About Shrine of Most Blessed Sacrament · Washington, District of Columbia
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic parish and designated shrine located in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Washington, D.C., in the Archdiocese of Washington. Canonically established in 1911 by Msgr. Thomas Gibbons Smyth at the request of Cardinal James Gibbons, it is renowned for its Gothic Revival architecture, its celebrated stained glass windows by Wilbur H. Burnham, and its historic role as the spiritual and social center of the Chevy Chase Catholic community for over a century. The Shrine church also houses the parish school, which has served Chevy Chase families since 1923 under the guidance of the Sisters of the Holy Cross (until 2015) and now a lay faculty, and today offers a richly diverse liturgical life including English and Tagalog Masses, daily Eucharistic Adoration, and extensive faith formation and social outreach programs.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- The Most Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist)
- Rector
- Father Gary R. Studniewski
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Washington)
Why belong here
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is one of Washington, D.C.'s premier Eucharistic parishes, offering daily Mass (Mon–Fri at 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM; Saturday at 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM Vigil; Sunday at 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 — held in both the church and the gym, except in summer — 12:30 and 5:30 PM, plus a monthly Tagalog Mass at 3:00 PM on every 4th Sunday). It maintains one of the few perpetual Eucharistic Adoration schedules in the area (Mon–Fri 7:00–8:00 AM, no Adoration on federal holidays), Saturday Confessions, and a celebrated tradition of inspiring preaching, vibrant adult and children's faith formation, and a wide variety of social-justice and outreach ministries. Attached Blessed Sacrament School has served Chevy Chase families for over a century, and the parish's Gothic Revival sanctuary and historic Burnham stained glass make it a place both locals and pilgrims treasure.
Mass times at Shrine of Most Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:00–9:00 AM (after the 8:00 AM Mass)
- Saturday 4:00–5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Monday through Friday 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM (No Adoration on Federal Holidays)
Welcome and Parish Mission
The Shrine describes itself as 'a welcoming Catholic community whose people encounter Christ in the Eucharist and serve Him in our neighbor.' The parish offers a rich variety of liturgies, inspired preaching, and outstanding faith formation programs for both adults and children. Inspired by Pope Francis's call to 'go out from ourselves more and more, to give ourselves and to serve others,' the Shrine supports a wide variety of social justice programs.
- Rich liturgical life with daily Mass, weekly Confessions, and weekday Eucharistic Adoration
- Strong faith formation for adults and children
- Variety of social justice and outreach programs
- Welcoming to returning Catholics and visitors
Parish History
The parish was canonically established in 1911 by Cardinal James Gibbons, who appointed Rev. Thomas Gibbons Smyth (later Monsignor) to start a Catholic mission in Chevy Chase — a then-rural suburb of Washington, D.C. The history of the parish is documented in two key publications held by the Chevy Chase Historical Society: John Jay Daly's 1961 'Landmark in Chevy Chase: Story of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 1911–1961' (commemorating the 50th anniversary) and Edmond J. Le Breton's 1987 'The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament: A History' (covering 1911–1986, published for the 75th anniversary). Monsignor Smyth served as founding pastor for forty years until his death in 1951 in the rectory.
- Founded 1911 by Cardinal Gibbons's appointment of Fr. Thomas Gibbons Smyth
- Cornerstone of original church laid 1912
- Founding pastor served 1911–1951
- School opened 1923
- Parish centennial celebrated 2011
Architecture and Stained Glass
The Sanctuary is a Gothic Revival design associated with Charles Donagh Maginnis of the firm Maginnis & Walsh, the great Catholic Gothic Revival architects. The celebrated stained glass windows by Wilbur Herbert Burnham, installed in the 1920s, are documented in Joseph B. McGrath's 1987 'A Homily of Light: The Stained Glass Windows of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament,' which traces the Gothic style, window numbering, floor plan, the unifying theme, the aisle windows, the major church windows, the west vestibule, the narthex, the angel windows, the north vestibule, and the sacristy windows. The 75th Anniversary Window Committee (chaired by David S. Orem) studied the windows in 1984. Early portions of the church were stucco and wood; later additions are brick.
