Nomination for St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 8-86) OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form 2169 NOV 3 O 1989 This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1. Name of Property historic name St.

Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex other names/site number N/A 2. Location street & number56 Circuit St., 85 & 91-93 Regent St.., 18-28 Hulbert St.N/ahot for publication city, town (Roxbury), Boston N/AVICInIty state Massachusetts county Suffolk code zip code 02119 3. Classification Ownership of Property X private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property building(s) X district (complex) site Structure object Name of related multiple property listing: Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing buildings sites structures objects 4 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register N/A 4.

State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 1 hereby certify that this nomination Jrequest for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the NationalRegister of HistoricPlaces and meetsthe procedural andprofessional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property meets Jdoes not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet. Aeu almase 116/69 Signature of certifying official Executive Pirectore, Massachusetts Historical Combafsion; State Historic Preservation Officer State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet. Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 5.

National Park Service Certification I, hereby, certify that this property is: entered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. Kerapgen Intored in the Nationel Eeetater 12/28/89 removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) fo sgnatue of the kopor Date of Action 6. Function or Use St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Religion: Religious Structure Religion: Religious Structure Religion: Church Related Residence Domestic: Institutional Housing Education: School Religion: Church Related Residence Landscape: Plaza Education: School Landscape: Plaza 7.

Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) Late Victorian: Second Empire, Romanesque Revival Materials (enter categories from instructions) foundation Roxbury Puddingstones Red Brick walls- Late 19th/early 20th Century Revival: Georgian Revival roof _ other State Woodframe Windows Describe present and historic physical appearance. The St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church complex which consists of four buildings, occupies a roughly rectangular tract of land containing 66,823 square feet. It is located near the center of the Roxbury section of Boston, one block to the east of Washington Street (formerly the Dedham Turnpike). Situated on the rocky southwest slopes of Mt.

Warren, the complex is bordered on the north by Circuit Street, on the east by Regent Street, on the south by Hulbert Street, and on the west by a no longer extant cul-de-sac known as Fenwick Street. Tommy's Rock, an extensive rock outcropping, is incorporated into the foundation wall of St. Joseph's church. The complex is surrounded on its north, east and south sides by housing dating from the mid 19th to mid-20th centuries. Across Circuit Street, to the north, is a large grass covered, tree shaded vacant lot. The church's bell tower, the major landmark in the area, picturesquely presides over an enclave of low scale modern town houses. The complex contains four buildings: the church (1845-46), a Mansard school (1887), a Georgian Revival convent (1916-1917), and a Panel Brick rectory (1886), all built between 1845 and 1917.

These buildings frame a central ornamental green which once served as a graveyard. Interments, however, were discontinued during the late 19th century and no physical evidence of this former use survives. Al1 four buildings and the landscape features of the green and Tommy's Rock contribute to the architectural and historical integrity of the complex. Archival and newspaper microfilm research has not yielded the identity of the church's designer. Patrick C. Keeley provided the designs for the church's rectory and school as well as the church building's enlargements (1860) and interior remodel1ng (1883-1886). Charles R. Greco,an early to mid-20th century architect and church specialist from Cambridge is credited with the design of St. Joseph's Convent. x See continuation sheet s fonn 10-000 A-N6 ONB MO.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Section number . Page The complex is devoid of significant intrusions. During the early 19th century at least two non-ecclesiatical residences were removed from the church's compound. Changes and additions to St. Joseph's Church included the enlargement of the church by one half of its original size in 1860 and extensive interior remodelling during the 1880's. In addition, fire exits were incorporated into the side walls during the 1910's. The rectory is the only other building within the complex which has been extensively altered. Its wood frame mansard roof was transformed into a brick-faced third floor at some point in the early 20th century.

The rectory's high puddingstone entrance porch also represents a later addition. St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church St. Joseph's Church (1845-46), designed with elements of the First Romanesque Revival, is the nucleus of the ecclesiastical complex. It is a one and a half story rectangular hall, constructed on the exterior of stretcher bond red brick and surmounted by a low pitched gable end roof. Attached to the center of the facade is a square multi-story tower which once boasted a highly ornate bell cast roof top, but which now is a low pitched hip roof with overhanging eaves. The low height and horizontal spread of the church's hall is sharply contrasted by the narrow, vertical emphasis of the bell tower. In general, this church's walls are pierced by round headed windows, particularly along the seven bays of the side walls which are almost the full height of the interior space.

