About St. Cecilia · Saint Marys City, Maryland
St. Cecilia Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in St. Mary's City, Maryland, canonically established in 1975 and part of the Archdiocese of Washington. Located at 47950 Mattapany Road, the parish serves the southern Maryland community in the cradle of English-speaking Catholicism in the United States. Under the pastoral leadership of Father Patrick S. Agustin, with Deacons Anthony Sweeney and Mark Kijesky assisting, the parish offers weekend Masses, weekday Masses, regular confession, daily Eucharistic adoration, faith formation for children, and a community food pantry. It is one of the youngest parishes in St. Mary's County yet stands in a setting of extraordinary Catholic heritage, just minutes from Historic St. Mary's City where the first Catholic colonists landed in 1634.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- St. Cecilia (patroness of musicians and sacred music)
- Rector
- Father Patrick S. Agustin
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Cecilia is a small, faith-filled Catholic community rooted in the very place where Catholicism began in the English colonies. Parishioners can worship at weekend Masses, attend weekday Mass and daily Eucharistic adoration, and bring children to the parish's religious education program that concludes each year with First Communions and a Marian Crowning. The parish also runs St. Cecilia's Food Pantry (open Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) to serve neighbors in need, and offers regular Flocknote updates and online giving to keep the community connected and supported.
Mass times at St. Cecilia
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 7:15 AM
- Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 7:15 AM
- Thursday: 6:30 AM – 7:15 AM
- Friday: 6:30 AM – 7:15 AM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
About St. Cecilia Catholic Church
St. Cecilia Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in St. Mary's City, Maryland, canonically established in 1975 as part of the Archdiocese of Washington. It serves the southern Maryland community on Mattapany Road, between Route 5 and Route 235. The parish is small but active, offering a regular Sunday obligation Mass, weekday Masses, daily Eucharistic adoration, confession, faith formation for children, and a community food pantry. Its setting, just minutes from Historic St. Mary's City, places it in the very landscape where the first English-speaking Catholic community in America took root in 1634.
Parish History & 50th Anniversary
Although canonically established in 1975 — making it among the youngest parishes in St. Mary's County — St. Cecilia's location places it in the cradle of American Catholicism. The parish marked its 50th anniversary on November 23, 2025, with a Mass at which Washington Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar installed Father Patrick Agustin as the new pastor. Cardinal Robert McElroy had planned to celebrate the liturgy himself but was recovering from surgery. During the anniversary Mass, Bishop Menjivar acknowledged the parish's deep roots: 'It is wonderful to be here where everything started, where the first Catholic colonists landed, seeking freedom to worship.' He honored the founding members in his homily, saying, 'The founding members of this parish, who have died, now stand with St. Cecilia in the heavenly choir. Their sacrifice and perseverance built the foundation on which you stand today.'
- Founded: 1975 (Jubilee Year)
- 50th anniversary Mass: November 23, 2025
- Anniversary Mass presider: Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar (in Cardinal McElroy's place)
- Pastor installed at anniversary: Father Patrick S. Agustin
The Church Building & Art
The worship space pairs red brick walls with bright white marble Stations of the Cross that frame the interior. A centerpiece of the church is a large hand-woven tapestry created in 1975 by St. Mary's College students under the direction of artist Earl Hoffman. The tapestry depicts the Ark and the Dove on the St. Mary's River, recalling the 1634 arrival of Maryland's first Catholic settlers. Together, the art and architecture mark St. Cecilia as a parish that consciously connects its modern foundation to the four centuries of Catholic life that came before it.
- Red brick walls with white marble Stations of the Cross
- 1975 tapestry by St. Mary's College students under artist Earl Hoffman
- Tapestry depicts the Ark and the Dove on the St. Mary’s River (1634)
Clergy & Staff
Father Patrick S. Agustin serves as pastor and was formally installed during the parish's 50th anniversary Mass. He is assisted by two permanent deacons, Deacon Anthony Sweeney and Deacon Mark Kijesky, with Angel Restrepo serving as office manager. The parish also recently welcomed Father Barwendé Médard Sané, SJ, who covered liturgical responsibilities during Father Patrick's absence in late April / early May 2025.
- Pastor: Father Patrick S. Agustin
- Deacon: Anthony Sweeney
- Deacon: Mark Kijesky
- Office Manager: Angel Restrepo
- Visiting priest (2025): Father Barwendé Médard Sané, SJ
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Cecilia's Religious Education program gathers children on Sundays for catechetical formation. The 2024–25 program year concluded on May 4 with First Communions, followed by a procession to Mary for the Crowning and a First Sunday Social. The parish is investing in dedicated spaces for faith formation: a 2025 #iGiveCatholic campaign raised funds for partitions to create distinct classrooms, a TV and sound system for instruction, and furnishings for the parish office and basement gathering spaces.
- Sunday Religious Education classes for children
- Annual First Communion Mass (May 2025)
- Marian Crowning procession following First Communion
- First Sunday Social (parish fellowship)
- #iGiveCatholic 2025 campaign: furnishing parish faith formation spaces
Outreach: St. Cecilia's Food Pantry
The parish operates St. Cecilia's Food Pantry in partnership with the First District Catholic Aid Society, providing groceries to neighbors in need in southern St. Mary's County. According to the parish, the pantry is open Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, while the Healthy St. Mary's County coalition flyer lists Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Parishioners seeking help can call the pantry directly at 240-925-9354.
- St. Cecilia's Food Pantry
- In partnership with the First District Catholic Aid Society
- Hours listed: Monday & Thursday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (parish site also lists Thursdays)
- Pantry phone: 240-925-9354
- Listed in the St. Mary's County Food Pantries guide (English and Spanish)
Getting Involved & Parish Communications
Beyond Mass attendance, St. Cecilia invites parishioners to participate through Eucharistic adoration hours, faith formation volunteering, the food pantry, First Sunday Socials, and online giving. The parish uses Flocknote to send announcements, schedules, and event updates via email or text. Online Giving is available through the parish website, and the bulletin is posted online for ongoing reference.
- Flocknote signup for parish updates (email/text)
- Online Giving via parish website
- Parish bulletin posted online
- First Sunday Social fellowship gatherings
Visit, Contact & Location
St. Cecilia Catholic Church is located at 47950 Mattapany Road, St. Mary's City, MD 20686, on Mattapany Road between Route 5 and Route 235. The mailing address is P.O. Box 429, St. Mary's City, MD 20686. The parish office can be reached at (301) 862-4600 and by email at [email protected]. The Archdiocese of Washington lists the church as wheelchair accessible. The parish maintains an active Facebook page and posts the latest bulletin on its website.
- Address: 47950 Mattapany Road, St. Mary's City, MD 20686
- Phone: (301) 862-4600
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stceciliamd.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stceciliamd/
- Wheelchair accessible (per Archdiocese of Washington listing)
- Located between Route 5 and Route 235