- Gothic Revival architecture
- Windows by Wilbur Herbert Burnham (1920s)
- Architectural firm involvement of Maginnis & Walsh (Charles Donagh Maginnis)
- Original stucco-and-wood portions with later brick additions
- Documented in 'A Homily of Light' by Joseph B. McGrath (1987)
Parish School: Blessed Sacrament School
Blessed Sacrament School opened in 1923 with six Holy Cross Sisters teaching 62 children. After 88 years (until 2015) of Holy Cross Sisters' service, the school is now staffed by lay faculty and serves approximately 500 students. The school's endowment fund honors Monsignor Thomas Smyth, the founding pastor. Father Percival D'Silva has been a beloved religion teacher at the school since 1988.
- Founded 1923; six Holy Cross Sisters teaching 62 children
- Sisters of the Holy Cross served 1923–2015 (88 sisters total)
- Currently ~500 students and 50+ staff
- Smyth Endowment Fund honors the founding pastor
- Father D'Silva has taught religion at the school since 1988
Clergy and Parish Staff
The Shrine is led by Pastor Father Gary R. Studniewski, with Father Peter F. Mlynarczyk as Parochial Vicar. Deacon Kenneth Angell and Deacon Montford Naylor serve as deacons. Father Percival D'Silva (retired) is in residence after decades at the Shrine since 1988. Joan Ward is the Business Manager and Regina Thibeau is the Faith Formation Director.
- Pastor: Father Gary R. Studniewski
- Parochial Vicar: Father Peter F. Mlynarczyk
- Deacon: Kenneth Angell
- Deacon: Montford Naylor
- In Residence (retired): Father Percival D'Silva
- Business Manager: Joan Ward
- Faith Formation Director: Regina Thibeau
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Shrine offers rich faith formation for both adults and children. Registration is open through the parish website. Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage preparation) and ongoing adult education form part of the parish's programming.
- Adult faith formation
- Children's faith formation
- Sacramental preparation
- RCIA (typical parish program; specific details on website not surfaced)
Social Justice and Outreach
Following the words of Pope Francis — 'Christ leads us to go out from ourselves more and more, to give ourselves and to serve others' — the parish supports a tremendous variety of social justice programs. Visitors can register as parishioners via the parish website.
- Tremendous variety of social justice programs
- Parishioner registration available online
- Mission rooted in serving neighbor
Visiting the Shrine
Located in Northwest Washington, D.C., in the Chevy Chase neighborhood, the Shrine welcomes visitors and those returning to the Church. The church is open for Mass as scheduled, with weekday Masses and Adoration in the morning, and a robust Sunday schedule that includes Mass both in the church and in the school gym.
- Address: 3630 Quesada Street, NW, Washington, DC 20015-2538
- Phone: (202) 966-6575
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: blessedsacramentdc.org
- Wheelchair accessible
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Thomas Gibbons Smyth1911–1951
Founding pastor. Appointed by Cardinal James Gibbons in 1910 to start a Catholic mission in Chevy Chase. Canonically established the parish in 1911. Built the original church (cornerstone 1912) and the school (1923). Died in the rectory in 1951 after 40 years of pastorship. Endowment fund at Blessed Sacrament School named in his honor.
- Monsignor Edward Hayes Roachafter 1951 (Golden Jubilee celebrated 1971)
Second pastor. Golden Jubilee of his priesthood was celebrated by the parish in 1971; associated with further development of the parish and school complex.
- Father Gary R. Studniewskipresent
Current pastor. Led the parish through its centennial (2011) and the school's 100th birthday (2023). He was later named an Auxiliary Bishop — his appointment was announced by Pope Leo XIV.