The apostle Philip, was born at Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44). His name is mentioned several times in St. John’s Gospel, where we learn that Philip was called by Christ the day after he had called Peter and Andrew. Philip responded immediately to the call, convinced that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He even approached his friend Nathanael with the announcement that he had found the one of whom Moses and the prophets spoke (John 1:45).  Before the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (John 6: 4 - 7), Jesus tests Philip by asking him, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, some Greek Gentiles approached Philip (perhaps because of his Greek name) and said to him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” (John 12:20 - 22) And at the Last Supper it was Philip who said to Jesus: "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." (John 14: 8 - 11) Philip later was martyred at Hierapolis and was buried there until his relics were transferred to Rome . St. Philip’s feast day is May 3.

 Adapted from: Saints of the Roman Calendar

History of our parish

The Parish of Saint Philip was founded in May of 1962 when the Most Reverend John J. Russell, Bishop of Richmond, agreed to purchase 12 to 15 acres of land in the Broyhill Park Subdivision and appointed the Reverend L. Longiuire Speight as the first pastor. The Bishop carved the new parish out of three contiguous parishes: Saint James of Falls Church, Saint Michael of Annandale and Saint Anthony of Bailey's Crossroads. Since the major portion of the parish was excised from Saint James parish, the Bishop suggested that it be named Saint Philip, the brother of James the Apostle.

The first Mass was celebrated on September 9, 1962 in the auditorium of Whittier School. On November 10, 1963 the first Mass was celebrated in the new church and the dedication was held on December 15, 1963. In September, 1964, the school was opened under the supervision of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. The church buildings and grounds were completed by February 22, 1967.

In 1989, our school sadly saw the departure of the Sisters of Saint Joseph after 26 years of dedicated service. That year we also saw a first for our diocese with the reorganization of our school with neighboring Saint Anthony's under its new title “Corpus Christi“. The early childhood center (preschool, kindergarten) is located at Saint Philip campus, and grades 1-8 at Saint Anthony's campus.

In August of 1965, the Reverend John T. Cilinski was appointed as the second pastor of Saint Philip. Father Cilinski remained pastor for 16 years, until May of 1981. The Reverend Charles A. Ryan was then appointed as the third pastor in June of 1981. He served the parish until November 1986, when the Reverend Richard B. Martin was appointed that same month as the fourth pastor of Saint Philip.

In November 1987, Father Martin proclaimed a year long period of celebration honoring the 25th anniversary of the parish. Saint Philip's present congregation numbers around 3,900, one of the smallest Catholic communities in the area. Being a smaller congregation has lead to a friendlier and more personal community that often-times is lacking in larger parishes.

Saint Philip Community, “The Church With A Welcome”, invites you to become an active part of our parish family. We look forward to sharing with you and your sharing your gifts and talents with all of us.