Saint Anthony of Padua

Founding Pastor: Reverend Isidore McCarthy, C.PP.S.
Parish Founded: The parish was formally established in 1952 from its rural Mission Church established in 1921 in the Bailey's Crossroads area. The First Mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday in 1952 in a rented space in the Culmore Shopping Center.
Church Dedication: The current church, convent and rectory facilities were blessed and dedicated on March 21, 1970 by Bishop John J. Russell of the Diocese of Richmond 
School: St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School
Parish Cemetery: the parish has a Columbarium, established by Father Tuck Grinnell during his time as pastor. 

What makes this parish unique? 

 St. Anthony of Padua Parish has responded to the various needs of Catholics and others during many changes in American society and Northern Virginia since its founding. From its humble beginnings as a rural Mission Church in 1921, the parish has adjusted to many changes in Northern Virginia and beyond. At first serving as a rural mission Catholic church, to a rapidly growing suburban growth and development following World War II, to the arrival of many Cubans fleeing the Communist regime under Fidel Castro, and in recent years, the arrival of a large number of Hispanics in Northern Virginia who fled from suppression and violence for a better life in America. In addition, many individuals from other widely diverse ethnic and national origins became part of the parish community.

“As Christians, we serve the mandate to worship God, to celebrate the liturgy, to teach Christ's Gospel message, to be in service to one another, and to build up the Community of Faith.”

Parish History

Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church began in 1921 as a rural Mission Church served by priests who traveled from the Basilica of St. Mary's and Blessed Sacrament parishes in Alexandria, Virginia. The original white clapboard church facility used as a Catholic Mission Church still exists today on Leesburg Pike across from Skyline Center and is currently the home of the Holy Cross Orthodox Church.

Following World War II, Northern Virginia experienced a rapid population growth. In 1950, the Diocese of Richmond purchases a 9 1/2 acre site at the corner of Leesburg Pike and Glen Carlyn Road for the future Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and School. Founding pastor, Father Isidore McCarthy, C.PP.S. rented a store in the Culmore Shopping Center to serve as a temporary church.  He offered the first Mass in the temporary church on Easter Sunday of 1952 with 500 parishioners in attendance. Father McCarthy purchased two houses on Glen Carlyn Road to serve as a rectory and a convent. On February 8, 1953, ground was broken on the new parish site for a $200,000 construction project for the new Saint Anthony of Padua Church and School. On January 19, 1954, the new building  was blessed and dedicated by Bishop Peter Ireton of the Diocese of Richmond.  The parish experienced phenomenal growth from 700 families in 1953 to 1,490 families by 1958.  By the late 1950s, St. Anthony Parish supported approximately 56 different activities and organizations to meet the spiritual, social, recreational and educational needs of the parishioners.  The groundbreaking ceremonies for the new $1.2 million church, convent and rectory took place on March 24, 1968 with more than 1,000 in attendance. 

During the 1960s, St. Anthony of Padua Parish became home for many Cubans who fled Fidel Castro's communist nation.  Cuban parishioners presented challenging times of adjustment both the Cubans and for the parish.  On October 12, 1969, the first Mass in Spanish was regularly scheduled and celebrated at St. Anthony Church.  Throughout the following years, the parish has been home to many Hispanic members who have worshiped at 3 Spanish Masses each weekend.  During the following years, 1980 - 2000, Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church reflected the increasingly diverse nature of Northern Virginia as a strong center of worship, education and social needs concern over a wide area.  A capital campaign known as Project 2000 was launched to upgrade the parish facilities, parking and a much needed gym facility for parish, school and community use.  Currently, the parish plans to launch a new capital campaign to upgrade the facilities, including the installation of solar panels on the roofs of the parish buildings which will result in lower utility costs. Part of the campaign will upgrade the parish food pantry facilities as it continues to meet the needs of families and individuals from the local area

Important Dates in Parish History

1921: St. Anthony of Padua Catholic was originally a rural Mission Church located at Bailey's Crossroads.

1952: St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church was established with its first Mass celebrated on Easter Sunday in the rented space in the Culmore Shopping Center.

1953: Five Sisters of the Precious Blood arrive to begin their work of establishing St. Anthony Catholic School. Ground was broken at its current location for a $200,000 construction project for the new St. Anthony of Padua Parish and School.

