St. Paul's College, Washington, D.C.

St. Paul's College was a Catholic educational institution in Brookland, situated on an expansive property near Catholic University of America. The campus contained academic and residential buildings, a chapel, dining hall, and training spaces that served seminary formation until the property changed hands in 2016.

The institution was founded in 1914 as Saint Thomas Aquinas College and renamed St. Paul's College in 1916 to serve as a formation house for the Paulist Fathers. For more than a century, it played an important role in Catholic seminary training in the region.

The building reflects Catholic educational traditions through its design and layout, which shaped the religious character of the Brookland neighborhood for over a century. Its presence helped define how this part of Washington developed as a center for Catholic institutions.

The property lies near Catholic University of America and is easily reachable in the Brookland neighborhood. Since the site is now undergoing private development, public access is limited, so check ahead about any scheduled tours or events before planning a visit.

The architects who designed the original complex, Frederick V. Murphy and Walter B. Olmsted, later designed eight additional buildings at the nearby Catholic University of America. This architectural continuity shaped the entire neighborhood and reflected a coordinated approach to institutional campus development.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1914

Website: http://paulist.org/locations/dc_st_pauls_college.php

GPS coordinates: 38.92800,-76.99880

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:02