Faith, Generosity Share Same Spirit at St. Philip Church

By Alfonso Aguilar
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 4/25/02)

For Father Daniel S. Spychala, former administrator of St. Philip Church in Falls Church, the great sense of activism and generosity common to his church’s 3,595 parishioners is what makes them "the best."

[Father Kevin Walsh was appointed administrator in June 2002.]

"It is really a very active community, and not just generous, extremely generous and very reliable, ready to respond on any occasion," said Father Spychala.

"Once we raised $15,000 for a young lady that needed surgery, and Project 2000 with a financial goal of $500,000, already has nearly $800,000 in pledges," said the pastor. "I am sure we’ll pass a million."

Project 2000 contributions are being used for renovations of the parish school and offices. It is a three-year project which will conclude in 2003. So far, total pledges are $781,939.

Father Spychala, ordained in this diocese in 1984 and head of St. Philip for the last four years, feels so happy with his congregations that "it’s easy to be a priest in this church, and I would like to be here at least 40 more years." Fr. Robert DeMartino is Parachial Vicar

St. Philip Church was founded exactly 40 years ago as mentioned in the plaque at the church’s entrance, "In Memory of Rev. L. Longmire Speight (1913-1965), First Pastor of St. Philip’s Church."

"St. Philip is a nice church," said Barbara Ostrandera, fiscal manager and assistant administrator who has been a parishioner since 1979.

St. Philip Church has a seating capacity of 600. It has a discreet appearance, with the modern minimalist exterior adorned with a slender cross accompanied by the church name. To the left is the Sacred Heart Rose Garden where a statue of Jesus is dedicated to "Isabel Test, Founding Parishioner, First Parish Secretary and Stellar Catholic." Beyond, bordered by trees, lies the school’s playing field. To the right is the Corpus Christi Pre-School Kindergarten, home to 186 students. The school is beautifully maintained and there is a shine on faces as well as floors. As classes are full of enthusiastic children, art projects are tastefully displayed along the corridors leading to the school library where well-stocked shelves are complemented by views of flowers and trees seen through huge glass windows. One senses that the heart of St. Philip is here.

The church and adjoining school are surrounded by gardens and lawns and are situated on a lovely wooded site. A huge parking lot provides much needed space and along with the church and school forms a perfect square.

Inside, the church is also sleek and modern with discreet understated stations of the cross and a lifesize statue of Jesus suspended above the entrance. A lovely carved wooden statue of the holy family graces the church foyer. It is dedicated to "Monique Myers, Parishioner, Educator and First Director of Corpus Christi Early Childhood Center." Young parishioners are frequent seen kneeling in prayer before the statue.

Although St. Philip has become more international, with a growing community of Hispanics and Orientals who make up approximately one-quarter of the congregation, Father Spychala says that the surrounding area has no more room for new development and as such the number of parishioners has remained stable.

St. Philip parish was founded in May 1962 when Richmond Bishop John J. Russell agreed to purchase 12 to 15 acres of land in the Broyhill Park Subdivision and appointed the Father L. Longiuire Speight as the first pastor. The bishop carved the new parish out of three contiguous parishes: St. James of Falls Church, St. Michael of Annandale and St. Anthony of Bailey’s Crossroads. Since the major portion of the parish was excised from St. James Parish, the bishop suggested that it be named St. Philip, the brother of James the Apostle, according to the church Web site.

The first Mass was celebrated on Sept. 9, 1962, in the auditorium of Whittier School. In November 1963, the first Mass was celebrated in the new church and the dedication was held on Dec. 15, 1963. In 1964 the school was opened under the supervision of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Penn. The church buildings and grounds were completed in 1967.

In 1989, the school was consolidated with neighboring St. Anthony Parsih under the new name "Corpus Christi." The early childhood center (preschool, kindergarten) is located at St. Philip campus, and grades 1-8 at St. Anthonys campus. Currently, there are 500 students in the school.

In 1965, Father John T. Cilinski was appointed as the second pastor of St. Philip. Father Cilinski remained pastor until May 1981, and future successors include Father Richard B. Martin, who proclaimed a year-long period of celebration honoring the 25th anniversary of the parish. St. Philip is considered one of the smaller Catholic communities in the area. However "being a smaller congregation has lead to a friendlier and more personal community that often-times is lacking in larger parishes," reads the Web site.

In the year ahead, Father Spychala wants to improve the facilities (bathrooms, cafeteria, windows and offices). In fact, many renovations have already taken place and will continue with the funds of Project 2000 and profits from the annual Fall Festival in September.

"Our festival goal in 2002 is to raise $35,000," says Ostrander.

"I thank God for being a priest. Despite the current situation, today is a good time to be a priest," says Father Spychala.

St. Philip Parish at a Glance

7500 St. Philips Court
Falls Church, Va 22042-3406
(703)-573-3808

Parish Clergy:

Rev. Kevin Walsh, Administrator

Rev. Michael Dobbins, Parochial Vicar

Noel Vivaldi, Deacon

Mass Schedule

Saturday 9 a.m.; 5:30 p.m. (Vigil Mass)

Sunday 7:30, 9, 10:30 a.m.; 12 noon; 5:30 p.m. (Spanish)

Weekdays 7, 9 a.m.

Parish Founded: 1962

Parishioners: 3,595

Boundaries: Beginning at Beltway (I-495) and Lee Hwy. (Rte.29/211)—East on Lee Hwy. to Graham Rd.—South on Graham Rd. to Arlington Blvd.—East on Arlington Blvd. to Tripps Run—South along Tripps Run to Sleepy Hollow Rd.—Southwest on Sleepy Hollow to Holmes Run—West along Holmes Run to Valley Crest Blvd.—South on Valley Crest to Franklin St.—West on Franklin to Gallows Rd.—Northwest on Gallows to Trammell Rd.—West on Trammell to Beltway—North on Beltway to Lee Hwy. 

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