Immaculate Conception Parish
NORTH EASTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02356      DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER

 

 

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Few Roman Catholics lived in North Easton prior to 1832 when a priest from New Bedford, Father Peter Connolly, started visiting and instructing the local members of the church. The small congregation of fifteen met infrequently in private homes for services. Records show that in 1840, the first known Mass was celebrated by Father Wiley (or Riley) for 15 Catholics in the dining room of the Ames Shovel Company boarding house on Mechanic Street. Mass was celebrated once every two to three months. The boarding house, sited next to the town lock-up, was not the best place to celebrate Mass. Sunday mornings were a little noisy from Saturday night imbibers detained for their over indulgence.

Over the next few years, the Catholic population grew to over 100 people. The Ames Shovel Company donated land on the south side of Shovel Shop Pond on Pond Street for a church site. The church was completed in 1851 by Father Fitzsimmons from South Boston and dedicated by Bishop Fitzpatrick. Mass was celebrated every second Sunday. Father McNulty was assigned as pastor later that year. As the Civil War approached and began, the production of the Ames Shovel Company increased as did the demand for labor. With the misfortunes in Ireland, the Catholic population continued to grow. Land was acquired on Canton Street in 1857 for the cemetery. In 1864, with over 400 faithful, Father McNulty purchased land on Main Street for a new, larger Church which was completed in 1865.

In 1871, Reverend Francis Quinn was assigned the first resident priest and was the founding pastor of the newly created parish of Immaculate Conception. Father Quinn purchased a homestead adjacent to the church and had it renovated as the rectory. When the Vatican created the Providence, Rhode Island Diocese in 1872, Immaculate Conception became part of the diocese. From 1873-1899, the Parish was served by five Pastors. In 1899, Father James Looby was assigned Pastor. By 1890, attendance increased to 1,400. Father Looby with the support of the parishioners, engaged architects Murphy and Hindle to design a new church. In 1902, with a mortgage of $15,000. from the North Easton Savings Bank, construction was begun by the J.C. Walsh Company.

More about the History of our Parish

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH: 193 Main Street, North Easton MA 02356    TEL 508-238-3232           Rev. Paul C. Fedak - Parochial Administrator
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