St Augustine Church⛪

My very first time visiting this church, it has a parking lot next to it. If you get there 10 or 15 minutes before Mass no problem finding a parking space.

My first experience of this parish left me a bit disturbed in my spirit. My first impressions: a beautiful church structurally and internally. Gorgeous depictions on the stained glass windows and the architecture was very lovely. Upon walking it, I was disappointed to see that there was no holy water, instead, there was hand sanitizer bottles! My heart dropped. I looked around and saw bags and packages around their baptismal font. It looks like it was really pretty, but all of the stuff hid it's beauty. Walking to a seat, I genuflected, but I didn't see a lit candle in front, so, I didn't know if our Lord was up there. I looked for our Lord but could not easily find him right away, as he appeared not to be in the center and front of the church. Instead there was a piano and microphones, and lots of cords. After being there for about 30 mins, I finally saw that he was off to the side near a door. My heart sank even more. Before mass, there was rosary prayer, which I liked alot. While waiting for mass to begin, there was no quiet time, where one can prepare themselves for the sacred mystery. Lots of chatting everywhere, while I saw others trying to pray. A woman walks up to the lecturn, she greeted everyone, and welcomed those who were present for the first time and then encouraged the congregation to also greet each other. I liked that as well. During the mass, the singing was reflective of the culture that the parish represents, however, the drums seemed to be overkill. It was present in all the singing and responses. It seemed out of place sometimes. After almost all of the singing, people would clap as if watching a performance. I even heard a cowbell a couple of times which also seemed out of place. The homily was solid. I received a nice word from it. The people clapped here also, after the priest was done, as if watching a performance. When the priest held up our Lord, the singers, who were behind him, were standing, instead of kneeling. While the priest began to administer our Lord, there were a number of people who came from different areas of the church who walked up surrounding the altar. I don't know if they were deacons, deaconess, or what. They were not in priestly robes. He handed off the blood of our Lord to someone and they passed it around to each other. That seemed so irreverent to me. Finally, we, went to receive our Lord. Here, you do not receive him on the tongue, only in the hand. But, you do get to receive his body and blood. I truly appreciated that. And people were just walking out right after receiving our Lord. Like, huh?? The parking lot was horrible. People parked blocking those who were parked in parking spaces. So we and many others were blocked in until the owner of the one car that blocked the entire parking lot came out of the church. That was a nightmare. Overall, I did not like the experience here. This is the mother church of black Catholic churches? Though their hospitality and welcoming spirit was present, the service lacked a true reverence of Christ. Having him off to the side, no holy water, musical instruments and microphones at the center instead of him, the clapping at the most odd of moments, the drums, all those people up in the altar space, passing his blood around... smh...I was truly sad about all of this. Maybe their other services are different. I don't know. I do not presume to know individuals hearts here, but, where was the beauty and reverence of the mass? I can see the cultural significance within the service, and I appreciate that, for the most part. But, no. Why are there musical instruments at the center of the altar space, behind the altar, and not Christ? I can't get over seeing hand sanitizer bottles where holy water is supposed to be In a Catholic church? Naw. That just blew me. I received the body AND blood of Christ so I am grateful for that. But, i didn't like this experience. I hope they see this review. Please, put Jesus up front, put the hand sanitizer somewhere else, put back the Holy water. Please. For the love of Mary. Please.

The first black Catholic Church needs no introduction! In my whole life as a black Catholic I’ve never felt more at home in my faith. With Fr. Patrick homilies and the choir’s beautiful voices. I love this church.

Beautiful Church! We went to mass this past Sunday. People were so welcoming and pleasant. Been wanting to come here for some time.

Spirit-filled and Jesus-loving church. The mother church of Black Catholics in Washington, DC and home to District/Virginia/Maryland Catholics of all races and cultures Homilies to help you live out the principles of Catholic social justice in your life and a profoundly soulful celebration of the Eucharist.