Imagine James Buchanan himself walked through these doors for the dedication of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Church in 1859. Yes the President of the United States. The New York Times covered it. Let’s step back in time and explore the rich history of this Roman Catholic parish church.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Church stands at 19 I Street. It’s in the Near Northeast neighborhood. The Jesuits have administered it since its founding. The church is named for St. Aloysius Gonzaga. It is closely linked to Gonzaga College High School sharing a physical connection. The church building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The construction of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Church finished in 1859. It primarily served the Irish Catholics living nearby especially in Swampoodle. Jesuit Father Benedict Sestini a Georgetown University Mathematics teacher designed it.
Look up at the painting above the main altar. It depicts Aloysius Gonzaga receiving his first Holy Communion. Cardinal Charles Borromeo is giving it to him. Constantino Brumidi painted it. He also painted the frescoes in the United States Capitol rotunda. Brumidi included Father Sestini and Pastor Father Bernadine Wiget in the painting. Adele Cutts Douglas wife of Senator Stephen Douglas was the model for St. Aloysius’ mother.
During the Civil War in 1862 the District of Columbia sought to use Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Church as a military hospital. Instead Father Wiget proposed building a 250-bed hospital on K Street. Parishioners completed it in just eight days. It was named St. Aloysius Hospital in honor of the church.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Church one of Washington D.C.’s largest has seen many renovations. In 1892 the church was repainted. New solid oak pews were installed. The heating system was upgraded.
The interior was repainted again in the 1930s. In 1958 Gibbons and Associates created a new interior design. It featured mauve and teal with silver leaf accents.
By 1964 the neighborhood was changing. Urban development replaced small houses with high-rise office buildings. Father Horace McKenna came to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Church. He helped create a new housing development called Sursum Corda for the original residents. Washington attorney Eugene L. Stewart provided expert advice.
An emergency feeding program grew into SOME So Others Might Eat. It was founded by Dr. Veronia Maz Father McKenna and others. The first meal was served in 1971.
In the mid-1970s the congregation dwindled. They moved to the basement church for over twenty-five years.
In 1993 Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Church began a complete restoration of the sanctuary. The sanctuary area was extended. It became handicapped accessible.
Stephen J. Ferrandi directed the new color scheme. It used blue accents over cream walls with 23-carat gold leaf. In 1994 the project won Best Restoration in the United States.
In 2012 the parish merged with Holy Redeemer Church. Gonzaga College High School maintains the church. The Father McKenna Center continues to operate in the basement.
In 2017 a tornado damaged Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Church. It destroyed part of the roof and caused interior damage.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Church has stood as a testament to faith community and resilience. From its dedication attended by President Buchanan to its role in the Civil War and its modern-day mission it embodies the spirit of Washington D.C. and the enduring legacy of the Jesuits.