Imagine boxcars standing at Fairfax Station. Catholic railroad workers attended Mass in them. Those Irish immigrants became the nucleus of Saint Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church.
Saint Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church stands as a testament to faith. It also reflects community spirit amidst historical upheaval. Today we will delve into the story of this special church. It is a place where history and faith intertwine.
In 1838 two Catholic families donated land. They hoped for a church and cemetery. A cemetery was created right away. The Orange and Alexandria Railroad expanded westward in the late 1850s. Irish immigrants arrived to work. They settled near Fairfax Station. The pastor from St. Mary’s in Alexandria ministered to them. He celebrated Mass in boxcars near the station. Those workers formed the core of Saint Mary of Sorrows.
In 1858 the Bishop of Richmond laid the cornerstone. He designated Saint Mary of Sorrows as a mission of St. Mary’s in Alexandria. Parish men built the church. They used rough-hewn lumber from the surrounding woods. The only major purchase was a steeple bell from Baltimore. Saint Mary of Sorrows was dedicated in 1860.
War clouds soon gathered. Saint Mary of Sorrows sat on the main road. It connected Fairfax Courthouse and the railroad depot. The location was important to both the Union and Confederate armies. They fought to control the railroads. Confederate forces initially held the area around Saint Mary of Sorrows. The Union Army controlled the railroad to Burke. Violent skirmishes occurred around the church.
In 1862 President Lincoln created the Army of Virginia. General Lee saw an opportunity. He threatened Washington D.C. The Battle of Second Manassas followed. Casualties were horrendous.
The Union Army retreated. A field hospital was moved to Saint Mary of Sorrows. The wounded lay on the church hill. Some rested on pews taken from inside. They waited to be transported to Alexandria.
Clara Barton arrived from Alexandria. She and other volunteers cared for the wounded. She nursed them for three days and nights. Heavy rains fell. Doctors operated inside the church. Many soldiers died and were buried in the churchyard. Barton stayed until the last wounded were evacuated. Confederate soldiers captured Fairfax Station. They set fire to the depot. This experience inspired Barton. She established the American Red Cross. A plaque honors her heroism on the church grounds.
After the war many Union soldiers settled in Fairfax Station. They were attracted by cheap land and jobs. Many were German and Irish Catholics.
Saint Mary of Sorrows fit into the community. Despite bigotry, the local newspapers covered its events. Saint Mary of Sorrows’ annual picnics became Fourth of July celebrations. Later, it became a Labor Day event. It’s now the oldest outdoor social function in Fairfax County. It attracts over 10,000 people annually.
A priest served Saint Mary of Sorrows via train until the early 1900s. In 1919 the parish bought a rectory. The church itself has changed little. Originally a single-room structure, it gained a vestibule, choir loft, and steeple. A sacristy was added for visiting priests. Union troops destroyed the original pews. Tradition says President U.S. Grant ordered replacements. He learned of the damage while traveling nearby.
In 1972 Fairfax County declared Saint Mary of Sorrows a historic district. Zoning laws protect its character. The historic church hosts weddings, baptisms, and special outdoor Masses.
In 2020 a new Saint Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church was dedicated. It meets the needs of a growing parish.
Saint Mary of Sorrows stands as a symbol. It represents faith, community, and resilience. It has witnessed war, growth, and unwavering devotion. Its story continues to inspire. The story is rooted in faith and service. Saint Mary of Sorrows remains a beacon of hope.