About St. Mary Star of the Sea · Indian Head, Maryland
St. Mary, Star of the Sea is a Roman Catholic parish in Indian Head, Maryland, situated in Charles County along the Potomac River near the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division. Canonically established in 1909 and worshipping from a modest wooden church on Mattingly Avenue, the parish serves the small riverside community and surrounding Charles County area under the Archdiocese of Washington. The current pastor is Rev. Brian A. Coelho, supported by a small staff including a secretary and a coordinator of religious education. The parish offers daily Mass, weekend Masses in English, Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays, regular Saturday confessions, and a scriptural Rosary after First Saturday Mass.
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- Our Lady, Star of the Sea
- Rector
- Rev. Brian A. Coelho
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Mary, Star of the Sea is a small, historic parish where parishioners are known by name. Fr. Brian Coelho makes home visits by request, the parish maintains a faithful schedule of daily and weekend Masses, First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confessions, and a scriptural Rosary after First Saturday Mass. Parish socials and a close-knit community of longtime Charles County Catholic families make this a welcoming place for anyone seeking a traditional, prayerful Catholic home in the Indian Head area.
Mass times at St. Mary Star of the Sea
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (and by request)
- Thursday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (During Lent Only)
Adoration times
- 1st Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
About St. Mary, Star of the Sea
St. Mary, Star of the Sea is a Roman Catholic parish located at 30 Mattingly Avenue in Indian Head, Charles County, Maryland. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Washington and is currently pastored by Rev. Brian A. Coelho. The parish serves a small but dedicated Catholic community in the Indian Head / Bryan's Road area along the Potomac River, including many families connected to the nearby Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division.
- Archdiocese of Washington parish
- 30 Mattingly Avenue, Indian Head, MD 20640
- Pastor: Rev. Brian A. Coelho
- Phone: 301-743-5770
- Wheelchair accessible
- Website: staroftheseaindianhead.org
History
Catholic life in the Indian Head area traces back to 1800, when the community was served as a mission from St. Charles at Glymont by Jesuit Fathers. The rapid population growth tied to the U.S. Naval Powder Factory made a dedicated church in Indian Head a necessity, and in 1909 the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea was built on land donated by the Mattingly family. The Jesuit Fathers, who already served La Plata, Pomfret, and Glymont, asked Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore to appoint a diocesan priest as resident pastor; Father Charles R. O'Hara was named the first resident pastor on June 7, 1918, and a rectory was built in Indian Head. The original wooden church, more than 100 years old, retains its exposed timbers and stained-glass windows.
- 1800: Mission of St. Charles at Glymont
- 1909: Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea built; parish canonically established
- Land donated by the Mattingly family
- Jesuit Fathers served before diocesan appointment
- June 7, 1918: Father Charles R. O'Hara named first resident pastor
Devotions
Beyond the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, the parish nurtures Marian devotion through a Scriptural Rosary prayed following the 7:30 AM First Saturday Mass. The parish also publishes daily readings on its homepage so parishioners can follow along with the Church's liturgical calendar.
- Scriptural Rosary after First Saturday Mass
- Daily Mass Readings linked on parish website
Parish Staff
St. Mary, Star of the Sea is served by a small, dedicated staff headed by the pastor, with support from a secretary and a coordinator of religious education.
- Pastor: Rev. Brian A. Coelho
- Secretary: Diana Medel
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Janet Lacey
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education for parish children is coordinated by Janet Lacey. The parish previously operated St. Mary Star of the Sea School (PreK–8) from 1961 until it closed in 2006. Today, faith formation continues through parish-based religious education programs for children and sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation.
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Janet Lacey
- Parish-based CCD/Religious Education
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
Parish Life & Community
The parish fosters community through periodic parish socials and fellowship, and keeps parishioners connected through the Flocknote email/text messaging platform. Fr. Brian also makes home visits to parishioners upon request, calling the rectory office to arrange a time. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and the parish grounds include a well-maintained garden and pond.
- Parish Socials (resumed in October)
- Flocknote email/text sign-ups
- Home visits by Fr. Brian on request
- Parish garden and pond
Stewardship & Donations
The parish accepts donations to support its mission and ministry in the Indian Head community. Parishioners and visitors are reminded through the website to beware of phishing scams impersonating Fr. Brian; he never requests donations or gift cards via email or text.
- Online/Parish donations
- Phishing-scam warning posted on parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Charles R. O'Hara1918-
Appointed by Cardinal Gibbons as the first resident pastor of Star of the Sea on June 7, 1918, after the parish had been served from Glymont by the Jesuit Fathers of St. Charles since 1909.