St. Charles Borromeo Church (Waltham, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Charles Borromeo Church
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 51 Hall St. Waltham, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1915 |
| Architect | James F. Monaghan |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| MPS | Waltham MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 89001569 |
| Added to NRHP | September 28, 1989 |
The St. Charles Borromeo Church is an old and important Catholic building in Waltham, Massachusetts. It was built in 1922 and shows off a beautiful style called Italian Renaissance Revival architecture. This church also represents how the population in Waltham's south side changed over time. It went from mostly Protestant people to a more diverse community. This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Contents
What Does St. Charles Borromeo Church Look Like?
The St. Charles Borromeo Church stands at the corner of Hall and Cushing Streets. This area is a neighborhood with many homes. The church is shaped like a cross, which is called a cruciform shape. It does not have a tall tower. The church is made from terra cotta bricks and has stone decorations.
The Front of the Church
The front of the church faces Hall Street. It has two very large columns that look like they are holding up the roof. These columns are called Corinthian columns. The main entrance is in the middle, with smaller columns on each side. Above the entrance, there is a round arch. A decorative triangular shape, called a pediment, sits above the entrance.
Inside the Church
Inside the church, the main hall is called the nave. It has rows of columns that are called Tuscan columns. There are also windows high up on the walls, which let light into the church. These windows are curved at the top. You can also see colorful paintings, or murals, on the walls inside.
When Was St. Charles Borromeo Church Built?
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston decided in 1909 to build a second Catholic church in Waltham. At first, church services were held in a community hall on Moody Street. This was in the same year, 1909.
Building Challenges and Completion
Building the church started in 1915. However, there were problems with getting enough money, so construction stopped for a while. Work on the church did not start again until 1922. In 1927, when the church was almost finished, a fire badly damaged the inside. After the fire, the church was repaired and made beautiful again. The famous architect James F. Monaghan designed this church. He was known for designing many church buildings.
