About St. Ignatius · Baltimore, Maryland
St. Ignatius Catholic Community is a Jesuit parish located at 740 North Calvert Street in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of downtown Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1856 alongside Loyola College (now Loyola University Maryland) and administered by the Society of Jesus, it serves a diverse, urban congregation of over a thousand people of all ages, cultures, and stages of life. The parish follows the Ignatian tradition of finding God in all things and putting 'a faith that does justice' into practice through outreach, peace and justice ministries, and care for the homeless and poor of Baltimore City.
- Established
- 1856
- Patron
- Saint Ignatius of Loyola
- Rector
- Rev. Brian Frain, S.J.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. Ignatius offers a warm, diverse, urban parish in the heart of Baltimore's Mount Vernon cultural district, with Mass celebrated daily and a strong Ignatian tradition of discernment and 'a faith that does justice.' Whether you are a young adult looking for community, a family seeking faith formation through the PREP program, or someone drawn to serve the homeless through Loaves & Fishes, there is a place to belong here. The parish's Jesuit charism — reflection, solidarity with the poor, and lay leadership — shapes everything from its homilies to its Justice & Peace, Antiracism, and Respect for Life ministries.
Mass times at St. Ignatius
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (in St. Peter Claver Chapel)
- Weekdays: by appointment (call the parish office)
Welcome to St. Ignatius Catholic Community
Over a thousand people of all ages, cultures, and seasons of life have found a spiritual home at St. Ignatius. As a Jesuit parish in downtown Baltimore, the community encourages parishioners to reflect on their experiences and discern God's presence in everyday life. The parish nurtures lay leadership and a 'faith that does justice' through solidarity with the poor and dedication to the greater good. Families are encouraged, children are nurtured, older people are supported, and college students are challenged.
- Located in the Mount Vernon section of downtown Baltimore
- Jesuit (Society of Jesus) parish
- Welcomes families, students, young adults, and seniors
History of St. Ignatius Church
St. Ignatius was founded alongside Loyola College in the 1850s as the Catholic response to Know-Nothing agitation. Consecrated on August 15, 1856, the church has served Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood for more than 165 years. Its basement chapel gave birth to St. Francis Xavier, the first Black Catholic parish in the United States, and the parish has remained at the heart of the city through post-war decline and 1990s renewal.
- Founded 1852–1856; consecrated August 15, 1856 (Feast of the Assumption)
- Founded by Jesuit Fr. John Early, S.J., at the request of Archbishop Francis Kenrick
- Built to accompany Loyola College (now Loyola University Maryland)
- St. Peter Claver Chapel dedicated September 20, 1857
- St. Francis Xavier parish founded from this chapel in 1864
- Major renovations in 1870, 1991, and 1999
Architecture and the Building
The Italianate exterior by Louis L. Long and Henry Hamilton Pittar is anchored by a rusticated base, tall arched windows, and a golden cross. Inside, the church mirrors the Gesù in Rome with Corinthian columns, vivid stained glass in 17 hues, and a ceiling painting of the Assumption by Wilhelm Lamprecht. The 1857 W. B. D. Simmons organ — restored in 1987 and rebuilt in 2010 — anchors the gallery.
- Architects: Louis L. Long and Henry Hamilton Pittar
- Italianate exterior; Baroque/late-Renaissance interior modeled on the Gesù in Rome
- Plasterwork by Charles B. Anderson; altarpiece and large paintings by Brumidi
- Pipe organ built 1857 by W. B. D. Simmons of Boston; restored 1987; rebuilt 2010 by Patrick J. Murphy & Associates; played at the 2024 Organ Historical Society Convention
Faith Formation for Children (PREP)
The Children's Religious Education Program (PREP) provides Catholic religious instruction for the children of the parish, continuing formation in the Ignatian tradition beyond the family and Sunday liturgy.
