Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                               A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                             25-251

                   IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                          July 9, 2024

To recognize and celebrate Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Southeast, DC, on the

       occasion of its 100th Church Anniversary, for its exceptional dedication and service to

       both its members and community.

        WHEREAS, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church was founded on December 7, 1924 by

Father Joseph Buckley, as the “daughter church” of Saint Teresa of Avila;

        WHEREAS, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church celebrated its first masses in the home

of one of the congregants, and enough money was raised by congregants and Father Buckley to

purchase the lots at 27th and O Streets, S.E.;

       WHEREAS, The “Hut Church” (a portable military building) was purchased from Saint

Gabriel’s Church, which served for 11 years until a permanent building for St. Francis Xavier

was built;

       WHEREAS, congregants raised over $150,000 for the current building, which was built

in 1936 and dedicated in 1937, with over 1,000 people in attendance;

       WHEREAS, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church was named after the “Patron Saint of

Missionaries” (1506-1552);

        WHEREAS, in an effort to fulfill Father Buckley’s dream to have “every Catholic child

in a Catholic school”, the school building at 27th and O Streets, S.E., was dedicated on March 3,

1940, the same year that Father Buckley blessed the new John Philip Sousa Bridge;

       WHEREAS, in 1948, Washington became its own archdiocese, separating from the

Mother See of Baltimore, and the new Archbishop of Washington, Patrick O’Boyle, desegregated

Catholic schools and churches in 1950, 4 years before Brown vs. Board of Education did the

same for public schools;

       WHEREAS, to accommodate the rapid growth of the student body, in 1954, a new Saint

Francis Xavier school building was added, behind the church;

                                                    1

                                                                  ENROLLED ORIGINAL

       WHEREAS, approximately 20 former students from Saint Francis Xavier have been

ordained as priests or have joined to become sisters in various orders;

        WHEREAS, Saint Francis Xavier continues to faithfully serve the spiritual needs of its

members and of the neighborhood through its many ministries and charitable outreach such as its

monthly food pantry, Thanksgiving food drive, Christmas presents for children, winter coat

drive, and other assistance;

      IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church

Recognition Resolution of 2024”.

       Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Saint Francis

Xavier Church for 100 years of dedication and service to the community in the District.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

                                                    2