Blessed Sacrament Church

“A grand dome, ninety feet high,” whispered Mrs. O’Malley to young Timmy, pointing towards the Blessed Sacrament Church. “A landmark in Jamaica Plain, they say.” Right here, before us, stands the Blessed Sacrament Church. It’s a testament to the history of Jamaica Plain, a neighborhood shaped by waves of immigrants and their faith. The church’s story began in 1891 when the Redemptorist Fathers of Mission Church acquired this land, formerly the estate of a city brewer named James Kenney. A wooden house from 1830 served as their initial chapel. The following year, Blessed Sacrament became its own parish under Reverend Arthur T. Connolly. He envisioned a magnificent church for this site, a campus untouched by dividing streets. His vision came to life through the architect Charles R. Greco. In 1917, the Blessed Sacrament Church we see today was completed. Greco’s Italian Renaissance design, with its impressive facade, two monumental Ionic columns, and that distinctive octagonal belvedere dome, cost a hefty $115,000. The price included fifteen exquisite stained-glass windows by the renowned Boston artist, Charles Connick. Sadly, only a few remain here today, as eleven were relocated to Sacred Heart Church in Weymouth after Blessed Sacrament’s closure in 2004. The campus, once bustling with a rectory, convent, and two parochial schools, faced a challenging period. The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation and New Atlantic Development purchased the property in 2005. Over the years, the campus transformed: the rectory became condos, the convent housing, and the Norbert School was slated for apartments. Today, Blessed Sacrament Church has been given a new lease on life. It now stands as a symbol of community, housing affordable units and providing much-needed space for gatherings and performances, thanks to the efforts of the Hyde Square Task Force and Pennrose Development. It’s a story of change, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a community woven into the fabric of Blessed Sacrament Church.