Church of Saint Augustine & Saint Martin

Can you imagine a church born from two separate missions? Right here, at the Church of Saint Augustine & Saint Martin, that’s exactly what happened. The Church of Saint Augustine & Saint Martin has a unique history. It’s a story of two congregations merging, of community outreach, and of evolving with the times. This church, nestled in Boston’s South End, began its journey in 1899 as two distinct missions of the Society of St. John the Evangelist. St. Martin’s Mission started humbly in Sarah Jackson’s living room on Westminster Street. It quickly outgrew this space, moving to a storefront on Camden Street and later a small chapel on Lenox Street. Meanwhile, in the West End, the Church of St. Augustine thrived on Phillips Street after having occupied a building on Anderson Street since 1886. It became a hub for the community, offering cultural and religious support, particularly for people of color, and even establishing a trade school for young men. In 1908, fate intervened. The Society of St. John the Evangelist acquired land beside St. Martin’s Chapel on Lenox Street. This marked the beginning of the Church of Saint Augustine & Saint Martin as we know it today. The West End church closed, its furnishings finding a new home in the current building on Lenox Street. Under the guidance of Father Charles N. Field, the first pastor of the combined community, the Church of Saint Augustine & Saint Martin officially opened its doors on St. Martin’s Day, November 11, 1908. The grand opening was a ten-day preaching mission led by Reverend John A. Williams, a Black priest from Omaha, Nebraska. The church’s dedication to the community continued under Reverend Frank Fitz, who took over in 1911. He developed St. Augustine’s Camp in Foxboro, providing physical, educational, and spiritual growth for local youth. Recognizing the employment challenges faced by people of color, St. Martin’s Day Nursery was established, offering childcare for working parents. The church also maintained a strong relationship with the Sisters of St. Margaret, supporting St. Monica’s Home, which cared for sick and elderly women in Roxbury. The original St. Martin’s Chapel transformed into a vibrant community center, hosting plays, musical performances, and dinners. It became a place where young people received support for their educational and professional aspirations. At the heart of it all remained the church’s Anglo-Catholic liturgical tradition, centered around Holy Communion. After decades under the Society of St. John the Evangelist, the Church of Saint Augustine & Saint Martin, inspired by the Right Reverend John Burgess, embarked on a new chapter. The congregation separated from the Society and began the process of joining the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. This dream was realized on November 7, 1981, under the leadership of Reverend Richard Reid. Senior Warden Eugene Andrews proudly declared to the diocese, “Thank you. You have made a dream come true… The Church of St. Augustine and St. Martin is proud to serve our community.” The church later expanded, acquiring and renovating adjacent buildings for parish use and the St. James Educational Center’s HeadStart program. St. Martin’s Chapel and “The Well” were also created as alternate worship and gathering spaces. Today, the Church of Saint Augustine & Saint Martin continues to be a pillar of the community, hosting the B-READY and B-SAFE programs in partnership with St. Stephen’s Youth Programs. Its involvement with Roxbury/Dorchester Power in Community exemplifies its ongoing commitment to empowering the people of this neighborhood. The Church of Saint Augustine & Saint Martin stands as a testament to the power of community, resilience, and faith.