Saint Thomas à Becket Catholic Church

Whispers of “high society” still echo around Saint Thomas à Becket Catholic Church in Washington D.C. This wasn’t always a church of presidents and influential figures. Saint Thomas à Becket, founded in 1891 as Calvary Parish, initially served the Dupont Circle area. The first service in the magnificent cruciform stone church, described as “the most beautiful ecclesiastical building in the District,” was held in 1899. Its gilded cross shimmered above the skyline, a beacon of elegance. Wrought iron and glass doors welcomed worshippers, who walked down the center aisle bathed in light from stained glass windows. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson graced its pews. In 1933, the newly inaugurated President Roosevelt returned to Saint Thomas à Becket, drawing crowds hoping to witness his presence. The 1960s brought turbulence. The neighborhood changed, the congregation dwindled after the 1968 riots, and the church became a refuge for anti-war protestors. Then, in 1970, arson nearly destroyed Saint Thomas à Becket. Only the walls remained, a stark reminder of the loss. Yet, from the ashes, a new spirit emerged. The Phoenix Rising Project solidified the church’s commitment to social justice and inclusion. The burned-out shell was transformed into a park, a gift to the community, while the surviving Parish Hall became a place of worship and community gatherings. Saint Thomas à Becket embraced the changing neighborhood, becoming a haven for the LGBTQ+ community during a time of prejudice. It was one of the few churches to allow Integrity, an organization of gay Episcopalians, to celebrate the Eucharist, and offered funerals for those who died of HIV/AIDS, regardless of their affiliation. By the 1980s, the church stood as a symbol of love and acceptance in the heart of Washington’s gay and lesbian neighborhood. The appointment of the openly gay Reverend James Holmes in 1992 marked a new era. In 1998, Saint Thomas à Becket formally adopted a procedure for blessing same-sex unions, a testament to its evolving understanding of committed relationships. Today, Saint Thomas à Becket stands as a testament to resilience, inclusivity, and the enduring power of community. It’s a place where history whispers from the park, where the echoes of presidents mingle with the voices of those once marginalized, and where the spirit of welcome continues to burn bright.