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St. John's Catholic Church (Worcester, Massachusetts)
Encyclopedia
St. John's Catholic Church, established in 1834, is an historic Roman Catholic parish
church in Worcester, Massachusetts
. It is the oldest established Catholic religious institution in the city, and the oldest Catholic parish in New England
outside of Boston. On March 5, 1980, its 1845 church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
.
hired to build the railroads and the Blackstone Canal
. When they first settled, they had no clergy
with them. Since all of the churches were Protestant, Robert Laverty, a private citizen, petitioned Bishop Benedict Fenwick
of Boston
to assign a priest
to celebrate mass in Worcester.
In result, Father James Fitton
, a Boston
native, visited Worcester monthly starting in 1834. He laid the foundation for a church on Front Street, known as "Christ's Church". That structure was completed in 1836 and served as a church, rectory
, Sunday school
, and infirmary
.
After 2,000 parishioners had joined the church, a new building was needed. The current building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was constructed at number 44 Temple Street in 1845 and dedicated in honor of St. John
in 1846.
Besides that building, Father Fitton established Mount Saint James Seminary, which became the College of the Holy Cross
in 1839. The Society of Jesus
bought the school in 1843, and still own and operate it today.
From 1836-48, the Penobscot Indians visited the church each winter from Maine
.
was established in 1870, Father Patrick T. O'Reilly was appointed the first Bishop of Springfield. He made the house the chancery
for Springfield, and kept his pastorship at St. John's.
on Chatham Street was selected as the cathedral
for the See of Worcester.
in honor of St. Francis Xavier had been held every March 4–12 since 1922.
The first charismatic
prayer group in Worcester began meeting in 1970. The group is still active.
A vigil
mass at 9:15 PM on Saturday has been held from the 1980s to 2008.
weekend in 2004, the interior ceiling collapsed into the sanctuary
, destroying the altar and baptistry. Mass was celebrated that weekend on the parish lawn and from thenceforth at sister parish, Ascension Church, on Vernon Street, until the beginning of 2005. That weekend, masses were moved to the basement church, where space was limited. All celebrations of Confirmation and First Communion
were moved to St. Paul's Cathedral
to accommodate the large crowd.
The renovations were complete in September 2005 and the Mass of Rededication was celebrated on October 15, 2005 by Bishop Robert J. McManus
.
, because of the demographics of that parish who currently are not fluent in English. Eventually, the Lithuanian Mass will move to St. John's in 2009.
To welcome the anticipation of new parishioners, Father Madden announced on June 1, 2008, that the Mass schedule will change to accommodate the new parishioners. Beginning on July 5–6, 2008, the 9:15 Saturday night mass will be moved to 7:15 pm to focus on young adults. A Sunday Mass will be added at 8:00 am, the 9:15 mass to be moved to 10:00 am to focus on children not yet ready to receive confirmation, and a Ministry of Greeter will be added at each church door to pass out the Sunday bulletin and other material needed for that particular mass.
A Mass of Welcoming was said Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 12:15 pm to welcome the parishioners of St. Casimir's and Ascension. The Mass was said in English, Lithuanian
, and Tagalog
, with a celebration held afterward.
Notes
or Puritan
church, so that visitors may think that the building is a Protestant church. The current steeple has been up there since 1951. The brick walls have been in place since the beginning in 1846.
The interior walls have been repainted several times, most recently in 2005. The congregation has 50 rows of 4 pews (total lower seating 1,000), including a handicapped section. There are another thousand pews in a balcony
on both sides of the nave
, including 500 people per side. The total capacity is 2,000 persons and 100 musicians.
In the sanctuary
, the high altar is located in the center, with the Blessed Sacrament
located behind it. The original Tridentine Mass
altar houses the tabernacle
, and is in Romanesque style
. The pulpit
is to the left of the altar and the presider's chair at the right. To the direct left, a devotional shrine is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and often other statues, such as of St. Francis Xavier and St. Theresa, may be displayed. The baptistry dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary is at the direct right. The flooring
is hardwood
.
classes are taught in a format to "practice" for the "real church". The Blessed Sacrament is lit only at mass time. The "chapel
" has a pre-Vatican II altar rail without the gate. The tabernacle
is to the right of the altar, but the high altar is at the center with a bench as the "Novus Ordo
" mass location. It is not nailed to the floor, which is marble.
