A House Where 'We're All God's People'

At a Racially Diverse Alexandria Church, a Congregation Honors Martin Luther King Jr.

The pulsing gospel beat had Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde clapping his hands and singing along yesterday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Alexandria.

It wasn't the normal choice of music for Catholic Mass. But it was typical for St. Joseph's, which, at its founding in 1915, was the first Roman Catholic parish in Northern Virginia established to minister specifically to African Americans.

Given its history, it was no surprise that Loverde had decided to commemorate the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. by celebrating Mass there. But as he looked out at the congregation, the setting for the tribute to the slain civil rights leader seemed appropriate for another reason: Loverde saw about as many white faces in the sanctuary as black.

Although the Arlington diocese does not keep official records on the racial makeup of its parishes, church officials and congregants said services at St. Joseph's are attended by roughly equal numbers of blacks and whites, making it a rare example of racially integrated worship on Sunday morning.

No one planned it that way. The church, on North Columbus Street just north of Old Town, is in a neighborhood that has become increasingly white as real estate values have climbed. At the same time, it continues to draw blacks, some of whom drive from as far as Winchester, Va., and Fredericksburg.

Several African American parishioners who no longer live nearby said they continue to worship at St. Joseph's not only because of their long-standing ties to the church but also because they like the diversity.

"We're all God's people," said Blanche Corry, 59, who lives in the Hayfield section of Fairfax County and has been attending St. Joseph's since 1952. "We shouldn't be segregated serving the Lord."

Loverde said he chose to celebrate Mass at St. Joseph's on King's birthday so he could "stand in solidarity with our African American brothers and sisters to honor a great man, a prophet."

"Like Samuel, Dr. King heard the Lord's voice, which called him to cry out against injustice, violence and racism," he told parishioners. "He pointed toward a future where all people would live together as brothers and sisters, regardless of race, color or creed."

Loverde also told the congregation, which more than filled the 240-seat sanctuary, that the diocese needs more black priests. Diocesan officials said only two African American priests -- one active, one retired -- are in the diocese, which serves more than 400,000 Catholics.

St. Joseph's is one of two Roman Catholic parishes in the Arlington diocese, which covers all of Northern Virginia, founded to minister to African Americans. The other, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington, is now predominantly Hispanic.

St. Joseph's, which has more than 500 members, was established by the Josephite Fathers.

Largely credited with the parish's creation is Mother Katharine Drexel, a wealthy and prominent Philadelphian who converted to Catholicism, became a nun and founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. After hearing about the mission to build St. Joseph's, she donated $8,000, which was half of the cost of building the rectory.

Drexel was canonized a saint by Pope John Paul II in 2000. A stained-glass window donated by Drexel and her sister, Elizabeth Morell, is prominent above the altar at St. Joseph's.

"Once upon a time, [St. Joseph's] was all the African American community had, so they really invested themselves," said the Rev. Richard Mullins, director of multicultural ministries for the Arlington diocese. "It was during that time that people didn't have freedom and respect in their jobs and in society in day-to-day life. They went inside that church and knew they were loved by God and special to Him. They heard that message and lived that message, and it gave them hope from week to week."

In May, St. Joseph's will celebrate the 90th anniversary of its dedication.

"This is my home," said Sharon Johnson, 55, who was baptized at St. Joseph's as a child and has been regularly attending services there since she was 17, even though she now lives in Forestville. "It's my family."