A parish rooted in faith since 1858
Est. 1858
Saint Mary of Sorrows has been a cornerstone of faith in Fairfax, Virginia for over 165 years — with a history that touches the founding of the American Red Cross.
The Hamill and Cunningham families, two Catholic households in Fairfax, donated land to the Diocese of Richmond in 1838. Irish immigrants arriving in the late 1850s to work on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad helped form the parish's foundation. In 1858, Bishop John McGill of Richmond laid the cornerstone for the new St. Mary's, designating it a mission of Alexandria's St. Mary's.
The original church structure was dedicated in 1860, serving the growing Catholic community in Fairfax County.
During the August 1862 Battle of Second Manassas, our church served as a field hospital for the wounded. Clara Barton arrived from Alexandria and nursed the wounded here for three days and nights. Based on these experiences, Barton was inspired to establish the American Red Cross — a legacy that began within our church walls.
Union forces rebuilt Fairfax Station in 1864, though Confederate guerrillas under John S. Mosby continued their activity in the area.
The parish integrated into the community despite the anti-immigrant sentiment of the era. St. Mary's annual picnics were Fourth of July Celebrations during the 1870s, later transferred to Labor Day — becoming Fairfax County's longest-running outdoor social event. A rectory was dedicated in 1919.
The Claretian Fathers arrived in 1969, bringing renewed energy and leadership to the growing parish community.
A Worship Center with 800 seats opened December 19, 1979, on Sideburn Road, dramatically expanding the parish's capacity to serve its growing congregation.
A Parish Center annex was completed in 1990, providing additional space for education, ministries, and community gathering.
Ground broke in June 2019 for a beautiful new church building. The new church was dedicated on November 15, 2020, providing a stunning, modern worship space for the parish community at 10500 Zion Drive, Fairfax, VA.