This parish began when, in 1930, with the approval of Archbishop Michael J. Curley, the Catholic League of Takoma Park was formed. A census showed about 400 Catholics living in the area. The Catholics of Takoma Park obtained the status of a mission under the sponsorship of the Church of the Nativity in Washington, D.C. and began common attendance in a rented store front at 40 Carroll Avenue. There on November 23, 1930, Father John Fannon celebrated the first Mass on an altar donated by St. Augustine's Parish.
In 1931, an acre of land was purchased at Ethan Allen and Jackson Avenues, and by July of the following year a new building was completed. Bishop McNamara dedicated the new building, the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows. On July 24, 1931, Father Benjamin Hanneman celebrated the first Mass in the new chapel, and the sisters of the Nativity school came for the first time to teach Sunday School.
On June 10, 1938, the Catholic Mission in Takoma Park became Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, and Father Richard J. Barron was assigned as first pastor. Ground was broken for a school at Larch and New Hampshire Avenues in 1949. The school opened the following year with Kindergarten and the first four grades; 410 children were enrolled.
By March 17, 1956, Masses were celebrated in the school auditorium. The new rectory was finished on January 26, 1957. Our present church was dedicated by Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle on June 1, 1963.
By December 1968, the parish debt was paid in full for the church and all the other buildings of our parish. Church membership had grown to 4,000. Infant Baptisms were averaging over 100 per year (1967-1969). In 1969 the school population was 318.
During the 1980's our church changed from a single culture to a multi-cultural church. First membership declined by nearly half, leveled off during the mid 80's, and began to grow again by 1987. The school population reached a low of 195 pupils. Between 1995 and 1996, our church census had reached 3,924 members with 1,405 families. Although the census showed 17.2% White, 28.9% Black, 45% Hispanic, 1.3% Asiatic, (and 5.43% unknown), every category increased in number.
School enrollment is approaching 270 pupils (1997). Baptisms are well over 100 in the past couple of years. We have 6 weekend Masses: 3 in English, 2 in Spanish, 1 in Creole.
