Church of the Holy Name

Who would have thought a Roman basilica could inspire a church in West Roxbury? The Church of the Holy Name, right here before us, stands as a testament to that very inspiration. The Church of the Holy Name, a prominent landmark in western Boston, was established in 1927 by Father William P. McNamara. Its Romanesque Revival architecture commands attention, especially against the Gothic backdrop of St. Theresa’s down Centre Street. The Church of the Holy Name isn’t just a pretty face. It holds a rich history within its walls. The parish, carved from Sacred Heart in Roslindale and St. Teresa in West Roxbury, initially held services in the Bellevue Community Theatre. The lower church was completed in time for a midnight mass in 1929, but the full structure wasn’t finished until 1939. The Church of the Holy Name has witnessed significant moments, including the somber funeral services for victims of the Cocoanut Grove fire in 1942. It even hosted ordinations in 1944 when Holy Cross Cathedral was undergoing renovations. The church’s design, by Edward T. P. Graham, is a nod to Boston’s Cardinal William Henry O’Connell. The dome mirrors that of the Basilica di San Clemente in Rome, O’Connell’s titular church. Look closely above the entrance. You’ll see a frieze adorned with niches holding statues of saints. And just behind the church, you’ll find a grand Colonial Revival rectory, also designed by Graham. The Church of the Holy Name also houses a treasure within – a magnificent 3-manual Wicks organ from 1938. Designed by Henry Vincent Willis, grandson of the renowned “Father” Willis, this organ is a piece of musical history. Its pipes fill two large cases in the gallery, with an additional instrument in the sanctuary, all controlled by twin consoles. This organ, a highlight of the 2000 Organ Historical Society convention, underwent a complete restoration in 2006. The Church of the Holy Name, with its stunning architecture, historical significance, and hidden musical gem, offers more than meets the eye. It stands as a unique blend of Roman inspiration and Bostonian history, a landmark worth remembering.