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Holy Family Catholic Church was founded in 1965 and due to its proximity to West Virginia, was organized under the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. It was dedicated on July 4, 1966 by Rev. Joseph Hodges, Bishop of Wheeling.
The modern, hexagonal church building of brick, wood, and tubular steel was designed by architect Robert L. Mills and won an Award of Merit from the Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Father Joseph Kelley was the first pastor of the church and served from September 1967 to August 1969. He was succeeded by Father David Barton, OMI from September 1969 to July 1970.
The new church had a very active parish family. The Pastoral Council was organized within the first year. The Holy Family Ladies' League undertook leadership in religious education of the parish youth, social activities for the parish, and in giving the Catholic parish an active voice in the social welfare and justice issues in the community at large. This group remains active today as the Justice and Peace Committee.
The modern, hexagonal church building of brick, wood, and tubular steel was designed by architect Robert L. Mills and won an Award of Merit from the Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Father Joseph Kelley was the first pastor of the church and served from September 1967 to August 1969. He was succeeded by Father David Barton, OMI from September 1969 to July 1970.
The new church had a very active parish family. The Pastoral Council was organized within the first year. The Holy Family Ladies' League undertook leadership in religious education of the parish youth, social activities for the parish, and in giving the Catholic parish an active voice in the social welfare and justice issues in the community at large. This group remains active today as the Justice and Peace Committee.
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In August of 1970 Father Charles Beausoleil was named pastor and quickly became a leader and advocate for social justice in both the church and in the Giles county community. At this time, Father Beausoleil began development of a ministry to the Appalachian Trail hikers, encouraging them to use the parish hall overnight as a place of rest and relaxation. With the increase of hikers in the mid-'70's, the hall became overcrowded. In the summer of 1977 the "barn" arrived on the parish grounds and was established as the Holy Family Hostel. Many hikers still make our hostel their trail home for one or more days while on their trek.
In 1974 realignment of diocesan boundaries in central Appalachia brought Holy Family into the Diocese of Richmond. With the great efforts of Bishop Walter Sullivan, Father Beausoleil, and the parishioners, the parish debt was greatly reduced. Finally on June 28, 1981, Bishop Sullivan, Father Beausoleil, Father Winter and the congregation recognized this success by holding a "bank note burning" celebration. Holy Family has had many pastors over the years since that "bank note burning":
In 1993 Father Louis Benoit was assigned as pastor of Holy Family. Almost immediately he began to lay the groundwork for a new parish to be built in Christiansburg. Finally, in 1995 Holy Spirit Catholic Church became a reality and Father Benoit was its first pastor. Serving two parishes was quite a challenge but Father Louis served both parishes with great devotion and dedication until his departure in 1998. From this time on, the parishes of Holy Family in Pearisburg and Holy Spirit in Christiansburg have been served by the same pastor.
Father John Prinelli came to Holy Family as its pastor in July 1998. He served as an Army Chaplain in Vietnam and became fluent in Vietnamese along with other languages. During his time as pastor, he fostered the Vietnamese and Hispanic communities in Christiansburg at Holy Spirit. There were frequent masses delivered in Vietnamese as well as a regular Spanish mass. He served as pastor of both parishes until his death in September of 2012. Father Jacinto "Jet" Garcia was assigned as interim pastor in October of 2012. He served until a permanent pastor was assigned in June of 2013.
Father Charles Breindel came to Holy Family/Holy Spirit in July 2013 and served until May 2015 when he had to take early retirement due to health concerns. While his tenure was brief, he worked very hard to bring new families into both parishes to begin a new period of growth and progress. Sadly, in July of 2022, Father Charles Breindel passed away after several years of declining health. Father Anthony Senyah was assigned as the new pastor and began his work with Holy Family and Holy Spirit parishes in July 2015. In July of 2021, Father Anthony was reassigned to Sacred Heart in Danville, Virginia. Beginning July 10, 2021, Father Patricio Alcantara came to Holy Family and Holy Spirit as Parish Administrator. Father "Pat" celebrated his 26th year as a priest shortly after arriving at Holy Family. We are blessed to have his energy and leadership for our church community. Later, in 2022, Father Patricio was named Pastor of Holy Family and Holy Spirit parishes by Rev. Barry Knestout, Bishop of Richmond. Both parishes are blessed to have a pastor once again.
Father Patricio Alcantara, Pastor
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Father Charles Beausoleil
Father James MacGee
Father Louis Benoit
Father John Prinelli
Father Charles Breindel
Father Anthony Senyah
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