Our Lady of Good Counsel

Founding Pastor: Rev. Albert P. Campbell. Rev. Joseph C. Toy, OSFS, was the first Oblate pastor.
Parish Founded: November 1955: The first Masses were held in the Dunn Loring Firehouse. Soon after, a chapel and parish center was built on the second floor of Frank Gadell's Food Locker. On September 1, 1956, Oblates of St. Francis de Sales assumed administration of the parish.
Church Dedication: On Sunday, September 1, 1957, the chapel and school were dedicated.
Additional Dates: In 1958, more buildings were added to the school. On Saturday, March 10, 1973, a new church and bell tower were dedicated. In July 2004, the Sacred Heart chapel, DeSales Hall (multipurpose building) and the gymnasium were completed. In August 2018, OLGC School started a preschool for children 3-5 years old.

School Information:

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School (OLGC School)
Founded: September 4, 1957
Founding Pastor: Rev. Joseph C. Toy, OSFS

On Sunday, September 4, 1957, Our Lady of Good Counsel School, with eight classrooms to accommodate children up to the sixth grade, was dedicated. In 1959, eight more classrooms and the Counsel Room (cafeteria) were added to the school facility and a convent to house the Sisters of Saint Joseph, who taught there until 1987. In 1972, OLGC School was officially accredited, with emphasis on individualized education, and was equipped with the most modern facilities: listening centers, a portable science lab and an excellent library operated by a full-time librarian. In September 1996, the parish made significant repairs and improvements to the school, including the construction of a new science lab. In July 2004, a capital campaign funded major improvements, including a new library, a computer lab, music room, classrooms, and a new regulation-sized gym (one of the best in the Diocese). In 2005, OLGC School was awarded U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School status. In May 2012, the church and school unveiled a new logo image and redesigned websites. This new mobile responsive website was launched, and social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, were enhanced and created to engage and communicate with the OLGC community and beyond.

OLGC School celebrated 60 years during the 2017-2018 school year with many activities for the students and staff, such as participating in the Town of Vienna Annual Halloween Parade, a visit by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, and sponsoring the Town of Vienna Chillin' on Church event. In August 2018, OLGC School started a preschool program for children 3-5 years old. The school provides a Catholic education instilled with the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales. It is intended to "make your child's faith a living, conscious, and active one through the light of instruction." The integration of religious truth and values with life is the focal point of the curriculum. As part of its educational program, OLGC School strives for academic excellence, encourages appreciation of the fine arts, fosters self-respect and respect for all life, and attempts to develop responsibility for the total community.

What Makes This Parish Unique?

Throughout its history, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish has consistently fostered the practical spirituality of Saint Francis De Sales, which is directed specifically to those who are active in the world. This spirituality calls each person to "Live Jesus" in and through their own unique personality, utilizing their unique gifts within the context of their own family, parish, neighborhood, work environment, state and nation. Saint Francis says, "Be who you are and be that well," and again, "The opportunity to do great things does not come very often, but at every moment we can do little acts with great love."

Parish History:

Our Lady of Good Counsel was a part of Saint James Parish, Falls Church, but Saint James became overcrowded, so  Bishop Peter L. Ireton of Richmond established a new parish for the Vienna-Pimmit Hills area to be located on 23 acres in Vienna. The parish began in November 1955 with 750 families and Rev. Albert P. Campbell, a diocesan priest, as pastor. The first Masses were held in the Dunn Loring Firehouse. Soon after, a chapel and parish center were built on the second floor of Frank Gadell's Food Locker. After Father Campbell became too ill to continue as pastor, Bishop Ireton asked the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales to assume the administration of the parish. On September 1, 1956, Rev. Joseph C. Toy, OSFS, was named pastor.

On Sunday, September 1, 1957, two years after the formation of the parish, a chapel (the former gym and present multimedia center of Our Lady of Good Counsel School), a school facility with eight classrooms to accommodate children up to the sixth grade and a temporary rectory were dedicated. The following year, the Frink house on one acre of land was purchased for a priests' residence, replacing the temporary facilities located in the back of the school. The Frink house, which was constructed in 1835, was owned by Mrs. Ada Frink. In 1958, eight more classrooms and the Counsel Room (cafeteria) were added to the school facility, as was as a convent to house the Sisters of Saint Joseph who taught there. In August 1963, Fr. Raymond McKone, OSFS, succeeded Father Toy as pastor. Ten months later, Fr. Edmond P. McCarthy, OSFS, was named pastor. Father McCarthy continued to lead OLGC until his death in 1968. In January 1969, Fr. Edward J. Corcoran, OSFS, came to assume the pastorate of OLGC. Under Father Corcoran, a new church was built and dedicated on March 10, 1973. A separate three-bell tower rises in front of the church to peal its welcome to arriving worshipers. In 1977, the old Frink house was torn down, and a new rectory and parish administration building were erected.

In June 1985, Rev. John T. Gavin, OSFS, became pastor. Under his direction, the parish was one of the first in the Diocese to computerize its accounting and parish record keeping. He set the groundwork for the ultimate approval of the parish to its major facility expansion which began in 2000. In July 1991, Rev. Francis W. Danella, OSFS, was named pastor and formalizing the role of the Finance and Pastoral Councils, formalized the budget process, expanded the parish ministries, emphasized liturgy and the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales, and created the Annual Parish Auction and Dinner. In September 1996, Rev. John M. O'Neill, OSFS, was installed as pastor. Under his direction, the parish made major repairs and improvements to the school including the construction of a new science lab, and launched a capital campaign to fund major improvements.

In July 2004, Rev. William J. Metzger, OSFS, became pastor and oversaw the completion of the new facilities: the Sacred Heart chapel, the multipurpose building DeSales Hall, and the Blessed Louis Brisson gym. Expanded worship opportunities for the school, the Christian formation program and the youth ministry program were created and support those in need, especially with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. In May 2012, the church and school unveiled the new logo image and redesigned websites. On September 25, 2016, Bishop Paul S. Loverde installed Fr. Matthew J. Hillyard, OSFS, as OLGC's new pastor. Fr. Matt, through the guidance of the Pastoral and Finance Councils, created five-year pastoral plan to give direction to the future of OLGC. During Fr. Matt's tenure, yearly themes are given as a focal point for the community to guide them to Live Jesus. In August 2018, OLGC School started a preschool program for children 3-5 years old.

To learn more about Our Lady of Good Counsel, visit www.olgcva.org.