These arched windows are echoed in the door and window opening of the tower. church consists of an apse that is slightly smaller in scale than the main hall of the church. In design and material the apse is compatible with those of the rest of the structure. The exterior of St. Joseph's Church is relatively restrained in terms of decoration, limited primarily to a brick corbeled cornice around the entire structure, including the gable ends on the main (west) The bell tower is articulated by chamfered corners. The main entrance is located on the bell tower's west facade, recessed within an archway and is surmounted by a small limestone placque. The placque's incised lettering reads: "Dome auspice Sancto Joseph AD MDCCCXLVI." Access to the main entrance is provided by a high puddingstone platform with stairs at either side.

Late 19th century photographs indicate that the church's main facade has undergone several remodellings. The main entrance has evidently been shifted back and forth between its current location and the present secondary entrance at the northeast corner. For a time, the present main entrance bay was treated as a window. The one story component to the left of the bell tower covers the site of a narrow, projecting, two-story wooden bay, which was once a gable end roof. cont. Aoprovel Mo. 10060018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 7 2 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Section number Page The church interior is characterized by a long and wide rectangular hall with a flat ceiling. In plan, St. Joseph's pews are divided by three aisles.

The church possesses a rich inventory of teatures dating from the mid-1880s remodelling by Patrick C. Keeley. Of particular note are the walnut pews and paneling, colorfully painted stamned glass windows, unusual Egyptian Revival enframement of the center altar, ornate Gothic marble altars, and a decorative paneled ceiling. The church's exterior suffers from weather-related damage. Its brickwork is in need of repointing and its wooden window enframements are in need of paint and repair. Several broken windows are in evidence in the church's rear elevation. The nave's wall, particularly the north wall, exhibits water stains. According to the parish council president, the roof to the church has been repaired, eliminating any further possibilities of water damage to the murals depicting the Stations of the Cross which adorn the walls between the windows. Rectory The rectory of St.

Joseph's Church is a red brick masonry, T-shaped, four story structure which rises from a high puddingstone basement. Its brick-faced third floor was originally a wood frame, slate shingled mansard roof. This building possesses a five bay by four bay main block with a brick rear ell. All of its planar facades are formally finished and exhibit identical surface treatments. include basment level granite belt course, sandstone lintels (pedimented on the first floor), corbelled cornice (between floors two and three), and panel brick chimneys (north wall). The main facade's center entrance opens on to a high puddingstone and wood porch which represents an early 20th century addition. Still intact are the late 19th century multi panel front doors. These doors are set back within a sandstone hood lintel.

The rectory's interior possesses a rich inventory of late 19th century features including wainscoting, plaster molding, fireplace mantels with glazed art tiles and stair rails. St. Joseph's School St Joseph's School is constructed of red brick and trimmed in granite. It rises from a puddingstone basement to a mansard roof. It possesses an essentially square plan. Its nine-bay main facade features a central projecting pavilion. This central pavilion cont. OMAB Approvel Mo. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Section number_7 Page - SATTE exhibits an entrance flanked by billet work panels. It is surmounted by a granite lintel and fanlight with terra cotta moldings.

The original entrance doors have been replaced by modern ones. Ail of the school's facades are formally finished and possess identical surface treatments including 1) basement-level granite belt course, 2) first floor window arches accented with terra cotta moldings, angled brick string course, 3) corbelled cornices, and tall, flat roofed dormers. Convent Built in 1916-1917, this asymmetical convent is prominently situated on a corner lot, set back from a low puddingstone wall. Its formally finished facade exhibits elements of the Classical Revival and Federal Revival styles. The structure rises three stories from a stone basement to a hipped roof. In general, this building is characterized by planar red brick surfaces enlivened by courses of white stone First floor windows exhibit keystones and the second-floor windows are set within blind arches.

