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'''Washington, D.C.''' (formally the District of Columbia) is the capital city of the [[United States]], a federal district independent of any state, known for its planned urban design by Pierre Charles L'Enfant, iconic monuments, government institutions, and diverse population. Covering approximately 177 km² (68 square miles), it has an estimated population of around 693,000–702,000 (as of recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates for 2024–2025, with slight variations across sources due to revisions and projections). Catholicism, introduced in the late 18th century through immigrant workers and early parishes, is a significant minority religion, with the [[Archdiocese of Washington]] serving the District and surrounding Maryland counties, reporting over 667,000 Catholics (approximately 20–22% in the broader archdiocesan territory, though city-specific figures vary; older data from Catholic-Hierarchy.org noted around 21.7% in 2004 for the archdiocese). The archdiocese, established as a diocese in 1939 and elevated to archdiocese in 1965, is a metropolitan see with the [[Diocese of Saint Thomas]] (U.S. Virgin Islands) as its sole suffragan, and is home to major national Catholic institutions including the [[Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception]]—the largest Roman Catholic church in North America—and the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.<ref name="cath-hier-wash">{{Cite web |title=Washington (Archdiocese) |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dwash.html |publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref><ref name="adw-facts">{{Cite web |title=The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington Facts |url=https://adw.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/ADW-Fast-facts-2024.pdf |publisher=Archdiocese of Washington |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>
{{AdministrativeSubdivision
{{AdministrativeSubdivision
|Country=United States
|subdivision_name=Washington, D.C.
|Diocese1=Archdiocese of Washington
|country=United States
}}'''Washington, D.C.''', formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington or D.C., is the capital city of the United States of America. It's located between the states of Maryland and Virginia, along the Potomac River. It's not part of any state; it's a federal district under the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress.
|continent=North America
|region=Mid-Atlantic
|area_sq_km=177
|population=700000
|catholic_population=140000
|catholic_percentage=20
|rank_among_religions=Significant minority religion (second or third in many estimates)
|official_languages=English (de facto)
|capital_city=Washington, D.C. (itself the capital)
|date_catholicism_introduced=Late 18th century (1790s)
|catholicism_status=Significant minority religion with prominent national institutions and historical presence
|ecclesiastical_provinces_count=1 (Province of Washington)
|dioceses_count=1 (Archdiocese of Washington covers the District)
|patron_saints=Blessed Virgin Mary (under her title of Mother of God / Immaculate Conception, patroness of the archdiocese)
|historic=No
}}


It is governed by the [[Archdiocese of Washington]].
== Geography ==
[[Washington, D.C.]] is located on the Potomac River, bordered by [[Maryland]] to the north, east, and southeast, and [[Virginia]] to the southwest (across the river). Covering 177 km², its terrain includes planned urban grids, parks, monuments, and hilly areas in the northwest. This central location has facilitated the establishment of major Catholic sites, including national shrines accessible to pilgrims from across the country.<ref name="wiki-dc">{{Cite web |title=Washington, D.C. - Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C. |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
{{Breadcrumbs|align=right|officialwebsite=no|wikipedia=yes}}
The District of Columbia was established in 1791 as the national capital. Catholicism arrived with Irish immigrant workers building the city in the 1790s; [[St. Patrick's Church (Washington, D.C.)]] (founded 1794) is considered the parent church of the city proper. The Archdiocese of Washington was erected in 1939 from portions of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, elevated to metropolitan status in 1965.<ref name="newadvent-dc">{{Cite web |title=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15558a.htm |publisher=New Advent (Catholic Encyclopedia) |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref><ref name="wiki-washarch">{{Cite web |title=Archdiocese of Washington - Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archdiocese_of_Washington |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>
The city was founded on July 16, 1790, to serve as the new national capital. The location was chosen as a compromise between the Northern and Southern states. Pierre Charles L'Enfant designed the city's basic layout, with its grid pattern interspersed with diagonal avenues and public squares.
 
== Demographics ==
[[Washington, D.C.]] has a population of approximately 700,000, with Catholics estimated at around 20% in broader archdiocesan data (though city-only figures may vary due to commuting and jurisdiction). Catholicism is a minority amid diverse faiths and secular trends.<ref name="cath-hier-wash"/>


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As the seat of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, the [[Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (Archdiocese of Washington)|Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle]] plays a central role in the religious life of Catholics in D.C. It's renowned for its historical significance, beautiful architecture, and for hosting significant events, including funerals of notable figures and the annual Red Mass for the legal profession.
As the seat of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, the [[Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (Archdiocese of Washington)|Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle]] plays a central role in the religious life of Catholics in D.C. It's renowned for its historical significance, beautiful architecture, and for hosting significant events, including funerals of notable figures and the annual Red Mass for the legal profession.


