About Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian · Washington, District of Columbia
Holy Comforter–Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church is a historic Black Catholic parish in the Hill East / Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C., served by the Archdiocese of Washington. The parish as it exists today was canonically formed in 1966 from the merger of two Capitol Hill parishes: the predominantly African-American St. Cyprian Parish (founded 1893) and the predominantly white Holy Comforter Parish (founded 1904). Today it is best known across the country for its 11:00 AM Gospel Mass and its renowned gospel choir, and it is pastored by Monsignor Charles E. Pope.
- Established
- 1893
- Patron
- St. Cyprian (Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus), bishop of Carthage and martyr; along with the title 'Holy Comforter' for the merged parish's other founding congregation
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Charles E. Pope
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
Holy Comforter–Saint Cyprian is one of the most historically significant Black Catholic parishes in the country — founded in 1893 by African-American Catholics who were literally pushed out of the galleries of a segregated parish, and still home to a nationally known gospel choir that lifts up the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass. Beyond its heritage, the parish runs a full faith-formation program for children and adults, a Young Adult Ministry (YAM) with weekly Bible study, Eucharistic Adoration every Friday, a lively Ghanaian Catholic community, and outreach through Catholic Charities and ministries for the sick, incarcerated, and homebound. It's a place where deep history meets a real, working parish life.
Mass times at Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before all weekend (Saturday Vigil and Sunday) Masses
- Wednesdays, 6:00 PM–7:00 PM
- Fridays, 6:00 PM–7:00 PM during Eucharistic Adoration
- Any time by appointment — call the rectory
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Holy Hour every Friday at 6:00 PM in the main sanctuary
- All-Day Eucharistic Adoration on the First Friday of every month, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM
About Holy Comforter–Saint Cyprian
Holy Comforter–Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Washington located in the Hill East / Capitol Hill neighborhood at 1357 East Capitol Street SE. The parish's mission statement reads: 'Holy Comforter–Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, exists to evangelize and to uphold Christian values by promoting the teachings of the Church in Word, Sacrament and Witness.' Its vision is 'a welcoming, embracing and joyful faith family richly rooted in the community today, tomorrow and forever.' The parish is wheelchair accessible and is led by Monsignor Charles E. Pope.
- Mission: evangelize and uphold Christian values through Word, Sacrament and Witness
- Vision: a welcoming, embracing and joyful faith family
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Charles E. Pope
History of the Parish
The parish is the product of two distinct congregations — St. Cyprian (1893) and Holy Comforter (1904) — merged in 1966. African-American Catholics who had been segregated at St. Peter's Church on Capitol Hill organized St. Cyprian in March 1893, bought land at 13th & C Streets SE for $12,480, and opened their new church on June 2, 1894, after a parade of more than 10,000 people for the cornerstone. The parish offered the only Catholic adult night school in the country at the time. Holy Comforter was founded in 1904 by Fr. Joseph McGuire and its Mission-style church, designed by architect B. Stanley Simmons, was dedicated by Archbishop Michael J. Curley in 1906. In 1966 Cardinal Patrick O'Boyle merged the two parishes with only two weeks' notice; the St. Cyprian buildings were demolished in 1971 and a plaque now commemorates the site. In 2019 the parish marked the 125th anniversary of St. Cyprian's founding with Bishop John Ricard, SSJ concelebrating and Archbishop Wilton Gregory sending a letter.
