About Saint Gabriel · Washington, District of Columbia
Saint Gabriel Catholic Church is a historic parish in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, D.C., located on Grant Circle NW. Founded in 1920 by Bishop John M. McNamara as the first Roman Catholic parish in the newly settled Petworth area, Saint Gabriel is a bilingual (English/Spanish), predominantly African American parish community that has served generations of D.C. Catholics for more than a century. Today the parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Washington and is known for its Tudor-style architecture, its award-winning Petworth Youth Program, and a centennial legacy of faith formation, music, and outreach to the wider community.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- Saint Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Father Jaime Hernandez
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
Saint Gabriel offers a rare combination: a century-old faith community rooted in the historic Petworth neighborhood and a vibrant, bilingual (English/Spanish) congregation that the parish itself calls 'a microcosm of the Church.' Members can attend Mass in their preferred language, enroll children in Pre-K through 6th-grade religious education or Confirmation preparation, walk through the adult-initiation journey (RCIA), join one of three parish choirs, gather in small-group Bible studies, and contribute to an award-winning youth program that has served more than 5,000 at-risk young people since 1992. With weekly Adoration, regular Reconciliation, hospital chaplaincies, and an active outreach ministry, Saint Gabriel is both a parish of prayer and a parish of service to the wider District.
Mass times at Saint Gabriel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (after the bilingual Mass, during Adoration)
Adoration times
- Wednesday, after the 6:30 PM bilingual Mass through 8:00 PM
- Thursday, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- First Friday of the Month, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
About Saint Gabriel Catholic Church
Saint Gabriel is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Washington, located at 26 Grant Circle NW in the Petworth neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C. Founded in 1920 by Bishop John M. McNamara, it is the first Catholic parish established in Petworth and has served generations of D.C. Catholics through a Tudor-style church complex, a parish school (now closed), and an active community of faith, formation, and outreach.
- Address: 26 Grant Circle N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011
- Phone: (202) 726-9092
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sgdc.church
- Facebook: facebook.com/sgdc.church
- Wheelchair accessible
Parish History
Saint Gabriel Church was founded by Bishop John M. McNamara, a young priest entrusted by James Cardinal Gibbons with establishing the first Roman Catholic parish in the newly settled Petworth area of the District of Columbia. The first Mass — celebrated on March 11, 1920 in a WWI army hut obtained through the Knights of Columbus — is remembered as the start of an extraordinary community of faith. Ground was broken for the school in 1923, the school opened in 1924 under the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, the Convent followed in 1925, and the permanent church broke ground in 1929 with its cornerstone laid on March 16, 1930. The parish celebrated its centennial in 2019–2020 with Archbishop Wilton Gregory presiding over an opening bilingual liturgy.
- 1919/1920: Parish founded by Bishop John M. McNamara; first Mass March 11, 1920
- 1923: Ground broken for Saint Gabriel School (May 10, 1923)
- 1924: School opens September 26, with 373 students under the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
- 1925: Convent completed August 22; Rectory occupied October 28
- 1929: Church groundbreaking September 23
- 1930: Church cornerstone laid March 16
- 1991: Handicap-accessible ramp dedicated by Cardinal James Hickey (June 2)
- 1995: First-floor bathroom completed (August), giving full accessibility
- 2019–2020: Centennial Year of 'Unity in Diversity'
Architecture & Buildings
The parish complex was designed by the Boston architectural firm of Maggins, Walsh, and Kennedy — the same firm responsible for the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception — in a distinguished Tudor style. It comprises the main church, the former school (whose stone building remains on the parish grounds), the convent, and the rectory.
- Architect: Maggins, Walsh, and Kennedy (Boston)
- Style: Tudor
- Complex includes: church, school, convent, and rectory
- Wheelchair-accessible ramp dedicated in 1991
- First-floor restroom completed 1995 for full accessibility
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Religious Education program for children from Pre-K through 6th grade, a Confirmation preparation program, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for adults seeking to learn about or enter the Catholic faith. Classes are coordinated by Krimhilde Morales and held at 510 Webster St NW, Washington, DC 20011.
- Religious Education: Pre-K through 6th Grade
- Coordinator: Krimhilde Morales ([email protected])
- Confirmation preparation
- RCIA — adult inquiry and initiation process
- Sliding-scale registration fees; assistance available
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is offered as a relaxed, small-group faith journey for adults interested in learning about the Catholic faith and possibly becoming Catholic. Sessions are open and inquiring; completing the inquiry form does not commit anyone to the process.
