About Mary Immaculate of Lourdes · Newton, Massachusetts
Mary Immaculate of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston located in the Newton Upper Falls village of Newton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1870 as Saint Mary's — the oldest Catholic parish in Newton and Needham — it was renamed Mary Immaculate of Lourdes when its present Romanesque-Italianate church was consecrated by Cardinal William Henry O'Connell on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1910. Since 2007 it has been designated by the Cardinal Archbishop as a 'Mission Parish' with a special apostolate for the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Missal / Extraordinary Form), making it one of the few Boston-area parishes where both the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) and the Tridentine Mass are offered daily. The parish is also home to an Immaculate Conception Chaldean-Rite Mission.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- Mary Immaculate of Lourdes (Our Lady of Lourdes)
- Rector
- Rev. Charles J. (Charles Jeremiah) Higgins
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Mary Immaculate of Lourdes is a living piece of Catholic history in Newton — the oldest Catholic parish in Newton and Needham — set in a National-Register-listed Romanesque-Italianate landmark with Munich-school stained glass and Italian Renaissance frescoes. It is one of the very few parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston where the faithful can worship daily in both the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) and the Extraordinary Form (Traditional Latin Mass / 1962 Missal), accompanied by professional-choral music under music director Bobbie Hoffman. With multiple daily Masses, extended confession hours, Eucharistic Adoration, a flourishing K–10 catechism (in both English and Latin tracks), a Chaldean-Rite mission, and parish-managed St. Mary's Cemetery in Needham, it offers an unusually rich spiritual life for traditional-minded Catholics and visitors from across eastern Massachusetts.
Mass times at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 10:00–11:00 AM and 5:00–5:30 PM
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: before and after the 12:30 PM Latin Mass (approx. 12:00–12:30 PM)
- Thursday: before and after the 5:30 PM Latin Mass (approx. 5:00–5:30 PM)
- Saturday: 8:00–9:00 AM and 3:30–4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday: 6:30–7:30 AM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:00–9:00 AM
Parish Identity and Mission
Mary Immaculate of Lourdes identifies itself as a canonically open parish of the Archdiocese of Boston and, since 2007, as a 'Mission Parish' with a special apostolate for the Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Missal). Both the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) and the Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal) are celebrated with the blessing of His Eminence Seán Cardinal O'Malley. The parish community welcomes Sunday visitors, encourages registration, and frames its identity around rich liturgical life, historic beauty, and service to Catholics from across the diocese who cannot find the Traditional Latin Mass at their own parish.
- Founded 1870 as Saint Mary's — oldest Catholic parish in Newton and Needham
- Renamed 'Mary Immaculate of Lourdes' on dedication of new church, Nov. 24, 1910
- Designated Mission Parish for the Traditional Latin Mass by Cardinal O'Malley in 2006/2007
- Two-form Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston
History
Catholic worship in Newton Upper Falls dates to 1841, when Fr. James Strain of Waltham celebrated Mass in the Chestnut Street home of James Cahill. The community was served as a mission by priests of St. Mary's, Waltham, then as a regular mission under Fr. Bernard Flood (1852) and Fr. John McCarthy (1867). St. Mary's was erected as a parish in 1870 with Fr. Michael X. Carroll as first pastor. Successive pastors — Dolan, O'Brien, and especially the dynamic Fr. Timothy J. Danahy (1890–1923) — built up the parish to more than 1,500 souls. Danahy's pilgrimage to Lourdes and his vow to honor Mary Immaculate of Lourdes produced the present magnificent 1909–1910 church. The twentieth century brought growth, division of Newton Lower Falls and Newton Centre into separate parishes, post-Vatican II renovation, and then in the twenty-first century a near-closure and resurrection as a Tridentine-mission parish.
