About Us

Greetings!

If you ask the average parishioner at St. Peter’s in the Woods why they are here, some for decades, some for just a few months, they’ll tell you: The welcome is real, the community is genuine, and the worship is designed to nurture and empower disciples to serve the world in Jesus’ name.

We understand the joys and struggles of life in Northern Virginia, that desire for deeper meaning and connection in the midst of busy lives. We’ll meet you where you are on your faith journey, and offer numerous ways to grow deeper - in small group ministry, mission and service opportunities, or simply walking together in love. 

We are an intergenerational faith community of young families, students, faculty and staff from nearby George Mason University, military and other retirees, new and longtime members. We are an active congregation with about 130 worshippers on a Sunday.  But don’t let our size fool you - we have the energy and mission focus of a much larger congregation!

Whether you are looking for a place to worship, a spiritual home, or a caring group of people who actively support and encourage one another, St. Peter’s in the Woods has much to offer. 

I invite you to come and see God at work in our midst and join our journey of faith!

Blessings,
The Rev. Susan Hartzell, Rector

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History & About The Episcopal Church

We were founded as a church plant in 1988 by the Church of the Good Shepherd in nearby Burke, and were financially supported by the Diocese while we grew our ministry. Services began in 1989 in Bonnie Brae Elementary School, which remained our place of worship until we moved into our current building in Fairfax Station in January, 1998. 

In 2013, St. Peter’s in the Woods achieved status as a full parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, meaning we are now a fully independent and self-supporting parish.

We’re a relatively young church, rooted in an historic faith tradition, but not afraid to try new things as we live into the church God is calling us to be.

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St. Peter’s in the Woods is an Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia

The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ. We are connected through local, regional, diocesan and national structures that help us do ministry together, serving God and the world.  The Episcopal church is made up of 109 dioceses and regional areas in 17 nations.  The Most Rev. Michael Curry is the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion, the gathering of Anglican and Episcopal churches from around the world. Today, the Anglican Communion comprises more than 80 million members in 44 regional and national member churches in more than 160 countries. At the head of the Anglican Communion is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

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