Gospel Music and Champagne

We had a wonderful outing today. Our friend George invited Andrea, Ivan, Larissa, and me to join him for mass at his church, St. Augustine's, the Mother Church of Black Catholics in the nation's capital. We were very impressed with the vitality of the pastor, the congregation, and, most of all, of the gospel choir. The music truly rocked the foundations of the church!

The church was founded in 1858 and is located at 15th and V Streets NW.



Here is a photo of the interior of this beautiful church.

 Andrea snapped a photo of me in front of the statue of a statue of St. Martin de Porres, an Afro- Peruvian who was the first patron of the Black church in the Americas.

 Here we are in our pew - Ivan, Larissa, Christine, and George.

After the service George graciously treated us to lunch at Lillies. Located in Woodley Park near the National Zoo, it features Italian-Mediterranean dishes.

Here we are at our table - Christine, Andrea, Ivan, Larissa, and George.

 Thank you, George, for a very special day indeed!