Served First By The Jesuits

As St. Francis Borgia Parish in Washington celebrates its 175th anniversary, the parish can point to its long history with pride.

The 12 founding families who helped begin the parish in 1834 have grown to more than 1,500 families in a vibrant, busy, faith-filled parish community. The parish’s anniversary celebration culminated Oct. 4 with a Mass of Thanksgiving, followed by a festive dinner that overflowed from the parish’s Jesuit Hall into the Franciscan Courtyard.

It was a day to remember, said the pastor, Father Andrew Sigmund.

“More than 900 people (from the parish) attended the dinner, plus the nuns and priests who came,” Father Sigmund said. “Everybody was so enthusiastic.”

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson was the principal celebrant at the Mass, joined by about 13 priests with ties to the parish. At the end of Mass more than 30 members of the School Sisters of Notre Dame — who have taught at St. Francis Borgia for 150 years — renewed their vows.

Those participating priests and religious were either raised in St. Francis Borgia Parish or served there, the pastor said.

St. Francis Borgia Parish was begun by German Catholics and served by first the Jesuits, from 1834-1894

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