Saint Mary Mother of God Church, Washington, DC

Saint Mary Mother of God Church in Washington, District of Columbia, was originally founded in 1845 by German immigrants but not dedicated as a parish until 1890. The current building was constructed in the 1890s though many renovations have happened over the years. The church originally served the local German community. The neighborhood has changed over time as German descendants moved to more prosperous suburbs (and there was some discomfort with a German parish during and after World War I). Now, DC's Chinatown in nearby and the church has a Sunday Mass in Chinese in addition to a couple of Masses in English.

The nave has an impressive Gothic ceiling.

Nave

The pre-Vatican II altar is just behind the main altar. 

Main Altar

Since the church is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, the windows and paintings above the main altar have Marian themes, following the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary.

Presentation and Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Pulpit and Pastor (maybe a good name for an English pub?)

The Stations of the Cross are simple and nice. 

Stations 5 and 6, with Saint Anthony peeking in

Sample of the stained glass

A side altar is dedicated to Saint Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus.

Joseph

In the 1920s, the church wanted to move away from its German association and tried on various Marian themes. One option was dedication to the Miraculous Medal. The pastor started a perpetual novena in the 1930s, which is why a side altar has a huge medallion above it. The altar also has a reliquary with relics from over a dozen saints!

Miraculous Medal altar

The church has many nice pieces of sacred art following the Marian and maternal themes.

Pieta

Infant of Prague altar with baptismal font

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, another contender for patron of the parish

I did not get any exterior photos since my visit was quick and the street in front of the church is close.