- Format: weekly small-group sessions (about 45 minutes to 1 hour)
- Typically runs September through spring
- Contact: Parish Office at (202) 726-9092
Music & Liturgy — Saint Gabriel's Choirs
Music is a vital part of parish life at Saint Gabriel. Three parish choirs support the Sunday Masses, helping the community pray through song across the liturgical seasons and in both English and Spanish.
- 8:30 AM Choir — rehearses Thursdays at 5:30 PM in the Rectory
- 11:00 AM Choir — rehearses Tuesdays at 7:00 PM at the church
- 1:30 PM Choir — rehearses Thursdays at 7:00 PM at the church
- Music Minister: Patricia Burkhart
Petworth Youth Program (PYP)
Established in 1992, the Petworth Youth Program is an award-winning parish outreach that has served more than 5,000 at-risk young people from Pre-K through 8th grade in the Washington, D.C. area. Recognized for its positive impact on juvenile delinquency challenges in the local community, PYP provides structured out-of-school academic, athletic, recreational, and artistic activities in a safe, positive, and healthy environment. It concludes each year with a well-acclaimed theater production; recent performances have included The Lion King, Mulan, Annie, Happy Feet, and The Prince of Egypt.
- Founded: 1992 — more than 26 years of parish outreach
- More than 5,000 at-risk youth served
- Programs: academics, arts, intramural soccer & flag football, ice skating, basketball, field trips
- Annual theater production (Prince of Egypt, Lion King, Mulan, Annie, Happy Feet, etc.)
- Director: Ronald Riley
- Color Me Valuable — values and self-worth curriculum
Small Groups & Bible Study
Saint Gabriel's Small Group Ministry intentionally gathers communities of 6–12 people for hospitality, prayer, and conversations about faith, helping parishioners form meaningful relationships and grow spiritually. The parish also recommends FORMED as an on-demand Catholic faith resource.
- Men's Bible Study Group — meets virtually Sundays 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Small Groups of 6–12 people for prayer, hospitality, and faith conversation
- FORMED digital Catholic content (video programs, movies, audio talks, audiobooks)
- Resources from Catholic Apostolate Center and RENEW International
Outreach & Chaplaincy
Beyond its youth and formation ministries, Saint Gabriel maintains an active Outreach Ministry coordinated by Barbara Shaw and provides Catholic chaplaincy to several major Washington hospitals — a ministry that brings the parish's pastoral care beyond its own walls and into the wider city.
- Outreach Ministry: Barbara Shaw
- Chaplain, Howard University Hospital: Rev. Tesfamariam Baraki
- Chaplain, MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Sibley Memorial Hospital: Rev. Daniel T. Gallaugher
- Petworth Youth Program — community-based outreach since 1992
Parish Staff
The parish is led by its pastor and supported by a team of deacons, chaplains, and lay staff in administration, religious education, music, and outreach.
- Pastor: Father Jaime Hernandez
- Deacon: Deacon Duane Clark
- Administrative Assistants: Sandra Canales, Gwen Sutton
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Krimhilde Morales
- Music Minister: Patricia Burkhart
- Outreach Ministry: Barbara Shaw
- Chaplain, Howard University Hospital: Rev. Tesfamariam Baraki
- Chaplain, MedStar WHC and Sibley Hospital: Rev. Daniel T. Gallaugher
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Saint Gabriel by phone, email, or in person during rectory office hours. The church is wheelchair accessible, and the parish community welcomes new members to its bilingual liturgical and parish life.
- Address: 26 Grant Circle N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011
- Phone: (202) 726-9092
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wheelchair accessible (ramp + first-floor restroom)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Bishop John M. McNamara1919–1920+ (founder)
As a young priest, entrusted by Cardinal Gibbons to establish the parish; broke ground for the school in 1923 and for the church in 1929.
- Father Kevin Kennedycirca 2019–2020
Pastor during the parish's centennial year celebration; spoke about Saint Gabriel as 'a microcosm of the Church' with lifelong parishioners, young families, and a growing Hispanic population.
- Father Jaime Hernandez
Current pastor, succeeding Father Kennedy; leads the bilingual parish community.