This building's third floor windows are located close to the hip roof's eaves. Rising from the second floor's sill course, near the main facade's northern edge, is a blind arch with a single large circular, stained glass window on the third floor. The convent's off-center, three-story projecting bow exhibits elegant stone entrance enframements. The original multi-panel front doors are set within a semi-circular keystone arch which is edged with rope molding. Flanking the front door are engaged Ionic columns which support a deep entablature. The bowed second-floor window opens into a wrought iron balcony and is surmounted by a stone pediment. 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: nationally statewide X locally Applicable National Register Criteria XA Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) B C Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Architecture Religion D D F G Period of Significance 1845-1917 Cultural Affiliation Significant Dates 1845-46 1860 1886 1887 1916-17 Significant Person Architect/Builder Keeley, Patrick C./Holmes Brothers Greco, Charles State significance of property,and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex is a compact, well-preserved group of masonry ecclesiastical buildings constructed between 1845 and 1917.

The complex encompasses a church, rectory, school and convent, grouped in a semi-circular configuration around an The buildings in St. Joseph's Complex, with the exception of the convent, have significant architectural associations with Patrick C. Keeley, a prolific mid to late 19th century Brooklyn, (N.Y.) ecclesiastical architect. The Church is the first Roman Catholic Church constructed in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, a This church was constructed to meet the religious needs of the Irish Catholic immigrants who came to Roxbury to live in the mid 19th century. The Church is also significant as an early, relatively rare example of ecclesiastical architecture that blends the Italianate and Romanesque Revival styles. The complex retains integrity of location, design, setting and association. The St.

Joseph's Roman Catholic Church complex, therefore, meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places on the local level. The Complex meets Criteria Consideration A as the first Roman Catholic Church constructed in Roxbury. For nearly 150 years, St. Joseph's Church has been an important focus of religious life for Roxbury's Catholic community. St. Joseph's Church was the first Roman Catholic Church established within Roxbury's limits, organized in response to the rapid rise in the number of Irish Catholic immigrants settling in the Boston area during the 1840s. Completed in 1846, St. Joseph's Complex was a product of Bishop Benedict Fenwick's policy promoting the construction of ecclesiastical edifices in Boston's suburbs.

The church also provides important physical evidence of Roxbury's early years as a municipality distinct from the City of Boston between 1846 and 1868 when the two communities were reunited. See continuation sheet Major Biblographical References St. Jaseph's Raman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Previous documentation on file (NPS): preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested previously listed in the National Register previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 10.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Geographical Data Acreage of property1.5 Acres UTM References A19 3 27 960 Zone Easting 416 8176150 Northing x See continuation sheet Primary location of additional data: x State historic preservation office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Specify repository: Boston Landmarks Commission MHC D See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description The nominated property conforms to the city of Boston Tax Assessor's Parcel Numbers 3885, 3820, 3884, within Ward 9. See continuation sheet Boundary Justification The boundaries for this complex encompass the church, school, convent and rectory all of which have historically fallen within the boundaries of the complex. Each has been built on parcels of land that have been acquired over the years from 1848 to 1878. See continuation sheet 11.

Form Prepared By name/title_ Edward Gordon with Carol Huggins organization Boston Landmarks Commission street & number Room 805, Boston City Hall Boston city or town _ date 5-5-88 telephone 725-3850 MA state zip code 02201 Rs rom Mc. 10040018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Section number - Page - St. Joseph's Church Complex is located one block to the east of the old Dedham Turnpike (Washington Street), an early 19th century thoroughfare which linked the Shawmut Peninsula (Boston) with communities to the west. By the mid-1840s, Roxbury was a prosperous community of 13,929 residents.

Incorporated as city on March 12, 1846, Roxbury was already being transformed from a still rural igricultural community to a densely settled and industriallzed urbar entity. By the late 1840s Roxbury's manufacturers produced leather: nails, chairs, cabinet wares, pig iron and other articles. Roxbury factories drew a large population from Boston, many of whom were Catholic workmen. Cassaciuseors noted that nadopaas ordinr zeteer unti1 recently were improved as farms or rural walks, are now covered with wide streets and beautiful buildings. St. Joseph's Church, situated within one of Roxbury's earliest extensive residential subdivisions, was numbered among these "beautiful buildings." The founding of St. Joseph's Church is inextricably linked to Boston-area population growth stemming from large-scale Irish immigration beginning in the 1840's. The construction of St.

