Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Original Saint Mary's Church

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 1, 2015

1. The Original Saint Mary's Church Marker

Inscription. About eighty feet to the west of this site the original Saint Mary's Church was constructed between 1794–1796 by father Francis Neale, S. J., at the corner of what is now Washington and Church Streets. It was the first catholic church in the commonwealth of Virginia and it served the few Catholics of area until 1810. This cemetery is an outgrowth of that early church. The land was donated by a protestant gentleman, Robert T. Hooe.

Prominent in the beginnings of Saint Mary's Parish was Colonel John Fitzgerald, aide-de-camp to General George Washington. We are told that General Washington was among the many men, both protestant and Catholic who contributed toward the construction of Saint Mary's.

This monument is dedicated to the memory of the many priests who served Saint Mary's Parish since its beginning.

Joseph Wingle Pastor
William T. Reinecke, assistant in charge of Cemetery.
November, 1968

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1968.

Location. 38° 47.679′ N, 77° 2.903′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. It is on Church

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Street east of South Washington Street, on the right when traveling east. In Saint Mary's Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Catholic Church in Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker); Graves Under South Washington Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Freedmen’s Cemetery (about 300 feet away); Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial (about 300 feet away); Former USCT Burial Ground (about 300 feet away); Graves (about 300 feet away); In Memory of Ronald F. Kirby (about 300 feet away); Welcome to Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 1, 2015

2. The Original Saint Mary's Church Marker

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 1, 2015

3. The Original Saint Mary's Church Marker

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 1, 2015

4. The Original Saint Mary's Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 863 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 2, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.