About Saint Patrick · Washington, District of Columbia
St. Patrick Catholic Church is the oldest Catholic parish in the Federal City of Washington, D.C., canonically established in 1794 by Bishop John Carroll. Located at 619 Tenth Street NW in the heart of downtown, the parish was founded to serve Irish immigrants — many of them stonemasons laboring on the U.S. Capitol and the White House — and has remained a downtown spiritual and cultural oasis for more than 230 years. Today St. Patrick's continues its daily Mass and confession schedule, hosts weekly Eucharistic Adoration, runs an active RCIA program for adult initiation, and hosts the celebrated annual Blue Mass for law enforcement. The parish was visited by Pope Francis on September 24, 2015, during his apostolic journey to the United States. The current pastor is Rev. Patrick S. Lewis.
- Established
- 1794
- Patron
- St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick S. Lewis
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a rare parish where downtown workers, residents, students, and pilgrims worship side by side in a building nearly a century and a half old. Its daily 12:10 PM Mass and Reconciliation make it a true downtown sanctuary, while weekly Thursday Eucharistic Adoration led by Deacon Wynn and the Sunday Rosary after the 12 noon Mass sustain a steady rhythm of prayer. The parish is unusually accessible — one block from both Metro Center and Gallery Place–Chinatown stations, handicap-accessible, and surrounded by parking — making it a convenient spiritual home for anyone working in or visiting the Federal City.
Mass times at Saint Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Tuesday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Wednesday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Thursday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Friday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Saturday 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
- By appointment at the rectory — call 202-347-2713
Adoration times
- Thursday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Weekly Eucharistic Adoration, led by Deacon Wynn)
- First Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
History of St. Patrick's Parish
Established in 1794 by Bishop John Carroll with Fr. Anthony Caffry, O.P., as its first pastor, St. Patrick's was built to serve Irish immigrant stonemasons working on the Capitol and the White House. Over more than two centuries it has been led by an extraordinary succession of pastors, including the first American-ordained priest Fr. William Matthews (1804–1854), the school-and-asylum founder Fr. Timothy O'Toole, and the architect of the present church Fr. Jacob Ambrose Walter.
Early Years & The First Two Churches (1794–1884)
Fr. Caffry began by celebrating Mass in rented spaces in early 1794, then built a modest one-and-a-half-story wood-frame chapel and residence on the present Tenth Street site. Fr. Matthews succeeded him in 1804 and oversaw construction of the second, larger brick Gothic Revival church in 1809, completed in 1816; it later received the city's first pipe organ, a pulpit from Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil, and a painting from King Charles X of France. During the British burning of Washington in 1814, Matthews personally saved the structure from the flames and persuaded General Robert Ross not to destroy it.
The Present Victorian Gothic Church (1872–Today)
Fr. Jacob Ambrose Walter laid the cornerstone for the present church in November 1872. Designed by architect Laurence J. O'Connor in the Victorian Gothic style, it first celebrated Mass on November 2, 1884, and was formally dedicated on December 28, 1884. Additions by the firm Wood, Donn & Deming were completed in 1904. The sanctuary was extensively renovated under Monsignor Donald Essex in anticipation of the parish's 1994 bicentennial, preserving the historic baptistry, holy water fonts, Marian stained glass, and statuary. The building is a contributing property to the Downtown Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Blue Mass — Born at St. Patrick's
On September 29, 1934 — the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel — Fr. Thomas Dade founded the Washington, D.C., branch of the Catholic Police and Fireman's Society and celebrated the first Blue Mass here, praying for police, firefighters, and other public-safety personnel. What began as a local observance has grown into a nationwide tradition celebrated in dioceses across the country.
Papal Visit — Pope Francis in 2015
On September 24, 2015, during his apostolic journey to the United States, Pope Francis came directly to St. Patrick's from his address to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. He walked the center aisle greeting more than 250 parishioners and clients of the adjacent Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington headquarters, prayed before the Marian chapel, addressed the gathering in Spanish, blessed a meal served outside, and said, "There are many unjust situations, but we know that God is suffering with us" — invoking the example of St. Joseph for the homeless and marginalized.
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Patrick's is served by its pastor, Rev. Patrick S. Lewis, together with priests in residence, a chaplain to George Washington University, and dedicated lay staff handling religious education, music, the office, and the sacristy.
- Pastor: Rev. Patrick S. Lewis
- Coordinator, Pastoral Care of Priests: Rev. Robert G. Maro
- In Residence: Rev. Richard Bauer, MM; Msgr. Salvatore A. Criscuolo; Rev. Michael Holmquist
- Chaplain, George Washington University: Rev. James D. Glasgow
- Deacon: Deacon John McGinness (Retired)
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Mr. Robert Quinlan
- Office Manager: Mrs. Marie Valcourt
- Director of Music and Organist: Mr. Ronald Stolk
- Sacristan and Facilities Coordinator: Mr. Donald Holloman
- Sacristan: Mr. Peter Ceesay
Faith Formation — RCIA & Adult Education
The parish RCIA process walks adults through the four periods (Precatechumenate, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy/Neophyte Year) and three gateways to full initiation at the Easter Vigil. Sessions meet Tuesday evenings from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, beginning September 17, under the direction of Robert Quinlan ([email protected]; 202-347-2713 ext. 121). The parish also welcomes practicing Catholics to serve as sponsors, team members, or Sunday Breaking Open the Word leaders.
- RCIA for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics needing Confirmation and First Eucharist
- Tuesday evening sessions 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Sacrament of Initiation at the Easter Vigil
- Sacrament of Confirmation on the Solemnity of Pentecost
- Sponsor and team ministry opportunities
Sacraments
Beyond the daily Mass and confession schedule, the parish prepares families and individuals for Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, Marriage, and the full RCIA journey. Parents seeking infant Baptism are expected to attend a session with one of the parish priests beforehand, and Catholics baptized but not yet confirmed are encouraged to contact the rectory.
- Baptism (infant and adult)
- Confirmation (typically at Pentecost)
- First Eucharist (often at the Easter Vigil for adult catechumens)
- Marriage preparation
- Confession by appointment in addition to scheduled times
Visit & Contact
St. Patrick's is located at 619 Tenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 — one block from Metro Center and Gallery Place–Chinatown stations, with handicap accessibility and weekend parking available in surrounding garages. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone (202) 347-2713; fax (202) 347-1401; email [email protected] or [email protected].
- Address: 619 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Phone: (202) 347-2713
- Handicap accessible
- One block from Metro Center and Gallery Place–Chinatown stations
- Adjacent to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington (G Street)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Anthony Caffry, O.P.1794–1804
Irish Dominican from County Mayo; first pastor; built the original wood-frame chapel and residence on Tenth Street
- Fr. William Matthews1804–1854
First American to be ordained a priest in the United States; served 50 years; oversaw construction of the second (1809/1816) brick Gothic Revival church; saved the church from British forces in 1814; President of Georgetown University
- Fr. Timothy O'Toole1854–1860
Irish immigrant educated at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth; founded the parish school, the Father Mathew Total Abstinence society, and St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum for Boys
- Fr. Jacob Ambrose Walterafter 1860
Laid cornerstone for the present Victorian Gothic church in 1872; defended Mary Surratt at her execution
- Monsignor Donald Essexc. 1990s
Led major sanctuary renovations in anticipation of the parish's 1994 bicentennial
- Fr. Thomas Dade1934–
Started the Blue Mass on September 29, 1934, and founded the Washington, D.C., branch of the Catholic Police and Fireman's Society
- Rev. Patrick S. Lewispresent
Current pastor