Blink and you’ll miss it.
Sitting on the corner of West Glebe and Russell Roads in
Alexandria, the unassuming gothic-style
church of St. Rita is, as Father Daniel N. Gee, pastor,
recently called it “a hidden gem” in Alexandria – a
beautiful, peaceful oasis inside the beltway filled with
“happy people who love their faith.”
Neither inner-city urban or minivan suburban, St. Rita is a
neighborhood parish, within walking distance to restaurants
and shops just north of the constantly developing Del Ray
neighborhood.
This “physical cohesiveness helps build a sense of unity,”
said Dan McClafferty, parishioner since 1976. And unity, with
fellow Catholics and with Christ, is a defining
characteristic of both the crowd of longtime parishioners and
the group of relative newcomers.
Perhaps no one knows this better than Deacon Steve Dixon and
his wife, Thana, who have been St. Rita parishioners for 60
years. Both graduated from the neighboring St. Rita School
and received all their sacraments, including marriage,
there.
Dixon said St. Rita is a “conservative, traditional Catholic
community” where the people are strong in their faith and
feed off of one another.
“Everything comes together that builds this tremendous faith
community,” he said. Regular devotions include daily Mass, a
Miraculous Medal novena and a living rosary. Socially,
parishioners come together for an annual picnic and
festival.
In recent years, with the redevelopment of the surrounding
area, St. Rita has welcomed a new generation of parishioners,
one of whom is Christy Rich, young adult coordinator.
“Young adults, we parish hop,” Rich said, but “St. Rita’s is
the place to be. It’s not just a place to go, it’s not just a
social area; all the friendships are grounded. We all come
here because we know we can grow closer to Christ here.”
The original St. Rita Church, on Hickory Street in the nearby
Mount Ida neighborhood, was dedicated in October 1914.
Priests from St. Mary Church in Alexandria staffed the
mission church until it was elevated to parish status in
1924, and the first pastor was Father Leonard Koster.
Capuchin Fathers, Dominican Sisters and Mission Helpers of
the Sacred Heart worked together to provide religious
education for parishioners.
Eventually, with population growth, a new church was needed.
The current building on Russell and West Glebe was dedicated
on Dec. 18, 1949, and now serves the 2,468 registered
parishioners. In 1951, ground was broken for a school, annex
and convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill in
Philadelphia who had a presence at the school. Currently only
Sister of St. Joseph Alma Bernadette Hurley serves at St.
Rita as a receptionist and tutor.
(See how
St. Rita is one of several local churches starting up
preschools.)
On that same corner both church and school have remained for
more than six decades, with parishioners enjoying a no-fuss
parish lifestyle focused on traditional Church stability.
“The emphasis is not on keeping up with the latest trends,
even the latest trends in Church practices or theology,” said
Suzanne Arnold, leader of the social outreach ministry. “It’s
really low key and I think people like that. They expect a
traditional service when they come to church and they get it.
They don’t get a lot of controversy.”
The social ministry, which takes care of those in need in the
parish boundaries and beyond, is joined by an active respect
life group that organizes monthly respect life Masses.
Because of local demographics, a large Hispanic community
worships at St. Rita, making up approximately one-third of
the parish population, according to Father Gee.
The one Spanish Mass is the most crowded Mass of the weekend,
with a large community of extended families attending.
“They love the church,” Father Gee said. “Once they get
settled in, it’s their parish.”
David Sullivan, a parishioner since 1992, understands the
feeling. The first time he walked into St. Rita, he knew
without a doubt that he was in the house of God and that he
was there to stay.
The beauty of the church, combined with “the living stones” –
the body of Christ that worshipped there – highlighted the
traditional Catholic faith, he said. “When I came here it all
made sense.”
That’s because, Rich said, Jesus is at the heart of life at
the small parish.
“The tabernacle’s in the center,” she said. “It’s not about
the money. It’s not about being the cool parish. The parish
is formed and everything is maintained because Christ is the
center. It’s about being holy.”
Quick facts
St. Rita Church
3815 Russell Rd.
Alexandria, Va. 22305
703/836-1640
Pastor: Fr. Daniel N. Gee
In residence: Fr. Edwin E. Perez
Msgr. Jeremiah H. McCarthy, Ph.D.
DRE: Betsy Nunn
Convent:
Sisters of St. Joseph
231 W. Glebe Rd.
Alexandria, Va. 22305
School:
St. Rita
3801 Russell Rd.
Alexandria, Va. 22305
703/548-1888
Principal: Mary Pat Schlickenmaier
Students: 170
Mass Schedule:
Sat.: 8 a.m., 5 p.m. vigil,
Sun.: 7:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m.
(Spanish)
Weekdays: 7 a.m.
Parishioners: 2,468
