Saint Jerome Catholic Church

Whispers of faith echo through the years here at Saint Jerome Catholic Church. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to the enduring spirit of a community. Saint Jerome Catholic Church was founded in 1886. The same year, the city of Hyattsville itself was born. Imagine the transformation, from farmland to a bustling suburb of Washington D.C., with this church at its heart. The original Saint Jerome Catholic Church, completed in 1888, stood near where the current rectory is now. Can you picture it, a beacon of faith in the growing community? In the early 1920s, dreams of expansion took root. The basement level of a new, larger church was dedicated in 1925. It was located near the corner of Gallatin and 43rd Avenue. Interestingly, the planned upper level was never built. This “basement church” served the congregation until the present building was constructed between 1955 and 1957. Saint Jerome Catholic Church acted as a mother church for the region. As Prince George’s County expanded, new parishes were formed from it. This process started with St. James in Mount Rainier in 1908 and concluded with St. Mark’s in 1957. The current Saint Jerome Catholic Church building is one of the last in the area built in a traditional modified Romanesque style. Its stunning stained glass windows, added in 1965, depict the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. They also honor lay saints, adding another layer of meaning to their vibrant beauty. Today, Saint Jerome Catholic Church embraces around 700 families. The congregation represents a tapestry of cultures and backgrounds. It truly embodies the welcoming spirit of a diverse community.