Joseph's Church in Roxbury was in keeping with the policy of Benedict Fenwick, Bishop of New England's which encouraged newly arrived Irish Catholics to settle in suburbs rather than cities as was largely the case. Bishop Fenwick carried these ideas to an area 40 miles north of Bangor, Maine, establishing the town of Benedictia with the hope of inducing Catholic immigrants to settle there. During the 1840's the rapid growth of the Catholic population was not confined to the Boston area, but was a New England-wide phenomenon. Before 1843 there was a single Roman Catholic diocese in New England. But by 1845, Massachusetts alone counted 53,000 Catholics within the Commonwealth. Therefore, in 1843, the single diocese was divided in two, Connecticut and Rhode Island constituting a diocese separate from the northern New England states. Until the construction of St.

Joseph's Church in 1846, Roxbury's Catholics worshipped in St. Patrick's Church, "an unpretentions brick church" on Northhampton Street in Boston's South End. In 1845, Father Patrick H. O'Beirne, temporary pastor of St. Patrick's Church began to collect funds for the construction of St. Joseph's Church. Father O'Beirne was born December 31, 1808 in Mohill, near Carrick-on-Shannon, Country Leitrim, Ireland. He came to Boston in cont. n 10000-0 Out6 nopronel No. 1004-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 Page 2 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts 1833 and was ordained a priest at the Old Cathedral on Franklin Street, on March 14, 1834. In 1845 he was appointed first pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Roxbury.

Its parish originally encompassed Dorchester, Brookline, Hyde Park, Dedham, and Norwood, as well as Roxbury. St. Joseph's Church was built on lot number 122 of a 241-lot subdivision owned by the Roxbury Land Company. Incorporated as early as 1836, this residential subdivision was located less than one mile to the southwest of Roxbury's principal residential developments. Characterized by a picturesque pattern of winding roads and rocky terrian, this subdivision stretches from Walnut Street on the east to Washington Street on the west and from St. James Street on the north to Bainbridge Street on the south. This company's trio of original owners included Amos Binney, Augustus Heard and Andrew S. March. The lot on which the church was built originally contained 41,868 square feet, purchased from a James Sullivan by Bishop Fenwick on October 10, 1845 for $5,224. At the time of St.

Joseph's organization there was a strong anti-Catholic sentiment in Roxbury and Boston, hence a trust was created to purchase the land. Purchase of the lot apparently came after the cornerstone was laid on September 4, 1845. The first mass was held in the church's basement on August 23, 1846, and the church was dedicated approximately four months later on December 6th of that year. Architecturally, St. Joseph's exhibits the hallmarks of the First Romanesque style, a revival of the round arched medieval style that preceded the pointed-arch Gothic. Semicircular arches are used for all openings. The revival of the Romanesque began in Munich, Germany about 1830. The first Romanesque Revival church in the United States for the important early 19th century Boston architect Alexander design for St. Joseph's Church.

his school, subsequently known as Notre Dame Academy, moved to subsegrenty nonm as iotre bame Acadeay, noved te, ne Washington Street at Egleston Square. cont. 9S Form PB-BS 1004-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Section number _ Page. 3 The 1873 Roxbury Atlas shows a relatively ample open space to the south of the church labled "graveyard" - Father Patick H. 0'Beirne and his brother, the Rev. John 0'Beirne are said to have been buried "in the right-hand corner lot in front of the church" [Sullivan, Catholic Church 1n New Englana, P. 148. Otherwise, archival materials and Norfolk County Deeds have yielded no references to this burial ground.

Evidently it was discontinued as a place of interment at some point in the 1880's or 1890's. evidence to verify its original use. verffy its origina uurrently, there is no peysint at some By 1860 the Catholic population in the area had increased greatly; a major addition to the church, which more than doubled the size of the structure, was completed in that year. The architect responsible for the enlargement was Patrick C. Keeley. Keeley's work in Boston may have begun as early as 1851 within the rebuilding and enlargment of the Church of St. Peter and Paul in South Boston. His first completed church in Boston was St. James on Albany Street (1853-1855), followed by Most Holy Redeemer in East Boston (1854-57), Notre Dame Academy in Roxbury (1855-61), the Church of the Immaculate Conception (1858-1861), St.