- 1841 — first Mass in Upper Falls at the Cahill home on Chestnut Street
- 1867 — wooden Gothic St. Mary's consecrated by Archbishop Williams
- 1870 — parish erected; Fr. Michael X. Carroll first pastor
- 1876 — transept added; Archbishop Williams rededication sermon by Bp. James A. Healy
- 1890–1923 — Fr. Timothy J. Danahy's pastorate; vow to Lourdes; construction of present church
- 1910 — present church consecrated by Cardinal O'Connell on Thanksgiving Day
- 1935–1950 — Fr. William J. O'Connell builds current rectory and acquires parish center
- 2004 — parish placed on Archdiocesan closure list
- 2006–2007 — Cardinal O'Malley designates Mary Immaculate as a Mission Parish for the Latin Mass community
Architecture and the Building
Mary Immaculate of Lourdes is one of the most architecturally distinguished Catholic churches in the Boston area. Designed by Edward T. P. Graham in Romanesque Revival style with Italianate (Italian Renaissance Revival) features, and built in red brick with terra-cotta tile trim in 1909–1910, it dominates the Newton Upper Falls village from a hilltop site. Its two-story Corinthian portico, bas-relief of the Lourdes apparition in the tympanum, 135-foot Italian Renaissance campanile (the height of the Temple of Jerusalem), three white-marble altars, red-marble-and-copper communion rail, Raggi apse and nave frescoes, and thirteen magnificent Zettler stained-glass windows together make it a destination for architecture lovers and pilgrims alike.
- Architect: Edward T. P. Graham (with design input from Fr. Danahy)
- Style: Romanesque Revival with Italian Renaissance / Italianate features
- Materials: Red brick, terra-cotta tiles
- Construction cost (1909–10): $150,000
- Campanile height: 135 ft — height of the Temple of Jerusalem pinnacle
- Three bells: St. Elizabeth, St. John the Baptist, St. Gabriel
- Interior frescoes by Prof. Gonippo Raggi (Pontifical Academy of Fine Arts and Letters of the Virtuosi al Pantheon)
- Stained glass: Franz Xaver Zettler Studios, Munich (Royal Bavarian Art Institute)
- 1993 World's Columbian Exposition top prize (over Tiffany)
- Listed as part of the Newton Upper Falls Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places
Stained Glass Windows
The thirteen large windows of Mary Immaculate were designed, created, and imported to fit their exact locations by the famous Franz Xaver Zettler Studios of Munich, a Royal Bavarian Art Institute for Pictorial Painting on Glass since 1873. The Zettler Studios pioneered the use of three-point perspective in stained glass, winning the top stained-glass prize at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and besting even Louis Comfort Tiffany. The windows depict events in the lives of Jesus, Our Lady, and the saints, with strong influence from the paintings of Raphael and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Some windows are reportedly based on sketches sent to Zettler by Fr. Danahy himself. The Flight into Egypt windows are not by Zettler.
- Stained-glass studio: Franz Xaver Zettler, Munich
- Awards: 1893 World's Columbian Exposition top stained-glass prize
- Influence: Raphael (Italian, 1483–1520) and Murillo (Spanish, 1618–1682)
- Some windows reportedly sketched by Fr. Danahy
- The Flight into Egypt windows are by a different maker
Sacramental Preparation
The parish prepares the faithful for the sacraments of Baptism, First Penance, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Infant Baptism is scheduled upon request through the Parish Office. Engaged couples are asked to allow six months of preparation, including a Pre-Cana program. The Anointing of the Sick / Extreme Unction and Communion of the Sick are available to the homebound on request — contact Fr. Higgins at the rectory.
