Madam Speaker. I rise today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Saint Mary of Sorrows Church. in Fairfax. VA. Saint Mary of Sorrows Church was the first Catholic Church in Fairfax County. The original church was erected by Irish immigrants in 1858 and is still in use today. Throughout its history. St Marys has been a sanctuary not only for its parishioners but for any person in need of help. During the Civil War. the church and its grounds were used as a field hospital for soldiers wounded from the Second Battle of Manassas and the engagement near Chantilly. Clara Barton. who later founded the Red Cross. was among those who provided medical care.
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