What’s distinctive about your parish? For starters, a sitting United States president was among the first parishioners in our current church building.
When John F. Kennedy was inaugurated president in 1961, St. Stephen the Martyr was still a mission parish under the Richmond diocese and Mass was celebrated at the Middleburg Community Center. Middleburg was and remains horse country, and the Kennedys were here regularly.
According to local legend, Protestants joined the Catholics in supporting construction of the church, so the president had a more fitting place to worship on Sundays. The church was dedicated April 21, 1963 — just over two years after President Kennedy was sworn into office.
President Kennedy and his family last attended Mass there Nov. 10, 1963, and a picture of the first family arriving that day is still on display at the church. He was assassinated 12 days later in Dallas. When Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath of presidential office afterward aboard Air Force One, his right hand rested on a Roman missal parish priest Father Albert Pereira had given Kennedy.
What’s the one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there? Pray in the pew the Kennedy family used in 1963. A plaque bearing his name marks that pew.
Also, ask to see the usher’s closet. It was originally a soundproof, bulletproof panic room where the president could place secure phone calls in an emergency. A plaque marks where the phone jack is.
St. Stephen the Martyr is still a country parish. Many parishioners are equestrian enthusiasts who work with horses at the many nearby stables. One parishioner rode a horse to her quinceañera celebration at church.
Would you like to share anything else about your parish? Despite the fact that Middleburg is a small town, and our church parish grounds reflect that, St. Stephen the Martyr was the mother church for two other parishes in the diocese — first, Corpus Christi Church in the South Riding area, which became a parish in 2014, and St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Haymarket, which was established in 2000 and became a mission in 2005.
How are particular cultures represented in your parish? We celebrate Mass in English and Spanish, and our Hispanic parishioners are unique in the Arlington diocese. Approximately 90 percent are of Mexican lineage and hail from the central state of Zacatecas, which has a rich horseback riding tradition. Many are drawn here to work in the horse-riding industry and at area estates. Cowboy boots and blue jeans are common. Their children are well formed in the faith. We have what is practically a sister parish in Inmaculada Concepción in Florencia, Mexico, and welcome priests occasionally visiting from there.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? Father Christopher D. Murphy, pastor, ministers to both St. Stephen and our mission parish of St. Katharine Drexel. During his rare time off, he enjoys riding his gravel bike on Loudoun County’s gravel roads and occasionally hunts deer.
Is there a standout volunteer you’d like to tell us about? David Livermore has been a religious education volunteer teacher for nine years. He jumps enthusiastically into whatever class we need him to cover. His children grew up in our parish, and he also serves as an usher and a ready source of institutional knowledge.
Quick facts
St. Stephen the Martyr Church
23331 Sam Fred Rd.
Middleburg, VA 20117
540/687-6433
Website: Saint-stephen.org
Pastor: Fr. Christopher D. Murphy
Mass schedule:
Saturday vigil: 5 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish)
Monday-Saturday: 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. (Spanish)
Confession: Wednesday 7-8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.; Saturday: 3:45-4:45 p.m.; and by appointment.
Year established: 1957
Total parishioners: 800
