Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle

History

The parish was canonically established in 1840 — the fourth in the District of Columbia — and its first Greek Revival church at 15th and H Streets NW served parishioners through the 1890s. In 1891 Monsignor Thomas Sim Lee purchased land on Rhode Island Avenue; in December 1892 he and an architect traveled to Europe to study church designs. Plans by C. Grant La Farge were accepted in 1893, the cornerstone was laid that year, the first Mass in the new building was celebrated on June 2, 1895, and the dome was put in place with the formal dedication in 1913. The cathedral was designated in 1939 when the combined Archdiocese of Baltimore–Washington was created and became the Mother Church of the new Archdiocese of Washington after 1947. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. See the 'About Our History' page for the full timeline, including the 1999–2003 restoration and the 1963 funeral of President Kennedy.

• Parish canonically established November 1, 1840
• Original church at 15th and H Streets NW (1838–40), designed by Mattias Duffey
• Current cathedral designed by C. Grant La Farge (La Farge and Heins); cornerstone 1893; first Mass June 2, 1895; dome and dedication 1913
• Designated a cathedral in 1939 (combined Archdiocese of Baltimore–Washington)
• Became Mother Church of Archdiocese of Washington in 1947
• Listed on National Register of Historic Places January 24, 1974
• Major restoration completed 2003
• 175th Parish Anniversary Year celebrated in 2015

Architecture, Art, and Music

La Farge's eclectic design fuses Renaissance Revival, Romanesque Revival, and Byzantine elements on a Latin cross plan 155 by 136 feet, with walls 54 feet high and a copper-clad dome that lifts the total structure to approximately 200 feet. The interior features tunnel-vaulted, coffered ceilings painted and gilded; a richly decorated dome painted predominantly blue and white; mosaic-covered chapels; and a Shrine-quality main altar gifted by the Archbishop of Agra, India. Signature mosaics and frescoes are by Edwin H. Blashfield (sanctuary and dome pendentives), Thomas La Farge (Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi frescoes and Blessed Virgin Chapel mosaics), and John de Rosen (baptistry and Blessed Sacrament Chapel).

• Architect: C. Grant La Farge (La Farge and Heins)
• Plan: Latin cross, 155 ft long × 136 ft across transepts
• Dome: copper ribbed, 190 ft; total height with lantern cross ~200 ft
• Seats about 1,000 (Wikipedia: 1,200)
• Style: Renaissance Revival / Romanesque Revival / Byzantine, North Italian influence
• Mosaics by Edwin H. Blashfield, Thomas La Farge, John de Rosen
• Rectory: Renaissance Revival, designed by La Farge, built 1910
• Music ministries: Cathedral Choir (Schola Cantorum), Contemporary Choir, Coro Hispano, Cathedral Organist Paul Hardy

Faith Formation and OCIA

The Cathedral parish supports a full life-cycle of faith formation. Children in grades 1–8 are served by the Children's Faith Formation program, which includes sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Adults explore the faith through lectures, a book club, small faith-sharing groups, and Advent/Lent mornings of recollection; the Faith Formation Consortium coordinates these ministries. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) meets Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the North Conference Room and welcomes the unbaptized, baptized Christians from other traditions, and baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and Eucharist; retreats and opportunities for service are part of the process. The parish also runs a Returning Catholics ministry for those who have drifted from the practice of the faith.

Outreach, Social Justice, and Community Service

St. Matthew's Social Justice and Community Service Committee coordinates parish outreach, meeting the last Monday of each month at 6:30pm in the North Conference Room. Concrete service opportunities include the Adopt-a-Family program (Easter, Back-to-School, Thanksgiving, Christmas), the Emergency Assistance Fund for utilities and rent, the Monday Morning Ministry serving the homeless, the Sick & Homebound Ministry, the Respect Life Ministry, and the Care for Creation Green Team. Free all-volunteer English and Spanish language classes are offered at multiple levels for adults. The Single Servings of Service program offers one-off volunteer commitments for those wanting to serve without a long-term obligation. Advocacy and Education efforts engage the parish in Catholic social teachings on current issues.

Spanish-Speaking Ministry (Ministerio Hispano)

St. Matthew's serves a vibrant Spanish-speaking community anchored by a weekly Sunday Mass at 1:00pm (celebrated by the Coro Hispano and livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook). Spanish-language ministries include Catecismo (catechesis), Ministerio de la Liturgia, Ministerio de Justicia Social y Servicio Comunitario, and a Coordinator of Spanish Faith Formation. The parish also offers free Spanish language classes for adults at Levels 1, 2, and 3 and an English-language program for Spanish-speaking adults.

Cathedral Staff

The Cathedral is led by Rector Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, with Parochial Vicars Rev. Joseph R. McHenry and Rev. Isaac Sagastume, Priest in Residence Rev. John J. Hurley (retired), and Deacons Robert Vince and Juan Cayrampoma. Administrative staff include Business Manager Laura Palacios, Assistant to the Rector Lisa Williams, Receptionist Lourdes Silva, and Archivist Mary Ferranti. Communications is directed by Rosemarie Longley. Faith Formation is led by Director Louis J. (L.J.) Milone, D.Min. in Preaching, with Coordinator of Spanish Faith Formation Fatima Aybar and Coordinator for Social Justice Willy Escobar. Liturgy & Music is led by Pastoral Associate and Director of Music Ministries Thomas Stehle, Cathedral Organist Paul Hardy, Contemporary Choir Director Jennifer Muller Goltz, Director of Hispanic Music Ministry Christian Leaños, Organist for the Hispanic Ministry Gabriel Ruiz-Berna, and Sacristan Alcira Cardozo.

Visiting and Pilgrimage

Visitors and pilgrims are warmly welcomed. A free self-guided audio tour of the cathedral's art and architecture is available, and there are virtual tours online. The cathedral's downtown location — a short walk from Farragut North Metro (Red Line) and from many of Washington's most-visited landmarks — makes it a frequent stop on Catholic and civil heritage tours. The cathedral has served as the site of national moments from President Kennedy's 1963 funeral to the 1979 Mass of Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa's 1974 visit, and Pope Francis's 2015 Midday Prayer with the U.S. bishops; commemorative plaques and statues throughout the interior preserve the memory of these events.