- Baptism — infants & children under 7, by request
- First Penance, First Communion — annual preparation in both English and Latin tracks
- Confirmation — annual preparation with fall Confirmation Retreat
- Matrimony — six months' preparation including Pre-Cana
- Anointing of the Sick / Extreme Unction and homebound Communion — by request
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Mary Immaculate of Lourdes runs an active Sunday-morning parish Religious Education program for children in Grades K–10, with two parallel tracks: an English / Ordinary Form track (8:30–10:15 AM, including attendance at the 9:00 AM Mass) and a Latin / Traditional Mass catechism track (9:30–10:45 AM). The program is administered by Program Director Jean Johnson, with Patti Strom coordinating the Latin-track catechism. The program leads children through First Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation, with annual retreats and First Communion ceremonies held within the respective Mass forms.
- English / Ordinary Form track: Sundays 8:30–10:15 AM (includes 9:00 AM Mass)
- Latin / Traditional Mass track: Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM
- Grades K–10, with grades 13–15 meeting after the 9:00 AM Mass
- First Communion: English track at 9:00 AM Mass; Latin track at 11:00 AM Mass
- Confirmation retreat: third or fourth Sunday of September each year
- Program Director: Jean Johnson (ext. 103)
- Latin-track Coordinator: Patti Strom
Chaldean-Rite Mission (Immaculate Conception)
Mary Immaculate hosts the Immaculate Conception Chaldean-Rite Mission, a worshipping community of Eastern Catholic faithful who celebrate the Mass according to the Chaldean Rite on designated Sundays at 1:30 PM. The mission is served by Deacon Sermed Ashkouri and reflects the parish's broader outreach to all Catholics of the Archdiocese — both Roman and Eastern — within the historic Newton Upper Falls church.
- Mass: designated Sundays at 1:30 PM (Chaldean Rite)
- Deacon: Sermed Ashkouri
- Open to all Eastern Catholic faithful of the region
Liturgy and Music
Sunday and feast-day liturgies — both Novus Ordo and Tridentine — are accompanied by a choir of professional musicians drawn from Greater Boston's rich musical culture, under the able direction of Mrs. Bobbie Hoffman. The 11:00 AM Solemn High Mass typically includes choral propers in Gregorian chant, polyphonic Mass settings, and instrumental accompaniment (historically including a string quartet prelude). The parish's published chants are gathered in the Parish Book of Chant.
- Music Director: Bobbie Hoffman
- Professional choir drawn from Greater Boston musicians
- Gregorian chant (Parish Book of Chant)
- Polyphonic Mass settings for Solemn High Mass at 11:00 AM
- Instrumental preludes (e.g., string quartet for Solemn High Mass)
- Full musical settings for Holy Week liturgies in both forms
St. Mary's Cemetery (Needham)
St. Mary's Cemetery in Needham, founded in the 1870s, is the parish cemetery of Mary Immaculate of Lourdes and a 'reverent resting place for those awaiting reunion with the Risen Lord.' Located at 1 Wellesley Avenue, Needham Heights, it is administered from the parish rectory at 270 Elliot Street (open Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, telephone 781-235-1841, superintendent Ron Goguen of Guardian Estate Management). On-site service hours run Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, April through November. The parish announced new cemetery space available as of March 2025.
- Address: 1 Wellesley Avenue, Needham Heights, MA 02494
- Cemetery office: at 270 Elliot Street, Newton Upper Falls (Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–3:30 PM)
- Cemetery phone: 781-235-1841
- Superintendent: Mr. Ron Goguen (Guardian Estate Management)
- On-site service hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (April–November)
- Founded in the 1870s
- New burial space available as of March 2025
Clergy, Staff, and Pastoral Team
The parish is led by its fourteenth pastor, Rev. Charles J. (Charles Jeremiah) Higgins (since January 2007), assisted by Vicar Rev. Stephen R. LeBlanc (since 2019). Mr. David Allen serves as Pastoral Associate. Liturgy and Music is directed by Mrs. Bobbie Hoffman. Faith Formation is led by Ms. Jean Johnson (Program Director) and Ms. Patti Strom (Latin-track Coordinator). The Chaldean-Rite Mission is served by Deacon Sermed Ashkouri.
