On This Date in Nativity History
12 October 1979
On this date, Friday, October 12, 1979, Nativity celebrated the first Mass in its newly completed worship center. After more than two years of construction (ground was broken in June 1977), Nativity finally had its first real home. In a 7:30 pm Mass that evening, the Bishop of Arlington, Thomas Welsh, confirmed 23 young people. Beginning the next day, the Mass schedule established in the new church was as follows: Vigil Mass, Saturday at 5:00 pm (folk Mass), and Sunday Masses at 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30 am. The religious education program was set to begin the next Sunday, October 14. The church was formally dedicated on April 26, 1980, with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Welsh.
From this time until the completion of the spiritual formation center by Father Sal in 1992, this building served many functions. Instead of pews, the congregation sat in individual chairs that could be moved around to meet many different needs. The location of the sanctuary and the seating pattern were flexible, and could be changed for different activities. In the beginning, the sanctuary was located against the far left-hand corner (as one entered the church), a location considered the rear of the church today. CCD classes were also held in this space, which was set up by parents, teachers, and students after the last Mass on Sunday.
