Saint Stephen Martyr Catholic Church, Catholic church building on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C., United States.
Saint Stephen Martyr Catholic Church is a brick and stone Catholic church on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington, D.C., with a separate bell tower that stands apart from the main building. The interior is designed to seat a large congregation, with a broad nave and seating arranged to face the altar.
The parish was founded in 1867 and spent nearly a century at a different location before moving to its current building on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1961. The earlier structure had to be abandoned due to safety concerns, prompting the construction of the present church.
The church sits along one of Washington's most traveled roads and draws both regular parishioners and passersby looking for a moment of quiet in the city. Services here are held in English and the community is known for welcoming visitors.
The church is easy to find on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington, within walking distance of several Metro stops. If you want to look inside, it is best to come outside of service times so as not to disturb the congregation.
President John F. Kennedy attended services here regularly during his time at the White House. After his assassination in 1963, the parish provided items that were used in mourning ceremonies held at the White House.
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