Holy Trinity Catholic Church holds open house

By Bennie Scarton Jr.

Published: September 7, 2008

On Feb. 2, the $16 million Holy Trinity Catholic Church was dedicated.

Since that time, thousands of cars have passed by it at 8213 Linton Hall Road, Gainesville.

The pastor, the Rev. Father Francis J. Peffrey, believed that many of the people passing by might want to have a look inside the church.

So he invited the public to come in on Sunday to socialize with their neighbors, relatives, family and friends and tour the interior.

After a 15 minute introduction on the main architectural features of the church, he encouraged those in attendance to tour the new parish offices, classrooms, nursery, library, young adults room and St. Patrick hall. Information was available on upcoming parish activities, religious education for children and adults and how to enroll as new parishioners.

“It has been a wonderful experience getting the new church built and opened,” he said.

Pefflrey was assigned to the parish in July 2001 and had his first Mass on July 22, 2001.

He began with 200 families, meeting for Mass at Brentsville District High School auditorium in Nokesville or the Benedictine Monastery. The church now has 2,800 families with an enrollment of 10,000.

“In just seven years we have experienced tremendous growth, with some 60 ministries and organization allowing our parishioners to share their time, talent and treasure,” he said.

The parish serves the growing Catholic populations of Gainesville, Bristow, Haymarket and Nokesville, many of whom formerly attended All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas.

The church was established on June 27, 2001, by Bishop Paul S. Loverde as the 67th parish in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.

The parish had a ground-breaking ceremony in September 2004 and March-Westin, the general contractor, began excavation in February 2006 with the dedication coming two years later.

At Peffley’s request, the church takes on a cruciform shape. The design, with the nave leading to the altar creates a focus on the Blessed Sacrament.

Peffley told the gathering on Sunday “the theme of the Holy Trinity is immediately apparent with the Trinitarian widow over the main entrance representing the Blessed Trinity-God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The telescoping of the entry arches is a feature of Gothic architecture; however the rounded arches, which mirror the circles of the trefoil interior arches, are Romanesque in shape.” Within the nave, the trefoil arches, a feature of Gothic stonework, continue the theme, leading one of the altar and worship. The building is divided into three sections, the administration, the main 1,200 seat church, and the hall.

Peffley said he has already had 25 weddings in the church with another 65 booked.

“While we appreciate the effort of those housing us in the past, it is exciting to be in our own facility,” he said.

The Rev. Father Jerry Wooton is the assistant pastor and Jake Henry a deacon. Mass times are Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7, 8:30, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 and 5 p.m.