[2] It is in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington's northwest-east deanery, and is known for formerly celebrating the traditional Tridentine Mass.

"[19] Circa 1901, a destitute 60-year-old man known only as Frenchy lived in adjacent to St. Mary's Cemetery, originally in a hand-dug cave in the woods and later in a stable situated on the fenceline.

He was possibly a veteran of the Franco-Prussian War, and he decorated his coat with bits of metal he found discarded on the grounds.

Frenchy spent his Sundays visiting every Catholic Church in the city, ending his day with prayers in the St. Mary's graveyard.

[21] The gesture was apparently ineffectual as Congress passed a law banning Germans from living in the capital city, including Fr.