The Claretian House of Studies in Washington, D.C. was founded in November 1922 as a place for Claretian priests from Europe to reside while they learned English and performed supply work at local parishes. The two houses purchased adjacent to the Catholic University of America that served as the Claretian House of Studies also served as the theologate.
As the ranks of the congregation grew, the Claretians outgrew the original houses and, in 1956, broke ground on a new building. The Claretian House of Studies closed in 1973 and the theologate relocated to Chicago.