On November 16, 1951, Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle signed a decree establishing a parish to "answer the spiritual needs of Catholics in the area of Silver Spring adjacent to New Hampshire Avenue". The parish was named for St. Camillus, patron saint of the sick. Father James P. Grace was appointed the first pastor. On November 24, 1951, Father Grace drove up to a large white frame house in Silver Spring known as “Elizabeth’s Delight”. The next morning, he celebrated the first Mass at St. Camillus in the ballroom of that home.
Parishioners sat on chairs borrowed from a funeral home. Those attending the last Mass had the responsibility to return the chairs! The parish grew quicker and larger than was expected, and it was soon obvious that expansion would be necessary. Beginning March 16, 1952, Sunday Masses were celebrated in the Langley Movie Theatre that sat 973 people. There was an immediate need for a school and Archbishop O’Boyle authorized Father Grace to purchase property. The first track of land was acquired from Mrs. Grace G. Hayslop on March 3, 1953. The second parcel was purchased from Mr. Norman A. Baucher on February 26, 1954 and the final tract purchased in 1964 from Mr. Chalmer J. Grossnickle, making up the final 16.1588 acres of what is now the present site of St. Camillus.

Plan were immediately drawn up for a school, convent and auditorium. The groundbreaking ceremony that took place on February 20, 1954 marked a second beginning for St. Camillus Parish.

The school opened on September 23, 1954, with 456 pupils in Kindergarten through grade four. Another grade was added each year until there were eight grades, culminating in a record population of 1277 students in 1960. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur traveled daily from Trinity College in Washington to teach at St. Camillus School until the fall of 1954 when they moved into the convent. The first Mass in the new facility was celebrated in St. Camillus Chapel, now known as the Camillia Room, on November 21, 1954; and on December 12th, the entire complex was dedicated.

Father Grace died on May 6, 1962. His successor was Father Joseph C. Eckert whose pastorate was marked by concern for the poor and disadvantaged of the parish and the need and desire of the parishioners for a permanent church building. From 1966 through 1970, much time and energy went into the building of the new church, which was dedicated by His Eminence, Cardinal O’Boyle on December 19, 1970. Monsignor Eckert retired in 1975, but served as Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1979.

Father James T. Beattie (1975-1981), now Monsignor Beattie, became the third pastor of St. Camillus on August 19, 1975. Under Father Beattie’s leadership, parishioner involvement increased. In the 1970’s, Latino families joined the parish in large numbers. At that time, the parish began celebrating Mass in Spanish every Sunday; and a column in Spanish was added to the bulletin in 1978. Father Beattie encouraged Spanish-speaking and English-speaking populations and organizations to join as one unit. Combined liturgical celebrations uniting elements of both cultures were encouraged. The early eighties were led by Monsignor Raymond J. Boland, later Bishop Boland (1981-1984), until it was announced on June 26, 1983 that the Franciscans were coming. It was he who helped transfer responsibility for the parish to the Franciscan Order.

In 1983, The Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province arrived in St. Camillus Parish with ambitious plans to build a college where young men would study theology in preparation for service as Franciscan priests or brothers. As part of the agreement, the friars also would assume responsibility for the parish. On January 14, 1984, Father Martin Bednar, O.F.M. was installed as the fifth pastor. The people of St. Camillus warmly welcomed Father Martin and his fellow Franciscans. Work on the new Holy Name College began in 1984 and was completed that year. The building was officially dedicated on September 15, 1985 by Archbishop (later Cardinal) James Hickey. Even more important was the spiritual type of “building” that took place. A highly-successful program improved religious education, especially for the Latino community, an ambitious agenda enhanced the parish’s liturgical life, and a vigorous, apostolic program ministered to our less fortunate parishioners. 

The sixth pastor of St. Camillus Parish was Father Brian Jordan, O.F.M. who served as pastor from 1990 to 1997. During his tenure in the nineties, St. Camillus grew into a large, multilingual and multicultural parish. He was followed by Father Mike Tyson, O.F.M. (1997-2002). With the renewed energy of Father Lawrence J. Hayes, O.F.M. (pastor from 2002-2009) and later on Father Michael Johnson, O.F.M. (pastor from 2009-2016), St. Camillus Parish grew into a thriving and even more diverse parish. Population at the eight weekly Masses tripled; and today, more than 4,000 people regularly gather each weekend to worship in English, Spanish and French. Originally made up of European descendant, St. Camillus is now home to immigrants from the four corners of the world. Multiculturalism is one of our hallmarks, and we view diversity as a true gift, continually striving to preserve and celebrate the richness of our own individual cultures, while growing in appreciation and understanding of one another’s. This is attempted liturgically and in community with one another during festivals and celebrations where music, dance, dress, and culinary delights are on full display!

In 2010, the doors of St. Camillus School closed. St. Camillus joined with other parishes to form a new Catholic school for the 21st century, Saint Francis International School. Dedicated to providing children with academic excellence, integrity of character, and understanding of the message of Jesus Christ, this innovative school addresses the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical needs of young students within a diverse Catholic community inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

As St. Camillus Parish celebrated its 60th year and moved into the 21st century, the Strategic Plan focused on community building; evangelization; faith formation; family and pastoral care; justice, peace and the integrity of creation; prayer and worship; and stewardship. Strong relationships with the Langley community, St. Francis builds locally and internationally, improvement in the physical plant, a growing food pantry, and increased awareness of immigration and environmental issues made St. Camillus a community that cares for the vulnerable, the poor, and the aged. In 2012, the construction of a 49-unit apartment complex, Victory Oaks at St. Camillus, was completed to provide low-income housing to seniors.

This is a parish centered in the Eucharist and guided by the Holy Spirit, a vibrant community that strives to proclaim the Gospel in our neighborhoods and in the wider world beyond. Our mission is deeply influence by our patron saint, St. Camillus, who calls us to be healers in our world, and by St. Francis of Assisi, who taught us to seek solidarity with those who inhabit the margins of our world, especially the poor. We are truly a parish of open minds, open hearts, and open doors.