Francis De Sales Church in Charlestown (1859-62), Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End (1861-75), St. Francis De Sales in Roxbury (1867-69), St. Thomas Aquinas in Jamaica Plain (1869-13), St. Augustine Church (NR:1987) 1n South Boston (18/0-/4), Holy Trinity in the South End (1871-77), St. Vincent de Paul in South Boston (1872-74), St. James the Greater in Chinatown (1873-74), St. Peter's in Dorchester (1873-84), St. Mary's in the North End (1875-77), and St. Mary's in Charlestown during the late 1880's. Examples of Keeley's work are scattered across the country but are located primarily in the Northeast. He is credited with the designs of over 600 churches and 20 cathedrals. During the 1880's Patrick C. Keeley figured prominently in the eneadesigns rsr hesrentoryaacotandscool omoee roelsrovided remodelled the church's interior (1883-1886).

This ambitious building program was conducted under the leadership of Reverend Hugh P. Smythe. The rectory and school parcels were carved from an 81-lot subdivision owned by Charles Hulbert during the mid-19th century. The Street were laid out through the Hulbert estate between 1873 and 1878. The Church's rectory was completed in 1886. Both the rectory and school exhibit elements of the Panel Brick and Mansard architectural - styles. The rectory was built by the Holmes Brothers, prominent cont. 1s om 100000 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number- 8 OMG Approvei No. 1004-0018 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Page. 19th-century contractors credited with many buildings in the Fenway and Roxbury sections of Boston.

The school building on Hulbert Street was built in 1887. It originally contained ten school rooms and a large auditorium with stage and seating for 700. The school was initially taught by the Sisters of Charity, an order based in Madison, New Jersey and included both primary and high school grades. Stenography, type-writing, bookkeeping and mathematics were also among the courses taught at the school. This school still operates as a church-run educational facility, run by St. Joseph's church. Between 1883 and 1886, the Church's interior was almost completely remodelled by Patrick Keeley. the mid-1880's remodelling is the geometrically panelled, g1lt-edgea celling which exhibits nine bays of different designs all executed in wood.

Evidently, the nave's stained-glass windows date to the 1880's remodelling, although in 1912 $100 remained outstanding for these windows according to Mayer studio records. hues and well-executed designs, these windows depict scenes from the life of Christ. The windows in St. Joseph's church were designed and made by, the Mayer Studios of Munich, Germany. Mayer and Co. was an extremely important firm which furnished an extraordinary number of windows to American Catholic Churches from 1880 onward. The iconography of the windows is very family centered, each window memorializing various parish All windows depict images of saints and religious figures popular in Irish-American devotion at the turn-of-the-century. Each window is presented within double lancet enframements. Among the scenes represented are Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus in the carpenter's shop.

Jesus uses a hand saw as Joseph watches. Mary holds a distaff and spins. Stylistically this arrangement is reminicient of late 19th century art, relying upon such major works as Millais' Christ in the Carpenter's Shop and its Pre-Raphaelite influences. Two windows, Christ and the Little Children, and the Parable of the Good Samaritan, are two of the most popular scenes in late 19th century stained glass iconography. Another window depicts Saint Patrick in bishop's robes holding a shamrock, an appropriate window for the primary ethnic group represented in this congregation. The technique of the windows exemplifies traditional European manufacturing practice. The glass is pot metal or cathedral glass where colors are clear and uniform in each segment of the window. The leaded qualities of the window's decoration were achieved through a cont. ns rom 10s00a Appronel NC.

1024-0018 Unlted States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - 8 Page - St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts process of combining paint colors with silver nitrate or silver stain which under reduced heat would fuse the paint to the glass. These techniques for producing lead colored glass windows were in use since the early years of the 14th century in Europe. format of three dimensional scenes within architectural framework was common to German and English studies of the 19th century. The frescoes between the stained glass windows represent the Stations of the Cross and were painted by a Mr. Kuhn of Hyde Park. The mahogany organ case on the balcony above the entrance may date to the 1850's or 1860's.

