St. John Bosco Church in Woodstock and the attractions of the Shenandoah Valley offer one of the most scenic and historically rich pilgrimages in America.
“This is a unique area,” said Father Augustine M. Tran, pastor. “For all those who love nature, we have the scenery of beautiful mountains, the seven bends of the Shenandoah River and the only Catholic Church in Shenandoah County.”
It was Irish railroad workers who needed a place to worship that led to the founding of St. John the Evangelist Church in 1888. “They were receiving priests traveling from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary on the corridor to the Richmond diocese and they had the luxury of having a priest stop by to offer Mass,” said Father Tran. “The rest of the time, they were just praying and holding on to their faith.”
Renamed St. John Bosco Church in 1973, the church is the vital gathering place for Catholics from a wide geographic area. “To be Catholic in Woodstock means being part of a close church community where fellow parishioners are kind and welcoming,” said parishioner Nick Marmelejo. “The church’s outreach program alone has been a beacon of hope to many, so it seems fitting that we are a pilgrim destination in the Jubilee Year of Hope.”
For pilgrims driving west on I-66 who would usually go all the way to I-81 to get to Woodstock, an adventurous option is Fort Valley Road. Take the Front Royal exit off I-66 and proceed west on John Marshall Highway (Route 55) to Fort Valley Road (Route 678). Bordered by rock walls and Passage Creek, the road curves through the George Washington National Forest — the less-appreciated cousin of the Shenandoah National Park. For an athletic detour, a hike to the Woodstock Tower has breathtaking views of the valley.
Launch your hike from Little Fort Campground and look for the Wagon Trail that winds through a rocky path varying from easy to moderate on the difficulty scale. Allot at least 45 minutes to arrive at the tower where the panoramic views are worth the climb. The Woodstock Tower can also be accessed off Route 11, following the signs north out of Woodstock. This hike is much easier.
Going south, make sure to stop at the Fort Valley Country Store, a favorite destination of motorcyclists and bicyclists, famous for its carrot cake and biscuits and gravy. Known as the valley within the valley, Fort Valley is a little-known treasure. Take the Edinburg Pike west from Fort Valley Road to go to Woodstock but schedule some time to visit the Edinburg Mill first.
Built in 1848, the mill has a fascinating Civil War history with an excellent museum, wine shop and restaurant serving up some of the best home cooking in the valley. The seafood is surprisingly good. “It takes one back to the days of yesteryear,” said Marmelejo. “The building features many artifacts from the area’s agricultural past and is an architectural gem.”
The ideal way to experience this pilgrimage site would be to make a weekend out of it, and for that, St. John Bosco parishioner Ed Markel is the friendly host of one of Virginia’s oldest lodges. The Inn at Narrow Passage in Edinburg offers a hearty country breakfast and is just 10 minutes south of Woodstock. Built in 1740, the lodge retains its authentic charm, quietly tucked away off Route 11. Local legend says George Washington was a guest during the French and Indian Wars. With 12 elegant rooms and conference space, the Inn is an excellent option for a group retreat.
“People seem to be a little more relaxed after staying here a couple days,” said Markel. “You come out here to hike, fish, go antique shopping or visit some of our outstanding wineries. There are all kinds of fun things to do in the country to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.”
One of the must-see wineries is Muse Vineyards in Woodstock. Nestled in the hills along a sweeping bend of the Shenandoah River, the only way to get there is by a single-lane bridge. The long drive through the vineyard is heavenly and the vibe of the tasting room and outdoor area ranks among the very best winery experiences in Virginia.
The Nebbiolo red, a rare grape grown in Virginia that originates in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy, is highly recommended. Kids and dogs are welcome and the lunch menu featuring homemade sandwiches and flatbread pizza is on par with the award-winning wines.
Pilgrims can embrace nature and their faith in the Shenandoah Valley and at St. John Bosco Church. “First of all, you can come to see Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament,” said Father Tran. “We have adoration from Tuesday morning after Mass until Thursday morning before Mass. So, there’s beauty in that, and God speaks to us in nature. The Shenandoah Valley is nature’s gem.”
Find out more
For a sneak peek of St. John Bosco Church and local sites, go to bit.ly/4fcnMnI.
