Before us stands the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. It is more commonly known as St. Matthew’s Cathedral. It serves as the seat of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
St. Matthew’s Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. But its story began long before that.
In 1840, the parish of St. Matthew the Apostle was established. It was the fourth in the District of Columbia. The original church was at 15th and H Streets.
As time passed, the congregation grew. Monsignor Thomas Sim Lee bought land on Rhode Island Avenue in 1892. He wanted to build a new, grander church. Christopher Grant LaFarge was commissioned as the architect. He had previously worked on the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Construction of St. Matthew’s Cathedral began in 1893. The first Mass was celebrated in 1895. The dome wasn’t completed until 1913.
In 1939, St. Matthew’s became a cathedral. This happened when the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Washington was created. Later, in 1947, Washington became its own archdiocese. St. Matthew’s then became the Mother Church.
Over the years, St. Matthew’s Cathedral has hosted many significant events. In 1963, John F. Kennedy’s funeral Mass was held here. A marble plaque marks the spot where his casket rested. Other notables have also had funeral services here.
Mother Teresa visited St. Matthew’s in 1974. A statue of her with a homeless man commemorates her visit. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass here in 1979. A bust of him is displayed in the St. Anthony Chapel. Pope Francis also led Midday Prayer here in 2015.
By the late 1990s, the Cathedral needed significant repairs. A major restoration took place from 1999 to 2003. The dome was repaired. The mosaics and artwork were refurbished. The lighting and sound systems were upgraded.
The architecture of St. Matthew’s Cathedral blends Romanesque Revival and Byzantine elements. The exterior is made of red brick with sandstone. The interior has marble and semiprecious stones. A large mosaic of St. Matthew is behind the main altar. The dome extends 190 feet above the nave.
St. Matthew, the apostle, is the Cathedral’s namesake. He was a tax collector. The church recognizes all who serve in government. The “Red Mass” is celebrated annually for the legal profession. Supreme Court Justices and other leaders often attend.
The Cathedral has a crypt with tombs for Washington’s archbishops. Also, St. Matthew’s organ has around 5,045 pipes.
St. Matthew’s Cathedral stands as a testament to faith, art, and history. It continues to be a place of worship and a landmark in Washington, D.C. It welcomes all who seek solace and inspiration.