St. Joseph's: A Moment in Time and Perspective

I have just completed a walk, camera in hand, around the block that comprises the St. Joseph's Church property on Lafayette Street.

Memories walked with me as I snapped photos of the rectory and plodded through the snowbanks in the driveway alongside the convent. Aunts, uncles and cousins were baptized, attended school, were confirmed, married and mourned in these buildings.

As a seven-year-old, I learned a little about right and wrong when I had to explain to a priest  how two young friends and I had acquired two beach pails full of coins. We had solicited the residents of Pioneer Terrace to donate to the poor, the poor being our group of three. My father had caught us counting the money. When all was said and done, the money went into the St. Vincent dePaul collection box.

Fastforward to the the present day — after delays caused by objections to the original project, which provoked lawsuits, economic factors and questions about historical and architectural significance, it seems as if the project will move forward this year. Despite many strong and legitimate objections, it is best that this does happen. Now, the real decisions can be made.

Those that want to save the church structure itself would still like to do so, but seem to have accepted that it will not be saved. Their efforts now seem to be focused on two things: insuring proper legal procedures are followed in the final part of the review process and attempting to save the prominent white steeple.

The building, while certainly unique to the area and significant to the Franco-American community, is not considered a historic landmark. My Memere (grandmother) who passed in 1967 would be horrified to know of its probable demise. In her memory, and in honor of the of the Canadian immigrants whose sweat and toil built that structure, I would be gratified to see the steeple survive as a part of the development.

Another focus of many is the now legendary statue of St. Joseph said to have been buried on the property in 1944. Many would like to see an effort made to locate and salvage whatever is left of it. Most seem to think it is located in the old schoolyard alongside the church. There has also been conjecture that the correct location is in front of Lafayette Park where Washington and Lafayette streets meet.

The Planning Office of Urban Affairs, the developmental arm of the Boston Archdiocese, has made no commitment to preserving the steeple, but is on the record as saying that an attempt to locate the statue would be considered prior to the start of any major work.

In the end, no matter your view on the different aspects of this project, keep in mind that it is the Archdiocese of Boston who owns this city block and is driving the development.  Many years ago, parishioners fought the Archdiocese to rebuild the church after the Salem Fire of 1914. It was the Archdiocese that, again in 1949, chose to bury and not restore the statue of St. Joseph. It was the Archdiocese that chose to close the church, which was built by immigrants and served them.

You and I may disagree on some or all of what I have written, but that does not mean you are wrong. Let those in city government know your feelings, but do not forget to consider the role that church has played in creating this vacant, barren city lot.

Profit drives business, and, in the end, the Archdiocese of Boston is a business.