What’s distinctive about your parish? We have a uniquely shaped octangular church that is eight-sided from the outside and circular on the inside. It was built in the ancient church-in-the-round style exemplified by the Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo in Rome, but was probably considered avant garde by some during its construction in the mid-1950s. The proximity to the altar and tabernacle, which are slightly elevated in the center, make it a wonderful setting for prayer, Mass and adoration. Architect and parishioner Francis Koenig designed both the parish church and its original school building.
Nestled atop a hill, the parish grounds and buildings form an enclosure similar to a monastic courtyard, with many flowers and lush greenery. It’s a beautiful, peaceful sanctuary.
Tell us about your parishioners. McLean’s proximity to Washington, the Central Intelligence Agency offices, Tysons Corner and its other amenities attract many Catholic families and individuals new to the area, including those on short-term assignments. Many parishioners travel here internationally for business, embassy jobs or other work with the government. You see many diplomatic license plates in the parking lot. As a result, our annual rites of passage include the joyful welcoming of new families in late summer and the heartbreaking goodbyes to others who move away at the start of the next summer. Despite the annual changes, we also have many long-standing families with deep parish roots.
When Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams and his family joined the parish recently it created some buzz, even among people who are not baseball fans. Despite a grueling travel schedule, Williams stays in touch with the bishop and the pastor.
During Mass, pews may include figures from the political world or military and intelligence circles who are well-known in their field. For the most part, parishioners let them and their families be, and treat them as they would any other member of the flock.
What’s new with your parish ministries? We have found great success over the past few years hosting swing dances for high school kids. Along those lines, we plan to launch a dance night for married couples in the coming year.
In religious education, we strive to go beyond simple test-taking to engage the whole person during visits to church, and games and activities in the gym. Our adult education programs are enriched by the involvement of two Dominican brothers who are studying at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington. On Mondays during the school year, we offer an apologetics class for middle and high school students.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? Working with Father Pollard to minister to the parish are Father John Melmer, parochial vicar, Father Dort Bigg, parochial vicar, and Father Ryan Alemão, in residence. They pray together, eat together and laugh a lot. Once a month, they issue a dinner invitation to fellow priests in the area. Attendance varies, from a handful up to nearly two dozen at times.
Is there a standout or longtime staff member or volunteer you’d like to tell us about? Dave Scully served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years and then taught French at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria for more than 30 years, including when Father Pollard was a student there. For years, he served as a catechist, a faithful member of the Legion of Mary, led the rosary during First Saturday Adoration rosaries, and spearheaded door-to-door evangelization efforts that resulted in every household in the parish being visited between 2012 and 2016. He passed away July 29 at the age of 90.
What else should we know about the parish? Our parish school, St. John the Beloved Academy, draws people who relocate from around the country and even internationally to enroll their children. Its approach to education, known as Christian humanism, was popularized by the late Pope Benedict XVI, among others. After our liturgy and celebration of the sacraments, the school is the parish’s second most important apostolate. Enrollment has grown for the past four years.
Quick facts
St. John the Beloved Church
6420 Linway Terrace
McLean, VA 22101
703/356-7916
Website: stjohncatholicmclean.org.
Pastor: Fr. Christopher Pollard
Parochial vicars: Fr. Dort Bigg, Fr. John Melmer
In residence: Fr. Ryan Alemão
Mass schedule:
Saturday: 5 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Monday-Friday: 6:30 a.m.
Monday-Saturday: 8:30 a.m.
Confession:
Wednesday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., at the top of the hour so long as there are penitents.
Saturday: after the 8:30 a.m. Mass; 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Year established: 1951
Total parishioners: 4,634
School:
St. John the Beloved Academy
6422 Linway Terrace
McLean, VA 22101
703/ 356-7554
stjohnacademy.org
Headmaster: Jeffrey P. Presberg
