![]() ![]() Built despite the scarcity of materials caused by the Korean War, Saint Rita Church – constructed of Virginia fieldstone and Indiana limestone – took shape as a beautiful example of Gothic architecture. Rita Church was dedicated on December 18, 1949, with Bishop Ireton laying the cornerstone. After Father Koster’s transfer in 1947, the new pastor, Father Gallagher, embarked on a program of construction which would give Saint Rita’s a complete plant including church, school, rectory, convent and annex. Father Koster secured three acres on Russell Road from the Beall and Conlon families. ![]() Capuchin Fathers also helped out at Saint Rita’s and became an important part of the church community.īy 1940 the parish had grown to 1,000 and a new church was needed. Dominican Sisters and Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart began religious education for children in the parish, traveling from Washington and Baltimore by train and streetcar. Dedicated in October of the same year, Masses were said by priests from Saint Mary’s until the “Mission” became a parish in 1924 with its own pastor, Father Leonard Koster. This was the beginning of the rich history of Saint Rita Parish in Alexandria.īy 1914 permission had been secured from Bishop O’Connell to build a church and a name was chosen, placing the project under the care of Saint Rita of Cascia, the patroness of “impossible causes.” Ground was broken for the original Saint Rita Church on Hickory Street in Mt. Elmo-Abington-Del Ray and proceeded to instruct them in the Catholic faith in a cobbler’s shop. Your gift will strengthen the fabric of our entire Catholic community and sustain as your trusted news source.In 1912, a group of involved, dedicated women, the “Ladies Seminarian Society,” gathered the children of Catholic families living in the area then known as St. Please join in the church's vital mission of communications by offering a gift in whatever amount that you can ― a single gift of $40, $50, $100, or more, or a monthly donation.
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