One of the crown jewels of the Arlington diocese is an easy drive west and an escape from the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia. St. John the Evangelist Church, and the picturesque town of Warrenton, is the launching point for an unforgettable pilgrimage.
“There’s a sense of community here that’s absolutely beautiful,” said Father Charles C. Smith, pastor. “If you look at a map of the diocese, you can see that we’re the gateway to the west. So, when people leave the city to go enjoy the Shenandoah Valley, Warrenton is the hub, and you’ll notice that a lot of major roads converge here. It’s a wonderful day trip.”
The striking stone church, constructed in 1964, replaced the original church building on Lee Street that was dedicated in 1861. As you enter the church parking lot, pilgrims fall under the gaze of a life-size statue of St. John the Evangelist. “When we created that statue, we had the form, and we decided to turn his head so that it looks right down Winchester Street,” said parishioner Roy Francis. “We worked with the artist to do that and it was a fascinating experience.”
The sanctuary at St. John’s is noteworthy for its beauty and the unusual crucifix. “Jesus is not dead yet on the crucifix and he has not been pierced, which is very interesting,” said Francis. “The scene on the altar of Mary and John at the foot of the cross is key. You’ll notice Mary is looking at her son, and it was right after Jesus asked John to take care of his mother as John is looking at her. It’s a very important part of this church and I believe it is stunning.”
“You just come into this church and find peace,” said parishioner Jill Evans, mother of the recently ordained Father Jordan A. Evans, whose family settled in the area in 1973. “Warrenton is a nice, doable drive and it’s just fantastic with the rolling hills.”
Warrenton’s lively historic district is known for its many fine restaurant options, shopping and museums. “You must see the old jail museum,” said Evans. Warrenton was a strategic point for Civil War armies, changing hands between Union and Confederate forces 67 times and the Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail is a rich resource for Civil War history and much more. The exhibit on Fauquier County native Willard Scott, the famous television personality, is sure to bring a smile to anyone over 50.
Father Smith is such a fan of the Granite Heights Winery in Warrenton, he decided to use one of its reds for Communion wine. “There are certain specs that a wine has to have to be used for Communion,” said owner Luke Kilyk who has been operating the winery with his wife Toni since 2009. “You can have no additives and the alcohol that comes from the wine has to be 100% from the grapes.” It is appropriately named “Humility.”
The way Luke and Toni see it, they are shepherds of God’s property. “We always feel like we are just temporary owners, caretakers of the property and vines,” said Luke. “We are here to protect the vines and hopefully make them productive, and I think sometimes, that’s what the Catholic Church is.”
The Whiffletree Farm store in Warrenton is a worthy destination on its own. Fresh beef, pork, chicken, and eggs are produced on the sprawling 582-acre farm without antibiotics or chemicals. Jesse and Liz Straight, St. John parishioners, own and work the farm alongside their eight children, homeschool kids and college students.
“The starting point is that God created the world in a particular way, and it’s our job to cooperate with his design,” said Jesse. “So, putting animals on concrete inside metal buildings is not the way God created animals to live. When you go against the things of nature, there’s consequences. We’re trying to pay attention to how God made things and to care for them in a way that’s respectful of their nature. Our Catholic faith informs how we go about farming. We are accountable for our actions and it’s our job to respect the nature of things.”
Warrenton pilgrims might be surprised to discover just how Catholic it feels to walk out of the farm store with a bag full of pasture-raised food. Catholic business owners seem to be everywhere in town.
A tantalizing lunch or dinner option with ample outdoor seating is the award-winning O’Brien’s Irish Pub, owned by St. John parishioners Jerry and Amanda O’Brien. The pub has multiple dining rooms and seating areas where serious dart throwing takes place. This place is high energy and epitomizes small-town hospitality.
Another iconic Warrenton institution is Carousel’s Frozen Treats. Young and old have been lining up at the popular pink ice cream establishment since 1999 to buy Hot Fudge Cakes, Fried Twinkies or hand-dipped corn dogs.
It’s hard to beat St. John’s and Warrenton for a day trip. “We’re very proud of everything here,” said Francis. “And we have such great people.”
Find out more
For a sneak peek of St. John the Evangelist Church, go to bit.ly/45xS53A.
