallions, depicting symbols of the Catholic Faith. No less impressive are the paintings of the Stations of the Cross, located between the windows. Another feature is the three paintings in the ceiling. No less beautiful is the big organ in the choir loft, "especially suited to reproduce the music of 18th-century composers such as Bach and Mozart," according to a parish booklet.

Father Kleinmann is proud of the parish facilities, but frequently reminds parishioners that a beautiful building is just a beautiful building if what happens within those walls does not change lives for the better.

Not far away from the rectory, Kathleen Dolan, principal of St. Mary School, guides 713 students to prepare for a better future through excellence in education and strong devotion to the Catholic Faith.

"This is not only the oldest school in our diocese, it is a very special school," said Dola, while greeting many girls and boys by name.

"Oh yes, I know by heart the names of all 713 students," said Dolan, whose school was recently renovated with a $3.5 million budget. Almost every corner is filled with colorful works made by students, which give the school a very pleasant atmosphere. This school occupies two old, but beautiful buildings and offers classes from pre-K to middle school.

Dolan believes, as Father Kleinmann does, that it is very important to preserve the past and move forward with great devotion.

At a Glance

St. Mary Parish

310 S. Royal St.

Alexandria, Va. 22314
703/ 836-4100
Rectory:

310 Duke St.

Administrator: Father Dennis Kleinmann

Parochial Vicars: Father John Melmer, Father James M. Poumade

In residence: Father Bryan Hehir

Mass Schedule:
Saturday: 8 a.m.; 5 p.m. (Vigil Mass)

Sunday: 7, 8:30 (9:15 a.m. Children’s Mass, St. Mary’s School), 10, 11:30 a.m.; 1, 5 p.m.

Weekdays: 6:30, 8 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.
Confessions: Saturday: 4-5 p.m., 7-7:30 p.m.

School:

400 Green St.

Alexandria, Va. 22314

Principal: Kathleen Dolan

Grades: Pre-K-8

Students: 687

Parishioners: 12,057

Boundaries: Beginning at Fort Hunt Rd. and Morningside Ln. —East on Morningside to Potomac River—North along river to Princess St. (in the city) —West on Princess to Washington St. —South on Washington to King St. —West on King St to RF&P RR tracks—North along tracks to Luray Ave. —West on Luray to Braddock Rd. —West on Braddock to Oakland Terrace—South on Oakland Terrace to King St. —West on King St. to Janneys Ln. —continue West on Janneys Ln. to Quaker Ln. —South along Quaker Ln. to Duke St. —West on Duke to Holmes Run Pkwy. —South on Pkwy. To RF&P RR tracks—East along tracks to Telegraph Rd. —South on Telegraph Rd. to North Kings Hwy. —Southeast on N. Kings Hwy. to Fort Dr. —follow Fort Dr. to Fairhaven Ave. —cross US 1 and continue south on Quander Rd. to Beacon Hill Rd. —East on Beacon Hill to Fort Hunt Rd. —South on Fort Hunt to Morningside Ln.

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