Before us stands what was once Saint Aidas Catholic Church. Saint Aidas Church holds a unique place in history. It stands at 201 Freeman Street in Brookline. Built in 1911, it was designed by Maginnis and Walsh. They were known for their ecclesiastical buildings. The style is Medieval Tudor Revival. Saint Aidas became Brookline’s third Catholic parish. Saint Mary’s was the first in 1852. Saint Lawrence’s followed in 1897.
But Saint Aidas has more to its story. The Kennedy family attended this church when they lived on Beals Street. John F. Kennedy was baptized here on June 19 1917. Robert F. Kennedy was also baptized at Saint Aidas. The church became a part of their daily life from 1914 to 1927.
Let’s turn our attention to the rectory. It is located at 158 Pleasant Street. Edward G. Parker a Boston lawyer built it around 1850-1855. The church acquired it in 1911. In 1920 it was restyled to match the church.
Saint Aidas Church and Rectory gained recognition. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This acknowledged their historical and architectural importance.
However, Saint Aidas’s story took a turn. The church closed its doors in 1999. It was then converted into housing. The original structure still stands today. It now houses 59 mixed-income housing units. This conversion reflects a creative repurposing of sacred space.
The transformation of Saint Aidas shows innovative urban planning. It provides homes for people of modest means. This project preserves the building’s historical significance. It also offers much-needed affordable housing. The church building was made into nine market-rate triplexes.
Consider the words of Caroline Kennedy. She wrote about her father’s understanding of courage. She highlighted the courage to compromise. She spoke of the courage to stay the course. Her words resonate with the story of Saint Aidas. The development exemplifies working towards shared objectives. This is true even when challenges arise.
Saint Aidas Catholic Church is more than bricks and mortar. It represents community history faith and adaptation. It reminds us of the Kennedy family’s local roots. It shows how historic buildings can serve new purposes. It stands as a testament to Brookline’s evolving landscape.