The marble Gothic Revival pinnacled altars represent the work of Hall and Moran of Charlestown Street in Boston. The interior woodwork was executed by Whittaker Brothers. Al though these improvements were costly, the Church was entirely freed of debt by 1886. On June 20th of that year, the remodelled church was consecrated by Archbishop Williams. The convent at 91-93 Regent Street was built between 1916 and 1917 from designs provided by Roman Catholic church specialist Charles R. Greco. The convent exhibits elements of the Georgian Revival Style. Prior to construction of the present structure, a brick Mansard or Queen Anne style convent and a small frame house occupied the site. Correspondence between St. Joseph's Reverend M. J. Spillane and Archdiocesan Secretary Reverend R. J.

Hablerin reveals that the purchase of the corner house lot for the new convent represented a conscious attempt to complete the church complex's "square." The new convent's first floor originally contained a reception room, dining room, kitchen, storage facilities, and four music rooms. floor encompasses two community rooms, a Mother Superior's room, and six cells. Architecturally, the new convent is significant as a Reriva,col-executed example of an early 20th century Georgian Charles P. Greco, the architect, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1874. He was responsible for several Boston-area Roman Catholic Church complexes including Blessed Sacrament Church in Jamaica Plain (1910-17), St. Gregory's School in Dorchester, St. Matthew's Church in Dorchester, and the convent and school of St. Catherine of Sienna in Charlestown.

In addition he was the architect of many Boston synagogues and related religious buildings. During his long career he also designed many Boston and Cambridge school and municipal buildings. For many years, Greco was the head of the Massachusetts State Art Commission. He died February 23, 1963. After World War II, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church began to reflect Roxbury's integrated character with many American-born blacks included among its parishoners. Within the past decade St. Joseph's cont. Nas Kom 10000-0 OMtE AGprovel No. 1004-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 8 6 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts Section number Page Church has been closed for regular services.

Today the building is ae o neseting co ea and ee neo for repaltrs, nue the churi counetl acknowledges that more parishoners would be a greater incentive to open St. Joseph's on a regular basis. Services for this community are currently conducted within the other buildings of this complex. Ns 10900-0 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Olte Acpromal No. 10940018 Section number 9 Page - St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Bibliography "St Joseph's Convent," American Architect, vol. CXIII, No. 2203, March 13, 1918. Atlases: Roxbury--1875, 1889, 1895, 1899, 1913. Boston Buildings Department Records.

oston Landmarks Commission, Report of the Boston Landmarks Commissior on the Potential Nomination of the Church of the Immaculate Conception as a Landmark. Boston, 1987. Architect's Reference File, Fine Arts Department, Boston Public Library. Bryne, Rev. William, et. al.,History of the Catholic Church in The New England States. Hurd and Everts Co., Boston, 1899 Correspondence Files, Archdiocesan Chancel, Brighton, Mass.. Cullen, John B. The Story of the Irish in Boston, 1889. Drake, Samuel Adams, History of Roxbury, 1878. - Hayward, John. A Gazeteer of Massachusetts, Boston, 1847. Obituary, Patrick C. Keeley, American Architect v. 53, August 22, 1881, p.58. Kennedy, William F., Centenary of the See of Boston, 1889. Leahy, The Catholic Churches of Boston and Vicinity, 1891. Lord, Robert H., John E. Sexton, and Edward T. Harrington.

History of the Archidiocese of Boston, 1604-1943 (3 volumes). New York, Sheed and Ward, T944 cont. pos rom 1090000 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 9 Page 2 OlnG Aocrovel N0. 10010018 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, Roxbury, Massachusetts 0'Connor, Thomas H. Fitzpatrick's Boston, 1846-1866; John F. Fitzpatrick, Third Bishop of Boston. Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: Book 159 Page 206, Plan Book 3:70A. "Dedication of St. Joseph's Church's Remodeled Interior," The Pilot. June 26, 1886. Roxbury City Directories Scanlan, Rev. Michael J. A Brief History of the Archdiocese of Boston. 1908. St. Joseph's School Centennial Journal, 1854- 1987. Suffolk County Registry fo Deeds: Book 1476 Page 116; 1510:227; 1874:65. Tucct, Dougras Sher s Chusch But, is !n Boston, 1720-1970.

