Saint Gabriel Church was founded by the renowned Bishop John M. McNamara. As a young priest, he  was entrusted by James Cardinal Gibbons to establish the first Roman Catholic parish in the newly settled Petworth area of the District of Columbia. The site for Saint Gabriel Church was in the middle of “Libby Woods”.

Saint Gabriel’s first temporary church building was an obsolete army building that was used for the entertainment of soldiers during World War I. It was obtained from the War Department through the efforts of the Knights of Columbus and assembled on the spot now occupied Saint Gabriel’s Convent. The first Mass in the hut was celebrated on March 11, 1920 and marked the beginning of an extraordinary community of faith.

Soon after, Bishop McNamara submitted a building plan that provided for a school, convent, rectory and church. The Boston architectural firm of Maggins, Walsh, and Kennedy that designed the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, was also responsible for the Tudor-style architecture of the building complex.

On May 10, 1923, ground was broken for the first parish building, Saint Gabriel School. School officially opened on September 26, 1924 for 373 students who were taught  by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Ever Since, these Sisters have remained faithful to Saint Gabriel’s mission. Next, the Convent was completed on August 22, 1925, and the Bishop and Priest associates moved into the Rectory on October 28, 1925.

The culmination of Bishop McNamara’s Plan was the ground breaking for Saint Gabriel Church on September 23, 1929. The church cornerstone was laid on March 16, 1930. In recent years , a long-range parish development plan has ensured the addition of a well-designed handicap ramp located on the right side of the church. This structure was dedicated by James Cardinal Hickey on Sunday, June 2, 1991. The completion of the first floor bathroom in August 1995 gave all people who are limited by age, illness, or physical disability complete access to Saint Gabriel Church.