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Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 2
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 6
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 10
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To recognize and celebrate Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Southeast, DC, on 14
the occasion of its 100
th
Church Anniversary, for its exceptional dedication and service to both its 15
members and community. 16
WHEREAS, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church was founded on December 7, 1924 by 17
Father Joseph Buckley, as the “daughter church” of Saint Teresa of Avila; 18
WHEREAS, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church celebrated its first masses in the home 19
of one of the congregants, and enough money was raised by congregants and Father Buckley to 20
purchase the lots at 27
th
and O Streets, S.E.; 21
WHEREAS, The “Hut Church” (a portable military building) was purchased from Saint 22
Gabriel’s Church, which served for eleven years until a permanent building for St. Francis Xavier 23
was built; 24
WHEREAS, Congregants raised over $150,000 for the current building, which was built 25
in 1936 and dedicated in 1937, with over 1,000 people in attendance; 26
WHEREAS, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church was named after the “Patron Saint of 27
Missionaries” (1506- 1552); 28
WHEREAS, In an effort to fulfill Father Buckley’s dream to have “every Catholic child 29
in a Catholic school”, the school building at 27
th
and O Streets, S.E., was dedicated on March 3, 30
1940, the same year that Father Buckley blessed the new John Philip Sousa Bridge; 31
WHEREAS, In 1948, Washington became its own archdiocese, separating from the 32
Mother See of Baltimore, and the new Archbishop of Washington, Patrick O’Boyle, desegregated 33
Catholic schools and churches in 1950, four years before Brown vs. Board of Education did the 34
same for public schools; 35
WHEREAS, To accommodate the rapid growth of the student body, in 1954, a new Saint 36
Francis Xavier school building was added, behind the church; 37
WHEREAS, Approximately 20 former students from Saint Francis Xavier have been 38
ordained as priests or have joined to become sisters in various orders; 39 WHEREAS, Saint Francis Xavier continues to faithfully serve the spiritual needs of its 40
members and of the neighborhood through its many ministries and charitable outreach such as its 41
monthly food pantry, Thanksgiving food drive, Christmas presents for children, winter coat 42
drive, and other assistance; 43
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF 44
COLUMBIA, that this resolution may be cited as the “Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church 45
Recognition Resolution of 2024”. 46
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Saint Francis 47
Xavier Church for 100 years of dedication and service to the community in the District. 48
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 49
the District of Columbia Register. 50