About Saint Teresa of Avila · Washington, District of Columbia
Saint Teresa of Avila is a historically African-American Roman Catholic parish in the Anacostia/Uniontown neighborhood of Southeast Washington, DC, canonically established in 1879 as the Mother Church of 'East of the River.' The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Washington and serves its largely African-American community with vibrant Gospel-centered liturgy marked by music, preaching, and dance. Under longtime pastor Rev. Msgr. Raymond G. East, the parish describes itself as 'an Evangelizing Parish that positively impacts its Members and the Community in which it lives.'
- Established
- 1879
- Patron
- Saint Teresa of Avila
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Raymond G. East
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
Saint Teresa of Avila offers a historic, deeply welcoming home for Catholics in Southeast DC — Anacostia's Mother Church since 1879. Worship here is its own draw: Sunday Mass is a Gospel-rooted, music-and-ministry-rich celebration with preaching that parishioners describe as transformative, alongside daily Mass at the convent chapel. Beyond the liturgy, the parish community runs a missionary twinning with St. Antoine in Jérémie, Haiti (Project EACH), Kairos Prison Ministry, Senior Adult Outreach, Religious Education coordinated by Annie Batiste, and the spiritual-direction ministry of Sister Anne Marie Schreiner, DC — all in the spirit of the words 'Servants' Entrance' inscribed over the doors.
Mass times at Saint Teresa of Avila
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Drive-by confessions by appointment during the quarantine period (contact the Parish Life Center to schedule)
Adoration times
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Our Parish
Saint Teresa of Avila describes itself as 'an Evangelizing Parish that positively impacts its Members and the Community in which it lives.' The parish welcomes visitors into a community rooted in Southeast DC's Anacostia/Uniontown neighborhood, where 'we recognize and celebrate the joy of the Lord as our strength,' inviting newcomers to 'be a friend, make a friend, and bring a friend to Christ.' As the historic Mother Church of East of the River, it carries both a 19th-century architectural heritage and a living African-American Catholic liturgical tradition.
- Canonically established 1879
- Archdiocese of Washington, Southeast Deanery
- Mother Roman Catholic Church of Southeast Washington, DC
- Twinned parish: St. Antoine Catholic Church, Jérémie, Haiti
History & Heritage
Founded in 1879 by Cardinal James Gibbons of Baltimore to serve Catholics east of the Anacostia River, Saint Teresa of Avila began as a parish of German, Irish, and African-American families in segregated Washington. African-American Catholic families withdrew to found Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1920. After suburban flight and the 1980s revitalization led by Father George A. Stallings — followed by the painful schism when he left the Catholic Church — Father Raymond G. East rebuilt the parish from 1989 onward. His second pastorate, beginning in 2005, continues to this day.
- 1879: parish founded by Cardinal Gibbons
- 1920s: African-American parishioners found Our Lady of Perpetual Help nearby
- 1980s: Father George A. Stallings introduces Gospel-centered worship
- 1989–1997: Msgr. Raymond East's first pastorate — post-schism rebuilding
- 2005–present: Msgr. East returns as pastor
- June 30, 2026: Msgr. East's announced retirement
Architecture
The 1879 church building is a Gothic Revival brick hall-church with buttressed side walls, a corbeled-cornice false stepped-gable facade, an uncoursed fieldstone basement, and a large rose window. Many original limestone details have been obscured by later stucco. The unusually wide cast-iron steps and balusters remain a distinctive feature of the entry.
- Architect: E. Francis Baldwin, Baldwin and Pennington (Baltimore)
- Builder: Isaac Beer
- Style: Gothic Revival
- Materials: brick, fieldstone, cast iron, limestone, stucco
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by its longtime pastor, Rev. Msgr. Raymond G. East, with a resident priest, two permanent deacons, and a staff covering worship, faith formation, business, and spiritual direction.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Raymond G. East
- In Residence: Rev. Didace Kamana
- Deacon: William J. Hawkins Jr.
- Deacon: Timothy E. Tilghman
- Spiritual Direction: Sister Anne Marie Schreiner, DC
- Director of Worship & Arts: Shirli Hughes
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Annie Batiste
- Business Manager / Secretary: Darah Cecilia Means
- Parish Manager: Linda Roberson
- Parish Receptionist: Pamelia Council
Devotions
The Sodality leads a Sunday morning Rosary at 9:00 AM in the convent chapel next to the church, with doors locked promptly; latecomers ring the bell for entry. The parish also marks the wider liturgical calendar through regular devotions and special events posted on its calendar of events page.
- Sunday Rosary at 9:00 AM (Convent chapel; Sodality)
- Sunday Rosary at 8:30 AM (per ADW listing)
Worship & Music
Worship at Saint Teresa of Avila is a Gospel-centered, full-community celebration. Sunday 9:30 AM Mass features contemporary Gospel music, dance, and active roles for hospitality ministers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers. Shirli Hughes serves as Director of Worship & Arts, supporting the music and arts ministries that have been central to the parish's identity since the 1980s.
- 9:30 AM Sunday Contemporary Gospel Mass (livestreamed)
- Director of Worship & Arts: Shirli Hughes
- Adult choir, dancers, and musicians
Faith Formation
Religious Education and sacramental preparation for children are coordinated by Annie Batiste. The parish supports youth, young adults, and senior adult faith growth through dedicated ministries, with a Coordinator of Religious Education on staff and regular formation programming.
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Annie Batiste
- Young Adults Ministry
- Senior Adult Outreach
- Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation — contact parish)
Parish Life & Outreach
The parish runs several outreach ministries rooted in Gospel service. The Haiti Mission Ministry coordinates an annual mission trip and Project EACH to twinned parish St. Antoine Catholic Church in Jérémie, Haiti (educational and medical support). Kairos Prison Ministry extends the parish's reach inside local correctional facilities. Senior Adult Outreach serves the older members of the parish and neighborhood.
- Haiti Mission / Project EACH (contacts: Patricia Waddell, Houston Roberson)
- Kairos Prison Ministry (contacts: Darrell Ahne, LaMont Baxter, Kelli Baxter)
- Senior Adult Outreach
Sacraments
Information on the seven sacraments is available through the parish office. Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony is arranged through Annie Batiste (Religious Education) and the pastor's office. Confession is scheduled Wednesday evenings, with adoration preceding the Sunday Eucharist throughout the week.
- Baptism preparation
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick (contact parish office)
- Reconciliation: Wed 6:30–8:30 PM and by appointment
Visit & Contact
Saint Teresa of Avila is at 1244 V Street SE (church) and 1401 V Street SE (Parish Life Center), Washington, DC 20020. The parish office is reachable at (202) 678-3709 and [email protected]. The building is listed as wheelchair accessible by the Archdiocese of Washington. Sunday 9:30 AM Mass is livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.
- Church: 1244 V Street SE, Washington, DC 20020
- Parish Life Center: 1401 V Street SE, Washington, DC 20020
- Phone: (202) 678-3709
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stachurchdc.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/stachurchdc
- Wheelchair accessible
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Raymond G. East1989–1997, and 2005–present
First African-American pastor; rebuilt the parish after the Stallings schism; known for dynamic preaching, Gospel-centered worship, and national peace-and-justice work (Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace). Announced retirement effective June 30, 2026.
- Rev. George A. Stallings1980s
Introduced Gospel music and vibrant African-American worship; later left the Catholic Church to found the independent African-American Catholic Congregation, taking most parishioners with him.
- Cardinal James Gibbons (founder)1879
Archbishop of Baltimore opened the parish to serve Catholic families in the growing Uniontown community east of the Anacostia River.