Here stands St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. It stands less than half a mile from the United States Capitol Building. It is also near the Supreme Court Building.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church has a rich history. German immigrants founded the church. On October 25 1868 a crowd gathered. President Andrew Johnson was among them. 20000 people came to lay the cornerstone.
The architect hailed from Cologne Germany. He modeled St. Joseph’s design after the Cologne Cathedral. Brown stone from Hershey Pennsylvania was used. The construction cost 75000 dollars. St. Joseph’s was dedicated on January 18 1891.
Masses at St. Joseph’s were originally in Latin. Homilies were delivered in German. Italian stonemasons joined the congregation later. They worked on the Capitol’s expansion. An extensive renovation occurred beginning in 2002.
St. Joseph’s proximity to important buildings matters. It has attracted members of Congress. Congressional staffers attend. Even Supreme Court justices visit daily Mass. St. Joseph’s sits on the Senate side of the Capitol. It is commonly known as the Senate church. St. Peter’s is its counterpart on the House side.
Senator John E. Kenna attended daily Mass at St. Joseph’s. Senator Robert F. Kennedy also came. Senator Ted Kennedy was a regular. Justice Antonin Scalia attended too. The church began holding an annual Gold Mass in 2017. This is for congressional staffers.
St. Joseph’s has stood in the shadow of the Capitol Dome for over 150 years. Before other buildings existed St. Joseph’s stood side by side with the United States Capitol.
The church was planned as a Cathedral. It was for the German-speaking people in the United States. The architect modeled the church after Cologne’s Cathedral. Plans included a Gothic church. It would be 70 feet wide and 145 feet long. Seating capacity was planned for 1200 in the body and 140 in the choir. The spire was to be 200 feet high.
The foundation is made of red Seneca stone. It is seven feet thick. A temporary frame structure served as the original church in 1870. St. Joseph’s school was built in 1890. It was used as the church. This was while the present structure was under construction. The present church is built of brownstone. It came from Hershey Pennsylvania. The cost included all interior appointments. James Cardinal Gibbons dedicated the church.
St. Joseph’s welcomes all. It does not matter which side of the aisle they are on. The parish hosted the first annual Gold Mass for congressional staffers. Many filled the pews.
Deacon Gary Bockweg attended daily Mass at St. Joseph’s. He commuted from Woodbridge Virginia. He eventually moved closer to the parish.
Father William Gurnee is the current pastor. He worked on Capitol Hill for five years. He attended Mass at St. Joseph’s. The church’s community helped his faith grow.
Mary Margaret Olohan works near the parish. She appreciates the peaceful break. She attends daily Mass at St. Joseph’s.
St. Joseph’s offers a refuge. It is a place to meet Christ. It keeps people grounded. St. Joseph’s serves as a cornerstone. It is a beacon in the neighborhood. It is a place for all to find Jesus again.