About Epiphany · Washington, District of Columbia
Epiphany Catholic Church is a historically Black Roman Catholic parish located at 2712 Dumbarton Street NW in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Canonically established in 1925, it was founded by roughly 350 African American Catholics who had endured more than a century of segregation at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown. Today Epiphany is a multilingual worshipping community, offering Mass in English, Korean, Latin, and Lithuanian, and it is part of the Archdiocese of Washington. The parish marked its 100th anniversary in 2025.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- The Epiphany of the Lord (manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, symbolized by the Magi)
- Rector
- Rev. Stefan I. Megyery
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
Epiphany is one of the oldest historically Black Catholic parishes in the nation's capital and a rare Georgetown church where you can worship in English, Korean, Latin, and Lithuanian all under one roof. Parishioners are nourished by daily Mass, Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, a robust faith-formation program for Pre-K through eighth grade, a parish Women's Guild, and outreach through Catholic Relief Services. If you are looking for a deeply rooted, multicultural Catholic community in the heart of Georgetown that takes both its African American founding story and its global present seriously, Epiphany is a special place to call home.
Mass times at Epiphany
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM (no Adoration from 6/5 through 9/4 each year)
Parish History
Epiphany Catholic Church in Georgetown was founded in 1923 by roughly 350 African American Catholics who had endured more than a century of segregation at Holy Trinity Church. After meeting with Archbishop Michael Curley and organizing the new 'Epiphany Mission,' parishioners raised funds, refurbished a building at 1409 28th Street NW, and in February 1925 purchased two lots on Dumbarton Street. The cornerstone of the red brick church was laid in July 1925, and Archbishop Curley returned in early 1926 for the formal dedication. The original church, though modified, is still in use today.
- 1923 — first meeting of Black Holy Trinity parishioners seeking their own church
- 1924 — Rev. Lawrence E. Schaefer, S.S.J. assigned to the 'Epiphany Mission'
- February 1925 — two vacant lots purchased on the 2700 block of Dumbarton Street NW
- July 1925 — cornerstone of the red brick church laid
- December 1925 — first activities in the basement community room
- January 1926 — Archbishop Michael Curley formally dedicates Epiphany Catholic Church
- 1952–1958 — Father Chester C. Ball, S.S.J., first Black pastor in Washington, D.C.
Parish Staff
Epiphany is led by a small, dedicated staff combining ordained, religious, and lay ministers. The pastor also serves as parish administrator. The pastoral staff includes a Little Sister of the Holy Family, and the parish's sacred music program is directed by Neil Weston.
- Pastor and Administrator: Rev. Stefan I. Megyery
- Pastoral Assistant: Sr. Martina Koh, L.S.H.F.
- Secretary: Cecilia Cancio
- Bookkeeper: Duane Ford
- Director for Sacred Music: Neil Weston
Pastoral Lineage
Epiphany was originally staffed by Josephite (S.S.J.) priests, beginning with Father Lawrence E. Schaefer in 1924 and Father Bernard A. Lyons during the Depression. Father Chester C. Ball, S.S.J., pastor from 1952 to 1958, was the first Black priest to serve as pastor of a Roman Catholic church in Washington, D.C. In more recent decades the parish has been led by Father Paul Lee, who began the Korean Mass in 2005; Father Adam Park, who is now a chaplain at Suburban Hospital; and the current pastor, Father Stefan Megyery, a German immigrant ordained for the Archdiocese of Washington in 2019 who has led the parish since 2021.
- Rev. Lawrence E. Schaefer, S.S.J. (1924–1931)
- Rev. Bernard A. Lyons, S.S.J. (from 1931)
- Rev. Chester C. Ball, S.S.J. (1952–1958) — first Black pastor in D.C.
