What’s distinctive about your parish? St. Agnes began as a mission of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington in 1919.
Mass was first celebrated in a grocery store, then a movie theater and finally in a public school. Admiral A. W. Weaver offered land for $1,300 under the condition that the parish be named after his sister, Agnes, who was a Daughter of Charity. The first church was built in 1920 and dedicated by Bishop Denis J. O’Connell. In 1936, Bishop Peter L. Ireton came to administer the sacrament of confirmation and announced that the mission would now be a parish. The beauty of recalling the namesakes of our present-day Catholic high schools in Arlington and Alexandria, respectively, is evidence of the dedication of so many priests and parishioners who sacrificed throughout St. Agnes’ history of more than 100 years to this present moment celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Arlington.
What’s one unique thing visitors to your parish should see? The sanctuary, where a beautiful, hand-carved crucifix hangs over the tabernacle. It was sculpted by Spaniard Jose Antonio Gonzales Lopez-Arza, who also sculpted the crucifix in the new Immaculate Conception Chapel at Bishop O’Connell High School, and was commissioned by the Egge family. It depicts our Lord Jesus looking up and saying, “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.” The titulus above reads “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, spelled backwards, since the Jews read from right to left. A similar titulus is displayed at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington.
Another unique item is the church. Built in 1966, the liturgical renewal of Vatican II inspired the architecture — a semi-circular church. The bell tower forms a canopy, or baldacchino, over the tabernacle, which originally was referred to as “the tooth.” Renovations completed in 2022 included marble flooring for the interior of “the tooth,” a new platform for the tabernacle, better lighting, a dome with gold stars painted on a blue background and an oculus to allow natural light to enter. The baldacchino arch recalls the St. Louis Arch (the gateway to the West) and depicts the gateway to heaven.
Tell us about your parish ministries. Besides having a very strong school, religious education program and youth ministry, the parish has continued programs, such as Walking with Purpose and RCIA. New initiatives include SEEK, Evangelical Catholic, Discovering Christ, and special talks or days of recollection. We also established a Bethany Ministry, which coordinates hospitality, welcomes new members, manages the new gift store (Borgo Sant’Agnese) and the Catacombs Café (for coffee and pastries after Friday morning Masses). Bethany Ministry members also call new parishioners to invite them to parish activities, including monthly coffee and doughnuts after Mass.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? Father Andrew W. Haissig enjoys hiking on his day off. Father Steven M. Oetjen is pursuing a doctorate in canon law at the Catholic University of America and works part-time at the diocesan tribunal; he runs and reads theology to relax. Father Anthony J. Pinizzotto has a doctorate in clinical forensic psychology, is a consultant for the diocesan tribunal and formerly taught at Georgetown University and assisted with FBI crime-scene investigations. Father William P. Saunders and his family were founding parishioners at St. Bernadette Church in Springfield in 1959, and he enjoys playing the piano, and caring for his roses and bonsai trees.
Would you like to share anything else about your parish? Another beautiful aspect of the parish is the composition of its members, some of whom were born, baptized, educated and married in the parish and are still active here. Some sent their children to the grade school and now have grandchildren attending. We also have many new young people and families joining the parish. And there are people from different cultures — African, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Filipino and others.
People are very generous in supporting charities. Every year, nearly 10,000 pounds of food are collected for a food pantry in Madison County, thousands of dollars are contributed in the baby bottle collection for Hope (a charity supporting pregnant moms and their babies) and numerous donations are made to diocesan Catholic Charities, Toys for Tots, and other organizations, to name a few.
Quick facts
St. Agnes Church
1910 N. Randolph Street
Arlington
703-525-1166
Website: saintagnes.org
Social media: facebook.com/stagneschurcharlington
Pastor: Fr. William P. Saunders
Parochial vicar: Fr. Andrew W. Haissig
Priests in residence: Fr. Steven M. Oetjen, Fr. Anthony J. Pinizzotto
Mass schedule: Sat. (vigil): 5 p.m.; Sun.: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Mon.–Fri.: 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.; Sat.: 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Confession: Wed. during Holy Hour 7:30–8:15 p.m.; Sat.: 8–9 a.m. and 3–4 p.m.; and by appointment.
Year established: 1936
Parishioners: 4,684
St. Agnes School
2024 N. Randolph Street
Arlington
703-527-5423
Pre-K-8
Principal: Jennifer Kuzdzal
