What’s distinctive about your parish? St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Colonial Beach and St. Anthony of Padua Mission Church in King George have an interwoven and storied presence in what is now the Diocese of Arlington. Presently the two churches are one parish, but they were in yesteryear both part of a much larger parochial territory. They are in the Northern Neck, the peninsula bounded by the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers and ending at the Chesapeake Bay to the east.
In 1905, a wood-frame church was built in the little fishing and resort town of Colonial Beach. This first St. Elizabeth Church building was replaced in 1962 by the present edifice. Since 2009, the church has undergone significant beautification both inside and out.
In 1917, the children of Fielding Lewis, a descendant of George Washington’s sister Betty, built our St. Anthony Church in King George County. That first building was expanded in 1986. The original section of the 1917 church, comprising the present sanctuary, is one of the oldest buildings in the diocese.
What’s the one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there? In 2019, the parish established the lovely Blessed Trinity Catholic Cemetery located in the heart of our parish on Route 301. The cemetery’s graves all face east, awaiting the coming of the Lord. The cemetery will eventually be the resting place of 1,200 loved ones.
Recently, our 125-year-old stations of the cross, which are lithographs from France, were refurbished and conserved.
Is there a special way your parish encourages and supports faith formation? The parish has many activities, organizations and groups, along with a high number of converts. In this part of the diocese, there are relatively few Catholics. It is de facto mission territory, but there are many unchurched protestants who are attracted to the Catholic faith. We have been blessed with convert classes that have hit high numbers, representing 5 percent of our Sunday Mass congregation. Ministries include the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Legion of Mary, Eucharistic Adoration Society, Jr. Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph’s Men’s Group and Youth Ministry.
How are you supporting the faith journey of particular cultures represented in your parish? Daily Mass attendance is robust, and traditional Catholic devotions such as the rosary and adoration are strong. The parish also supports Catholics who are drawn to the Traditional Latin Mass (or Extraordinary Form Mass), celebrated at St. Anthony Church.
What would a visitor say about your parish? Most people are struck by the quiet and reverence of our liturgies, the use of the altar rail, the Latin Mass and the devotion of our people. Each Sunday, we also welcome a number of journeying non-Catholics who have found a spiritual home among us. There are young families and a large number of homeschool families. This provides many avenues for community building.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? Father Francis de Rosa studied philosophy at the Ateneo della Santa Croce in Rome. He also holds a licentiate in moral theology from the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family. He is from Niagara Falls, N.Y. Father Eric Shafer is a native Virginian. He served in the U.S. Army and is a convert to the Catholic faith.
Would you like to share anything else about your parish? Our humble country parish is firmly maintaining the faith in this far away part of the diocese. Every one of our efforts is caught up in the great mystery of the church that Christ founded and is directed toward the salvation of souls and the greater glory of God.
Quick Facts:
Website: saintselizabethandanthony.com
Social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St-Elizabeth-of-Hungary-St-Anthony-of-Padua-Catholic-Church-112191643744294/
Street address:
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church
11 S. Irving Ave.
Colonial Beach
804/224-7221
St. Anthony of Padua Church
10299 Millbank Rd.
King George
540/848-4785
Mass times:
St. Elizabeth of Hungary:
Saturday Vigil: 5 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8 a.m.
St. Anthony of Padua:
Saturday Vigil: 7 p.m.
Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday: 7 a.m.
Wednesday: 5 p.m.
Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m.
Confession times:
St. Elizabeth of Hungary:
Saturday: 4:40 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m.
St. Anthony of Padua:
Saturday: After 9 a.m. Mass and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday: Before all Masses
Wednesday: After 5 p.m. Mass
Pastor name: Father Francis de Rosa
Parochial Vicar: Father Eric Shafer
Year established: St. Elizabeth of Hungary: 1905, St. Anthony of Padua: 1917
Total parishioners: 1,400+ parishioners
