The DC Traveler

The first church in the new Federal City of Washington was the original St. Patrick’s Church, established in 1794.

Opened to serve primarily the Irish immigrant stonemasons who were building the newly moved nation’s capital, it served as a house of worship for the Catholic builders of the White House and the U.S. Capitol and their families.

The first church building erected outside of old Georgetown was a small wooden-framed chapel and priest’s residence, built on a lot that was purchased for the current equivalence of $1,500.  It was built a full six years before the federal government moved its operations to the new federal district in 1800. 

The first pastor, Father William Matthews, was not only the first American to be ordained a priest in the U.S., but was also the President of Georgetown University, and co-founder of the D.C. Public Library, among other posts he held.

A second church, this one of brick, opened in 1809, and served the community for the next 61 years. During the War of 1812 (1812-1815), when the British invaded Washington, DC and burned several government buildings, including the Congress and Senate buildings, British soldiers attended church services at St. Patrick’s.  Years later, the church was again “occupied”, this time by National Guard troops called out during the riots after Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968.  

One famous parishioner during the Civil War was Mary Surratt, who was convicted and hung for treason, conspiracy and plotting the assassination of President Lincoln.  Her St. Patrick’s priest walked with her from the jail to the gallows.

In 1884, the current gothic, gray-stone church was dedicated. Since then, Presidents Taft, Wilson and Lyndon Johnson have visited the church.

St. Patrick Catholic Church
619 10th Street, NW
Washington, DC  (map it)

Dates and Times - Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturdays 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sundays 7:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Admission - Admission is free and visitors are welcome, but please remember it is an active house of worship. 

Nearest Metro Subway Station - Metro Center, Red, Blue and Orange lines, and Gallery Place-Chinatown - Red, Green and yellow lines, and both are less then a 2-block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking - Metered street parking is available in the area.

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