Thursday, May 22, 2025
A centenary Mass filled Epiphany Catholic Church on May 18 with reverence, joy, singing and standing room only. Led by Bishop Roy Edward Campbell Jr. of the Washington Diocese, the Mass included six concelebrants — and was followed by a Parish Feast and social gathering that continued the joyous milestone with fellowship and food and drink. Of course, there was birthday cake or two.
A historically Black church, Georgetown’s Epiphany is celebrating 100 years with a rich history of diversity and overcoming the odds. The parish was founded in 1923, when — due to the bigotry and segregation of the times — about 300 Black parishioner families left Holy Trinity Catholic Church to form their own community.
“They only wanted to be able to worship in the structured, religious teachings of the church without being humiliated or attempts being made to give them feelings of inferiority,” recalls Neville Waters, Jr., son of Gertrude Turner Waters, one of Epiphany’s founders.
In 1925, the church at 2712 Dumbarton St. NW was canonically established and constructed, featuring a stained-glass window depicting the Epiphany.
“Different communities, different cultures, different languages — but united in the same purpose: to meet and to worship Jesus Christ, following thereby in the footsteps of the three Wise Men,” says Rev. Stefan Megyery, pastor of Epiphany Church.
Joyful parishioners were at the Mass and the celebration in the parish hall. The Georgetowner asked some about their perspective on their church on the east side of town. They offered the following.
“Epiphany is a very vibrant community where different perspectives and voices come together within our shared faith. English, Korean and Lithuanian communities respectively bring in their uniqueness to expand each other’s horizon so that we can grow further in the Church as the body of Christ, “ says Francesca Kang. “It was truly touching to see all the priests who have guided our spiritual life in the past couple of decades gathered together to celebrate our 100th anniversary. Learning about the beginning of Epiphany as a home for Black parishioners in Georgetown humbles me. At the same time, I’m proud to be part of this community with its rich history
Charles Skuba, retired Georgetown University professor, writes, “Epiphany is not only an exceptional and inspiring part of our Georgetown history but continues to be a joyful, albeit unassuming, Catholic community of worship in the east village. I’ve been an Epiphany parishioner for the past 30 years but still am regularly met with quizzical reactions from Catholic friends and others who have never heard of it. Our humble little parish may not be very well known, but many Georgetowners, both young and old, find it a welcoming sanctuary in our busy city.”
“I love Epiphany Catholic Church for so many reasons! We have such a stellar shepherd in Father Stefan. He is involved in parish life and personally, as a scripture scholar, I appreciate that his homilies are well thought out, poignant and relative to our daily lives. I also love that Fr. Stefan brings in as many of the ancient Catholic tradition as he can that greatly enrich our worship. There is also an incredibly diverse community with so many different people bringing a wealth of knowledge, background, and cultural experiences to the table. As converts, my husband and I have felt very welcomed and have enjoyed being a part of a parish that we can walk to and call home. We feel honored to stand on the shoulders of the ones who have gone before us, courageous and God-loving founders, who took a leap of faith 100 years ago and now we are able to reap the fruit of their efforts. At our core, Epiphany is an engaged, diverse and active community of believers who love God and embraces each other,” says Melissa Overmyer, a Catholic scripture scholar, author and member of Epiphany’s Parish Council.
Daniel Sulmasy, M.D., director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University, writes, “Epiphany is a wonderful parish, and it is now growing with lots of young couples and babies. Our pastor, Fr. Stefan, is young, dynamic, and an insightful and inspiring preacher, and he has a keen sense of liturgy. We were founded as a refuge for Black Catholics 100 years ago and find ourselves, with Anglo, Korean and Lithuanian communities experiencing a rebirth as a multicultural community of faith, hope, and love.”
“On behalf of the Lithuanian Catholic Mission of Washington, D.C., I would like to thank our Lord that this parish came into being for many to worship and serve Him here in freedom. The founders of this parish took a great leap of faith to found it 100 years ago. We fervently hope that this small gem of a parish continues to exist and flourish,” says Sigita Naujokaitis, member of Epiphany’s Parish Council, representing the Lithuanian Mission.
“The 100-year celebration was startling to me in the sense that there were so many different subsets of people there,” writes George Hartley. “People who come to church on different days and times all descending at once, celebrating each other and their parish in the presence of God. I think He likes a party, too… Wedding Feast of Cana and all that.
“I’ve come to know a few, or more than a few, in most of those groups. The event was an opportunity to be introduced casually and somewhat joyfully to re-visit with our past pastors who came back to be a part of it all again.
“The fun too was watching the overflow crowd in the Rectory area where younger families were visiting at table with older long-term parishioners. History and stories were flying & consumed along with coffee and great eats. Epiphany, like Washington itself, is a home made wonderful by its members…and, of course, by its ever-patient and welcoming pastor Fr. Stefan Megyery.”
Paul Thrasher, retired nonprofit executive, former president of the City Tavern Club said: “My wife Cristina and I were married late in life nine years ago at Epiphany when our priest was transferred from Saint Ann’s on Tenley Circle. It was like going from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, a grand church to a humble, unpretentious one. We fell in love with it.
Epiphany is intimate and humble, with a simple beauty all its own. Whether it’s for quiet prayer, a high Mass, or a wedding, this became our spot. The congregation is small so it is easy to get to know one another, and become involved. I always dreamed of being a Lector (a Reader of Holy Scripture at Mass ), and our priest at the time welcomed me in that role. I am honored that now, two priests later, I am still so honored! For me, it’s a dream come true, and could only have happened here at Epiphany
And, there are the friends we have made at Epiphany. And, the congregation is very diverse; my wife Cristina is Venezuelan and she has found a welcoming Venezuelan constituency here at Epiphany! I am a native Washingtonian, and I like being part of a church that reflects the cosmopolitan make up of my city. Just so happy to be here!”