About Holy Trinity · Washington, District of Columbia
Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a Jesuit parish in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and the oldest Roman Catholic community and house of worship in continuous operation both in Georgetown and in the larger city of Washington. Founded in 1787 at the direction of America's first bishop, John Carroll, S.J., the parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Washington but is sponsored by the Society of Jesus and staffed by Jesuits. Its 1851 main church at 36th and N Streets NW and its original 1794 chapel (now the Chapel of St. Ignatius) together anchor a thriving parish life of daily Mass, faith formation for all ages, Ignatian spirituality, a Jesuit elementary school founded in 1818, social-justice outreach, and a restored columbarium and cemetery.
- Established
- 1787
- Patron
- Holy Trinity (the parish is dedicated to the Holy Trinity; the original chapel is now the Chapel of St. Ignatius)
- Rector
- Rev. C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J. (since 2015)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington (parish sponsored by the Society of Jesus / Jesuits)
Why belong here
Holy Trinity is the oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in Washington, D.C., and one of the few Jesuit parishes in the country — so daily Mass, robust Ignatian spiritual programming, a K-8 Jesuit school, and a nationally recognized social-justice outreach are not extras but part of the parish's DNA. Whether you want a quiet weekday Mass in the 1794 Chapel of St. Ignatius, faith formation for children or adults, OCIA for newcomers, support for a bereaved family through the parish's bereavement ministry, or ways to serve neighbors in need through the Social Justice Office and partner grantees, the parish offers long-standing structures to plug into. The Georgetown location, the historic 1851 church, and the parish's history with Presidents Kennedy and Biden give it a distinctive civic and national presence.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30–5:15 PM in the church (1315 36th Street, NW), or by appointment
About Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic parish sponsored by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century. The parish's mission, since its inception in 1787, is to help parishioners live the Gospel of Jesus by celebrating the sacraments well, engaging in collaborative ministry with the laity, fostering a deepening relationship with Jesus through the Spiritual Exercises, and being in solidarity with those on the margins of society. The parish is organized around four Jesuit principles drawn from the 2005 letter of the Superior General: a practical spirituality through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment; collaboration in mission between Jesuits and laity; the 'faith that does justice'; and a missionary spirit of outreach and evangelization.
- Jesuit Tradition
- Collaboration in Mission
- Social Ministry
- Missionary Outreach
- Spiritual Exercises
Parish History
Founded in 1787 at the direction of America's first bishop, John Carroll, S.J., Holy Trinity grew out of a grassroots Catholic community in Georgetown. The land was deeded by Anglican landowner John Threlkeld in April 1787 for five shillings, and the original brick chapel was completed in 1794. The parish quickly outgrew that building, and a larger Classic Revival church was consecrated on June 15, 1851 at 1315 36th Street NW. The 1794 chapel was retained and is now called the Chapel of St. Ignatius. A 2018–2019 partnership with Georgetown University restored the parish's Holy Rood Cemetery and added a 645-niche columbarium.
- 1787 — parish founded on Lot 72 in Threlkeld's Addition to Georgetown
- 1792 — Francis Neale, S.J. arrives as first pastor
- 1794 — original chapel completed (now Chapel of St. Ignatius)
- 1818 — Free School for Boys opened by Benedict Fenwick, S.J.
- 1849 — cornerstone of present church laid by Archbishop Samuel Eccleston
- 1851 — present Classic Revival church consecrated
- 1862 — chapel used as Civil War hospital after Second Bull Run
- 2019 — Holy Rood Cemetery and columbarium restored with Georgetown University
175th Anniversary of the Church Building
The parish marked 175 years since the consecration of the 1851 church on June 15, 2026. The anniversary series 'Pilgrimage to Our Past,' written by parishioner and historian Richard Rodgers and published on the parish site, traces the parish's history from founding through the building of the present church, the founding of Holy Trinity School, and the cemetery restoration. The 2026 parish article by Peter J. Albert, 'Holy Trinity Church: Its Building and Consecration,' documents the original chapel's enlargements in the 1820s, the 1846 groundbreaking under Pastor Peter O'Flanagan, S.J., and the construction itself.
