Before you stands Holy Trinity Catholic Church a place steeped in history. This isn’t just any church. It’s the oldest continuously operating Roman Catholic parish in Washington DC. Imagine the stories these walls could tell.
Holy Trinity Parish was founded way back in 1787. Archbishop John Carroll a cousin of a signer of the Declaration of Independence himself spearheaded its creation. He envisioned a place of worship for the growing Catholic community in Georgetown. The first building completed in 1794 was initially called Georgetown Chapel. This was a clever tactic to avoid legal trouble surrounding the construction of Catholic churches at that time.
The original church faced south and even boasted a bell tower. It served the Georgetown Catholics and students of Georgetown College. Rev Francis Neale SJ was the first pastor. This small chapel is still there today. It’s now known as the Chapel of St Ignatius. It’s used for smaller events. The main church though that imposing structure you see before you was dedicated in 1851. The congregation simply outgrew the original building. This new church faced west and it lacked a tower.
During the Civil War the federal government requisitioned Holy Trinity Church. It was used as a hospital for over 200 wounded soldiers after the Second Battle of Bull Run. Can you picture the scene? Injured soldiers filling the pews now dedicated to prayer. The government returned the church in 1863 and even reimbursed the parish 350 dollars for its use.
Holy Trinity wasn’t just a place of worship. It was also the spiritual home for many prominent figures. President John F Kennedy and his family attended services here. A plaque commemorates his presence. Joe Biden also worshipped here during his time as Vice President and as President. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also attended services at Holy Trinity while in Washington.
The church even has a fascinating history with cemeteries. The original church site had a burying ground. Imagine hundreds of graves beneath what is now the lower school. In 1998 during construction workers unearthed human remains. A full forensic investigation led to the reburial of 44 individuals. Another cemetery College Ground was later established near Georgetown University. It too saw many burials including that of Susan Decatur wife of the famous naval hero Stephen Decatur. These grounds were later disturbed when the University expanded.
The current parish maintains Holy Rood Cemetery a larger burial ground. The university now owns the land. Holy Trinity however relies on archdiocesan cemeteries today. Today Holy Trinity continues to serve its community. It’s a vibrant testament to faith resilience and the enduring spirit of Georgetown. Step inside and feel the weight of history. Listen to the echoes of those who came before you.