Off a lightly-traveled side road, in an out-of-the-way corner of southern Maryland, in a lovely expanse of fields and farms surrounded by woods and creeks, lies the third-oldest continuously-open parish in the Unites States: St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newport.
St. Mary’s was established in 1674 by two Franciscan priests, Fr. Basil Hobart and Fr. Polycarp Wickstead, the only Franciscan parish in the thirteen colonies. This part of Charles County was inhabited by numerous devoted Catholic families, who played a vital role in the early colonial history of this locality and were instrumental in shaping the religious landscape of the region. Many of those families still reside in the parish today!
In 1698, the parish was given to the care of the Jesuits at St. Ignatius at Chapel Point; in 1881, it was handed over to the Archdiocese of Baltimore; and in 1947, it became part of the newly founded Archdiocese of Washington.
St. Mary’s may be the most rural parish in the Archdiocese of Washington, but we like to say it must be the most beautiful! Surrounded by farms and fields and woods, off several back roads, filled with gardens full of flowers, our parish provides a welcome retreat to hear that still, small voice of God.
Most important of all, after 350 years and counting, you can still find a wonderful parish community here, with that small-town country feel. We strive to celebrate the Mass beautifully and reverently in our lovely little church. You'll find that our pastor, Fr. Matt, offers thoughtful homilies (but not too long!), and that the music at the 5:00pm Vigil and 10:30am Sunday Masses, sung well by our musicians and choir, will lift your spirits and help you enter more deeply into prayer. After Mass, parishioners gather on the front steps of the church for coffee and donuts. Throughout the year, we throw great parties to bring our community together (Oktoberfest and St. Patrick's are the highlights!). Our monthly Food Pantry is a great ministry of service to the local community, and our CCD classes provide solid and attentive formation for our children.
Last but not least, St. Mary's has a remarkable building on the National Historic Register, the old former church, currently being renovated. First erected in the 1790s, finished in 1840, it was built in the Greek Revival style, containing a second floor gallery and the largest collection of extant pre-Civil War church painting and stenciling in southern Maryland. We plan on moving our Shrine of St. John Vianney (founded in 1931, the only one in the country!) into the old church, once it is restored. You can find out more about our vision for the old church here.
EMERGENCY REQUIRING A PRIEST:
Call the rectory, day or night, 301-934-8825
ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE HOMEBOUND:
Please contact the office to arrange a time for Fr. Matt to come to your home or to a facility or hospital and celebrate the Anointing of the Sick and bring Holy Communion. Our Extraordinary Ministers regularly bring Communion to the homebound. Contact the office to be put on the schedule.
FUNERALS:
Funerals can be celebrated on any weekday. The Parish Hall is also available for repasts. Ordinarily, Fr. Matt will meet with the bereaved to go over the guidelines and plan out the funeral celebration. Please review our funeral policies here.
BECOMING CATHOLIC:
Adults and older children who want to become Catholic can contact the office to schedule a meeting with Fr. Matt. Ordinarily, the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation for adults and older children are celebrated at the Easter Vigil.
BAPTISM OF INFANTS AND YOUNGER CHILDREN:
Please contact the office to schedule a time. If this is your first baptism at St. Mary's, we will schedule a time for you to meet with Fr. Matt. At least one of the sponsors/godparents must be a practicing Catholic. Baptisms are generally held on Sunday, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass.
MATRIMONY:
Contact the office at least six months before the anticipated day. Engaged couples will meet with Fr. Matt several times for instruction before their wedding. Attending a weekend retreat before the wedding, through the Archdiocese of Washington or the Diocese of Arlington, is required.
CLICK HERE to easily donate online.
Please join us each week, from April to October, for coffee, donuts, and chat after our Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Mass.
We are in need of a family or group to host this great event each week.
If you are interested in hosting, please CLICK HERE to select from one of the available sign-up dates. There is also a paper sign-up sheet available on the table at the back of the church Narthex.
For additional information please contact JoAnn Lennon 301-752-5113.