- Pilgrimage to Our Past series by Richard Rodgers
- 2026 article by Peter J. Albert on the church's building and consecration
- Holy Trinity History Committee
Liturgy
The parish celebrates Mass daily in the Chapel of St. Ignatius (Monday–Saturday) and on Sundays in the main 1851 church. The liturgy page emphasizes that the primary ministry of every baptized person is active participation — in responses, singing, listening, silence, posture and gesture — and invites parishioners to take on special liturgical ministries. A monthly presider schedule is published, and the parish keeps a complete homily archive online.
- Daily Mass Mon–Fri at 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM (Chapel)
- Saturday 8:00 AM (Chapel); Vigil 5:30 PM (Church)
- Sunday 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM (Church)
- Monthly Presider Schedule
- Homilies & Reflections archive
- Pastoral Associate for Liturgy: Tony Varas
- Principal Organist/Choir Director: Justin Connors
- Accompanist/Choir Director: Matthew Ogden
Faith Formation
Holy Trinity offers lifelong faith formation for children, youth, and adults. Children's faith formation (K-8) is coordinated by Anne Marie Kaufmann, the parish's Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation & Religious Education. OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — the new name for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) welcomes adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Youth Ministry, Young Adults, and adult formation through Ignatian Spirituality and Prayer round out the offerings.
- Child faith formation (K-8)
- Youth Ministry
- Young Adults
- Adult formation / OCIA
- Ignatian Spirituality and Prayer
- Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation: Anne Marie Kaufmann
Bereavement Ministry
The parish operates a Bereavement Ministry that supports parishioners and families through the loss of a loved one, working in tandem with the parish's funeral and Sacramental Records ministries.
- Pastoral outreach to grieving families
- Coordination with parish Funeral ministry
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all seven sacraments. Sacramental Records are maintained by the parish office; parishioners may request copies for Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and other records.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Marriage
- Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals
- OCIA (Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Sacramental Records
Ignatian Spirituality and Prayer
Consistent with its Jesuit identity, Holy Trinity offers a range of Ignatian formation: preached and directed retreats, the full Spiritual Exercises in everyday life, small faith-sharing communities, and one-on-one spiritual direction. The parish publishes the Cura Virtualis blog as a resource for Ignatian spirituality in daily life. Catherine Heinhold serves as Pastoral Associate for Ignatian Spirituality and Prayer.
- Spiritual Exercises
- Spiritual direction
- Small faith communities
- Cura Virtualis Blog
- Pastoral Associate: Catherine Heinhold
Holy Trinity School
Holy Trinity School (HTS), founded in 1818 by the parish's pastor Benedict Fenwick, S.J. as the 'Free School for Boys,' is one of the few coeducational elementary schools in the Jesuit tradition in the United States. Today it serves more than 300 racially, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, distributes around $675,000 in need-based tuition assistance each year, and operates with a 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio. HTS was named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and a Washington Post Top Workplace in 2017 and 2018. The principal is Katy Williams.
- Founded 1818 as the Free School for Boys
- Jesuit coeducational PK-8
- National Blue Ribbon School (2016)
- Washington Post Top Workplace (2017, 2018)
- Motto: 'People for Others'
- Core values: Courage, Humility, Compassion, Justice, Gratitude, Perseverance
- Principal: Katy Williams
- Website: htsdc.org
Social Justice & Outreach
Holy Trinity embraces the Jesuit commitment to 'the faith that does justice.' The Social Justice Office coordinates parish service, advocacy, and the parish Tithe, distributing a portion of parish collections to carefully vetted local grantees. The parish publishes an annual 'Tithe Grantees' list and a 'Do Something Good for Your Neighbor' page with current opportunities. Ashley Klick serves as Pastoral Associate for Social Justice, with Ebony Campbell as Administrative Assistant.
