Holy Family Catholic Church - Hillcrest Heights

Who we are

Holy Family was established as a parish on November 14, 1952. On November 24, 1956, on a nearby hill up the road, the highest point in Hillcrest Heights, on land given by William Carrigan to the Archdiocese of Washington, ground was broken for the construction of a church. One year later, on November 27, 1957, the church and parish building were completed and dedicated by Archbishop O’Boyle.

Eleven years later, on March 7, 1967, a fire of unknown origin destroyed the roof and did extensive damage to the interior of the church. After investigation, it was decided that a complete rebuilding was necessary.

The pastor and council began discussing plans for building another church, since this was the original plan that was decided upon when the parish was established. Some parishioners felt the rebuilt church was adequate and others felt that a new church should be built according to the prior agreement of earlier members. After many meetings and much discussion a parish opinion pool was taken and by majority vote a plan was submitted to the Cardinal for approval.

On April 5, 1970, ground was broken for the new church. The early parishioners were so happy that the permanent church was going to be built on the site of the property where one could view the Nation’s capital.

The new church was dedicated by Cardinal O’Boyle on May 16, 1971.

Connection to St. Padre Pio

In the summer of I944, William Carrigan, a young Irish-American from Maryland, serving with the Red Cross in Italy, survived the Battle of Anzio -- where the Allies had landed in Italy and defeated the Fascist Italian forces. Carrigan believed that God had spared and saved him. He heard of a wonder-worker priest in southern Italy, a certain Padre Pio, and resolved to go visit him and ask him what he should do for God. Carrigan found his way there and met with St. Pio. After Carrigan told him the thoughts in his heart, Padre Pio asked him if there was something he could give to the Church. Carrigan mentioned that he owned some beautiful property in rural Maryland, just outside of Washington, on a hilltop overlooking the city. He had thought before of how wonderful it would be if this property could be a place where people could come together to adore Christ in the Blessed Sacrament -- like that Biblical image of the shining city on a hill. Padre Pio told Carrigan that this was indeed what he should do. He then gave him a Miraculous Medal of Mary, and told him to bury it on the property, and to ask the Blessed Mother for her prayers that God would bring this dream about -- and he told Carrigan that he would pray for this intention too. After the war ended, Carrigan returned home and buried the miraculous medal he had received from Padre Pio on the hilltop property. And he prayed. Carrigan then contacted the Archdiocese of Washington and spoke of his desire to have the property become a place for a new church. In 1948, Archbishop O'Boyle visited the hilltop to survey the area. There Carrigan told the Archbishop of his dream. Archbishop O'Boyle was moved by his request, accepted the gift, and soon after designated the property for the building of a new parish church.

In 1952, the Archbishop directed Fr. Joseph Gedra, our first pastor, to establish the parish of Holy Family on the property, just as a new neighborhood called Hillcrest Heights was being built in the surrounding area. On November 14th, 1952, the parish was canonically established and Masses began to be regularly celebrated in a local Quonset nearby on the 23rd Parkway. Finally, on November 27th, 1957, the first church, rectory, school, and convent were finished and Holy Family officially opened its doors and celebrated its first Mass on the hilltop property -- in no small part, thanks to the generosity of William Carrigan and the prayers of St Pio, our patrons!

Our Need

Over the years, we have made many structural improvements to the church with the assistance and generosity of our parishioners. In the past few weeks, we made the decision to make major repairs to our church roof. During these challenging times, we need your financial support to help pay for the repairs.

The Repairs

Our Giving Campaign Prayer

Heavenly Father, Author and Inspiration of all that is holy, we humbly implore your guidance as we begin this giving campaign for our parish, Holy Family. May you, who bestow great gifts, continue to bless us as we gather to work and share in your mission of building your kingdom in the days ahead. We ask you to touch our hearts with true generosity, that we may raise up and strengthen our parish community financially.

In all we do, let our work proclaim your glory, our lives proclaim your mercy, and our hearts proclaim your love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us.

St. Padre Pio Pray for us.