Parish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
church in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
. It is the oldest established Catholic religious institution in the city, and the oldest Catholic parish in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
outside of Boston. On March 5, 1980, its 1845 church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Early establishment
Catholics immigrated to the Worcester area as early as 1826. Most of them were Irish peopleIrish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
hired to build the railroads and the Blackstone Canal
Blackstone Canal
The Blackstone Canal was a waterway linking Worcester, Massachusetts, to Providence, Rhode Island through the Blackstone Valley via a series of locks and canals during the early 19th century.-History:...
. When they first settled, they had no clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
with them. Since all of the churches were Protestant, Robert Laverty, a private citizen, petitioned Bishop Benedict Fenwick
Benedict Joseph Fenwick
Benedict Joseph Fenwick, S.J. was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. A Jesuit, he served as Bishop of Boston from 1825 until his death in 1846.-Early life and education:...
of Boston
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the New England region of the United States. It comprises several counties of the state of Massachusetts...
to assign a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
to celebrate mass in Worcester.
In result, Father James Fitton
James Fitton
James Fitton was an American Catholic missionary, active in New England.-Life:...
, a Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
native, visited Worcester monthly starting in 1834. He laid the foundation for a church on Front Street, known as "Christ's Church". That structure was completed in 1836 and served as a church, rectory
Rectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
, Sunday school
Sunday school
Sunday school is the generic name for many different types of religious education pursued on Sundays by various denominations.-England:The first Sunday school may have been opened in 1751 in St. Mary's Church, Nottingham. Another early start was made by Hannah Ball, a native of High Wycombe in...
, and infirmary
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
.
After 2,000 parishioners had joined the church, a new building was needed. The current building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was constructed at number 44 Temple Street in 1845 and dedicated in honor of St. John
John the Apostle
John the Apostle, John the Apostle, John the Apostle, (Aramaic Yoħanna, (c. 6 - c. 100) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of James, another of the Twelve Apostles...
in 1846.
Besides that building, Father Fitton established Mount Saint James Seminary, which became the College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
in 1839. The Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
bought the school in 1843, and still own and operate it today.
From 1836-48, the Penobscot Indians visited the church each winter from Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
.
Mother Church of Springfield
The current presbytery in use was built in 1865. When the Diocese of SpringfieldRoman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the New England region of the United States comprising the counties of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden in the state of Massachusetts. It is led by...
was established in 1870, Father Patrick T. O'Reilly was appointed the first Bishop of Springfield. He made the house the chancery
Diocesan chancery
A diocesan chancery is the branch of administration which handles all written documents used in the official government of a Roman Catholic or Anglican diocese....
for Springfield, and kept his pastorship at St. John's.
Mother Church of Worcester
When the Worcester Diocese was established in 1950, St. John's was (and still is) known as "The Mother Church of the Diocese". However, because of the architectural elements, St. Paul's ParishCathedral of Saint Paul in Worcester
The Cathedral of Saint Paul — informally known as Saint Paul's Cathedral — is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester in Worcester, Massachusetts....
on Chatham Street was selected as the cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
for the See of Worcester.
Tradition
A Novena of GraceNovena of Grace
The Novena of Grace is a Catholic devotion addressed to Saint Francis Xavier. It is usually performed from March 4 to March 12 included.In Naples in 1633 there lived Fr. Marcello Mastrilli, S.J...
in honor of St. Francis Xavier had been held every March 4–12 since 1922.
The first charismatic
Charismatic movement
The term charismatic movement is used in varying senses to describe 20th century developments in various Christian denominations. It describes an ongoing international, cross-denominational/non-denominational Christian movement in which individual, historically mainstream congregations adopt...
prayer group in Worcester began meeting in 1970. The group is still active.
A vigil
Vigil
A vigil is a period of purposeful sleeplessness, an occasion for devotional watching, or an observance...
mass at 9:15 PM on Saturday has been held from the 1980s to 2008.
"Preserve the Flame"
On Labor DayLabor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend in 2004, the interior ceiling collapsed into the sanctuary
Sanctuary
A sanctuary is any place of safety. They may be categorized into human and non-human .- Religious sanctuary :A religious sanctuary can be a sacred place , or a consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.- Sanctuary as a sacred place :#Sanctuary as a sacred place:#:In...