- 1893 — St. Cyprian Parish organized (Cardinal Gibbons); Fr. James Matthews founding pastor
- 1894 — Original St. Cyprian church opens at 13th & C Streets, SE, June 2
- 1904 — Holy Comforter Parish founded by Fr. Joseph McGuire
- 1906 — Holy Comforter church dedicated by Archbishop Michael J. Curley; later rededicated in 1939 by Archbishop (later Cardinal) O'Boyle
- 1943 — St. Cyprian entrusted to the Josephites (Society of the Divine Word)
- 1966 — Cardinal O'Boyle merges the parishes; combined parish of Holy Comforter–St. Cyprian formed
- 1971 — Original St. Cyprian buildings demolished
- 1984 — Parish returned to diocesan (archdiocesan) priests
- 2007 — Parish school closes
- 2019 — 125th anniversary of St. Cyprian's founding celebrated
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish team is led by Pastor Msgr. Charles E. Pope and includes a parochial vicar, priests in residence, a permanent deacon, and lay staff responsible for music, religious education, youth ministry, business and administration. Several priests serve specialized chaplaincies — to the Ghanaian Catholic community, the D.C. Detention Center, and Greater Southeast / St. Elizabeth Hospital.
- Rev. Msgr. Charles E. Pope — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 17)
- Rev. Patrick O. Aboagye — Parochial Vicar & Chaplain to the Ghanaian Community ([email protected], ext. 20)
- Rev. F. Michael Bryant — In Residence; Chaplain, DC Detention Center
- Rev. Araia Ghebray — In Residence; Chaplain, Greater SE and St. Elizabeth Hospital
- Rev. Thomas Valayathil — In Residence
- Deacon James P. Flagg, II — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Mrs. Shirley Austin — Minister of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Mr. George Stewart — Director of Music ([email protected])
- Mrs. Nicki Gebrehiwot — Director of Youth Ministry ([email protected])
- Mrs. Kimberly Peaks — Parish Administrative Manager ([email protected], ext. 11)
- Ms. Jorgie Joseph / Mrs. June Holton Johnson — Administrative Assistants (exts. 10 / 12)
- Mr. Duane Ford — Accountant; Mr. Bill Brousseau — Chair, Finance Council
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish offers faith formation for both youth not enrolled in Catholic schools and adults — including adults seeking to become Catholic, return to the faith, or complete their sacraments. Classes are held on Sunday mornings during the academic year.
- Sunday school classes for youth (Pre-K through 12th grade), Sundays 9:15–10:45 AM at the school building (15th & East Capitol, SE); classes pause during summer months
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — formerly RCIA — for adults considering Catholicism or needing sacraments; contact [email protected]
- 'Inquirers' Sunday morning class at 9:30 AM in the rectory (call ahead to confirm); all are welcome
Ministries & Community Life
HCSC has an active mix of music, youth, young-adult, faith-formation and ethnic-community ministries, with new-member registration encouraged so the parish can keep records updated and welcome new families.
- Music Ministry — Director George Stewart; the parish gospel choir is featured at the 11:00 AM Mass and has recorded nationally
- Youth Ministry — directed by Nicki Gebrehiwot
- Young Adult Ministry (YAM) — for ages 18 to 40-ish; weekly Bible study Mondays at 8:00 PM in the rectory meeting room (1357 East Capitol St., SE); email [email protected]
- Ghanaian Catholic Community chaplaincy (Rev. Fr. Patrick O. Aboagye)
- Parish Pastoral & Rectory Staff team
- New member registration — encouraged for all parishioners so the parish can keep family records and sacramental information current
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Matthews (later Monsignor)1893–1934
Founding pastor of St. Cyprian Parish; served 41 years. White priest from Ireland who championed the African-American community's call for their own parish.
- Fr. Joseph McGuire1904
Founding pastor of Holy Comforter Parish.
- Msgr. Charles R. O'Hara1936–1939
Pastor of Holy Comforter; oversaw construction/rededication in 1939.
- Fr. John Ricard, SSJ1975–1979
Josephite pastor of the merged parish; later Bishop of Pensacola–Tallahassee and superior general of the Josephites.
- Fr. Robert M. 'Rocky' Kearns, SSJ1979–1983
Josephite pastor of the merged parish.
- Msgr. Charles Pope2007–present
Current pastor; led the 125th anniversary observance of St. Cyprian's founding in 2019.