== Neighbors ==


* [[Maryland]]
* [[Virginia]]


== Related ==
 
[[Category:Administrative subdivision in the United States]]
== Catholic church ==
The [[Catholic Church]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] falls under the [[Archdiocese of Washington]], a metropolitan see with 139 parishes and missions across the District and five Maryland counties.<ref name="adw-facts"/>
 
=== Structure ===
The Province of Washington includes:
 
[[Archdiocese of Washington]] (metropolitan see, covering Washington, D.C., and Maryland counties)
[[Diocese of Saint Thomas]] (suffragan, U.S. Virgin Islands)<ref name="wiki-washarch"/>
== Introduction of Catholicism ==
Catholicism was introduced in the late 18th century (1790s), with the founding of [[St. Patrick's Church (Washington, D.C.)]] in 1794 to serve Irish stonemasons constructing federal buildings. Earlier Catholic presence in the region traces to Maryland's colonial era.<ref name="newadvent-dc"/>
 
== Key historical events ==
* Founding of St. Patrick's Church (1794).
* Erection of Archdiocese of Washington (1939).
* Elevation to metropolitan archdiocese (1965).
* Dedication of Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (1959, major expansions ongoing).
* Visits by popes (e.g., John Paul II, Francis) and major events at national shrines.<ref name="wiki-washarch"/>
== Catholicism status ==
Catholicism is a significant minority religion in [[Washington, D.C.]] (around 20% in archdiocesan territory), with strong institutional presence through national shrines and universities.<ref name="cath-hier-wash"/>
 
== Administrative structure ==
[[Washington, D.C.]] is a federal district divided into wards for local governance, without counties. The archdiocese covers the District fully.
 
== Cultural influence ==
=== Festivals and traditions ===
Multi-ethnic feasts reflecting diverse communities.
 
=== Education and charity ===
Institutions include [[The Catholic University of America]] and [[Georgetown University]]; extensive Catholic Charities services.
 
=== Art and architecture ===
Iconic structures like the Basilica and Cathedral.
 
== Notable Catholic sites ==
=== Pilgrimage sites ===
[[Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception]] (largest Catholic church in North America); [[Saint John Paul II National Shrine]]; Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America.<ref name="nationalshrine">{{Cite web |title=Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception |url=https://www.nationalshrine.org/ |publisher=National Shrine |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>
 
=== Historical churches ===
[[Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (Washington, D.C.)]]; [[St. Patrick's Church (Washington, D.C.)]]; [[Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Washington, D.C.)]] (Georgetown, 1794).<ref name="wiki-washarch"/>
 
== Saints and blesseds ==
=== Patron saints ===
Blessed Virgin Mary (under her title of Mother of God / Immaculate Conception, patroness of the archdiocese).<ref name="adw-coat">{{Cite web |title=Coat of Arms - Archdiocese of Washington |url=https://adw.org/coat-of-arms |publisher=Archdiocese of Washington |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>
 
=== Associated saints and blesseds ===
No saints born or primarily associated with D.C.; links include visiting popes and figures honored at shrines (e.g., [[Saint John Paul II]] via his national shrine). The Cathedral is dedicated to [[Saint Matthew the Apostle]] (patron of civil servants).<ref name="wiki-washarch"/>
 
== Challenges to Catholicism ==
Secularization, urban demographics, and institutional issues common to U.S. dioceses.
 
== Social and political influence ==
The archdiocese engages in advocacy, education, and charity aligned with [[Catholic Social Teaching]], with visibility in the nation's capital.
 
== Fun facts ==
* The [[Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception]] is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America and one of the ten largest in the world, often called "America’s Catholic Church."
* [[Saint Matthew the Apostle]] is the patron of the Cathedral, symbolizing service to government workers in the capital.
* The archdiocese includes [[Georgetown University]] (founded 1789, oldest Catholic university in the U.S.) and [[The Catholic University of America]].
* The Basilica hosts major papal visits and events, drawing pilgrims nationwide.
* Catholicism's early presence tied to Irish immigrants building the Capitol and White House.
== Dynamic content ==
=== Dioceses ===
{{State dioceses}}
 
=== Populated places ===
{{State Populated Places}}
 
=== Shrines ===
{{State Shrines}}
 
== References ==
<references />
 
== External links ==
 
[https://adw.org Archdiocese of Washington]
[https://www.nationalshrine.org Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception]
[https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/wash0.htm GCatholic.org: Archdiocese of Washington]
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