Historic Churches

The City of Falls Church treasures its heritage and culture, but also its sacred spaces.

The Falls Church

One of the most iconic landmarks in Falls Church is The Falls Church (now Episcopal), a stately structure that traces its roots back to the 18th century. This Church got its name from its proximity to the falls on the Potomac River—hence, ‘The Falls Church’. As the community grew around the Church, the area took on the name ‘Falls Church.’

History of Falls Church Timeline → available here

The earliest burials in the cemetery at The Falls Church occurred in the 18th century, and records show payments in 1778 to the church sexton for mending gravestones. While many early 18th-century landowners had family graveyards near their homes, this churchyard was the only large burial ground in the village of Falls Church for most of the 18th and 19th centuries. Church vestry minutes note many unauthorized burials throughout this period. As the graveyard became more crowded, the vestry was forced to limit burials to Episcopalians who already had family plots in the churchyard. In the late 19th century, vestry members approached the town council to ask to create a town cemetery. In 1885, parish members helped establish Oakwood Cemetery, one mile east of here, which still functions as a public cemetery today.

Our Historic Churches

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

As you explore Falls Church, you’ll encounter a mosaic of faith traditions, each weaving its own unique narrative into the fabric of our community. From churches like the Columbia Baptist Church to modern temples like Temple Rodef Shalom, our places of worship stand as symbols of unity, compassion, and spiritual nourishment.

Today, our places of worship are more than just architectural marvels; they are vibrant hubs of activity and compassion. Throughout the year, they host a myriad of events, from worship services to cultural celebrations, from community outreach initiatives to interfaith dialogues. These gatherings serve as catalysts for connection and understanding, fostering bonds of friendship and solidarity among residents of all backgrounds.

As you traverse the streets of Falls Church, take a moment to pause and appreciate the sacred spaces that enrich our lives and bind us together as a community. Whether you seek solace in prayer, inspiration in worship, or simply a sense of belonging, our places of worship welcome you with open arms and open hearts.

OAKWOOD CEMETERY

Oakwood Cemetery, located near what is now known as Seven Corners, was originally a Methodist Cemetery. Fairfax Chapel, the first Methodist Church in Falls Church, is where the graves of the Crump and Crossman families are now. During the Civil War, the 121st New York Regiment used many gravestones in line defenses.

In the late 1800s, vestry members approached the town council to ask to create a town cemetery. In 1885, parish members of the Falls Church helped establish Oakwood Cemetery town cemetery, which still functions as a public cemetery today.

Saint James Catholic Church

In 1892, the small mission of Saint James received formal recognition as a parish. At the time of its establishment, Saint James was the only Catholic Church between St. Mary’s in Alexandria and St. Peter’s in Harper’s Ferry. Initially, a visiting priest from St. Mary’s journeyed from Alexandria to celebrate Mass here every Sunday in the frame chapel built about one-half mile from the railroad station. Shortly after this construction, Rev. Edward M. Tierney arrived to serve as the first pastor of Saint James. Under Father Tierney the parish received a firm foundation. In 1902, the original stone church of the Saint James Catholic Church was built at the present location at the intersection of Park Avenue and Spring Street.

Dulin United Methodist Church

Dulin United Methodist Church traces its roots back to 1774 when the Frederick Circuit was organized. Church Hill, a private home built in 1750, stood at what is now 6145 Leesburg Pike until late 1962 and it was was also the second known Methodist preaching place in Virginia. The mantel from Churchill is now displayed in the hallway just outside our sanctuary. Fairfax Chapel was sited at the present Oakwood Cemetery at Seven Corners. Prior to Fairfax Chapel a log and clapboard structure stood there but was replaced in 1798 with a larger building. This site was given to the Trustees of the Methodist Meeting House in 1818. Fairfax Chapel was the second church built in the village of Falls Church, the first being The Old Falls Church. Early preachers at Fairfax Chapel included Robert Strawbridge, the first American Methodist preacher, and Francis Asbury, the first American Bishop.

Dulin is now located on a site given in 1867, by Mr. William Y. Dulin. Following the suspension of services at Fairfax Chapel and the end of the Civil War, the first sanctuary was built at 513 E. Broad Street in 1869. Since that time the church has undergone three major additions and changed its name to Dulin United Methodist Church.

Falls Church Presbyterian Church

Celebrating 150 Years 1873-2023. In 1846, the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church was established and Presbyterians in Falls Church would travel the 4 miles over rough terrain to worship there. One of the two ruling elders of the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church was a resident in Falls Church. By 1848, Presbyterians in Falls Church began hosting afternoon worship services in their homes twice a month and the pastor would travel from the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church to preach on those Sundays. In 1854, Dr. Simon Groot built a community gathering place, later known as “Groot Hall” that housed Sunday Services, private school, community groups, town hall and a Union Army hospital during the Civil War. The Presbyterians purchased the hall in 1866 and decided to become an independent congregation known as the Falls Church Presbyterian Church in 1873. A Gothic style church built of granite with a steepled bell tower was built on the property in 1884 and still serves the community today, facing Fairfax Street.

Galloway United Methodist Church

The roots of Galloway United Methodist Church and Cemetary began before the Civil War, when enslaved African Americans were encouraged by Elder Hiram Reed, a local white minister, to begin their own church. It is said that slaves on the Dulany Plantation, land where Galloway church now stands, would meet and worship in secret among the grove of trees on the hill. Prior to the end of the Civil War, meetings were held in the home of Harriet and George Brice, formerly enslaved by plantation owners in the area. On July 1, 1867, land was deeded over to the first Trustees of the church, and a log structure was built.

Over the years, new structures were built as the church expanded, resulting in the brick church that stands today. Realizing the importance of being politically active and defending the rights of the African American members of the community, Joseph Tinner and Louis Summerall, both members of Galloway, and another leader in the Falls Church African American community, Dr. Edwin B. Henderson, established the Colored Citizens Protection League which evolved into the first rural N.A.A.C.P. chapter in the country.