“Come and see” is more than just an invitation here. It’s an invitation to experience the rich history of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Officially a parish since 1951 Saint Andrew’s story began much earlier. It started with two mission churches. These were Epiphany and Grace. They served the Arlington area for over three decades.
Imagine Arlington during and after World War II. The population boomed. The existing churches struggled to accommodate everyone. In 1950 the Diocese of Virginia saw the need for a larger Episcopal presence. On February 11, 1950 the vestries of Epiphany and Grace approved a merger and chose the name Saint Andrew’s. With Reverend Richard Fell as its first rector the new church family held its first service on January 7, 1951.
Construction began in May 1951. By Thanksgiving Day that same year the first service was held in the new building. This building is now the chapel. Saint Andrew’s celebrated its first baptism. Sisters Anina and Marta Gunderson were baptized on February 11th. The first wedding soon followed. Joseph Perry and May Louisa Cannon were married on July 21st. The first funeral was held for Thomas Curtis Hudson on January 8, 1952.
Arlington continued to expand and so did Saint Andrew’s. On May 5, 1962 a larger worship space was consecrated. It included an undercroft and a theater stage. The church’s physical spaces settled into their current configuration during the 1960s. Simultaneously Saint Andrew’s developed a reputation for being welcoming and inclusive.
During the strained race relations of the mid-1960s Saint Andrew’s provided a safe space for all. Public dances were a popular form of teen entertainment. However African-American students were often excluded. Saint Andrew’s opened its doors under the leadership of Reverend Robert Andrews and Herbert Lodder. The church hosted integrated dances in the undercroft. Up to 1200 teens attended. The county eventually shifted its position. This was partly due to the success of the events held at Saint Andrew’s.
Saint Andrew’s also led the way for women in church leadership. The 1960s and 1970s brought a reevaluation of women’s roles. In 1967 parishioners elected Phyllis Bahrman to the church leadership team. This happened just four days after the diocese approved women to serve on Vestry. In 1974 Lynn Honeycutt became the first woman from Saint Andrew’s to enter seminary studies. She became the first priest from Saint Andrew’s in 1979. Reverend Jean Milliken became Saint Andrew’s first woman spiritual leader in 1986. In 2009 Saint Andrew’s welcomed its first full-time female rector Reverend Jenny Montgomery. This tradition continues with Reverend Dorota Pruski in 2018 and Priest-in-Charge Reverend Alyse Viggiano in 2024.
Saint Andrew’s believes that the arts are essential. The church has an award-winning Choral Program. It also hosts a Spring Musical and a Variety Show. These events engage students and the wider community. Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church has a vibrant history. It continues to evolve. It is a welcoming place for all who seek community, faith, and artistic expression.