St Josephs High School Reunion Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Lowell, MA 6.1.12 Classes 1940-1991

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SAINT JOSEPHS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS REUNION 1940-1991 JUNE 1 2012 Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Lowell, Massachusetts Building History: St. Jean Baptiste is an imposing stone cathedral built in the Byzantine Romanesque Revival style between 1889 and 1896. Based on a Byzantine basilica plan, it has a gable roof supported by corner pylons which flank a triple entrance portal. This church was designed by Patrick W. Ford, a Boston architect who also designed the Church of the Sacred Heart in Worcester and St. James' Church in Haverhill. Father Andre-Marie Garin, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate from France and a well-known member of the French-Canadian community, was instrumental in getting this church built in the neighborhood known as Little Canada. Construction for this church began in 1889, and in 1890 the lower church was completed and dedicated for worship. Doors Open Lowell. The Restored Church is in the process of restoration & will be used for the following: St. Jean Baptiste Community & Arts Center for Stage Productions, Performing Arts, Music Hall, Movie Theater, Gallery Exhibits, Church Services Student Activities, Youth Recreation, Function Hall For more information: contact George DeLuca george@cometolowell.com or visit: ComeToLowell.com/TMI MILESTONES IN THE HISTORY OF LA PAROISSE SAINT-JEAN-BAPTISTE 1868 - 1993 The following is taken from the 125th Anniversary booklet commemorating Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Lowell, Massachusetts, the first Franco-American parish in the archdiocese of Boston. 1915 St. Joseph Hospice The sisters of Charity of Québec open St. Joseph Hospice for the chronically and terminally ill. It is located in the Marin Mansion on Pawtucket Street, a property acquired by Saint-Jean-Baptiste Parish. The Hospice closes in 1931, soon after the opening of St. Joseph's Hospital. 1912 St-Jean-Baptiste Church Destroyed by Fire 1916 Opening of Reconstructed Church PUT PHOTO HERE 1928 St. Joseph's High School Father Louis Bachand, O.M.I. pastor of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, establishes St. Joseph's High School for Girls which evolves from an interparochial high school into a regional coeducational High School under the direction of the Grey Nuns of the Cross in 1956. 1991 High School Merger St. Joseph's Regional High School loses its identity and location in Saint-Jean-Baptiste Parish through its merger with St. Louis Academy and Keith Hall to become part of the Lowell Catholic High School. 1992 Termination of the Elementary School Closure of Moody Street Parochial School by decision of the Archdiocese of Boston. 1992 Resignation of Oblates The resignation of the Oblates from Saint-Jean-Baptiste Parish becomes official following a decision formulated during the administration of Father Donald Arel, O.M.I., Provincial. Father Michael Lauzé, O.M.I., regretfully departs on July 1, 1992. 1992 Archdiocesan Administration The Archdiocese of Boston provides secular priests for the final months of the Parish. 1993 Termination of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Parish June 30th is the final day of the existence of Saint-Jean-Baptiste as the mother parish of the French Catholics of Lowell. As tradition would have it, a Mass will be celebrated in its incomparably beautiful cathedral-like church as the closing event of the annual Franco-American Week on Sunday, June 27, 1993. On this occasion, Franco-Americans of the area, descendents of the dynamic parishioners of yore, will once again reclaim their profoundly French Catholic roots and proudly proclaim their God-given right to cultural identity. A chronology by Marthe Biron Peloquin, St. Joseph's H.S., Class of 1935. The music - Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) this was the class of 1978 song. Each class chose a theme song & this was ours.