Holy Trinity is the oldest Catholic Church in continuous operation in the District of Columbia.  Slaves and presidents have been among its parishioners. 

The first church building, which still serves as the parish's chapel, was built in 1794.  Francis Neale, S.J., one of four brothers of an old Maryland family, was the first pastor.  The second pastor of Holy Trinity, Benedict J. Fenwick, S.J., became the second Bishop of Boston and founded Holy Cross College. A subsequent pastor, John McElroy, S.J., founded Boston College. 

President John F. Kennedy and his family frequently worshiped at Holy Trinity.

To meet the needs of the growing Catholic population in the Washington area, parishioners built a second and larger church building only 35 years after the construction of the first.  This structure remains in use as Holy Trinity's primary place of worship.  

In 1862, following the Second Battle of Bull Run, the United States government requisitioned the main church for use as a military hospital. In the three months following the battle, more than two hundred sick and wounded Union soldiers were treated at in Holy Trinity's church.  The federal government returned the church to the parish for its use in 1863.  Eleven years later, the federal government reimbursed Holy Trinity $350 for its use of the church.

Today, over 3,500 families (nearly 10,000 persons) are registered as parishioners.  As was the case at Holy Trinity's founding, parishioners come from throughout the metrtopolitan Washington area, more than half from Northern Virginia.  The Jesuits continue to administer the parish.

Holy Trinity has a longstanding tradition of community worship; the promotion of Jesuit spirituality, especially the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius; strong educational programs for adults and children alike; and service to the poor and other persons in need.