About Annunciation · Washington, District of Columbia
Annunciation Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Cathedral Heights / Massachusetts Avenue Heights neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C., canonically established in 1948 and belonging to the Archdiocese of Washington. The parish began as a 1943 mission church of St. Ann's in Tenley Circle and grew around a parish school, convent, and hall completed in the mid-1950s. Today Annunciation serves more than 1,000 registered parishioners with a daily Mass schedule, a robust faith formation program, and an attached PreK-8 elementary school, Annunciation Catholic School.
- Established
- 1943 (as a mission); 1948 (established as a parish)
- Patron
- The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Scott Hahn
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
Annunciation is a long-established, medium-sized parish that combines traditional Catholic worship with a strong family and school community in the heart of northwest Washington. Daily Mass is offered every weekday morning, with a Saturday vigil and three Sunday Masses (including a 10 a.m. Mass with Children's Liturgy of the Word). Parishioners can become Catholic through OCIA, enroll their children in faith formation, join more than 50 active ministries — liturgical, catechetical, musical, and charitable — and worship in a parish that openly cares for homebound and hospitalized members and supports outreach like the Lenten Food Drive.
Mass times at Annunciation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
- Saturday 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
About Annunciation Catholic Church
Annunciation Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Washington located in the Cathedral Heights / Massachusetts Avenue Heights neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C. The parish mission states: 'Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Annunciation Catholic Church exists to further God's reign in all its members and our local community. Through worship, education and prayer, we come together to minister to all God's people in healing and reconciling love.' Today the parish serves more than 1,000 registered parishioners through 50-plus ministries, daily Mass, and an attached PreK-8 school.
- Mass Schedule: Sat Vigil 5:30 PM; Sun 8 AM, 10 AM (Children's Liturgy of the Word), 12 PM
- Weekday Masses: Mon–Fri 8 AM; Wed also 5:30 PM; Sat 9 AM
- Parish Office: 3125 39th Street NW, Washington, DC 20016
- Phone: 202-362-3323 — [email protected]
Parish History
Annunciation's story begins in the 1940s, when Archbishop Michael J. Curley of Baltimore bought property on Massachusetts Avenue for a new church but was forced by World War II to relocate an existing structure from Our Lady of Lourdes in Bethesda. The mission of the Church of the Annunciation opened on July 11, 1943, and was formally established as a parish on June 12, 1948. Under founding pastor Fr. Russell Phelan, the parish built a school, convent, and parish hall in the early 1950s, all dedicated in 1955. The parish was then led through the Second Vatican Council and into modern times by a succession of monsignors — Hoffman, Arthur, Walsh, the long-serving James F. Montgomery, V. James Lockman, Charles Antonicelli, and Michael Mellone — each shaping its worship, education, and outreach.
- 1943 — Mission opens (building moved from Our Lady of Lourdes, Bethesda)
- 1948 — Canonically established as a parish under Archbishop O'Boyle
- 1954 — Annunciation School opens, staffed by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus
- 1955 — School, convent, and parish hall dedicated (Oct 26, 1955)
- 1976 — New parish center dedicated; Cardinal Karol Wojtyla celebrates Mass at the parish in August
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is central to Annunciation's mission. Children's Religious Education classes meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 9:50 AM, and a Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass. The parish runs Adult Faith Formation, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) for adults becoming Catholic, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children for older children. Director of Religious Education Tina Lindberg oversees the programs and is the parish contact for sacramental preparation.
- Children's Religious Education (Sunday 9:00–9:50 AM)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass)
- Adult Faith Formation
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Children
Liturgical Ministries & Music
Annunciation welcomes parishioners into active participation in the Mass as lectors (readers of Sacred Scripture), acolytes (altar assistants), extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, and choir members. Schedules for altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers are posted online and accessible through the parish's online ministry scheduler. The parish music program is led by Music Minister Frank Conlon, with a choir that rehearses on Thursday evenings.
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (scheduled online)
- Choir — rehearsals Thursdays 8:00 PM in the church
- Music Minister: Frank Conlon ([email protected])
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond daily Mass, the parish nurtures prayer through Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday evening, the daily Rosary after the 8:00 AM Mass, a Spanish-language Rosary after the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass, and the Miraculous Medal Novena after the 9:00 AM Saturday Mass. The parish also promotes the Divine Mercy Chaplet and sponsors a weekly public Rosary for Peace in Ukraine on Thursdays at noon in front of the Russian Embassy on Wisconsin Avenue NW.
- Eucharistic Adoration — Wednesdays 6:00–7:00 PM
- Rosary — Monday–Friday after the 8:00 AM Mass
- Rosary in Spanish — after the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass
- Miraculous Medal Novena — after the 9:00 AM Saturday Mass
- Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Rosary for Peace in Ukraine — Thursdays 12:00 PM, 2650 Wisconsin Ave. NW (Russian Embassy)
Sacramental Celebrations
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Infant Baptisms are scheduled following parental preparation; adult Baptisms are received through OCIA. Couples are asked to contact the parish office at least six months before a desired wedding date. The Anointing of the Sick is available to those suffering physical or emotional illness, and Communion is brought to the homebound and hospitalized. Staff also assist families with funeral arrangements.