Boston: lithey, Heos Angeleso Heynessey rid Ingachstects, egeased. MAP # 33 n/a n/a n/a HISTORIC NAME St. Joseph's Church St. Joseph's School St. Joseph's Convent St. Joseph's Rectory st. Joseph' rsman T DATA I EnLurch Complex STREET ADDRESS DATE OF STATUS CONSTRUCTION 56 Circuit St. 1845-1846 18-28 Hulbert St. 1887 91-93 Regent St. 1916-1917 85 Regent St. 1886 C C STYLE Romanesque Revival Mansard Georgian Revival Panel Brick RESOURCE TYPE B B INGTON YULBERT RAY TRANS FENWICK SCHOOL CONVENT STREET STRE ROCK REGEN CIRCUI CHURCH + STREET AERMAN RECTORY STREET REGENT ST. STREET ROCKLAND St. Joseph's Complex City of Boston (BRA) Topographic & Plainimetric Survey. 1962 Map 19N-10E, Scale 1"=100' UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY st.

Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex NAME: MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Suffo1k DATE RECEIVED: 11/30/89 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 12/28/89 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 12/12/89 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 1/14/90 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 89002169 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: COMMENT WAIVER: N LACCEPT RETURN ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: N SLR DRAFT: N REJECT PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: NATIONAL: 12/28/09 0ATE Enteros in tne Bat1ozal Begiatar RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N CLASSIFICATION count resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION FUNCTION historic current DESCRIPTION architectural classification materials descriptive text SIGNIFICANCE Period Areas of Significance--Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context *!

relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other BIBLIOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHICAL DATA acreage UTMS verbal boundary description boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION sketch maps USGSmaps photographs OTHER COMMENTS presentation Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone Signed Date St. Josephs Roman Catholie Chureh Convent 91-93 Regent 8 oxbury (Bustow, Masschusetts Rosalind Pollan supele 1987 Negaetive located at Biston Lardmarts commission camera facing west. 51. Josephs Roman Catholie Church 5u Greuit Street exbury (Boston), Massachuselts Zosalind Tollan Suffuelom 1986 Negatiug located at Boston Landmarks Commiission camera faung southwest St. Josepti Koman Catholic Church School 18-28 Hulbertst. Peoalry (Bostan), Wpossachuselts suffula 1987 Necative located at Boston Landmarks Commission camera facing north St.

Juseplis Roman Catholic Church Rectory ts Reçent st. coxbury (beston), Massachusette zosalnd Pollav 1987 Neçafive located at Boston landmarks Comnussiou camera facing west. i NOV 2 O 1989 COMMISIOLA November 16, 1989 Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service P.O. Box 37127 Washington, DC 20013-7127 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination: Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, 56 Circuit Street, 85 and 91-93 Regent Street, 18-28 Hulbert Street, Boston (Roxbury) (Suffolk County), Massachusetts 02119 There has been no owner objection for the above mentioned property. The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer.

Owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination form. Qao Lat Assistant National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosure: Massachusetts Historical Commission, Valerie A. Talmage, Executive Director, State Historic Preservation Officer 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470 Office of the Secretary of State, Michael J. Connolly, Secretary NOV 3 0 1989 * T LIBATATO DVETTEA GNSE TETHID CRACTOD COMMISSIOE" November 20, 1989 Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service P.O. Box 37127 Washington, DC 20013-7127 Dear Ms.

Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination: Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Complex, 56 Circuit Street, 85 and 91-93 Regent Street, 18-28 Hulbert Street, Boston (Roxbury) (Suffolk County), Massachusetts 02119 There has been no owner objection for the above mentioned property. The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Ofticer. Owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination form. Tet Assistant National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosure: Massachusetts Historical Commission, Valerie A.

Talmage, Executive Director, State Historic Preservation Officer 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470 Office of the Secretary of State, Michael J. Connolly, Secretary