St. Joseph's Church (Fall River, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
St. Joseph's Church
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Fall River, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Built | 1880 |
| Architect | Patrick C. Keely |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Fall River MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000720 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1983 |
St. Joseph's Church is a beautiful old church located at 1355 North Main Street in Fall River, Massachusetts. It was designed by a famous church architect named Patrick C. Keely. The church was built in 1880 in the Gothic Revival style, which means it looks like old European cathedrals. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, recognizing its importance.
Contents
History of St. Joseph's Church
The church was started because many Catholic families moved to the northern part of Fall River in the 1870s. They came to work in the big cotton mills like Border City and Sagamore Mills. The new St. Joseph's parish was created in 1873 from the larger St. Mary's parish to serve these growing families.
Who Was Reverend William H. Bric?
The first leader, or pastor, of St. Joseph's was Reverend William H. Bric. He was born in Ireland in 1841. Father Bric studied to become a priest in Ireland, France, and then in Baltimore, Maryland. He had worked in other churches before being chosen to start St. Joseph's parish.
Father Bric arrived in Fall River in April 1873. The first Mass for the new church was held on April 20, 1873. A temporary church building was quickly set up nearby. This small building served the community for about three to four years.
Father Bric bought a large piece of land for the church. The small temporary building was moved to the back of this new land. It was made bigger with two new sections and a choir area. As more people joined the church, Father Bric decided they needed a much larger building.
He hired architect Patrick H. Keeley to design the new church. Construction began on August 5, 1880. Sadly, Father Bric passed away on August 7, 1880, at age 39. He had been the pastor for seven years. His funeral was a very large event, showing how much he was respected. His body was buried in a special tomb under the church altar.
Even after Father Bric's death, the work on the church continued. The cornerstone, a special first stone, was laid on August 11, 1880. Important items like newspapers and coins were placed inside it.
Who Was Reverend Andrew J. Brady?
After Father Bric, Reverend Andrew J. Brady became the second pastor on November 1, 1880. He was also from Ireland, born in 1847. Father Brady had studied in Ireland and Canada before becoming a priest in 1871.
When Father Brady took over, St. Joseph's Church was still being built. With his hard work and the support of the church members, the building was almost finished during his time. He was pastor when the church held its first big event for French-speaking groups.
Father Brady was not in good health. He passed away on February 18, 1885, at age 38. His funeral was the first religious service held in the new St. Joseph's Church. He was buried next to Father Bric in the church basement.
Who Was Reverend Bernard Boylan?
Reverend Bernard Boylan became the third pastor on February 26, 1885. He was born in Massachusetts in 1853. Father Boylan was a very smart student and became a priest in 1876.
Father Boylan's main task was to finish building St. Joseph's Church and pay off the money owed for its construction. He worked very hard, sometimes by himself, because there were not many priests available.
The church was officially dedicated on May 30, 1885. This was a big celebration led by Bishop Hendricken. There was a special Mass and a sermon given in both English and French.
Father Boylan also improved the Sunday School program. The first mission, a special period of religious teaching, was held in October 1886. It lasted two weeks, with separate sessions for English and French speakers.
In 1887, the French-Canadian members of the church wanted their own parish. So, St. Matthew's Church was created for them.
In 1889, a new house for the pastor, called a rectory, was built. Father Boylan's two sisters helped manage the household.
Many groups were started or grew during Father Boylan's time. These included the League of the Sacred Heart and the Holy Name Society. Special sermons were often given during Lent by visiting priests.
Father Boylan was also very involved in the community. He was the treasurer for Saint Vincent's Orphans' Home for many years. He organized many events to raise money for the orphanage. He also helped manage Saint Patrick's Cemetery.
A very popular event was the annual church excursion. This was a big summer trip for the whole community. It started small in 1895, going to Crescent Park by steamer. Soon, it became so popular that a much larger boat, the Warwick, was needed. These trips were a huge success, bringing people together and raising money for the church. They continued until World War I made it impossible to charter boats.
Father Boylan was very proud that many boys from St. Joseph's went on to become priests. He and his assistants also cared for the sick at the City Hospital and the old City Almshouse.
The church also built a new, well-equipped Parochial School. It was a solid brick building with two floors and eight rooms. The school opened in September 1907.
Architecture and Design
St. Joseph's Church is a large and impressive building. It is made of brick with stone decorations. The church is 170 feet long and 78 feet wide. It has two golden crosses on top. The walls are 30 feet high, and the roof reaches 73 feet from the floor. About one thousand people can sit inside.
The church does not have balconies, but it is very bright. Light comes in through many large stained glass windows on the north and south sides. These windows show scenes from the life of Jesus. Many families and church groups donated the original windows.
There are three wide entrances from North Main Street. These lead into large entry areas, which then open into the main part of the church. Stairs in the entry areas go up to the choir section. This area stretches across the back of the church.
The main seating area, called the nave, has three wide walkways. The floor is made of pine wood, and the pews (church benches) are made of ash wood with black walnut trim. Twelve iron pillars, covered in wood, support the roof.
The ceiling and walls are decorated with beautiful paintings in panels. The sanctuary, where the altar is, is very wide. It has a smaller altar on each side, dedicated to Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary. These altars, like the main one, are painted in white and gold. A green carpet with red trim adds to the beauty of the sanctuary.
A fancy, carved oak railing separates the sanctuary from the nave. People kneel here to receive communion. The railing matches a strong oak pulpit, which is a raised stand for speaking, with heavy brass decorations.
Above the side altars, there are colorful stained glass windows. They show the Glorification of Saint Joseph and the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the wall behind the main altar, there is a large painting of Christ's Crucifixion. On other walls, there are paintings of the Resurrection and the Annunciation.
The original windows were replaced in 1921 with new ones. Many families and church groups donated these new windows. New Stations of the Cross, which are images showing Jesus's journey to the cross, were also added to the walls between the windows.
The church's large pipe organ was built in 1883. It was made by W.K. Adams & Sons in Providence, Rhode Island. It is one of the biggest organs they ever built. It used to be powered by water and then by bellows.
See also
Images for kids
-
St. Joseph's Church in Fall River