, destroying the altar and baptistry. Mass was celebrated that weekend on the parish lawn and from thenceforth at sister parish, Ascension Church, on Vernon Street, until the beginning of 2005. That weekend, masses were moved to the basement church, where space was limited. All celebrations of Confirmation and First Communion
First Communion
The First Communion, or First Holy Communion, is a Catholic Church ceremony. It is the colloquial name for a person's first reception of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Catholics believe this event to be very important, as the Eucharist is one of the central focuses of the Catholic Church...
were moved to St. Paul's Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint Paul in Worcester
The Cathedral of Saint Paul — informally known as Saint Paul's Cathedral — is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester in Worcester, Massachusetts....
to accommodate the large crowd.
The renovations were complete in September 2005 and the Mass of Rededication was celebrated on October 15, 2005 by Bishop Robert J. McManus
Robert Joseph McManus
Robert Joseph McManus is the fifth Bishop of Worcester, Massachusetts. He has been in post since May 14, 2004, where he succeeded Daniel P. Reilly, who retired.-Life before Worcester:...
.
Recent parish closings
On May 17, 2008, Bishop McManus announced Parish Reconfiguration within the City of Worcester, due to "the lack of sacramental life" in certain parishes.Diocese Announces First Phase of Parish Reconfiguration, 5/17/08 In the Vernon Hill area, St. Casimir's Church on Providence Street and Ascension Church on Vernon Street have recently closed, and all assets, liabilities, and records have been transferred to St. John's. The moving process was completed on July 1, 2008. St. Casimir's Church is expected to remain open for one more year to have a Sunday Mass in LithuanianLithuanian language
Lithuanian is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the official languages of the European Union. There are about 2.96 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 170,000 abroad. Lithuanian is a Baltic language, closely related to Latvian, although they...
, because of the demographics of that parish who currently are not fluent in English. Eventually, the Lithuanian Mass will move to St. John's in 2009.
To welcome the anticipation of new parishioners, Father Madden announced on June 1, 2008, that the Mass schedule will change to accommodate the new parishioners. Beginning on July 5–6, 2008, the 9:15 Saturday night mass will be moved to 7:15 pm to focus on young adults. A Sunday Mass will be added at 8:00 am, the 9:15 mass to be moved to 10:00 am to focus on children not yet ready to receive confirmation, and a Ministry of Greeter will be added at each church door to pass out the Sunday bulletin and other material needed for that particular mass.
A Mass of Welcoming was said Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 12:15 pm to welcome the parishioners of St. Casimir's and Ascension. The Mass was said in English, Lithuanian
Lithuanian language
Lithuanian is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the official languages of the European Union. There are about 2.96 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 170,000 abroad. Lithuanian is a Baltic language, closely related to Latvian, although they...
, and Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
, with a celebration held afterward.
List of pastors
- Rev. James Fitton 1834–1843
- Rev. Adolphus Williamson 1843–1845
- Rev. Matthew W. Gibson 1845–1856
- Rev. John Boyce 1856–1864
- Most Rev. Patrick T. O’Reilly, D.D. 1864–1885
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Griffin, D.D. P.R. 1885–1910
- Rev. Thomas S. Donohue, P.R. 1911–1922
- Rev. Edward J. Fitzgerald, P.R. 1923–1937
- Rev. John F. McDonnell, P.R. 1937–1944
- Rev. Michael E. Lahey, P.R. 1944–1953
- Rev. John Donohue 1954–1963
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. O’Brien 1964–1967
- Rev. James B. Kelly (Priest-in-charge) 1967–1971
- Most Rev. Timothy J. Harrington 1969–1972*
- Rev. William W. McGovern (administrator) 1971–1972
- Rev. Cyril A. LeBeau 1972–1977
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Scollen (administrator) 1977–1982; (pastorate) 1983–1984
- Rev. Michael G. Foley 1984–1991
- Rev. Charles F. Monroe 1991–1994
- Rev. Joseph A. Coonan 1994–2008**
- Rev. John F. Madden (administrator) 2004–2008; (pastorate) 2008–present
- Rev. Richard A. Jakubauskas (chaplain for the Lithuanian community) 2008–present
Notes
- * Bishop Harrington was in residence from 1969–1972, and not the pastor.
