Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Rev. Fr. Evelio Menjivar (Administrator/Rector)

Founded 1840

Denomination Roman Catholic (Archdiocese of Washington)

Service Times Daily Mass; Sunday Masses at 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 5:30 PM

Men's Ministry Yes

Kids Ministry Yes

Website www.stmatthewscathedral.org

Pastor Credentials Diocese of Washington Catholic priest; Archdiocese of Washington administration.

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

Roman Catholic Church formally affirms Nicene/Apostles' Creeds, Trinity, Christ's deity.

Strong

Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

Catholic Church holds Scripture + Tradition + Magisterium as co-equal authorities — rejects sola scriptura (red per rubric).

WARNING!

Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

Knights of Columbus and fraternal organizations present; specific spiritual formation varies.

Caution

Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

Catholic soteriology includes merit, purgatory, indulgences, sacramental grace — not sola fide (red per rubric).

WARNING!

Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

Roman Catholic Church reserves priestly and episcopal ordination to men — complementarian in orders.

Male-only ordained priests and bishops (Roman Catholic position); strong complementarian in ordained roles

Strong

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Archdiocese of Washington hierarchy under Fr. Evelio Menjivar as Administrator/Rector.

Strong

Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

Catholic homilies are lectionary-based and typically brief — not expository in Protestant sense.

Caution

Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

Catholic mission via evangelization initiatives, sacramental ministry, Catholic Charities, etc.

Strong

Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

Under Pope Francis, Fiducia Supplicans (2023) permits blessing same-sex couples (not marriage); mixed public witness.

Caution

Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

Roman Catholic Church — strong institutional accountability but Magisterium can bind conscience beyond Scripture.

Caution

Assessment

The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle is DC's most historically significant Catholic church — site of President Kennedy's funeral Mass in 1963 and the Red Mass for the US Supreme Court each October. For USMC Ministries, it is important to understand this institution in the DC context, especially for Catholic veterans and their families. From a Protestant evangelical standpoint, the core soteriology concern is real: Roman Catholicism does not affirm justification by faith alone in Christ alone. For Catholic-background veterans, this is a place of genuine spiritual heritage. For Protestant-background men seeking Gospel clarity, the soteriology differences require honest acknowledgment. Included here for denominational context and situational awareness — DC military/government personnel will have Catholic colleagues and this cathedral represents their tradition with dignity.

#catholic#roman-catholic#cathedral#washington-dc#historic#archdiocese-of-washington#kennedy

Sources & Evidence

Enrichment Notes

Website timed out on fetch; existing rich detail retained. Core Protestant/Catholic soteriology divide (works vs faith alone) is the key red indicator. [2026-05-19] MOOP rubric: TEC — affirming since 2003. Already rated red.

No URL sources recorded for this church. Rating based on denominational defaults and/or directory-level metadata.

Transparency note: MOOP ratings are researcher judgments about publicly available theological and ecclesial evidence. They are not infallible. If a church's public posture has changed since our review, or if we've mis-read evidence, tell us — we publish corrections.