“A slow-moving boat”. That’s how some describe the feeling of attending services at St. Marys Church. This magnificent church stands as a testament to Boston’s rich Catholic history. St. Marys Church was Boston’s first Catholic neighborhood parish.
Let’s step back in time to 1829. The original St. Marys Church opened on Richmond Street. Now it is Old Rutherford Avenue. It sat between Austin and Union Streets. An ice rink occupies the site now. The church held only 120 pews. But it was a tight fit for the growing Irish Catholic population.
By 1840, the parish needed more space. The church was enlarged. But the growing numbers still strained the facilities. A new site was found on Warren Street. Construction began in 1887. Five years later, the new St. Marys Church opened. It could seat 1200 parishioners.
This St. Marys Church resembles a cathedral. It was one of the last important works of Patrick C. Keely. He was America’s most prolific church architect. Keely designed over 700 Roman Catholic Churches.
Take a moment to admire the hammer beam oak ceiling. Keely designed it. The ceiling eliminates the need for columns. Every parishioner has an unobstructed view. Twelve angels appear to hold up the beams. The ceiling gives the feeling of traveling together safely.
Now focus on the organ. It was built in 1892. Woodberry and Harris of Boston built it. With over 3000 pipes, it’s their largest instrument. The on-off switch is the only electric part. Wood, metal, and air operate everything else. The pipes have never been altered. The organ is still used for about 300 services each year. In 1997, the Organ Historical Society gave it a citation.
The stained glass windows tell Mary’s story. They show her role in Jesus’s life. Franz Mayer of Munich designed them. Hundreds of hand-blown glass pieces make each window. Different metal oxides were added to the molten glass. This created the colors. Because the colors are part of the glass, they never fade. But some say they mellow with age.
Joseph Sibbel sculpted the Stations of the Cross. He also created the statue of St. Patrick at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. The original brass light fixtures from the 1890s still hang from the ceiling. They were fitted to run on either gas or electricity.
In 2006, St. Marys and St. Catherine of Sienna merged. They formed one parish. The newly formed parish worships in St. Marys Church. In 2008, they started a capital campaign. One goal is to complete the St. Catherine of Sienna Chapel. It will be in St. Marys lower church. They hope to include artifacts from St. Catherine’s. St. Marys Church stands as a beacon of faith and history. It connects generations of Boston Catholics. Its beauty and history continue to inspire.