St. Patrick's Church (Lowell, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Patrick's Church
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St. Patrick's, front view (2012)
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| Location | 284 Suffolk St. Lowell, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architect | Patrick C. Keely |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000027 |
| Added to NRHP | January 3, 1985 |
St. Patrick's Church is a very old and important Roman Catholic church in Lowell, Massachusetts. It is located at 284 Suffolk Street. This church was first built in 1853 for Irish people who came to Lowell a long time ago. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches north of Boston in the United States. The building looks amazing with its Gothic Revival style. A famous architect named Patrick C. Keely designed it. Because it is so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Contents
Church History: From Wood to Stone
The very first St. Patrick's church was made of wood. It was built in 1831. This was to help the Irish workers who moved to Lowell. Many of them worked on the Pawtucket and Merrimack Canals.
Before the church was built, a Catholic priest named Rev. John Mahoney helped the community. By 1830, there were over 400 Catholic people in Lowell. On July 3, 1831, the first St. Patrick's Church was officially opened. Rev. Mahoney led the church until 1836.
The stone church you see today was built in 1853. However, a fire in 1904 damaged much of the church. It was rebuilt and finished by 1906.
St. Patrick's Church Today
Today, St. Patrick's Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical building.
The church still serves its traditional Irish and French Canadian communities. It also welcomes many new people. The church and its school now serve local Southeast Asian families. This includes people from Vietnam and Cambodia. They even have Masses in Vietnamese and Cambodian languages.
Church Design and Architecture
St. Patrick's Church is in an area of Lowell called The Acre. This is where Irish immigrants first settled when they came to work in the city's mills. The church sits by one of the city's power canals. It is at the corner of Suffolk and Cross Streets.
The church is shaped like a cross. It is built from rough stone with smooth granite details. A tall tower, about 160 feet (49 m) high, stands at the front. Stone supports are on each side of the main entrance. The main entrance and the doors next to it have pointed, Gothic-style arches.
Above the main entrance is a large window with three pointed sections. The tower's first part also has a smaller pointed window. The second part of the tower holds the bells. It has arched openings with slats. The very top of the tower is an eight-sided steeple. It has small pointed windows called dormers.
Gallery
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A closer look at the altar.
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A beautiful stained glass window showing Saint Patrick Teaching the Chieftains at Tara.
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A memorial for Reverends O'Brien right outside the main entrance.
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The church rectory, where the priests live.
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See also
