About Saint Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.:
Much of the history of this beautiful church centers around the The Kolipinski family, who contributed much to adorn the church we know today.
Leopold Kolipinski (born in 1822 in Ksiaz, Poland, then part of the Kingdom of Prussia) immigrated to the United States in 1852 with Maria Montz and they wed soon thereafter. He was a cabinetmaker and set up shop in St. Mary’s neighborhood in a variety of locations over the years, and then finally in the 600-Block of I (Eye) Street, NW, where the Kolipinski family would have a base well into the Twentieth Century.
They had three children before Maria died in 1867, Emilie (1853 – 1923), Ottilie (1856 – 1862), and Louis Xavier (1859 – 1914), all baptized in the old St. Mary’s church. Emilie married Bavarian immigrant Leopold Weiss in 1886 at St. Mary’s, which is why the “Mater Dei” window is jointly dedicated to the Kolipinski and Weiss families. Leopold’s son Louis, however, warrants particular attention here. He eventually became one of Washington’s most successful doctors and a real estate tycoon in the young and growing national capital.
The sculpted Carrera marble altar rail and the prominent sanctuary apse triptych window from Munich of angels holding the “Mater Dei” banner are the most visible of their generous gifts.
The Kolipinski mausoleum at St. Mary’s cemetery is perhaps one of the grandest structures on the burial grounds. There, and adjacent to it, lie the remains of many in that family among the graves of so many of St. Mary’s original parishioners who built the church.The present Church was built in 1890. Its German identity began to disappear at the dawn of the 20th Century and is now a part of its history.
In the 1930s, the then-pastor began a series of Monday Novenas dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. They were very successful (during World War II the crowds overflowed out into the street) and continue to this day. You can listen to the Miraculous Medal Novena on your radio (122.0 FM or 100.7 FM) on Sundays at 12:45 pm or through wfax.com
The parish is somewhat unique in that it is comprised of three distinct communities:
One is based on the celebration of the Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal: the old Latin Mass (Tridentine Mass). This community is devoted to the subtle and mystery of the Latin language and the priest’s movements.
Masses are also offered in English according to the Ordinary Rite.
The Chinese Pastoral Mission celebrates Mass in Chinese on Sunday and various holidays.
Traveling to Saint Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.:
Address: 727 Fifth Street, NW. Washington DC 20001
Tel: +1 (202) 289-7771
Click here for the official website of Saint Mary Mother of God Parish in Washington, D.C.