** Fr. Coonan was placed on administrative leave, then on medical leave. Fr. Madden has actually been running the parish since 2004.
Architectural style
The church is constructed like a BaptistBaptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
or Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
church, so that visitors may think that the building is a Protestant church. The current steeple has been up there since 1951. The brick walls have been in place since the beginning in 1846.
The interior walls have been repainted several times, most recently in 2005. The congregation has 50 rows of 4 pews (total lower seating 1,000), including a handicapped section. There are another thousand pews in a balcony
Balcony
Balcony , a platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade.-Types:The traditional Maltese balcony is a wooden closed balcony projecting from a...
on both sides of the nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
, including 500 people per side. The total capacity is 2,000 persons and 100 musicians.
In the sanctuary
Sanctuary
A sanctuary is any place of safety. They may be categorized into human and non-human .- Religious sanctuary :A religious sanctuary can be a sacred place , or a consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.- Sanctuary as a sacred place :#Sanctuary as a sacred place:#:In...
, the high altar is located in the center, with the Blessed Sacrament
Blessed Sacrament
The Blessed Sacrament, or the Body and Blood of Christ, is a devotional name used in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Old Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, to refer to the Host after it has been consecrated in the sacrament of the Eucharist...
located behind it. The original Tridentine Mass
Tridentine Mass
The Tridentine Mass is the form of the Roman Rite Mass contained in the typical editions of the Roman Missal that were published from 1570 to 1962. It was the most widely celebrated Mass liturgy in the world until the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI in December 1969...
altar houses the tabernacle
Church tabernacle
A tabernacle is the fixed, locked box in which, in some Christian churches, the Eucharist is "reserved" . A less obvious container, set into the wall, is called an aumbry....
, and is in Romanesque style
Romanesque Revival architecture
Romanesque Revival is a style of building employed beginning in the mid 19th century inspired by the 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture...
. The pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
is to the left of the altar and the presider's chair at the right. To the direct left, a devotional shrine is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and often other statues, such as of St. Francis Xavier and St. Theresa, may be displayed. The baptistry dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary is at the direct right. The flooring
Flooring
Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Floor covering is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface...
is hardwood
Hardwood
Hardwood is wood from angiosperm trees . It may also be used for those trees themselves: these are usually broad-leaved; in temperate and boreal latitudes they are mostly deciduous, but in tropics and subtropics mostly evergreen.Hardwood contrasts with softwood...
.
Basement church
The basement church is half the basement foundation. Confraternity of Christian DoctrineConfraternity of Christian Doctrine
The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine was an association established at Rome in 1562 for the purpose of giving religious education. Its modern usage, often abbreviated CCD or C.C.D., is a religious education program of the Catholic Church, normally designed for children.-History:Until the...
classes are taught in a format to "practice" for the "real church". The Blessed Sacrament is lit only at mass time. The "chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
" has a pre-Vatican II altar rail without the gate. The tabernacle
Church tabernacle
A tabernacle is the fixed, locked box in which, in some Christian churches, the Eucharist is "reserved" . A less obvious container, set into the wall, is called an aumbry....
is to the right of the altar, but the high altar is at the center with a bench as the "Novus Ordo
Mass of Paul VI
The Mass of Pope Paul VI is the liturgy of the Catholic Mass of the Roman Rite promulgated by Paul VI in 1969, after the Second Vatican Council...
" mass location. It is not nailed to the floor, which is marble.
Staff
- Rev. John F. Madden, Pastor
- Rev. Richard A. Jakubauskas, Lithuanian Chaplain
- Msgr. Edmond T. Tinsley, Assisting Priest
- Donna Mastrovito, Religious Education Coordinator
- Dr. Sean Redrow, Organist and Director of Music Ministry
- David M. Moulton, Organist and Asst. Director of Music Ministry
- Lucia Clemente Falco, Organist
- John LeDoux, Musician
- Jane Rabion, Safe Environment Coordinator
- Jean Grenier, Altar Server Director Emeritus
- Jonathan Slavinskas, Seminarian