The Parish & School
Day School
The Day School was founded in 1956 as a parish school, operating classes at first for nursery school children in the church facilities. The addition of elementary grades began in 1967. The first Grade 6 graduated in 1974. In September 2002, St. Patrick’s completed the addition of Grades 7 and 8, and the first Grade 8 class graduated in 2003.
The Day School is guided by a Board of Trustees, a standing committee of the Vestry with its own rules of organization. Chaired currently by Jessica Taylor White P ’30, it includes representatives of the Church and Day School and current and past parents. The Board meets monthly from September through May. The Vestry and Rector delegate to the Board authority for the day-to-day operations of the School and the conduct of its business and financial affairs. The Head of the Day School is responsible for the administration of the program and policies set forth by the Board of Trustees.
The Day School and Church have separate budgets. The Day School-Church Coordinating Committee meets periodically to allocate shared costs and review other shared concerns.
St. Patrick's Episcopal Parish
St. Patrick’s Parish, founded more than 100 years ago to serve the Palisades, is one of the approximately 80 parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. The Parish relies completely on donations from parishioners and friends to fulfill God’s mission through worship, fellowship, pastoral care, Christian formation programs, and the maintenance of the property and facilities. In addition to the Day School, a ministry founded in 1956, St. Patrick’s has built a strong tradition of service to its members and neighbors. St. Patrick’s ongoing outreach endeavors include a partnership with the people of St. Etienne in Haiti, St. Philip’s Food Pantry in Anacostia, the Salvation Army Grate Patrol, So Others Might Eat (SOME), and Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington.
The Rector and the Vestry, the representative board elected by the parishioners, share the responsibility of leading the Parish. The Episcopal Church is an inclusive faith community. Please stop by the Parish Office to learn more about parish ministries, visit stpatrickschurchdc.org, or call the church office at 202-342-2800.