About Santo Christo · Fall River, Massachusetts
Santo Christo Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Fall River, Massachusetts, established in 1892 to serve the city's Portuguese-speaking community. It is the oldest existing Luso-American parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River and the only parish in the world bearing its name, a shortened form of "Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres" (Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles), a devotion rooted on the island of São Miguel in the Azores. The parish celebrates Mass in Portuguese and English, with occasional use of Latin, and offers Religious Education in English with bilingual catechists. The parish is pastored by Very Rev. Jeffrey Cabral, J.C.L., who also serves as Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Fall River.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles (Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Jeffrey Cabral, J.C.L.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
Santo Christo Parish offers a unique spiritual home as the oldest existing Luso-American parish in the Diocese of Fall River, where the Portuguese Catholic heritage of the Azores is preserved and shared. The community worships in both Portuguese and English, ensuring that parishioners of every generation and linguistic background can fully participate in the Sacred Liturgy and devotions. With a bilingual Religious Education program, weekly confession times in both languages, Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesday evenings, and the recent restoration of the historic Gothic Revival church building, Santo Christo offers a deep sense of continuity between faith, family, and the immigrant story of Fall River.
Mass times at Santo Christo
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM in the Church (Portuguese/English)
- Tuesdays 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Chapel with Fr. Jeff, with Eucharistic Adoration (Portuguese/English)
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Chapel, with the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Portuguese/English)
About the Parish
Since 1892 Santo Christo Parish has served the Portuguese-speaking Catholic community in the Fall River area. It is the only parish in the world with its name, the original and longer version of which was 'Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres' ('Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles'). The parish incorporates the image of the Lord Jesus Christ scourged and crowned before His crucifixion — an image known as 'Ecce Homo' (Latin for 'Behold the man'), drawing from Pontius Pilate's utterance in John 19:5. This image is widely revered on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, where much of the community has roots.
History
Portuguese Catholics in Fall River were first served by itinerant priests from New Bedford beginning around 1869. On May 4, 1889, the community purchased a Baptist chapel on the corner of Columbia and Canal Streets, which was inaugurated with a Solemn Mass that autumn as St Anthony's Mission. From May 1889 to June 1892, the mission was under the care of St John the Baptist Parish in New Bedford. On June 26, 1892, Bishop Harkins elevated the mission to parish status and appointed Father Cândido d'Ávila Martins as its first pastor. Father Manuel Silva, the third pastor, built the present church over the basement beginning in 1925; the exterior was completed in 1927. Bishop James E. Cassidy blessed the finished upper church on June 13, 1948, and the $150,000 mortgage was burned at a banquet on April 25, 1954, after Bishop James L. Connolly celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving.
Founding of the Mission (1889–1892)
Before becoming a parish, Santo Christo began as St Anthony's Mission serving the entire Portuguese Catholic population of Fall River. Father Manuel C. Terra frequently said Mass there, and visiting priests lodged in parishioners' homes. As the mission grew, Father Neves presented to Bishop Harkins the need to elevate it to parish status with its own clergy.
The Church Building (1924–1948)
The Gothic Revival-style church building at 240 Columbia Street was designed by the architectural firm Murphy & Hindle and constructed 1924–27. It features fine stained glass windows, a tile roof with copper coping, and cast stone pinnacles. The bells in the tower were donated by Dentist Joseph Carvalho. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
2013 Restoration Project
In the fall of 2013 a major restoration of the church building began. The work, envisioned in multiple phases, included a restored belfry, new protective covers and frames for the stained glass windows, replacement of clay roof tiles with asphalt shingles, new gutters, new front and side doors, and repair of all leaks. By the spring of 2017, Phase 2 (restoration of the nave's exterior walls, windows, roof, and new doors) was nearly complete at about $1.25 million. Phase 3 covered the north (sanctuary) end of the church, with the fourth phase addressing the interior: plaster repairs, lighting upgrades, and fresh paint.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education classes are taught in English, with many catechists bilingual and able to communicate with students and parents whose English is limited. The Faith Formation office can be reached at 508-675-3007.
Becoming a Parishioner
Those wishing to join the parish can download the New Parishioner Form (Adobe PDF) from the parish website and return the completed form to the Parish Office in person during business hours, or by mail. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM; the office is closed on weekends, holidays, and as announced.
Clergy
Santo Christo Parish is led by Very Rev. Jeffrey Cabral, J.C.L., who also serves as Judicial Vicar for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River.
Visiting the Parish
Santo Christo Parish is located at 185 Canal Street, Fall River, MA 02721-1405. Office hours are Monday through Friday, approximately 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Canal Street is a one-way street (from Broadway to Mill) during active city construction, so visitors are asked to follow street signs and adjust their driving route accordingly.
- Address: 185 Canal Street, Fall River, MA 02721-1405
- Parish Office Phone: 508-676-1184
- Faith Formation Phone: 508-675-3007
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Cândido d'Ávila Martins1892-
First pastor of Santo Christo when it was elevated from mission to parish on June 26, 1892
- Father Manuel Silva
Third pastor; had the present church constructed over the basement beginning in 1925
- Father Bettencourt
Fourth pastor; made appeal in 1940 to fund interior completion; presided over Te Deum celebrating mortgage burning on April 24, 1954