Our Lady of Perpetual Help
|
This Norman style Church, built with Roxbury granite, was completed and dedicated
in 1940 under the leadership of the Reverend John J. Dillon. This was the fruit
of years of planning and working to better serve the increasing Catholic population
of Washington. The land, some sixteen acres, and the home had been purchased in
1920 by the Reverend John F. Callahan. Previously, Catholics had celebrated Mass
in private homes and then, from 1890 on, in a smaller, wooden church located where
the Hickory Stick Bookshop is now. The wood building was given to the town and dismantled
not too long afterward. The new Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church had an impressive
bell tower, but it was empty. In 1957 three donors were inspired to finance 4 bells.
These were blessed by Father Thomas F. Dennehy before a large crowd and then installed.
For Father Dennehy, the Church at last called out with the Voice of God. The new
church also did not have a parish hall and related facilities. In the 1970s the
Parish Council began to address the issue, including raising money. Inspired, Agnes
Seidel provided a large gift which enabled Monsignor Carnicke Hall to be completed
and dedicated in 1985. The Hall has been the home of meetings for many parish groups
and happy celebrations which help draw us together.
|
Saint Patrick
|
Saint Patrick Church was completed in 1885 to serve a rapidly growing number of
Catholics in Roxbury. Many were Irish who had come to work in Roxbury's quarries.
They brought to the quarter acre site the stones for the foundation of the new Church.
The Church had a stairway up to a porch and a bell tower. A bell was added later.
Then, in the early 1950s, the bell tower had to be taken down and the entry altered.
In the late 1970s the parish commissioned Edward DeVoe, a young artist from Bridgewater,
to provide a triptych celebrating St. Patrick. After several months of research
work, the painting was installed in the rear of the Church. In 1983, six and a half
acres were added to the original lot, providing open space for activities such as
the Centennial celebration in 1985.
|