Penn Quarter in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
St. Patrick's Parish
Erected about 1792
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 7, 2009
1. St. Patrick's Parish Marker
First church to be erected in the "Federal City" outside the limits of "George Towne." First pastor, Rev. Anthony Caffrey, brought from Dublin at suggestion of James Hoban, architect of the "Presidential Palace."
March 17, 1953.
Erected 1953.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical date for this entry is March 17, 1953.
Location. 38° 53.888′ N, 77° 1.545′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in the Penn Quarter. Marker is on 10th Street Northwest south of G Street Northwest, on the left when traveling south. Marker is near the church entrance between F and G Steets, NW. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 619 10th Street Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Woodward and Lothrop "Woodies" Colorization Project (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Woodward and Lothrop "Woodies" Colorization Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Site Of The Old Carroll Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Woodward and Lothrop "Woodies" Colorization Project (within shouting distance of this marker); a different
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Saint Patrick Catholic Church. ... The first American to be ordained a priest in the United States, Fr. William Matthews, was named pastor in 1804. This multi-talented clergyman occupied the post for fifty years, during which time he was also President of Georgetown University, Administrator of the Philadelphia Diocese, co-founder of the D.C. Public Library, long-time member of the D.C. Public School Board, as well as founder or promoter of innumerable institutions (e.g. Gonzaga College, Visitation Convent, and St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum). As the "Catholic Patriarch of Washington," Father Matthews was on close terms with Washington notables such as Henry Clay and Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney; Presidents Zachery Taylor and John Quincy Adams attended parish
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 22, 2008
2. St. Patrick's Parish Marker
2. Irish-American Historic Places. The 1850's brought waves of new Catholic immigrants; the Civil War ... burgeoning numbers of troops, some 50,000 wounded soldiers and new government employees. The parish under Father Jacob Walter, its fourth pastor, undertook its new challenges with vigor ... [E]specially outspoken in the defense of Mary Surratt, a parish member who was convicted of complicity in Lincoln's assassination, ... the pastor stood beside her on the gallows at her execution. It was under Father Walter's direction that the present gothic church was begun in 1872 and finally dedicated in 1884. The grand church quickly became the venue for national and international events, most notably the First National Eucharistic Congress in 1895. At the same time the parish was fast becoming the "downtown" church of a thriving commercial area. (Submitted on February 7, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. Roman Catholic; Irish-American; Mt. Olivet Cemetery; Fr. William Matthews; Fr. Jacob Walter; Mary Surratt.
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 7, 2009
3. St. Patrick's R.C. Church
present edifice constructed 1872-1884. The marker is visible above sidewalk, center-left.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,650 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 7, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on February 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 7, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
