It took 24 years, and when the Mass to dedicate a new church and altar finally happened at St. Katharine Drexel Church in Haymarket Oct. 1, John Stirrup was overcome with emotion.
“This is as close to a miracle as I’ll probably ever see in my life,” said a teary-eyed Stirrup. “I told my wife that I’ll probably break down by the end of the night. We’ve met for Mass over the years at the Bull Run Middle School, Battlefield High School, and during COVID, we met at a barn. We’ve had incredible challenges over the years, but here we are.”
More than 300 attended the Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. He praised the St. Katharine community for their perseverance. “Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring and by the grace of God, you have achieved something great,” said Bishop Burbidge. “You have built this beautiful church. It is a special and joyful day no doubt for you, but please know, for the entire diocese.”
As the name implies, Haymarket clung to a glimmer of its rural character in 2000 but was quickly becoming a Northern Virginia suburb and a Catholic Church was needed. St. Katharine became a mission of St. Stephen the Martyr Church in Middleburg in 2005. “This is a culmination of a long period of people wanting a church in this area,” said parishioner Missy Jaffe. “I’m just feeling elation and joy.”
“I’m from an area where churches are closing, so this is especially poignant for me because I see the Catholic faith growing and growing,” said parishioner Janis DeVore. “There’s a tremendous community of Catholics in this area supporting each other, growing the faith and welcoming everyone.”
The spirit of evangelism at St. Katharine Drexel was a common theme for many who have been setting up and breaking down temporary worship spaces for more than two decades in the cold of winter and summer heat.
“I’m having a hard time expressing the joy that I’m feeling,” said Tim Freeman, chairman of the building committee. “This community is simply amazing, always lending a hand to help. Whether it’s for a food pantry, donations for the church building or special collections for those in need, we come together with a loving spirit.”
Brian Shipley, who was part of the original steering committee in 2000, said that St. Katharine has always been a place of spiritual refuge. “That’s very important in America right now,” said Shipley. “We’re in a positive motion with positive people, gathering to make a difference.”
Bishop Burbidge made the same point, in describing the ceremonial lighting of the candles on the altar during Mass. “It proclaims in a very beautiful way, a truth we need to hear these days, that by his cross and resurrection, Christ has conquered the darkness,” said Bishop Burbidge. “We are called tonight to go forth, out into the world, wherever God sends us, to radiate the light of Christ at a time it is so desperately needed.”
Relics of St. Katharine Drexel, St. Philomena, and St. Damien of Molokai were deposited under the altar by Bishop Burbidge. “This is a powerful reminder, that as we make this journey here on earth, we’re never alone,” said Bishop Burbidge. “We are in the company of the saints, who pray for us, intercede for us, and who help us. And I’m convinced that St. Katharine Drexel is with us tonight in a very special way.”
“We have a bishop now who is probably the most experienced bishop in the nation when it comes to dedicating churches,” said Father Christopher D. Murphy, pastor of St. Katharine Drexel and St. Stephen the Martyr. “We’ve reached a milestone. It’s hard to describe. This is a huge mile marker, but there’s much more to come.”
After Mass, Scott Parker stood in the empty church and reflected on their days in the barn. “When there was no room at the inn, there was room at the barn,” said Parker. “There was no room at the school anymore, because they shut that down, but there was room at the barn. It shows the endurance of our community. We’ve had Christmas Mass at the barn, but we kept going and here we are.”
“It’s amazing, it’s beautiful,” said Alan Walker. “For all the parishioners who have waited so many years to have our own place to worship, it’s like coming into the promised land.”
