About Our Parishes

History of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish

In 1931, a group of Italian immigrants living in this still agricultural section of North Revere (now known as West Revere) and the Linden section of Malden purchased land on Washington Avenue in Revere and constructed a chapel dedicated to St. Lucy, which existed as a mission of St. Anthony's parish. As the residential area developed, the Archbishop of Boston, Richard Cardinal Cushing, raised the mission chapel of St. Lucy to the status of a parish. On June 16, 194 7, the new parish was dedicated under the title of St. Mary of the Assumption. The land around the area was purchased and a rectory was built. The church was dedicated on July 3, 1948. 

In 1991, under the guidance of Father William Butler, a chapel was dedicated to St. Lucy and the Italian immigrants who founded the church. A beautiful tapestry (shown above) was created depicting the history of events at St. Mary's. It now hangs in the Chapel of St. Lucy as you enter the side door of the church. In 1995, the Holy Name Society reinstituted the feast honoring St. Lucy, which was a part of the Italian tradition in 1931. We hope you take a moment to remember the founding parishioners who worked so hard to establish this beautiful parish and remember them in your prayers. 

History of Our Lady of Grace Parish 

On September 22, 1913, due to an increased population of new Catholics, William Cardinal O’Connell carved out a new parish form St. Rose in Chelsea and Immaculate Conception Parish in Everett. In that time horses and carriages, were in use with an occasional “horseless carriage” was scene running about.

The first mass was celebrated in the Prattville School and within three years the cornerstone of a new church was laid on August 5, 1916. A residence on 59 Nichols St. was purchased to serve as the Rectory and still serves today as the Parish Offices.  The church was completed, and Cardinal O’Connell dedicated Our Lady of Grace Parish on May 20, 1917. Father Peter Quinn was appointed the first pastor and four parochial vicars joined him.

On October 14, 1924, plans were started to erect a new parochial school. The first class of 75 first graders, under the guidance on Sister Martina and Sister Maria Edwards began at Our Lady of Grace School and first class graduated in 1937. Over the years the school served the need of hundreds of children until its closure.

Our Lady of Grace has fostered many ministries and organizations in its history, including, Worship Committee, R.C.I.A., Spiritual Life Committee, Outreach Committee, Religious Ed, Social Committee, Holy Name, Legion of Mary, Boy Scout and Girl Scout, just to mentions a

few. The Parish is dedicated to meet the needs of the community, both spiritually and materially.

In 1998 we welcomed a new community to our parish, the Haitian community. Rich in tradition and culture, we formed a deep friendship and new bonds with our brothers and sisters from Haiti. As we connected with our new community, we began to investigate the Parish Twining, Program which links Catholic churches with needy sister parishes in Haiti. This began our ongoing relationship with St. Joseph’s Parish in L’Asile, and yearly mission trips. Many from our community have traveled to Haiti nearly every year. Through the generosity of Our Lady of Grace parishioners and in the past few years St. Mary’s parishioners too, we have sent needed supplies to L’Asile and formed lasting relationships with our brothers and sisters.

In our rich history there have been many pastor, priests and parochial vicars who have served Our Lady of Grace Parish and we are grateful for their leadership. In over 100 years we have continued to grow into a community of diversity, inclusion, and most of all love. Following the Gospel message of Jesus to,” love one another as I have loved you, “John 12:15