About St. Hugh of Grenoble · Greenbelt, Maryland
St. Hugh of Grenoble is a Roman Catholic parish in the city of Greenbelt, Maryland, canonically established on June 13, 1947 as one of the founding faith communities of this New Deal-era planned city. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Washington and is served by Pastor Rev. Walter J. Tappe, V.F., along with Deacon Michael Brooks and a dedicated lay staff. It offers a full schedule of daily and Sunday Masses in English, the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturdays, Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays, and a vibrant network of ministries including RCIA, the Knights of Columbus, Ladies of Charity, Sodality of Our Lady, Youth Group, and a parish School of Religion. In 2010 its parish school merged with neighboring schools to form St. Joseph's Regional Catholic School, with which the parish continues to partner for Catholic elementary education.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- St. Hugh of Grenoble
- Rector
- Rev. Walter J. Tappe, V.F.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Hugh of Grenoble offers a complete Catholic life in the heart of historic Greenbelt: three Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil, daily Masses live-streamed on YouTube, Saturday confessions, First Friday Adoration, First Saturday Rosary and Our Lady Novena, and a full Sacramental preparation program through the parish School of Religion and RCIA. Parishioners can also grow in fellowship and service through the Knights of Columbus, Ladies of Charity, Sodality of Our Lady, Respect Life Ministry, Youth Group, Walking With Purpose Bible study, and the parish choir, while partnering with St. Joseph's Regional Catholic School for faith-centered elementary education.
Mass times at St. Hugh of Grenoble
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (also by request)
Adoration times
- First Friday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
About St. Hugh of Grenoble Parish
St. Hugh of Grenoble is a Roman Catholic parish in Greenbelt, Maryland, canonically established on June 13, 1947 in what was then one of America's newest cities — a federal New Deal planned community built in the late 1930s. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Washington and today offers a full liturgical schedule, an active School of Religion, RCIA, and a wide range of lay ministries. The current pastor is Rev. Walter J. Tappe, V.F., assisted by Deacon Michael D. Brooks and a team of lay staff and volunteers.
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington
- Founded: June 13, 1947
- Patron: St. Hugh of Grenoble (feast day April 1)
- Pastor: Rev. Walter J. Tappe, V.F.
- Deacon: Michael D. Brooks
- 135 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770
- Phone: 301-474-4322
Parish History
St. Hugh of Grenoble was founded on June 13, 1947 under administrator Rev. Victor Dowgiallo, who became pastor in spring 1948. Ground was broken for the parish school in May 1949 and classes began that October; for years Mass was celebrated in the school auditorium. The rectory was completed in 1959 and the present church building was dedicated in 1964. The parish marked its 50th anniversary with a Jubilee Mass in June 1997, and on June 19, 2022 Cardinal Wilton Gregory concelebrated a 75th anniversary Mass attended by several hundred people. In June 2010, the parish school merged with St. Joseph's (Beltsville) and St. Nicholas (Laurel) parishes to form St. Joseph's Regional Catholic School, with which St. Hugh continues to partner.
- 1947 — Parish founded June 13 under Rev. Victor Dowgiallo
- August 1947 — First parish meeting
- Spring 1948 — Father Dowgiallo appointed pastor
- May 1949 — School groundbreaking; classes begin October 1949
- 1959 — Rectory completed
- 1964 — Current church building dedicated
- June 1997 — 50th anniversary Jubilee Mass
- June 2010 — School merges into St. Joseph's Regional Catholic School
- June 19, 2022 — Cardinal Gregory celebrates 75th anniversary Mass
Patron Saint: St. Hugh of Grenoble
The parish's patron, St. Hugh, was born around 1053 in Châteauneuf-sur-Isère near Grenoble in the western foothills of the Alps. Though only in his mid-twenties and not yet ordained, Hugh was elected bishop of Grenoble on the strength of his reputation for piety and theological knowledge. Pope Gregory VII sent him to carry out reforms against simony and to enforce clerical celibacy, and he was a close collaborator of St. Bruno of Cologne, helping him and six companions found the great Carthusian monastery La Grande Chartreuse in 1084. Hugh died on April 1, 1132 after years of illness borne in patient silence, and was canonized by Pope Innocent II only two years later. The 2005 film Into Great Silence documented the daily monastic life at La Grande Chartreuse that Hugh helped establish.
- Born c. 1053 in Châteauneuf-sur-Isère
- Elected bishop of Grenoble while still in his mid-twenties
- Helped St. Bruno found the Carthusian Order at La Grande Chartreuse in 1084
- Died April 1, 1132; canonized 1134 by Pope Innocent II
- Feast day: April 1
Faith Formation and Sacraments
The parish School of Religion, directed by Jessica Ptomey, offers religious education for children (Pre-K through high school) and supports families in faith formation. RCIA meets on Monday evenings in the fall for adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church or complete their Sacraments. The parish also offers an Adaptive Faith Formation and Special Needs Ministry (coordinated by Mary Wade) that prepares children and teens with special needs for the Sacraments, including Confirmation. Parishioners can prepare for Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick by contacting the Parish Office.