- Pastor: Rev. Charles J. Higgins
- Vicar: Rev. Stephen R. LeBlanc
- Pastoral Associate: Mr. David Allen
- Liturgy and Music: Ms. Bobbie Hoffman
- Faith Formation: Ms. Jean Johnson (Director) and Ms. Patti Strom
- Chaldean-Rite Deacon: Dcn. Sermed Ashkouri
Visiting, Parish Life, and Getting Involved
Visitors are warmly welcomed at all Sunday liturgies and are invited to register with the parish either online or via the printed registration form available in the pamphlet rack in the church vestibule. After Sunday Masses newcomers are encouraged to introduce themselves to the Pastor. The parish encourages engagement through its Religious Education program, its music ministries, opportunities to assist with altar service and other liturgical roles, and various devotional, social, and fundraising activities described in its weekly bulletin.
- Sunday visitors welcomed at every Mass
- Parish registration: online or paper form in front vestibule
- Encouraged to greet the Pastor after Sunday Mass
- Engagement through Religious Education, music, altar service, and devotional life
- Full parish bulletin published weekly (see maryimmaculatenewton.net/bulletins)
Contact and Practical Information
Parish office and rectory: 270 Elliot Street, Newton, MA 02464. Telephone: 617-244-0558. Cemetery office (St. Mary's Cemetery, Needham): 781-235-1841. The parish publishes its weekly bulletin at maryimmaculatenewton.net and maintains a parish website at maryimmaculateoflourdesnewtonma.org.
- Address: 270 Elliot Street, Newton, MA 02464
- Parish phone: 617-244-0558
- Cemetery phone: 781-235-1841
- Cemetery address: 1 Wellesley Avenue, Needham Heights, MA 02494
- Website: http://www.maryimmaculateoflourdesnewtonma.org/
- Bulletin archive: https://www.maryimmaculatenewton.net/bulletins/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John McCarthy1867–1870
Missionary to Newton Upper Falls; built original wooden Gothic St. Mary's on Chestnut Street (consec. Nov. 17, 1867). Parish erected in 1870.
- Rev. Michael X. Carroll1870–1871
First resident pastor; began the rectory.
- Rev. Michael Dolan1871–1885
Added transept (seating to 1,000, rededicated April 30, 1876); basement, frescoes, slate roof, Hook & Hastings organ; bought adjacent lots.
- Rev. Martin O'Brien1885–1890
Paid off all parish debts, purchased more land, continued embellishment; buried on grounds, later reinterred at St. Mary's Cemetery.
- Rev. Timothy J. Danahy1890–1923
Pilgrimage to Lourdes (~1892) and vow to build 'the most beautiful church in the diocese'; built and paid off the present church (dedicated Nov. 24, 1910).
- Rev. Dennis H. Donovan1923–1934 (first stint as pastor; curate 1907–1923)
Installed 500-seat chapel in lower church incorporating furnishings from original St. Mary's.
- Rev. William J. O'Connell1935–1950
Built present Elliot Street rectory (compl. 1943); purchased 1838 Greek Revival house as parish center; sold remaining Chestnut Street property.
- Rev. Alexander J. McCarthy1950 (four months)
Died shortly after appointment.
- Msgr. John R. Wall1950–1957
Modernized lower church; completed St. Elizabeth Center; instituted May and October Rosary devotions.
- Msgr. Daniel F. Riordan1957–1970
Served through parish centennial year.
- Rev. Michael F. Doocey1970–1993
Implemented post-Vatican II liturgical reform interior renovations.
- Rev. Joseph L. Welsh1994–1995
Brief pastorate during closure-threat era.
- Rev. Stephen A. Koen II1995–2002
- Rev. Kenneth A. LeBlanc2002–2006
Final pastor before restructuring; led parish through proposed-closure crisis.
- Rev. Charles J. Higgins2007–present
Fourteenth and current pastor; instituted the Traditional Latin Mass apostolate; led major 2007–present restoration.
