A Short History of St. Francis de Sales Church The turn of the 18^th century found Loudoun County, Virginia, with few Catholics, and even fewer Catholic Churches. Only one existed, that being the Immaculate Conception, founded in 1878, in Leesburg (Later to be renamed St. John’s). Even this was only a mission church, with no priest in residence. The assigned priest, Father A.J. Van Ingelgem, would take the train from West Falls Church, Virginia, on the first Sunday of each month to say Mass for the few county Catholics.

Traveling to Leesburg from the extreme ends of the county was no easy task in those times, and attending the Sunday Mass often required an all-day or even overnight trip. For this reason, in 1918, Henry and Philomena Schneider, of Round Hill, made an arrangement with Father Van Ingelgem which brought the first Catholic services to the county west of Leesburg. On the Monday following his monthly Mass, Father Ingelgem would travel to Round Hill, where the Schneider’s had opened their home to area Catholics for morning Mass, Rosary, and Benediction. Thus, residents and vacationing Catholics were much more easily able to attend services.

Services at the Schneider home continued until 1919, when a family illness made use of their residence for further services impossible. Since attendance at these services had been continually increasing, Father Van Ingelgem began searching for another location. The Lord once again provided, as Mr. And Mrs. Notley Ball of Purcellville, offered there home (the old rectory on Main Street) for services. Even this location, however, was quickly outgrown, and the need for a church became more and more apparent. The solution was provided through an agreement between the Ball family and Father Van Ingelgem. A new church would be built on the Ball Property at 16^th and Main Streets. The Balls would provide the funding, and Father Van Ingelgem would serve as architect. The church would be called St. Francis de Sales. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in 1920, and on May 29, 1921, the church was dedicated.

Shortly after the death of Mrs. Notley Ball in 1956, the church was donated to the Diocese of Richmond by her estate.

From it’s dedication in 1921 to 1967, St. Francis de Sales was only a mission parish, with no priest in residence. On September 1, 1967, and agreement was signed between the Capuchin Franciscan Friars, New Jersey Province, and the Diocese of Richmond. The Capuchins’ offer to serve at St. Francis upgraded the status of the church from mission to full parish. The “new” parish of St. Francis de Sales began with 99 families.

The Parish continued to grow and for several years celebrated one Mass at Blue Ridge Middle School Auditorium and later at Loudoun Valley High School Auditorium, in addition to three regular masses in our Church on Main Street.

Since St. Francis Community needed a bigger place to worship, the Capuchin Friars and parishioners began to raise money to build a new church. After years of hard work and great love, the Diocese granted permission to build a new Church and Rectory at the present location. With joy and exaltation, the new complex was dedicated in 1992. The new Church can comfortably accommodate 500 people.

St. Francis now numbers over 1300 families. As we look around and see the growth in the county, one might ask, “What does the future hold for St. Francis de Sales?” The answer can be found in the pages of the directory. Together, as a parish family, we will continue to grow and serve the Lord.