Catholic Woman's Club
Richmond, Virginia
Welcome
Welcome to the Catholic Woman’s Club (CWC) website. Please feel free to review our
history, mission, and areas of interest. The Catholic Woman’s Club is a 501(c) 3 organization of practicing Catholic women from the Diocese of Richmond. We have more than a 100-year history of providing support for local charities, and we work to strengthen our Roman Catholic faith, as well as our communities. Please feel free to contact us at the e-mail address listed below. We look forward to hearing from you.
An Historical Overview
Rooted in Community Service
Founded at the suggestion of Bishop Denis. J O’Connell in 1914, the Catholic Woman’s Club (CWC), in its early years, ran an orphanage, established a vacation camp for girls and boys, and provided a residence, Floyd Home, for young working women.
Erected Crucifix on Route 1
In 1930, by arduous work of CWC members to clear land overgrown with bushes and through financial assistance from the Bishop’s Appeal, a life-size bronze crucifix, sculpted by George J. Lober, was erected on Route 1 near Aquia, Virginia, to commemorate the first permanent English Roman Catholic settlement in Virginia.
Annual Mass in Aquia
The Brent family were influential Catholics who settled in Virginia after fleeing religious persecution in Maryland. Through the efforts of a member of CWC, the site was designated a Virginia Historical Landmark. Members of the Club make an annual October pilgrimage to Aquia for an open-air Mass at the cemetery’s permanent altar and, assisted by an honor guard from the Knights of Columbus, lay a wreath at the foot of the crucifix to commemorate this historical event.
Community Service Continues
With Monsignor Francis J. Byrne’s guidance, in 1953 a Book and Author dinner was initiated with proceeds designated for scholarship funds and other charitable projects. In addition, encouraged by Bishop John J. Russell, in 1959, CWC members joined with other Richmond organizations to establish a Meals on Wheels program. The Club continues to support the program through annual contributions and member volunteerism.
The CWC members have chosen Mary, Mother of God, to be guardian of our Club.
“She lives now and is protecting us. She is there (in heaven), body and soul, with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit..”
“Mother of God and our Mother,” Friends of God, 292, St. Josemaria Escriva