Saint Charles Borromeo

Founding Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Frederick P. Lackey
Parish Founded: 1909
Church Dedication: 1911
Additional Dates of Importance: The first church was dedicated in 1911 and a four-classroom parish school, staffed by the Benedictine Sisters of Bristow, Virginia, was founded in 1922. A new school and convent were built in 1955, a new church in 1960, and a new rectory in 1965. The church was renovated in 1990. The Benedictine sisters served the school until 2008. In 2014 the school transitioned to a preschool.

School Information: Saint Charles Early Childhood Education Center

What Makes This Parish Unique?

St. Charles is the most urban parish in the diocese, with five Metro stops in the parish boundaries (Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Virginia Square-Ballston). That also makes for the most youthful parish in the diocese, since the residential buildings and commercial establishments along the Rosslyn-Ballston Metro Corridor attract many single young professionals: in fact, two-thirds of the residents are in their 20's and 30's. Consequently, young adults comprise the majority of parishioners, and are active in every aspect of parish life. Unique places in the parish include: George Mason University Arlington Campus, with its new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship under construction; the National Marine Corps War Memorial (the "Iwo Jima” Memorial); and, Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Meyer (although the pastoral care of the latter two is entrusted to the Archdiocese for Military Services). The parish is planning a major redevelopment of its site, with a newly-built traditional church on Clarendon Square to become the most visible in the diocese.

Parish History

Saint Charles Borromeo Parish was founded in 1909 by Bishop Augustine van de Vyver of Richmond. It became a parish of the Diocese of Arlington when the latter was erected in 1974. The first church was dedicated in 1911 and a four-classroom parish school, staffed by the Benedictine Sisters of Bristow, Virginia, was founded in 1922. A new school and convent were built in 1955, a new church in 1960, and a new rectory in 1965. The church was renovated in 1990. The Benedictine sisters served the school until 2008. In 2014 the school transitioned to a preschool. Today St. Charles Parish serves over 5,000 registered parishioners in over 2,400 families.

To learn more about Saint Charles Borromeo parish, visit stcharleschurch.org.