[5] In 1890, a group of African-American Catholics living on Capitol Hill convinced the Archdiocese of Baltimore to build St. Cyprian after being discriminated against by St. Peter's church which had segregated them from the rest of the congregation in the basement.

During the conflict the merger created, the Catholic Church began to allow masses in languages other than Latin following the Second Vatican Council.

The Latin chants were quickly replaced with "the hearty rhythms and hand clapping of a gospel choir, making the church more akin to its Baptist and Methodist brethren," allowing the congregation to express their African-American heritage.

[7][8] The choir has become well known around the country, and has recorded a number of albums, including the "Mass of St Cyprian" (1999) composed by the parish's music director, the late Kenneth W. Louis.

[10] On September 16, 1892, a group of Oblate Sisters of Providence, an order of black nuns,[6] met with Miss Mary Atkins who had promised to donate land to establish a school on the corner of 8th and C Streets.