1954: The new facility was dedicated and blessed by Bishop Peter Ireton of the Diocese of Richmond.

1958: Fire broke out in the church sacristy on the ground floor of the school building set by a suspected arsonist resulting in major damage; more than 1,000 students and faculty were safely evacuated from the school.

Late 1950s: A second floor was added to the school facility.

1960: Ground was broken for an eight classroom addition to the school, with meeting rooms, expanded cafeteria and kitchen for the school facility.

1960s: Many Cubans fleeing Fidel Castro^'s communist nation arrive at St. Anthony of Padua Church.

1961: Reverend Richard Baird, C.PP.S. was appointed as the second pastor of St Anthony of Padua Church.

1968: Groundbreaking ceremony held for the new church, convent and rectory by Bishop John J. Russell of Richmond Diocese. The challenge before the parish was to pay off the $1.2 million construction costs.

1969: The first Spanish Mass was celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

1971: Reverend John Nagele, C.PP.S. appointed the third pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

1977: St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church celebrated the 25th anniversary of establishment. 

1979: The Sisters of St. Joseph arrived at the parish to work with the growing number of Hispanic parishioners. They offered religious education and provided many social and educational services for recently arrived parishioners.

1981: Reverend John Kalicky, C.PP.S. appointed the fourth pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, until 8 months later when he departed after being elected Provincial Superior of the Cincinnati Province of the Precious Blood Fathers.

1982: Reverend Thomas Brenberger, C.PP.S. appointed the fifth pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

1982: The Sisters of the Precious Blood departed St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School after 29 years of dedicated leadership and service to the parish and school.

1989: The Precious Blood Fathers depart after 37 years of dedicated service to Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

1989: Monsignor Thomas J. Cassidy appointed as the first diocesan priest as pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

1990: Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic School and Saint Philip Catholic School combined to form Corpus Christi Catholic School with 2 campuses.  This was the first school merger in the Diocese of Arlington. Mr. George Chiplock was appointed Principal of the newly reorganized school. In 2015, each parish assumed responsibility for operating its own Catholic school.

1994: Reverend Horace “Tuck” Grinnell appointed pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and served in this position for 16 years.

1990s: Mary's House established to provide housing and assistance for homeless mothers.  Nueva Esperanza established to provide many programs and activities for Spanish-speaking parishioners.

2000s: Project 2000, Millennium Fund raised $2.2 million toward the $4 million goal to renovate and upgrade the parish and school facilities, provide additional parking and construct the Hoffbauer Gym facility.

2010: Reverend Kevin Walsh appointed pastor.

2012: Reverend Stephen McGraw appointed Parochial Administrator.

2014: Reverend Marcus Pollard appointed pastor.

2017: Reverend Matthew Zuberbueler appointed pastor. 

School History

 On August 17, 1953, five Sisters of the Precious Blood from Dayton, Ohio arrived to begin their work of establishing Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic School. The founding Principal and Superior was Sister M. Adria, C.PP.S. Since the new school building was not completed by opening day in September 1953, classes were held in homes, garages and any reasonable space, including the convent basement.

On January 19, 1954, the new building was blessed and dedicated by Bishop Peter Ireton of the Diocese of Richmond. During its first year of operation, Saint Anthony School enrolled 500 students with evidence of rapid growth on the horizon. School enrollment grew rapidly, reaching more than 1,000 students within four years. The number of Precious Blood Sisters increased to 13, which necessitated the purchase of two additional houses on Fairview Place for convents. The school accommodated the increased enrollment with half-day sessions for the lower grades and split classes for the upper grades.

On October 2, 1958, a fire broke out in the church sacristy, located on the ground floor of the school causing major damage. More than 1,000 students and teachers were safely evacuated from the school. Officials believed that the fire, the third in two weeks, might have been set by an arsonist.

By 1962, the school enrollment was at 1,210 students, with the prediction that it would reach over 2,000 students by 1964. As school enrollment continued to grow, several additions were added to the original facility, including a third floor to the structure and later a new wing providing eight additional classrooms, an enlarged cafeteria, kitchen and parish meeting rooms. The 1990s witnessed declining enrollment in Catholic schools across the nation as well at Saint Anthony School. 

For more information about Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, visit: stanthonyofpaduacommunity.com