Our Lady Help of Christians Church was formally established on September 15, 1980 by Cardinal Hickey who appointed Fr. Peter R. Alliata as our first pastor. Knowing that we were a community without a home, the local churches invited us to share their facilities. We celebrated our Saturday evening Mass at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church for more than 10 years. The Peace Lutheran community presented us with a key to their front door for evening meetings, on a space available basis. In November 1987, Fr. Alliata was transferred and Fr. Eamon Dignan appointed as the second pastor. Construction of a church and education facilities became the highest priority for a rapidly growing community. The present structure of sanctuary, classrooms, and social center was constructed in three phases; the first phase was completed in May 1990, the second (10 classrooms and offices) in time for our CCD program in the fall of 1999, and the final phase (social hall) in the spring of 2000. In June 2004, Fr. Thomas Crowley replaced Fr. Dignan, who retired after 17 years of loyal service as our pastor. Fr. Crowley helped consolidate the achievements of his two predecessors. Under his leadership, the parish remained vibrant and continued his tradition of being a welcoming parish, open to everyone. On September 15, 2010, Fr. Alain Colliou was appointed as our Parish Administrator as Fr. Crowley continued recuperating from a major illness. In April 2011, Fr. Crowley was re-assigned and Cardinal Wuerl appointed Fr. Alain as our new pastor to lead us forward. As the population of Waldorf continues to grow and is being more diverse, Our Lady Help of Christians parish is adapting to those demographic changes and is strengthening its efforts of catechesis and evangelization, reaching out to the youth and to all new comers. We will find our best identity as a welcoming, prayerful and joyful community of faith if we remember our history and are thankful to the people who helped us along the way.