Did you know that St Anne Parish in Readville has a fascinating history? Established in 1919 Father David Regan became its first pastor. Initially Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of Most Precious Blood Church. Later it moved to St Raphael’s District School. The original St Anne’s Church was dedicated in 1921 by Cardinal O’Connell. It’s quite something to think about the dedication and effort that went into creating this parish.
St Anne’s wasn’t just a church. It was a community hub. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth taught at the school. They commuted from Hyde Park often on foot. Imagine their dedication. A convent was built in 1922. The parish also had a vibrant social life. Weekly whist and forty-nine contests were held in the parish hall.
The parish underwent several transformations. Father Regan purchased the Victorian-styled rectory. Miss Nellie McAvoy sold her residence for $4000. She later left money to the parish. Father Dowling later acquired the Damon School renaming it St Anne’s School. The need for a new school building was evident. A new school was built and dedicated in 1964. The Sisters of Charity eventually left after 90 years of service. Lay teachers then took over.
The church itself was renovated extensively. Father Driscoll fulfilled Father Regan’s dream. The architectural firm John M Gray created plans for a new building. Structural deterioration necessitated extensive reconstruction. The new church expanded seating capacity to 550. The chapel was added for energy conservation.
St Anne’s faced challenges in the late 20th century. A shortage of priests led to changes in staffing. The parish school closed in 2009 due to declining enrollment. Yet the spirit of St Anne’s persevered. Its story is one of faith resilience and community. The parish’s history reflects the changing landscape of Readville. It also demonstrates the enduring power of faith. Standing here today we can appreciate the lasting legacy of St Anne’s Parish.