- Tithe Grantees (annual grant partners)
- Do Something Good for Your Neighbor opportunities
- Parish Social Justice Office
- Pastoral Associate for Social Justice: Ashley Klick
- Solidarity with those on the margins
LGBTQIA+ Ministry
Listed among the parish's pastoral ministries, the LGBTQIA+ Ministry accompanies LGBTQIA+ parishioners, their families, and allies within the life of the parish and the wider Church.
- Pastoral outreach to LGBTQIA+ parishioners and families
- Listed among parish ministries on trinity.org
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J., with a team of four parochial vicars and a senior Jesuit priest. Lay staff direct operations, advancement, communications, faith formation, liturgy, music, facilities, and social justice. Parish governance is supported by a Parish Pastoral Council (with standing committees) and a Parish Finance Council, both published on the parish site.
- Pastor: Rev. C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J.
- Senior Priest: Rev. Patrick Earl, S.J.
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. William J. Kelley, S.J., Rev. Benjamin Hawley, S.J., Rev. John M. Dennis, S.J., Rev. William Woody, S.J.
- Deacon Charles Huber
- Managing Director of Parish Operations: Thomas Favret
- Director of Advancement and Stewardship: Christopher Dake
- Director of Communications: Ted Newton
- Chief Information Manager: Paul Bolejack
- Director of Facilities: Dino Campagnari
- Pastoral Associate for Liturgy: Tony Varas
- Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation: Anne Marie Kaufmann
- Pastoral Associate for Social Justice: Ashley Klick
- Pastoral Associate for Ignatian Spirituality: Catherine Heinhold
- Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council
Holy Rood Cemetery and Columbarium
The parish cemetery — Holy Rood — sits adjacent to the original chapel on N Street. Beginning in 2018, a group of parishioners worked with Georgetown University on a restoration plan: repairing existing infrastructure, resetting fallen headstones, improving landscaping and the cemetery entrance, and constructing a 645-niche columbarium within a restored holding wall. Georgetown University granted the parish an easement for the work. The project was completed in November 2019. Proceeds from niche sales are invested in a perpetual care trust for the cemetery's future maintenance.
- Restoration completed November 2019
- 645-niche columbarium in a restored holding wall
- Georgetown University easement partnership
- Perpetual care trust funded by niche sales
- Final disposition transferred to the Archdiocese of Washington
Communications & Getting Involved
The parish communicates through a weekly bulletin, an opt-in eLetter, an annual report, social media (Facebook is referenced for Holy Day announcements), and the Cura Virtualis blog. New parishioners can register online; faith formation enrollment and giving are handled through the parish's online portals.
- Weekly Bulletins
- Holy Trinity eLetter
- Annual Report
- Cura Virtualis Blog
- Register as a New Parishioner
- Faith Formation Enrollment
- Online Giving (Invest In Our Mission)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Francis Neale, S.J.1792–1817
First pastor; arrived January 1792 from St. Thomas Manor, Maryland; later president of Georgetown while remaining pastor.
- Benedict Joseph Fenwick, S.J.1817–1818
Founded the Free School for Boys (now Holy Trinity School) in 1818.
- Theodore M. DeTheux, S.J.1818–1825
- Stephen Larigaudelle Dubuisson, S.J.1825–1826 and 1831–1833
- John Smith, S.J.1826–1829
- John Van Lommel, S.J.1829–1830
- James F. M. Lucas, S.J.1833–1839
- Peter O'Flanagan, S.J.1842–1845 and 1846–1852
Broke ground for the present 1851 church in 1846.
- Thomas F. Mulledy, S.J.1857–1858
Also president of Georgetown College.
- Anthony F. Ciampi, S.J.1856–1857, 1866–1868, 1878–1881
Served three separate terms.
- Stephen A. Kelly, S.J.1881–1890
- William J. Byron, S.J.2000–2003
- James M. Shea, S.J.2003–2008
- Mark F. Horak, S.J.2008–2015
- C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J.2015–present
Current pastor.