What’s distinctive about your parish?
St. Paul Chung Church in Fairfax, created to serve the Korean population in the diocese, is one of the largest Korean Catholic parishes in the United States. After 10-plus years as a mission church, Bishop John R. Keating dedicated St. Paul Chung Church in Fairfax Feb. 1, 1996, and established it as the 61st parish in the Arlington diocese. At that time, there were approximately 1,100 parishioners. Today there are more than 7,500 parishioners and approximately 2,400 households. It is a thriving community that also ministers to families in Sunday school and Korean school, where families can continue to grow closer and strive toward holiness.
What’s one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there?
Visitors should view the images and statues that line the outside of the church. The St. Paul Chung Hasang statue depicts the 19th-century saint who was martyred alongside 103 other Korean martyrs.
Tell us about your parish ministries.
We have a Cursillo ministry whereby clergy and lay leaders collaborate to build and support our Christian community. More than 350 parishioners, divided into 13 teams, are united in prayer, fellowship and service, bringing them closer to Christ.
St. Paul Chung also has active parish groups including the Legion of Mary, the Knights of Columbus, the ministry of health and welfare, and youth ministry groups.
How do you support Korean Catholic worship and fellowship?
Most Masses at St. Paul Chung are celebrated in Korean with traditional Korean music. Our weekly bulletins are published in Korean as is our website, which features photos from Masses and our colorful celebrations, including Korean food, music, attire, and dancing. The Hasang Cultural Center, named after the church patron, hosts meetings on weekends for students and on weekdays for adults.
What would a visitor say about your parish?
Visitors tell us they are impressed by how lively the community is within the parish and its dedication to leading others to Christ.
What’s something we should know about your clergy?
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge installed Father Daniel Bae Ha-jeong, pastor, during a special Mass Oct. 15, following his transfer from the Wonju Diocese of South Korea. Father Bae is the youngest of his parents’ seven sons, four of whom are priests. Father Bae was ordained a priest in 2000. Their home was filled with prayer from morning until night. His family maintained a pottery business started by his grandfather. Father John Lee Taeseop is parochial vicar.
Quick Facts
St. Paul Chung Church
4712 Rippling Pond Dr.
Fairfax
703-968-3010
Website: stpaulchung.org
Mass schedule (Masses in Korean unless otherwise noted): Sat. (vigil): 7:30 p.m.; Sun.: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m. (English), 5 p.m.; Mon.: 6 a.m.; Tues.: 7:30 p.m.; Wed.: 11 a.m.; Thurs.: 6 a.m.; Fri.: 7:30 p.m.; and Sat.: 6 a.m. First Saturday: 10:30 a.m.
Confession: Sun., Tues., Wed., Fri. and Sat. 30 minutes prior to Mass. And by appointment.
Pastor: Fr. Daniel Bae Ha-jeong
Parochial Vicar: Fr. John Lee Taeseop
Year established: 1996
Total parishioners: 7,517 parishioners
