Parishoners Work

On the corner of Spring Street and Second Street a large stone church and spire can be seen, whose bells still ring today to remind Fall Riverites of the time. My how time passes by.

The erection of St. Mary’s Cathedral began when the first piece of Fall River granite was set in 1852, however, the building would not be completed until 1856. This was not the first church on that location. Prior to the completion of St. Mary’s, a small wooden edifice stood in its place. Built in 1836, the church opened its doors in 1837, and was dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

Fall River’s Catholic population in the 1830s was exceedingly small until a large influx of Irish Catholic’s began to emigrate to the city in the 1840’s. Father Murphy, who was the pastor at the time, recognized the city would outgrow their current church and thus the need for a larger structure was born.

Patrick Keely, an architect from Brooklyn, New York, designed the beautiful granite building in the 11th century Gothic Revival style. He also designed St. Joseph’s (1880) and St. Patrick’s (1881-1889) in Fall River. It was noted that construction was accomplished, due in part, to the efforts of some of the parishioners, who helped on the building site after their workday was done. What community!

Notice the photograph. It was taken in 1897, before the additions that can be seen today were added.

Did you know that St. John the Baptist Church was the first Catholic Church in Fall River and St. Mary’s Cathedral is now the oldest?