A Parish Rooted in Northern Virginia for Nearly Seven Decades
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church has been part of the Springfield, Virginia, community for nearly seventy years, drawing members from across Fairfax County and the wider Northern Virginia region. The parish sits at 6320 Hanover Avenue and gathers under a simple threefold motto: To Know Christ, To Love Christ, To Serve Christ in Others. The people of St. Christopher's describe themselves as "Alleluia People" and are intentional about welcome and inclusion, whether gathering to worship, to serve, or in fellowship.
Many in the congregation are transplants to the area, and the parish understands what it means to be new in a place. Roots are nurtured here for years, but a newcomer arriving for only a few months is welcomed with the same warmth as a long-time member.
Sunday Worship and the Music That Frames It
Two Sunday services anchor the week. At 8:00 a.m., the congregation gathers for a spoken Holy Eucharist in Rite II. At 10:30 a.m., the principal service is a Choral Eucharist in Rite II, followed by coffee hour and fellowship. The 10:30 service is livestreamed on Facebook for those who cannot be present in person.
Music is central to the parish's identity. The Director of Music Ministries, Kristian Amundson, is a graduate of The Catholic University of America with a master's degree in music composition. He has written works for both church and concert performance and was named 2023 composer in residence for The Catholic University Wind Ensemble. He began his ministry at St. Christopher's in June 2023 and brings a lifelong love of Episcopal liturgical music that began in his own choirboy days.
On Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., the Rev. Carey Connors leads Morning Prayer and fellowship via Zoom, an offering that lets people pray and visit with one another from home.
Clergy Who Know the Community
The rector, The Rev. Carey Connors, is a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary with a deep interest in God's mission. She has served in Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo and has led ministry with people experiencing homelessness. She arrived at St. Christopher's during the pandemic and shares her ministry with her husband Hap and their dog Colin.
The deacon, The Rev. Elvira Beracochea, was appointed to serve at St. Christopher's by Bishop Mark Stevenson in September 2023. A graduate of St. Phoebe's School for Deacons, she is originally from Uruguay and is a native Spanish speaker. She teaches English as a second language at the parish, supports several ministries, and brings decades of experience as a global health consultant who has worked in more than sixty countries.
Outreach: A Parish That Looks Outward
Service to the wider community runs through nearly every part of life at St. Christopher's. The parish partners with several Fairfax County organizations to feed, clothe, and house neighbors in need.
- FACETS Meal Preparation - Every other month, volunteers cook and pack a warm meal that is delivered to motels and parking lots around the county by FACETS, a faith-based nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness.
- School Supplies and Backpacks - Each year, the parish collects, sorts, and delivers hundreds of backpacks filled with supplies to local schools.
- Holiday Gifts for Children - In December, toys and educational materials are collected for ECHO and Second Story, a Fairfax County resource center in Springfield.
- Winter Vacation Food Boxes - Working with a local school, the parish helps families have enough food over the December break.
- Annual Hypothermia Shelter Week - Each winter, St. Christopher's welcomes up to forty guests to sleep and eat warm meals in a safe place.
- ECHO Collections - Monthly donations of food and household items support ECHO's work in Springfield.
- On-Site Garden - The parish grows fruits and vegetables from spring through fall, harvesting hundreds of pounds of fresh produce each year for donation to local families.
River Crossing Cafe
On the first Sunday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., St. Christopher's opens its doors for River Crossing Cafe, a family-friendly open mic night that is also sober and recovery friendly. All ages, beliefs, and backgrounds are welcome to share music, stories, and conversation. The cafe has become a way for the parish to connect with neighbors beyond its own walls.
Christian Formation and St. Christopher's Preschool
Christian formation for all ages is part of parish life, with opportunities for Bible study, book discussion, and chair yoga among other offerings. St. Christopher's Preschool, sharing the campus, has long been a ministry of the parish. Its motto is "A Loving Place to Learn." The morning program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., September through May, with two to five days a week of attendance for children ages two-and-a-half to four-and-a-half. The preschool is directed by Jennifer Huff, an Army spouse and former 4s teacher who became director during the pandemic.
Visiting St. Christopher's
First-time visitors are greeted with a standing invitation from the rector: come by and introduce yourself, walk the prayer walk, or sit in the quiet of the memorial garden. Dress at Sunday services is generally what one would expect for an Episcopal parish of this size, ranging from casual to more traditional attire. The 10:30 Choral Eucharist is the larger of the two Sunday services and is followed by a coffee hour where newcomers can meet parishioners. The church office is open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 703-451-1088, and the parish can be reached by email at sccparisha@gmail.com.
St. Christopher's is a member of the Diocese of Virginia and belongs to the worldwide Anglican Communion through The Episcopal Church. Whether members stay for a season or for decades, the parish aims to be a place where relationship is, in the words of its rector, "a holy place of connection."