What’s distinctive about your parish? Originally founded in 1890, St. Paul Mission today has a brand-new, beautiful, country-style Catholic church, dedicated in March 2022.
We are located in Hague, part of Virginia’s Northern Neck peninsular region, where the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers meet the Chesapeake Bay.
The church features a number of Gothic elements. On the façade of the new church is inscribed “Domus Dei” (House of God) and “Porta Caeli” (Gate of Heaven), which describe the purpose and function of the church. Parishioners are still overjoyed at its dedication, after previously worshipping in the parish hall for 40 years.
There are two shrines in the new church building, located on either side of the sanctuary. Each honors the migrant roots of our rich parish history.
One is dedicated to the Infant of Prague and Blessed Karl of Austria. The Infant of Prague is an image of Jesus from when he was a boy and Blessed Karl is one of our adopted saints in the parish. The shrine was placed here in remembrance of the founders of our parish, who were Austro-Hungarians from Prague also known as Bohemians.
The other shrine honors Our Lady of Guadalupe and San Joselito Sánchez del Río especially meaningful for the many current parishioners from Mexico. San Joselito is a boy martyr from the 1920s in Mexico.
Why is 2025 a good year for Northern Virginia Catholics to visit St. Paul Mission? On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the Holy Year 2025, a jubilee year for the universal church with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Holy Year is an invitation to grow spiritually, such as through making a pilgrimage, and offers special ways to earn a plenary indulgence.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge designated several churches, including St. Paul Mission, as Holy Year Jubilee sites. The faithful may obtain an indulgence by piously visiting and participating in Eucharistic adoration and meditation for a suitable period of time, concluding with an Our Father, a Profession of Faith, and invocations to Mary. The indulgence is subject to the usual conditions — sacramental confession, reception of holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of our Holy Father, and total detachment to all sin, including venial sin.
How do you support faith formation? Faith formation includes a full schedule of liturgical activities including Masses, weekly eucharistic adoration, Forty Hours devotions, a very active CCD program, Hispanic ministry, and an active Knights of Columbus council.
Tell us about your parish ministries. The Ladies of St. Paul support a number of parish activities. An annual highlight is the spaghetti dinner in August, one of our biggest fundraisers. Our capital campaign for construction of the new church is in the “Crossing the Finish Line” phase. Donations are welcome at giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/stpaulsonlinegiving.
How do you support the surrounding community? To battle food insecurity in the Northern Neck region, we operate a parish food pantry. On the third Thursday of the month between 2 and 3 p.m., anyone in need may pick up food from the parish office.
What should we know about your clergy? St. Paul is a mission of St. Francis de Sales Church in Kilmarnock, and shepherded by Father Andrew J. Heintz, parochial vicar. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul S. Loverde at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington in 2005. Father Heintz is the seventh of 10 children born of William and Marilyn Heintz of Staten Island, N.Y., and holds a bachelor’s in political science from Binghamton University in Binghamton, N.Y.; a master’s in international relations from The Catholic University of America in Washington; and masters’ in divinity and theology, and a certification in Hispanic ministry from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md.
Quick facts
St. Paul Mission
7808 Cople Highway
Hague
804-472-3090
Website: saintpaulhague.com
Parochial vicar: Fr. Andrew J. Heintz
Mass schedule: Sat. (vigil): 5 p.m.; Sun.: 9 a.m. and noon (Spanish); and Mon., Tues., Wed. and Fri.: 8:30 a.m.
Confession: Sat.: 4:15-4:45 p.m.; Sun.: 8:15-8:45 a.m. and 11:30-11:45 a.m. (Spanish); and by appointment.
Eucharistic adoration and rosary: Immediately following Mass on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Year established: 1890
Total parishioners: 1,341
