The Seamen's Bethel in Boston was a
Methodist
Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christianity, Christian Christian tradition, tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother ...
church whose pastor was the famous preacher
Edward Thompson Taylor. The building was purchased by Italian immigrants and became the Sacred Heart Church in 1888.
History
In 1829, a group of Boston Methodists formed the Port Society of Boston to provide charitable aid and religious services for the city's sailors. They acquired the vacant Methodist Alley chapel located in the
North End, which was the heart of Boston's shipping industry. The Port Society renamed the chapel the Seamen's Bethel, and at the end of the year
Edward Thompson Taylor was hired as Mariner's Preacher. The chapel in Methodist Alley proved too small for the growing congregation, and a new church was built at 12
North Square
''North Square'' is a British television drama series written and created by Peter Moffat, and broadcast by Channel 4 from 18 October to 20 December 2000. Starring an ensemble cast, including Phil Davis, Rupert Penry-Jones, Helen McCrory an ...
in 1833.
The new building was purchased by the Saint Mark Society, a group of Italian immigrants, in 1884, and was named Sacred Heart by
Archbishop Williams in 1888. The church was ministered to by the
Scalabrini Fathers from its opening in 1889 until 2004.
It is now part of
St. Leonard of Port Maurice Parish, and is staffed by the
Franciscan Fathers.
This church is currently under study for landmark status by the
Boston Landmarks Commission The Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) is the historic preservation agency for the City of Boston. The commission was created by state legislation in 1975.
History
Urban renewal in the United States started with the Housing Act of 1949, part of Pres ...
.
See also
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History of Italian Americans in Boston
Not all of the 5 million Italians who immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 1978 came through Ellis Island. Many came through other ports, including the Port of Boston. Exactly how many stayed in Boston is unknown, but it was enough t ...
References
Further reading
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External links
Photo: ExteriorPhoto: InteriorPhoto: Stained glass window
North End, Boston
Roman Catholic churches in Boston
Methodist churches in Massachusetts
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