“A humble building in contrast” that’s how one publication described Our Lady of Good Council Church. Our Lady of Good Council Church stands as a testament to faith. It blends tradition with the needs of a modern community. This church has a fascinating history. It reflects Boston’s evolving urban landscape.
Cardinal Richard Cushing saw the fishing industry’s growth in South Boston in the 1900s. He established a chapel for fishermen and dockworkers. This chapel became Our Lady of Good Voyage on December 7, 1952. The pastor of Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester donated a statue of Mary. It stood in the chapel’s entrance.
The original chapel had a nautical theme. Replicas of boats adorned the chapel. A polished hull was above the confessional. The altar lamp was a miniature lighthouse. Stained glass windows depicted maritime scenes. They showed Jesus preaching from a boat. They showed the Apostles casting their nets. They showed Jesus calming the seas.
Our Lady of Good Council Church became known as “Our Lady of the Last Minute.” This was because it had the latest Sunday evening Mass in Boston. In 2007, discussions began about a land swap. A developer wanted to build on the chapel’s location. The Archdiocese agreed to sell the property. They would build a new shrine.
Designing a new church took three years. City officials wanted an innovative design. Church officials wanted something traditional. The result was a combination of both. A bell tower was constructed. It is strong enough to hold a steeple one day.
The last Mass at the old shrine was on Easter Sunday in 2017. Cardinal O’Malley dedicated the new shrine on April 22, 2017. It was the first new church built in the Archdiocese of Boston in 65 years.
Our Lady of Good Council Church is an apostolate of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. It serves young professionals and immigrants. The church encourages community service. At least 100000 people walk by the shrine each day. Mass is offered daily. Priests are available to talk to anyone.
The new shrine cost about $10 million to construct. Nautical themes are strong throughout the church. The ship symbolizes life’s journey. The interior uses repurposed windows and furnishings. These came from the old chapel and nearby parishes. The exterior has a traditional A-frame style. A gold cross sits atop the bell tower. It was repurposed from another parish. Workmen removed their hardhats in reverence when the cross was lifted.
The main altar comes from the former Holy Trinity church. It was hand-carved in Italy. The altar contains relics of Saint Elmo, Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Faustina Kowalska. The walls have wood paneling handmade in Colombia. A wooden crucifix hangs from the ceiling. A skylight shows the Holy Spirit as a dove.
The wooden roof looks like a ship’s hull. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The Stations of the Cross came from Regis College. The names of the four rivers of the Garden of Eden are inscribed on the pillars. Psalm 107 is written along the nave.
Stained glass windows add to the church’s beauty. The rose window shows the Lamb of God. Windows depict Our Lady of Good Voyage and St. Peter. Six wooden ships hang from the ceiling. They represent vessels of human lives. A small shrine holds a statue of the Virgin Mary holding a ship.
Our Lady of Good Council Church is more than just a building. It is a spiritual anchor. It connects people to faith. It connects them to the community. It offers a place of refuge. It guides souls on their journey. The church continues to evolve. It remains a beacon of hope in Boston’s vibrant Seaport District.