About Saint Joseph · Washington, District of Columbia
St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill is a Roman Catholic parish located at 313 Second Street NE in Washington, D.C., just two blocks from Union Station and within sight of the U.S. Capitol. Founded on October 25, 1868, by German immigrants and originally staffed by the Jesuits, it is one of the oldest parishes in the nation's capital and is widely known as the 'Senate church' — the Catholic place of worship traditionally frequented by members of the upper chamber of Congress, congressional staffers, and Supreme Court justices. Now in its 17th pastorate, the parish continues to serve a diverse Capitol Hill community of families, young adults, and public servants with daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, an acclaimed sacred music program, and a restored Hook & Hastings organ.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. William H. Gurnee III
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Joseph's offers the rare experience of a parish that is simultaneously rooted in 150-plus years of Capitol Hill history and vibrantly alive today. Daily Mass (twice on weekdays) and the Sacrament of Penance every weekday morning draw a remarkable cross-section of worshippers — Supreme Court justices, senators, Hill staffers, young professionals, and longtime neighborhood families — all kneeling side by side. A robust sacred music program (parish choir, schola, and children's Chorus Angelorum) supports the Mass, while ministries in faith formation, young adult life (ages 18-39), youth catechesis, social justice, and pastoral care for the homebound and sick give parishioners of every age a way to belong and to serve.
Mass times at Saint Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday, 11:45 AM – 12:05 PM
- Saturday, 4:45 PM – 5:20 PM
- Any other time by appointment (call 202-547-1223)
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday, 11:45 AM – 12:05 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Wednesday, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
Our History
St. Joseph's was founded by German Catholic immigrants in 1868 and built on a 19th-century Gothic Revival plan modeled on Cologne Cathedral. From its earliest days the parish has reflected the changing face of Capitol Hill — German founders, then Italian stonemasons from the Capitol expansion, later waves of Hill staffers, lobbyists, and young families. The cornerstone was laid by a crowd of 20,000 (including President Andrew Johnson) on October 25, 1868; the present brownstone church was dedicated by Cardinal James Gibbons on January 18, 1891; and a major renovation and restoration began in 2002. The parish marked its 150th anniversary in 2018 and publishes a full chronological list of all 17 pastors from 1868 to the present.
- Cornerstone laid Oct. 25, 1868 (20,000 in attendance; President Andrew Johnson)
- Dedicated Jan. 18, 1891 by Cardinal James Gibbons
- Jesuit pastorship 1868-1886; sold to Archdiocese of Baltimore 1886
- Major renovation/restoration beginning 2002
- 150th anniversary celebrated 2018
- Full list of 17 pastors published on the parish History page
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by its 17th pastor, Rev. William H. Gurnee III, who was ordained in 2000 and previously served as parochial vicar, college chaplain at George Washington and American Universities, pastor of Holy Angels (Avenue, MD), and Spiritual Director of John Paul II Seminary. He is assisted by two retired or helping priests — Rev. Eugene F. Hemrick and Rev. Christopher Begg — and by Deacon Gary Bockweg, who also serves as Baptism Coordinator. A full lay staff directs music, evangelization, communications, administration, events, and the Parish Council.
- Rev. William H. Gurnee III — Pastor
- Rev. Eugene F. Hemrick — Assisting Priest
- Rev. Christopher Begg — Assisting Priest
- Rev. Mr. Gary Bockweg — Deacon / Baptism Coordinator
- Maria Balducci — Director of Music & Organist
- Cathy Rusin — Director of Evangelization / Bulletin Editor
- Jose Antonio Cuadriello — Executive Assistant
- Tim Rutten — Business Manager
- Thad Hunkins — Secretary, Parish Council
- Kaelin Martin — Events, Parish Council
Sacred Music & the Hook & Hastings Organ
Music is one of the defining ministries of St. Joseph's. The St. Joseph's Choir sings for the Sunday 10:30 AM Mass, with Thursday evening rehearsals and a repertoire spanning centuries-old a cappella Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, and new works by living composers. Separate women's and men's scholas sing monthly at the 8:30 AM Mass. In fall 2022 the parish added the Chorus Angelorum, a children's choir affiliated with Pueri Cantores (the international Catholic student choral organization), which teaches chant, Latin, and proper singing technique. The church's restored Hook & Hastings pipe organ is celebrated through a free monthly organ concert series open to the public, featuring leading organists from the Washington area and beyond. Concerts typically take place Sunday afternoons.
