Basilica of Saint Mary History

THE BIRTH OF SAINT MARY’S PARISH

What’s Colonel John Fitzgerald and George Washington Have to Do With It?

Our parish was conceived on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1788, five years after the Revolutionary War ended, thanks to local luminary Irish Catholic son, Colonel John Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald hosted a dinner that evening of prominent Virginia and Maryland citizens and his good friend George Washington attended.  The discussion included critical issues of government affairs as well as the need to build a Catholic Church in Alexandria.  Fitzgerald agreed to lead a fundraising effort and George Washington was one of the first to donate 10 pounds sterling - equivalent to $1,200 today. 

Land at the corner of Washington and Church Streets was donated where the current St. Mary’s Cemetery is located.  Formally established in 1795, St. Mary’s, Virginia’s first Catholic parish, was a mission parish of Trinity Church, now Holy Trinity in Georgetown, through 1818.  On July 19, 1826, the cornerstone was laid for what eventually became the current St. Mary’s Church building, now the Basilica of Saint Mary.

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THE BASILICA OF SAINT MARY TODAY

Throughout the centuries, the Basilica of Saint Mary has played a crucial role in the growth of Catholicism in Virginia. From her inception, the Basilica of Saint Mary has done her part in helping to share the word of God through her creation and support of mission churches in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

On Sunday, January 14, 2018 Most Reverend Michael Burbidge announced that St. Mary Catholic Church has been granted the title of 'minor basilica,' making it the first basilica in Northern Virginia, the first in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, and the 84th in the United States. 

This extraordinary contribution to the growth of Catholicism in the region and legacy would not have been possible without the spiritual and temporal support of St. Mary’s most ardent caretakers – her parishioners and leading clergy.

  • 7,012 Registered Parishioners and 2,682 Families in our Parish

  • 54 Apostolate Outreach Groups representing Education and Evangelization, Fellowship, Service and Worship with more than 400 volunteer participants

  • 720 Students enrolled in the Basilica School of Saint Mary

  • Clergy Leadership: Rector, two Parochial Vicars, two Priests in Residence including the Chaplin for Bishop Ireton High School and one Deacon.

  • Church and School Combined Operating Budget of $9,000,000.