Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
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| Monsignor Thomas G. Smyth, first Catholic priest at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. CCHS Object ID 1988.05.43. | |
Mission of St. Ann's
In 1910, Cardinal Gibbons asked Father Thomas Gibbons Smyth, of St. Ann’s in Tenleytown, to begin a mission parish for a Catholic church in Chevy Chase. On April 3, 1910, mass was celebrated for the first time at Chevy Chase Library. The congregation completed their first structure on July 2, 1911. By 1920, both churches saw the need for a separation as both parishes were growing at significant rates. On April 24, 1920, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament was officially separated from St. Ann’s.
Blessed Sacrament Church, before 1920. Currently the site of the Blessed Sacrament School, 5841 Chevy Chase Parkway. CCHS Object ID 2008.252.02.
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the closest Catholic church to the Chevy Chase community, actually owes its founding to many non-Catholics. The first meeting for the church was held in the home of Mrs. Isabella Ridgeway, the widow of Albert Ridgeway. Although her husband was Catholic, Mrs. Ridgeway was not. Regardless, a meeting was held at her home on Grafton Street in order to organize the church. Additionally, the first donation for the permanent church was given by Joseph McReynolds, a non-Catholic. He owned an auto business and estate near the Circle. While he was not Catholic at the time of the donation, he would later become a member of the church at his daughter’s urging.
"Maryland is a Catholic state. There are bound to be more Catholics in Chevy Chase than those who attended your first mass. I'll help you round 'em up" -Mrs. Isabella Ridgeway to Father Smyth.
Building on the Maryland-District Line
The first mass for the church was held at Chevy Chase Library, with 25 attending prospective parishioners. At a later lawn party, this group would raise $500 for future building efforts. Michael Heister began drawing up plans for a simple chapel in April 1911. However, there was some controversy regarding the location of the chapel. It was decided that the church would be built teetering the Maryland and District line, hoping to appeal to both geographic locations. The structure was dedicated on July 2, 1911.
"So in the spirit of compromise, since the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament could not be on both sides of the dividing line between Maryland and the District, it was built as near as possible to the line. On the south side, in the District- but within whispering distance of Maryland." -Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament: 1911-1961, p. 22.
Within the next few years, Blessed Sacrament experienced continued growth and began making plans for a permanent church. The addition of an assistant priest, rectory, and choir solidified Blessed Sacrament as a thriving, independent parish church. At the end of 1923, the church had raised $55,000 for future building projects. On September 23, 1923, the school opened their temporary building. By November 1925, the cornerstone of the church was laid. In August, the permanent school was finally completed.
Laying of the cornerstone of The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 1925. 3630 Quesada Street, (formerly 6801 Western Avenue). CCHS Object ID 2008.252.04.
Laying of the cornerstone of The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 1925. 3630 Quesada Street, (formerly 6801 Western Avenue). CCHS Object ID 2008.252.06.
Ringing of the Bells
In 1936, chimes were added to the church tower. This change provoked animosity from nearby neighbors and litigation ensued. Twenty-four neighbors argued that the sound of the Angelus bells, reminding the faithful to pray, were particularly disturbing in the early morning hours. Blessed Sacrament argued that the sound of traffic on the Circle was more intrusive than the bells. The church eventually moved the 6am Angelus ringing to 7am in deference to the neighbors. The case, however, was decided in the church’s favor and the chimes continue to this day.
Sweeping Changes
Further changes would occur at the parish moving into the 1940’s. On July 22, 1939, the Archdiocese of Washington was formally separated from Baltimore. The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament was placed in the newly formed Archdiocese of Washington. In December 1941, the current rectory was acquired. By 1946, the church began fundraising and planning for an addition to the church school that was completed in 1951. Following the retirement of Monsignor Smyth in 1951, Edward H. Roach, W. Louis Quinn, D. Joseph Corbett, Thomas M. Duffy, and John Enzler served as Pastor at Blessed Sacrament.
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| The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, circa 1950s. 3630 Quesada Street, NW Washington DC. CCHS Object ID 2008.252.08. |
Reverend Ronald A. Potts is the current Pastor of Blessed Sacrament and has served there since 2011. Prior to his appointment at Blessed Sacrament, he served at Sacred Heart in La Plata, Mother Seton Parish in Germantown, St. John in Hollywood, and St. Jane de Chantal in Bethesda. The parish has over 3,000 registered families and almost 9,500 total members. In 2012, 233 members were baptized, 130 members received the sacrament of confirmation, 53 marriages were performed, and 72 funerals were held.
