About St. Joseph · Pomfret, Maryland
St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Pomfret, Maryland is a historic Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Washington, canonically established in 1763 by Father George Hunter, S.J. Located in southern Charles County at 4590 St. Joseph Way, the parish serves roughly 750 families drawn from a beautifully diverse community that includes descendants of 18th-century Catholic settlers, Native Americans of the Algonquin/Potomac/Piscataway heritage, and the formerly enslaved of Charles County's tobacco plantations. The parish is pastored by Rev. Harry J. Stokes, Jr., assisted by two permanent deacons and a small lay staff, and offers daily Mass, a Saturday vigil, two Sunday Masses, confession, faith formation for children and adults, rosary, and a rosary prayer group.
- Established
- 1763
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Harry J. Stokes, Jr.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Joseph's is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the United States, founded in 1763, with a cemetery that traces family ancestries back through the centuries. It is a warm, mid-sized parish of about 750 families in rural southern Charles County, with a deeply diverse community that takes seriously its call to be 'a bridge' — to families new to the area, to the homebound, to those in need through the parish food pantry and Social Concerns ministry, and to adults inquiring into the Catholic faith through Monday-evening OCIA sessions. Daily Mass, two Sunday Masses, Saturday confession, an active rosary group, K-8 CCD, Youth Ministry, and a Women's Group give parishioners many ways to worship, learn, and serve together.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- By appointment
Our Parish
St. Joseph's is a parish of about 750 families served by a pastor, two permanent deacons, and a small lay staff, in the rural Charles County community of Pomfret. The word 'Pomfret' means 'bridge,' and the parish describes itself as trying to be a bridge for a beautifully diverse family of believers — descendants of early Catholic settlers, of Native Americans, and of the enslaved who worked the area's tobacco plantations. The parish grounds, set on a 19-acre lot along Marshall Corner Road, include the historic church, a substantial cemetery, and several modern ancillary buildings.
History of St. Joseph Parish
The parish was founded in 1763 by Father George Hunter, S.J., who purchased the original two-acre site and built the first frame chapel. For the first fourteen years, Catholics in the area worshipped under restrictions, gathering at 'stations' — private homes where Mass and the sacraments were quietly offered. The first chapel stood until 1835; construction of the present church began in 1839 under Father Aloysius Mudd, and the building was dedicated on January 6, 1849. The church was enlarged, given a bell tower (1893) and a sacristy (1903), and extensively restored in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The parish took on co-sponsorship of Archbishop Neale School in 1948, and in the 1950s diocesan priests of the (Arch)diocese of Washington took over pastoral care from the Jesuits.
- 1763 — Parish founded by Fr. George Hunter, S.J.; first frame chapel built.
- 1835 — First chapel demolished due to deterioration.
- 1837 — Fr. Thomas Lilly, S.J. begins subscription for a new church.
- January 6, 1849 — Present St. Joseph's church dedicated.
- c. 1879 — Church extended by one third at the west end; eight memorial stained glass windows installed.
- 1893 — Bell tower erected at the front.
- 1903 — Sacristy added at the west end.
- 1908 — Social hall/pavilion built on site.
- 1948 — Parish formally co-sponsors Archbishop Neale School.
- 1950s — Archdiocese of Washington priests assume pastoral care from the Jesuits.
Architecture & Buildings
St. Joseph's is a 1-story stuccoed brick building fronted by a 3-1/2-story stuccoed frame bell tower. Typical of 17th- and 18th-century Catholic churches in Southern Maryland, the interior features white pews, slave balconies, a shallow barrel-arched ceiling, and portions of original 19th-century decorative woodwork — including the gallery balustrade. The Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties describes the church as among the best-preserved mid-19th-century religious buildings documented in Charles County. The prayer garden beside the church holds a statue of St. Joseph that originally stood within the cloister of the first Carmelite Monastery in the New World.
Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Joseph's includes an Inquirers/OCIA class for adults and OCIC for children, weekly K-8 CCD classes, a two-year Confirmation preparation program beginning in 7th grade, and adult Confirmation preparation. Inquirers meet Monday evenings at 7:30 PM in Activity Center Room 3 and are open to the unbaptized, baptized Christians from other traditions, and Catholics who want to learn more about their faith.
- OCIA (Inquirers) — Mondays 7:30 PM, Activity Center Room 3
- OCIC Team for children
- K-8 CCD classes (2025-2026 year in session)
- Confirmation preparation — two-year process beginning in 7th grade
- Adult Confirmation preparation by request
- Director of Faith Formation: Mary McNulty ([email protected])
Ministries & Service
The parish encourages parishioners to join one of many voluntary ministries. These span evangelization and Christian formation, liturgy and prayer, and direct service to neighbors in need through a Social Concerns / Food Pantry ministry and a Homebound ministry. There is also a Women's Group, an active Rosary prayer group, a Bible Study, and a Youth Ministry.
- OCIA and OCIC Teams for Adults and Children
- K-8 Class Teachers
- Evangelization / Christian Formation and Education
- Youth Ministry
- Women's Group
- Social Concerns / Food Pantry
- Homebound Ministry
- St. Joseph Rosary Group
- Bible Study
Sacraments
Information about the sacraments is published on the parish website, with registration and preparation requirements listed. First-time parents are asked to take part in the Baptism Preparation Program; children older than 7 and adults seeking Baptism enter through the OCIA program. Confirmation is normally received in 8th grade in the Archdiocese of Washington, with a two-year preparation that begins in 7th grade; adult Catholics who have not yet been confirmed can take a basic preparation program.
- Baptism — register at tinyurl.com/stjoebaptism; parishioner status ≥ 6 months expected.
- Confirmation — 8th grade, two-year prep from 7th grade.
- Adult Confirmation preparation available.
- First Communion through parish CCD.
- OCIA / RCIA for adults and children entering the Church.
- Marriage — contact parish office.
Parish Staff
The parish is led by the pastor and supported by two permanent deacons, a secretary, and a Coordinator of Religious Education / Director of Faith Formation. The Archdiocese of Washington directory lists Fr. Harry J. Stokes, Jr. as pastor, Deacon James M. Tittinger as deacon, Elizabeth DeLabar as secretary, and Ali Rak as Coordinator of Religious Education; the parish website lists Deacon Johnny Barnes alongside Deacon Jim Tittinger.
- Rev. Harry J. Stokes, Jr. — Pastor
- Deacon James M. Tittinger
- Deacon Johnny Barnes
- Elizabeth DeLabar — Secretary
- Mary McNulty — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Ali Rak — Coordinator of Religious Education
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is at 4590 St. Joseph Way, Pomfret, MD 20675, adjacent to the Pomfret Post Office on Marshall Corner Road. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (September 2025 hours are 9 AM – 12 PM Monday–Friday). The parish is listed by the Archdiocese of Washington as wheelchair accessible.
- Address: 4590 St. Joseph Way, Pomfret, MD 20675
- Phone: (301) 539-3903
- Fax: (301) 539-3912
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stjoepomfret.com (new); legacy: stjoepomfret.weconnect.com
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9–4; Fri 9–12
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father George Hunter, S.J.1763–
Founder; purchased the original two-acre site and built the first chapel.
- Archbishop Leonard Neale1700s
Second Archbishop of Baltimore; served earlier as pastor of St. Joseph's.
- Father Thomas Lilly, S.J.1837–
Began the subscription for the present church.
- Father Aloysius Mudd1839–
Recorded costs of bricks used to erect the new church.
- Rev. Harry J. Stokes, Jr.present
Current pastor.