- Rev. Paul Lee (from 2005)
- Rev. Adam Park (former pastor)
- Rev. Stefan I. Megyery (from 2021)
Faith Formation (Elementary & Middle School)
Children in grades Pre-K through eight who do not currently attend Catholic schools are invited into Epiphany's Christian Formation Program. The parish uses a hybrid family catechesis model, with some classes held in person and other work done at home as a family. Epiphany follows the Archdiocesan curriculum 'Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization,' which is organized around six standards: knowledge of the faith, liturgy and sacraments, morality, prayer, life in the Christian community, and evangelization/apostolic life. Parents can contact the parish office for more information.
- Open to Pre-K through 8th grade
- Hybrid family catechesis (in-person + at-home)
- Uses 'Forming Disciples for the New Evangelization' (Archdiocese of Washington)
- Six curriculum standards: creed/scripture, liturgy & sacraments, morality, prayer, Christian community, evangelization
Multicultural Identity & Language Communities
Epiphany is a multilingual parish with a long history of welcoming diverse language communities into its worship. The French Catholic community worshipped at Epiphany from 1960 until 2013. Since 1979, the Lithuanian Catholic Mission of Washington has celebrated Mass at the parish on the last Sunday of each month. Since 2005, when Father Paul Lee became pastor, a Korean-language Mass has been offered every Sunday at 9:00 AM.
- African American founders (1923)
- French Catholic community (1960–2013)
- Lithuanian Catholic Mission (since 1979) — last Sunday 12:00 PM Mass
- Korean Catholic community (since 2005) — Sunday 9:00 AM Mass
Justice & Service Outreach
The parish's Justice & Service Outreach ministry connects Epiphany parishioners to broader Catholic charitable efforts, most notably Catholic Relief Services. The parish has highlighted CRS's response to the Ukraine crisis — supporting more than 2.9 million people in need with safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, transport to safe areas, and counseling. The Women's Guild is one of the parish's longstanding service organizations.
- Catholic Relief Services partnership
- Ukraine crisis response appeals
- Women's Guild
Memorial Garden Fundraiser
Epiphany is currently selling laser-engraved commemorative bricks to create a Memorial Garden in the front yard of the rectory, in front of the statue of the Blessed Mother. Each 4' x 8' brick can carry up to three lines of English, Korean, or Lithuanian text (18 characters per line including spaces and punctuation). Bricks are $300 for one or $500 for two, and may be purchased only on the parish website, by electronic check.
- Commemorative 4' x 8' bricks
- 3 lines of text, 18 characters per line
- English, Korean, or Lithuanian
- $300 per brick / $500 for two bricks
- Electronic check only; purchases via parish website under 'Events & News'
Giving & Parish Life
The parish supports its ministry and operations through Online Giving via Parish Giving, annual contributions to the Archdiocese of Washington's Annual Appeal, and recurring fundraising events like the Annual Bazaar. Parishioners can also sign up for Flocknote to receive email updates, and the parish shares daily Mass readings and a weekly newsletter online.
- Online Giving through Parish Giving
- Archdiocese of Washington Annual Appeal
- Annual Bazaar (begun under Father Chester C. Ball)
- Flocknote email updates
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Lawrence E. Schaefer, S.S.J.1924–1931
First Josephite priest assigned to the 'Epiphany Mission'; oversaw fundraising and the construction of the red brick church at 2712 Dumbarton Street.
- Rev. Bernard A. Lyons, S.S.J.1931–
Succeeded Father Schaefer; led the parish through the Great Depression and famously lived behind the sacristy in order to economize.
- Rev. Chester C. Ball, S.S.J.1952–1958
Native Washingtonian and the first Black pastor of a Roman Catholic church in Washington, D.C. Under his leadership the parish flourished, the Annual Bazaar was launched, and repairs to the church, parish hall, and rectory kitchen were completed.
- Rev. Paul Leefrom 2005
Began Korean-language Masses at Epiphany in 2005; later became pastor of the Shrine of St. Jude in Rockville, Maryland.
- Rev. Adam Park
Former pastor of Epiphany; currently a chaplain at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.
- Rev. Stefan I. Megyeryfrom 2021
German immigrant ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Washington in 2019; became pastor in 2021 and led the parish's 100th anniversary celebrations in 2025.