The second Cathedral in DC to be visited by Pope Francis

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C.

Farragutful/Wikimedia CommonsCathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Farragutful via Wikimedia Commons

This parish was originally dedicated in 1840 at 15th and H streets, NW, but later moved to its current location on Rhode Island Avenue, less than a mile away. Architect Christopher Grant La Farge, who also worked on the plans of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, designed the Italian Renaissance structure. The first Mass there was celebrated in 1895, but its exterior construction continued through 1913, when its cross-topped copper dome was put in place.

In 1939, it was named a cathedral and became the mother church of the Washington archdiocese after Pope Pius XII separated it from the Baltimore archdiocese.

It is best known as the site of the funeral of President John F. Kennedy — where his young son and namesake memorably saluted his casket. But the brick and sandstone edifice also was where the funeral service was held for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

On the first Monday in October, the downtown cathedral hosts the annual Red Mass, which is often attended by Supreme Court justices, and features prayers for legal professionals. The clergy who celebrate the Mass traditionally wear red.

Some 2,500 people, including many single young adults, worship there each weekend.