- Baptism (children and adults via OCIA)
- First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation
- Marriage — contact parish office ≥6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office
- Holy Communion to the homebound and hospitalized
- Funeral arrangements — contact the parish office
Social Concerns & Outreach
Annunciation's social outreach is coordinated by Tina Lindberg (Coordinator of Pastoral Care and Social Outreach). The parish runs an annual Lenten Food Drive supporting food pantries in Washington's poorest neighborhoods through the Mulholland Family Foundation, a Vocations Tree of seminarian prayer cards during Lent, a July bazaar with donated goods, and pastoral visits to homebound and hospitalized parishioners. The parish also encourages families to build a 'domestic church' through shared prayer, sacramental life, and traditions rooted in the liturgical calendar.
- Lenten Food Drive (Mulholland Family Foundation pantries)
- Vocations Tree — seminarian prayer cards during Lent
- Bazaar Collections (annual July bazaar)
- Visits to homebound and hospitalized parishioners
- Domestic Church formation for families
Annunciation Catholic School (PreK-8)
Annunciation Catholic School, sharing the parish campus at 3810 Massachusetts Avenue NW, is a co-educational PreK-3 through Grade 8 elementary school of the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools system. The school emphasizes S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math), global focus, Spanish integration, 1:1 Chromebooks, and a Maker Space Lab in small classes. Before- and after-care is available until 6:00 PM. The school is accredited and operates with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio.
- Principal: Nicole Peltier-Lewis, Ph.D.
- Admissions Director: Sheikel Holly ([email protected])
- Office Manager: Kay Langenbacher
- Office: 202-362-1408 — annunciationschool.net
- Tuition (2024–25): PreK–1st Grade ~$11,300; Grades 2–8 ~$11,500
- Before Care: $2,750/year; After Care: $500/year
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Scott Hahn, with Rev. Francis Afu in residence, Permanent Deacon William Maksymiec, and Rev. Adam Y. Park (Chaplain at Suburban Hospital) assisting. Tina Lindberg serves as Director of Religious Education and Coordinator of Pastoral Care and Social Outreach. Stephanie Lucas is the Administrative Assistant, Frank Conlon the Director of Music, and David Slusarczyk / Alex Hicklin the Facilities Manager. School Principal Nicole Peltier-Lewis leads Annunciation Catholic School.
- Rev. Scott Hahn — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Francis Afu — In Residence
- Deacon William Maksymiec — Permanent Deacon
- Rev. Adam Y. Park — Chaplain, Suburban Hospital
- Tina Lindberg — Director of Religious Education / Coordinator of Pastoral Care and Social Outreach ([email protected])
- Stephanie Lucas — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- Frank Conlon — Director of Music ([email protected])
- David Slusarczyk / Alex Hicklin — Facilities Manager
Visit, Contact & Accessibility
Annunciation Catholic Church is at 3810 Massachusetts Avenue NW, with the parish office at 3125 39th Street NW, Washington, DC 20016 (office hours Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; phone 202-362-3323; email [email protected]). The facility is wheelchair accessible per the Archdiocese of Washington parish directory. Visitors and those wishing to become Catholic are invited to contact the parish office or learn more through the parish website and Flocknotes email list.
- Church: 3810 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
- Parish Office: 3125 39th Street NW, Washington, DC 20016
- Phone: 202-362-3323 — [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wheelchair accessible
- Sign up for Flocknotes email updates via the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Russell Phelan1943–1963 (died Jan 3, 1963)
First pastor; oversaw mission status, school, convent, and parish hall construction.
- Msgr. William Hoffman1963–1966
Shepherded the parish through the Second Vatican Council.
- Msgr. E. Robert Arthur1966–1971
Continued implementation of Vatican II reforms.
- Msgr. Francis X. Walsh1971 (briefly)
Soon transferred after appointment.
- Msgr. James F. Montgomery1972–2000 (died 2000)
Fifth pastor for 28 years; built the present parish center (dedicated 1976); in 2023 placed on the Archdiocese of Washington's list of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.
- Rev. Kevin Farrell2000–2002
Later ordained auxiliary bishop and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Washington.
- Msgr. V. James Lockman2002–2014
Emphasized young families; initiated 9 a.m. Sunday Mass with children's faith formation.
- Msgr. Charles Antonicelli2014–2018
Also head of Canon Law for the Archdiocese; led a major capital campaign to renew church property and facilities.
- Msgr. Michael Mellone2018–c.2024
Expanded religious education, social outreach, and youth/adult catechesis.
- Rev. Scott Hahn2024–present
Current pastor; listed by the Archdiocese of Washington and in the parish bulletin.