What’s distinctive about your parish? Our parish has a unique history. Local Catholics from Leesburg and surrounding Loudoun County raised funds and undertook the construction of a church in the summer of 1878. Richmond Bishop John J. Keane dedicated the church a few months later Oct. 13, 1878, as a mission of St. Peter Church in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. After decades of relying on visiting priests to celebrate Mass and administer sacraments, Father Joseph Govaert became the first resident priest in early 1926. Richmond Bishop Andrew J. Brennan gave permission for the parish to be renamed St. John the Apostle July 4, 1927.
Our parish is the mother church for numerous other parishes here in Loudoun County and the surrounding region. The clergy of the parish, over its history, have been very responsive to the needs of the Catholic population and to evangelization.
What’s the one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there? Visit the historic chapel (the original church), the beautiful parish grounds with historic buildings dating back to the late 18th and mid-19th century and the parish cemetery. A short walk down King Street from the church will put visitors in the heart of historic Leesburg with its many shops and restaurants.
What is a new ministry that you’ve started? There are many strong and growing ministries in the parish: a growing Spanish-language community, a vibrant youth ministry and a young adult ministry. We are looking to promote and strengthen our prison ministry, along with so many other service-based ministries. We also are looking for ways to support and promote family ministry and discipleship, such as partnering with Trinity House Café, located in downtown Leesburg.
Is there a special way your parish encourages and supports faith formation? We have strong religious education programs, both for youth and adults. Our outreach to people interested in the Catholic faith and entering the church has been extremely powerful over the years. We average between 45 and 50 individuals each year through our RCIA and RCIC programs.
How are you supporting the faith journey of particular cultures represented in your parish? The Spanish-language community in the parish gathers for Spanish Mass every Sunday, along with monthly Spanish-language baptisms and other active prayer groups and ministry groups. We also have active Filipino ministry groups.
What would a visitor say about your parish? Hopefully visitors find the parish to be friendly and welcoming and would say that this is a place where their minds and souls are fed and strengthened through our celebration of Mass and the sacraments. We hope that they hear positive and beneficial homilies to help them learn and grow in the faith and that they are inspired to give back some of their own time, talents, energy and efforts to the parish and the community
What’s something we should know about your clergy? Father Kevin J. Larsen, pastor, enjoys the parish and its rich history. The rectory is a 172-year-old antebellum house with beautiful grounds and includes a greenhouse that dates back to the 1870s, all of which he uses as a gardener and cook. He is also a beekeeper.
Father Michael J.R. Kelly, who was appointed parochial vicar last year, is excited to lead adult education classes, as well as RCIA classes. Father Ed Guilloux, parochial vicar, joined the parish this summer. He looks forward to exploring country trails and roads on his bike. He is also eager to put his Spanish to good use for the growing community here.
Is there a standout or longtime staff member or volunteer you’d like to tell us about? We are indeed fortunate to have many wonderful and active staff members and volunteers and want to give a particular shoutout to our “Church Ladies”: Mary Thomas, Joan Mentzer, Amanda Buitrago, along with several others. These parishioners spend endless hours working in the church and chapel with flower arrangements for weddings and adoration. Every parish needs such people, and we are greatly blessed by their efforts and work and that of so many other volunteers. Our grounds are kept in tip-top shape by our intrepid groundskeepers, Pete Plasmeir and Marcus Cokain.
Would you like to share anything else about your parish? Like the mustard seed that can grow into the largest of trees, the Catholic community of Leesburg and the surrounding region started more than 144 years ago as a group of dedicated people and has grown into a vibrant and large parish.
Quick Facts:
St. John the Apostle
101 Oakcrest Manor Dr. N.E.
Leesburg
703/777-1317
stjohnleesburg.org
Facebook: St John the Apostle Catholic Church
Pastor: Fr. Kevin Larsen
Parochial Vicars: Fr. Michael Kelly, Fr. Edouard Guilloux
Mass times:
Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m. (Spanish)
Daily Mass:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: noon
Saturday: 9 a.m.
Confession times:
Wednesday: 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 4 p.m.
Year established: 1878 (Mission), 1926 (Parish)
Total Parishioners: 12,000-13,000