- Children's Religious Education Program (PREP)
Young Adult Ministry
The Young Adult Community at St. Ignatius is a welcoming environment for adults in their twenties and thirties. It builds community through social, spiritual, and service-oriented events roughly every week or two, including Lenten reading groups (such as the recent Dilexi Te group), museum trips, and seasonal cookouts. The ministry opens its doors to all young adults who are open to and respectful of the Catholic faith.
- Coordinator: Cato Clemens
- Events roughly every week or two
- Lenten reading groups, service projects, social gatherings
- Active on Instagram and GroupMe
Justice, Peace, and Outreach
True to its Jesuit call to a 'faith that does justice,' St. Ignatius operates an unusually broad network of social-justice and outreach ministries. These bring parishioners into direct service of Baltimore's homeless, poor, unborn, immigrants, mothers in need, and broader civic life.
- Loaves & Fishes Ministry — provides a weekend meal to the homeless and poor of Baltimore City (third weekend)
- Justice & Peace Ministry
- Respect for Life Ministry
- Immigration Mobilization Committee
- Elizabeth's Closet — collects and distributes maternity clothing to expecting mothers
- Antiracism Awareness Task Force (ARTF)
- Interfaith/Ecumenical Ministry
- Ministry of Care
Arts, Culture, and Community Life
Reflecting its setting in Baltimore's 'center of history and culture,' St. Ignatius nurtures the arts and dialogue through dedicated ministries and small groups.
- Arts & Culture Ministry
- Discussion & Reading Group
- Embracing God's Gifts Ministry
- Becoming — small faith-sharing group, meets on the second Tuesday
St. Ignatius Loyola Academy
In 1991, the parish opened St. Ignatius Loyola Academy, a tuition-free middle school for boys from the Baltimore area. Originally housed in the adjoining former Loyola College building at 700 N. Calvert, the Academy later relocated to Federal Hill in 2011, where it continues to serve the community. The parish remains a strong supporter of the Academy and of Jesuit education in the city.
- Founded 1991 as a tuition-free middle school for Baltimore City boys
- Originally connected to St. Ignatius Church
- Moved to Federal Hill in 2011
Parish Staff and Leadership
St. Ignatius is led by a team of Jesuits, deacons, and lay staff who together shepherd the parish's liturgical, formation, communications, and operational work.
- Rev. Brian Frain, S.J. — Pastor
- Rev. William J. Watters, S.J. — Assisting Priest
- Rev. Patrick Rogers, S.J. — Assisting Priest
- Rev. John C. Odean
- Deacon Andrew Lacovara (Finance Committee)
- Deacon Paul Weber (Finance Committee and HTF Board Member)
- Kristen Bowden — Parish Secretary
- Barbara Dailey
- Greg Richards — Facilities Manager
- Cato Clemens — Young Adult Coordinator
Visit, Connect, and Getting Involved
Whether you are a long-time Catholic, a returning parishioner, or simply curious, St. Ignatius welcomes you to Mass, to the sacraments, and to its many ministries. The parish office can be reached by phone at (410) 727-3848 or by email at [email protected]; the official website lists current events, registration forms, and ways to volunteer.
- Phone: (410) 727-3848
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.st-ignatius.net
- 740 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Pastors & rectors through the years
- John Early, S.J.1852–1858
Founding pastor; oversaw the church's opening in 1856
- William Francis Clarke, S.J.1858–1859
- Joseph O'Callaghan, S.J.1859–1863
- Anthony F. Ciampi, S.J.1863–1866
- John Early, S.J.1866–1870
Returned for a second term; oversaw the 1870 renovation with stained glass and ceiling painting
- Stephen A. Kelly, S.J.1870–1877
- Edward A. McGurk, S.J.1877–1885
- Francis A. Smith, S.J.1885–1891
- John A. Morgan, S.J.1891–1900
- William P. Brett, S.J.1900–1901
- John F. Quirk, S.J.1901–1907
- W. G. Read Mullan, S.J.1907–1908
- F. X. Brady, S.J.1908–1911
- William J. Ennis, S.J.1911–