- School of Religion (Religious Education) — Jessica Ptomey, Director
- RCIA — Monday evenings in fall
- Adaptive Faith Formation / Special Needs Ministry — Mary Wade
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — by Parish Office appointment
Parish Ministries and Service
St. Hugh offers a broad range of lay ministries for spiritual growth and outreach. The Knights of Columbus (led by David Mann) and Ladies of Charity (led by Mary Ann Tretler) are deeply involved in parish life and service to the wider Greenbelt community — including running the St. Hugh Food Pantry and SHARE Food Program, and a monthly food distribution at Franklin Park Apartments in partnership with RUAK and apartment management. The Sodality of Our Lady, the Respect Life Ministry, the Youth Group (Becky Bailey), and the Walking With Purpose women's Bible study (Mary Wade) round out the spiritual and fellowship opportunities. Parishioners also serve as ushers, choir members, and liturgical volunteers.
- Knights of Columbus — David Mann
- Ladies of Charity — Mary Ann Tretler (food pantry, SHARE Food, vaccinations, Franklin Park outreach)
- Sodality of Our Lady
- Respect Life Ministry
- Youth Group — Becky Bailey
- Walking With Purpose — Mary Wade
- St. Hugh Food Pantry & SHARE Food Program
- Ushers, lectors, and liturgical volunteers
Music and Liturgical Arts
Jennifer Goltz serves as Director of Music, leading the Parish Choir, which rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. The choir supports the parish's weekend and holy day liturgies, and the music program is an integral part of the parish's liturgical life.
- Director of Music: Jennifer Goltz
- Parish Choir rehearsal: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM
St. Joseph's Regional Catholic School
Beginning in the 2010–2011 school year, St. Hugh of Grenoble Parish joined with St. Joseph's Parish in Beltsville and St. Nicholas Parish in Laurel to form St. Joseph's Regional Catholic School. The school's mission is to cooperate with families — the primary educators — in forming the whole child in the Catholic Christian faith, with Christ and His teaching as the foundation in an environment of prayer (ora), study (stude), work (labora), and play (lude). The school is a Blue Ribbon school. The principal is Erin Meunier, and the Director of Enrollment is Joelle Taylor (a St. Hugh parishioner); Spanish-speaking families may contact Maria Fresco for assistance.
- Formed 2010 from merger of St. Hugh, St. Joseph (Beltsville), and St. Nicholas (Laurel) parish schools
- Principal: Erin Meunier
- Director of Enrollment: Joelle Taylor (St. Hugh parishioner)
- Spanish assistance: Maria Fresco
- Blue Ribbon School designation
Parish Staff and Leadership
St. Hugh is led by Pastor Rev. Walter J. Tappe, V.F., and Deacon Michael D. Brooks, supported by an office team and ministry coordinators. The Archdiocese of Washington parish profile lists the full staff.
- Pastor: Rev. Walter J. Tappe, V.F.
- Deacon: Michael D. Brooks
- Secretaries: Ginger Feliciotti, Mary Ann Tretler, Mary Nauman
- Business Manager: Christy Hammett
- Bookkeeper: Rohanie Bacchus
- Director of Music: Jennifer Goltz
- Director of Religious Education & School of Religion: Jessica Ptomey
- Coordinator (Director) of Religion: Magdalena 'Maggie' Gutierrez
- Coordinator of Special Needs Ministry & Adaptive Faith Formation: Mary Wade
- Assistant and Virtus Coordinator: Maria Fresco
- Plant Manager: Hung Le
Getting Involved and Communication
Parishioners can stay informed through the parish website, Facebook page (where the Sunday 11:00 AM Mass is live-streamed), YouTube (daily Mass live-streams), and a Flocknote email list that carries weekly 'Parish News & Notes.' The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and is closed on Federal Holidays and Church holidays.
- Website: sthughofgrenoble.org
- Facebook and YouTube for live-streamed Masses
- Flocknote parish email list (sthugh.flocknote.com)
- Parish Office hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Visiting and Practical Information
The parish campus at 135 Crescent Road in Greenbelt is wheelchair accessible (per the Archdiocese of Washington listing). Mass is celebrated in English, with weekday and Sunday Masses live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons, and the parish welcomes visitors — 'we always have an open seat for visitors.' Evening parish events follow the Prince George's County Public Schools weather schedule.
- 135 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770
- Phone: 301-474-4322
- Email: [email protected]
- Wheelchair accessible
- All Masses celebrated in English; daily and Sunday Masses live-streamed
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Victor Dowgiallo1947–1948 (administrator; appointed pastor spring 1948)
Founding administrator; led the first parish meeting in August 1947 and built the school and parish from the ground up.