About Immaculate Conception · Everett, Massachusetts
Immaculate Conception Parish is a multi-generational Catholic community in Everett, Massachusetts, serving the spiritual needs of a richly diverse population through liturgies in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole. The parish traces its roots to St. Mary's Church, dedicated on May 14, 1882, and worships today in an imposing Gothic Revival brick church designed by renowned Catholic architect Patrick W. Ford, whose cornerstone was laid in 1896. Currently administered by Rev. Joseph Chacha Marwa, SMA, a Tanzanian-born missionary priest of the Society of African Missions, the parish is part of the Archdiocese of Boston and operates daily Mass in its chapel, robust faith formation programs, several prayer groups and parish ministries, and a thriving sacramental life.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title of the Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Chacha Marwa, SMA (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception welcomes worshippers in four languages every weekend — English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole — making it a true cross-cultural Catholic home in the heart of Everett. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Saturday, along with Thursday all-day Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday and Sunday confessions, a robust Sunday Faith Formation program for grades 1–10, a bilingual youth group (Grupo Juvenil), a charismatic prayer group, Legion of Mary, Spanish prayer group, and a vibrant Maranatha prayer group, giving every member of the family a place to belong.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM (Spanish)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:40 PM (English)
- Friday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM during Lent (Chapel)
Adoration times
- Thursday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Chapel; after 7:00 AM Mass, with Benediction at 6:00 PM)
Parish History
Immaculate Conception has served Everett Catholics since 1882, when its predecessor St. Mary's Church was dedicated on May 14. It began as a mission of neighboring Chelsea, was raised to a full parish in 1885 (paired then with Revere), and grew with successive waves of immigrants into one of the most ethnically diverse parishes in Greater Boston. On October 16, 2024, it was formally dedicated as a City of Everett historic landmark.
- 1882 — Church dedicated as St. Mary's on May 14
- 1885 — Becomes a full parish (with Revere as co-parish)
- 1896 — Cornerstone of the present Gothic Revival church laid
- 1908 — Current church completed by Reid & McAlpine
- 2024 — Designated City of Everett historic landmark
Architecture of the Church
The church is an imposing late-19th-century Gothic Revival building constructed of red brick with Longmeadow brownstone trim, designed by Patrick W. Ford. A square corner tower is topped by a pyramidal spire with smaller pinnacles at the corners and rises 148 feet, dominating the Broadway streetscape. The entry porch has three pointed-arch openings finished with crenellation, and the interior reflects the elaborate Catholic Gothic style typical of Ford's prolific New England practice.
- Architect: Patrick W. Ford (Irish-born, 1872 moved to Boston)
- Construction completed by: Reid & McAlpine (1908)
- Style: Gothic Revival
- Materials: Red brick with Longmeadow brownstone trim
- Tower height: 148 feet
Pastoral Staff and Administration
The parish is administered by Rev. Joseph Chacha Marwa, SMA, a Tanzanian-born missionary priest of the Society of African Missions who has previously served in Liberia, Zambia, and Ireland before being assigned to Everett. He is assisted by Fr. Albert P. John Baskar, SMA as Parochial Vicar, with a dedicated lay staff handling operations, liturgy and music, faith formation, business, and administration.
- Rev. Joseph Chacha Marwa, SMA — Parish Administrator (Ext. 15)
- Rev. Albert P. John Baskar, SMA — Parochial Vicar (Ext. 21)
- Mr. John Pellegrini — Liturgy and Music
- Mr. William A. Wallace — Operations
- Ms. Mary O'Connor — Faith Formation
- Jennifer Velasquez-Portillo — Administrative Assistant (Mon–Thu)
- Cori Connor-Morse, CPA — Business Manager (Tue & Fri)
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
Faith Formation classes for grades 1–10 are offered in both English and Spanish. Grades 1–5 meet weekly on Sundays; middle and high school grades meet every other Sunday. Spanish-language faith formation meets on Sundays for Spanish-speaking families. Classes are directed by Ms. Mary O'Connor and held at Pioneer School and other parish sites.
- English Grades 1–5 — Sundays 10:15–11:30 AM at Pioneer School (Argyle St., Everett)
- English Grades 6–10 — Every other Sunday 10:15–11:45 AM (Summer St., Everett)
- Spanish Grades — Sundays 10:15 AM–12:00 PM (Summer St., Everett)
- Registration via online form on the parish website
Sacraments
Immaculate Conception celebrates Baptism, Matrimony, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Anointing of the Sick through the parish's normal sacramental schedule. Parents and the engaged are asked to call the Rectory in advance — weddings require a six-month lead time and an appointment with the Pastor.
- Baptism — 1st Sunday 2:00 PM (English, Chapel); 4th Saturday 1:00 PM (Spanish, Chapel)
- Weddings — Call Rectory at least 6 months prior for an appointment with the Pastor
- Reconciliation — See Confession times
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion for the homebound — by request through the Rectory
Parish Ministries and Prayer Groups
A wide network of ministries and prayer groups meets weekly — including a bilingual youth group, a charismatic renewal prayer group, Maranatha prayer group, Spanish and Vietnamese prayer groups, Legion of Mary, and the parish choir and Bible studies. Music and liturgy are coordinated by John Pellegrini.
- Grupo Juvenil (bilingual youth group, Sat 5:00–7:00 PM, lower church)
- Renovación Carismática Católica (Thu 7:00 PM, lower chapel)
- Maranatha Prayer Group (1st Fri 6:30–9:30 PM, chapel)
- Spanish Prayer Group (Fri 6:30–9:00 PM, upper church)
- Vietnamese Prayer Group
- Legión de María (Fri 5:30–6:30 PM, upper church)
- Choir, Bible Studies, and Liturgy & Music ministry
Devotions to the Sacred Heart
On the first Friday of each month, the parish gathers for the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesús — Rosary and Mass at 6:30 PM in the upper church. It is observed bilingually, with Spanish-language announcements and invitations issued in the parish bulletin.
- Rosary & Mass at 6:30 PM (upper church)
- Observance every First Friday
Visiting and Getting Involved
The Rectory is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 12:30 – 3:00 PM, for in-person visits, registration, and inquiries. The parish encourages both registered parishioners and visitors to sign up for parish bulletins, give online, support ministries, learn about the Catholic School partnership, and — for newcomers — register through the parish's Newcomers form. The site also points Catholics to CatholicTV, of which the parish is a participating broadcaster.
- Rectory Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 12:30 – 3:00 PM
- Newcomers registration form on the parish website
- Online giving / 'Give' link on the website
- CatholicTV partnership
- Catholic Appeal participation
Contact and Location
Immaculate Conception Parish occupies the block at 487–489 Broadway in the heart of Everett, immediately adjacent to Everett City Hall and within walking distance of the First Congregational Church. The historic Gothic Revival church is a designated City of Everett landmark and a stop on the Historical Commission's self-guided walking tour.
- Address: 487–489 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149
- Phone: 617-389-5660
- Fax: 617-389-2456
- Website: http://www.iceverett.org/
- Facebook: Immaculate Conception Parish – Everett, MA