- St. Joseph's Choir (Sunday 10:30 AM Mass; Thursday 7:30-9:00 PM rehearsals)
- Women's and Men's Schola (monthly at 8:30 AM Mass)
- Chorus Angelorum children's choir (since fall 2022; member of Pueri Cantores; rehearsals every other Thursday 6:30-7:30 PM)
- Restored Hook & Hastings pipe organ
- Free monthly 2026 Organ Concert Series
Adult Faith Formation & Parish Groups
Adult formation at St. Joseph's aims to cultivate 'a lively baptismal and Eucharistic spirituality with a powerful sense of mission and apostolate,' rooted in word, sacrament, and communal life. Programming includes the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those entering the Church, Baptism and Marriage preparation, and a range of small groups and gatherings for men, women, and young adults.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Baptism Preparation for Parents and Godparents
- Marriage Preparation
- Tuesday Young Men's Bible Study (6:30 PM, parish center)
- Wednesday Knitting Group (5:30 PM, parish center)
- Friday Men's Group (1st/3rd Fridays, 7:00 AM; off in summer)
- Monthly Women's Book Club
- Knights of Columbus (Capitol Hill chapter)
Young Adult Ministry (Ages 18-39)
St. Joseph's has a thriving Young Adult Ministry (YAM) for adults 18-39, which gathers monthly for First Friday Adoration and Fellowship, hosts Third Sunday Coffee Hours, and runs a YAM Speaker Series. The group also offers men's and women's small groups, social events, days of recollection (e.g. at the Shrine of St. Anthony), and inter-parish trivia nights with other DC young adult communities. YAM is active on Facebook and Instagram.
- First Friday Adoration and Fellowship
- Third Sunday Coffee Hour
- YAM Speaker Series
- Men's and women's small groups
- Day of recollection at the Shrine of St. Anthony
- Social events and inter-parish trivia nights
Youth Faith Formation
The parish's Youth Program 'incorporates catechesis and ministry' and is a comprehensive program that includes, but is not limited to, Confirmation preparation. Teens explore an active Christian lifestyle through spirituality, knowledge of the faith, service, and fellowship, with the parish noting 'a slew of kids under ten years old' and around forty children currently enrolled in religious education.
- Sacramental Preparation (including Confirmation)
- Youth Catechesis
- Approximately 40 children currently enrolled
Social Justice, Pastoral Care & Parish Service
Beyond the sanctuary, parishioners are invited into ministries of service and care. The Social Justice Ministry coordinates pro-life activity, community service projects, and food bank support. The Pastoral Care team brings compassionate presence to the homebound, visits the sick at Washington Specialty Hospital, and assists with Anointing of the Sick. Parish Service ministries keep the parish running and the buildings and grounds in good shape.
- Pro-life Ministry
- Community Service Projects
- Food Bank
- Pastoral Care for the Homebound
- Ministry to the Sick at Washington Specialty Hospital
- Anointing of the Sick
- Parish Council / Finance Council
- Annual Parish Picnic Planning Committee
- Parish Beautification / Field Day
- Pilgrimage and Retreat Planning Committee
Architecture & Sacred Art
The present church is a Gothic Revival building designed by an architect from Cologne, Germany, and modeled on the city's famous Cathedral. Built of Hershey, Pennsylvania brownstone on a foundation of red Seneca stone seven feet thick, the church measures 70 feet wide by 145 feet long, with a planned 200-foot spire (never built) and seating for about 1,200 in the nave and 140 in the choir. The Hook & Hastings pipe organ has been restored, and a major renovation of the church itself began in 2002.
- Gothic Revival, modeled on Cologne Cathedral
- Brownstone from Hershey, PA; red Seneca stone foundation (7 ft thick)
- 70 ft wide × 145 ft long; ~1,200 seats in nave, 140 in choir
- Designed 200-ft spire never completed
- Dedicated Jan. 18, 1891 by Cardinal James Gibbons
- Major renovation and restoration beginning 2002
- Restored Hook & Hastings pipe organ
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bernadine F. Wiget, S.J.1868-1873
First pastor; founding Jesuit priest who led the laying of the cornerstone on Oct. 25, 1868.
- Rev. John B. Kanzleiter, S.J.1873-1876
- Rev. John P. M. Schleuter, S.J.1876-1886
Last of the Jesuit pastors before the parish was sold to the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
- Rev. Valentine F. Schmitt1886-1917
Union Civil War veteran who shifted preaching from German to English and oversaw construction/dedication of the present church (1891).
- Rev. Patrick J. O'Connell1917-1924
- Rev. Msgr. Edward P. McAdams1924-1962
Longest-tenured pastor on record; served nearly 38 years.
- Rev. Msgr. William J. Awalt1962-1966
- Rev. Msgr. James G. Gillen1966-1969
- Rev. Roger P. Gallagher1969-1971
- Rev. Aloysius E. O'Connor1971-1981
- Rev. Msgr. John J. Murphy1981-1991
- Rev. Paul E. Lavin1991-2002
- Rev. Msgr. Charles V. Antonicelli2002-2011
Oversaw the major renovation and restoration of the church beginning in 2002.
- Rev. Avelino Gonzalez2011-2014
- Rev. Msgr. Paul J. Langsfeld2014-2016
- Rev. Vincent De Rosa2016-2017
Served as parish administrator.
- Rev. William H. Gurnee III2017-present
17th pastor; ordained in 2000 and previously served as parochial vicar, college chaplain at George Washington and American Universities, pastor of Holy Angels (Avenue, MD), and Spiritual Director of John Paul II Seminary.