About Our Lady of Perpetual Help · Washington, District of Columbia
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a Roman Catholic parish in Washington, D.C., serving the Black Catholic community with a rich cultural legacy spanning over 100 years. Founded in 1916, it emerged from the efforts of excluded Black Catholics seeking their own parish and has since become a vibrant spiritual center on 'The Hill' in Anacostia. The parish is known for its unique expression of Catholicism through music, dance, and community action, and it continues to lead in outreach and faith formation. It is part of the Archdiocese of Washington and offers Mass in person and online, with a strong emphasis on youth, sacraments, and social ministry.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Rector
- Very Rev. Cornelius K. Ejiogu, SSJ
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
Join a community that celebrates Black Catholic heritage through music, dance, and education. Participate in vibrant ministries, youth evangelization, and sacramental life. Experience a parish that welcomes all, offers spiritual formation, and serves as a beacon of faith and hope on 'The Hill.'
Mass times at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Weekly Mass schedule
About Our Parish
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a Roman Catholic Community serving the Black Catholics of Washington DC for more than 100 years! This rich cultural legacy is celebrated every summer at our annual Field Day Mass celebration! The uniqueness of Our Lady of Perpetual Help places it in a leadership position allowing interaction with other Black and non-Black parishes! Utilizing the gifts of Blacks' spirituality through music, dance, education, and spiritual special action, our call to ministry is to proclaim the Good News to our Brothers and Sisters who do not know Christ! We continue in service, have faith in the present, and are marching towards our future as an experience community!
History
As far back as 1911, after years of having to sit in the last two pews of the church, being excluded from an active role in the Mass, participating in church organizations or having religious education for their children, the “Colored” Catholics of St. Teresa Church decided they wanted their own parish church. For several months people gathered in one of their homes to pray the rosary, sing hymns and hear words of encouragement. When Father Bart, the pastor of St. Teresa, learned what they were doing and why, he wrote a letter to the Archbishop requesting the formation of a parish community for the “Colored” Catholics. Mr. Louis Cooke and Mr. Charles Edelin, with the letter from the Pastor, set out for Baltimore to see Cardinal Gibbons. At that time, the District of Columbia was included in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The early beginnings of the parish were slowly being formed. Our Story - Fast forward a couple of years and the hopes of many years began to be realized, and plans began to take shape. On Sunday, April 30, 1916, the first High Mass was sung in the remodeled church basement of St. Teresa, which served the newly formed “Colored” Catholic Community of Anacostia. On May 11, 1918, Cardinal Gibbons granted permission to purchase property for a church to be built and appointed Fr. Schneeweiss as Pastor. The men of the parish worked feverishly and cleared away the underbrush in about 6 weeks. A cross of about 25 feet with a shrine in honor of Our Lady at its base was erected on the grounds. On Sunday, June 20, 1918, the new church grounds were blessed and services closed with a Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. On a beautiful Sunday, October 3, 1920, the Elks band led a procession from St. Teresa up “The Hill” to lay the cornerstone for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Bishop Thomas J. Shaha, D.D, Rector of Catholic University, officiated and the Sanctuary Choir of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church provided the music. The Very Reverend John Cavanaugh, CSC, former President of Notre Dame University preached the sermon. Seven months later on May 8, 1921, the church was blessed with an overflowing crowd for the occasion of its first service, a Solemn High Mass. The dream was now a reality. The formation of a strong Catholic community was taking root on “The Hill.” The first field Mass was celebrated on the grounds of our church on September 24, 1922 and all the organizations from the Black parishes in the city attended. The year 1928 was full of excitement; the first celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered to a class of 52 candidates; the convent was remodeled; and many active parish organizations were established. The parish organizations were the Holy Name Society, Knights of St. John, the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. John, Missionary Guild for the Women, the Children of Mary, Boy and Girl Scouts, and the Junior League for the younger children. Parish life was becoming more and more vibrant. And so Our Legacy continues. A Luta Continua.
Parish Leadership & Staff
Very Rev. Cornelius K. Ejiogu, SSJ, Pastor Deacon Ira Chase Deacon Deacon Thomas Jones Deacon Cynthia Battle Director of Faith Formation Rawn Harbor Director of Music Bernice Waller Administrative Assistant