About St. Anthony Shrine · Boston, Massachusetts
St. Anthony Shrine, affectionately known as the 'Church on Arch Street,' is a Roman Catholic shrine in downtown Boston at 100 Arch Street, directed by the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe (formerly Holy Name Province). Founded in 1947 and housed in a striking mid-century Modernist building completed in 1955, it serves as both a busy downtown parish and a center of outreach for the poor, homeless, and marginalized of Boston. Its ministries include the Franciscan Food Center, the Fr. Mychal Judge Center for Counseling and Recovery, the Rita A. DiMento Women's Medical Clinic, the Lazarus Ministry, and more than thirty other outreach and evangelical programs. The Shrine is renowned for its extensive daily Mass and confession schedule, its devotion to St. Anthony of Padua, and its Bauhaus-style architecture featuring a monumental mosaic by American Modernist Peppino Mangravite.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Fr. Frank Sevola, OFM (Guardian); Fr. Tom Conway, OFM (Executive Director)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston (staffed by the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe)
Why belong here
St. Anthony Shrine offers downtown Boston a uniquely Franciscan combination of dense liturgical life and direct service to those most in need — you can come for a 6:00 a.m. weekday Mass, stay for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration, queue for the Sacrament of Reconciliation any day of the week, and volunteer the same afternoon at the Franciscan Food Center or with the street outreach team. Its more than 30 ministries — including the Fr. Mychal Judge Center for Counseling and Recovery, the Rita A. DiMento Women's Medical Clinic, the Lazarus Ministry for the unclaimed dead, a welcoming LGBTQ+ group, and the Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents — mean that nearly anyone walking through the doors at 100 Arch Street can find both a prayerful community and a way to serve. A weekly Spanish Mass makes it a spiritual home for the Hispanic downtown community as well.
Mass times at St. Anthony Shrine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Saturday: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:45 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:45 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:45 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:45 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:45 PM
History of St. Anthony Shrine
St. Anthony Shrine traces its lineage to the Italian Franciscan friars who came to Boston in 1860 under Pamfilo da Magliano, OFM, eventually founding the Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston (1866) and St. Leonard of Port Maurice in the North End (1876). The Shrine itself was established in the wartime year of 1944, when Archbishop Richard Cushing invited the Franciscans of Holy Name Province to open a church and friary downtown. A temporary chapel at 103 Arch Street was opened to the public on Ash Wednesday, February 19, 1947, and Archbishop Cushing broke ground for the permanent building on October 16, 1952. The new Shrine and Friary were blessed and dedicated on November 23, 1955, after a $4.5 million construction that Cushing jokingly compared to a basilica and hotel. In the decades since, the Shrine has expanded into a hub of more than 30 outreach and pastoral ministries serving Boston's downtown.
- 1860: Franciscan friars first arrive in Boston under Pamfilo da Magliano, OFM
- 1866: Gate of Heaven Church founded in South Boston
- 1876: St. Leonard of Port Maurice Church founded in the North End
- October 29, 1944: Invitation extended to Holy Name Province to establish a downtown church
- October 20, 1945: Temporary chapel acquired at 103 Arch Street
- February 19, 1947: Shrine opens to the public on Ash Wednesday
- October 16, 1952: Archbishop Cushing breaks ground for the permanent Shrine
- October 8, 1953: Cornerstone laid
- December 31, 1954: Doors open at midnight with a temporary altar and folding chairs
- November 23, 1955: Blessing and dedication by Archbishop Cushing
- 1969: Prudential Center satellite chapel opens
- 1981: Breadline opens
- 1984: St. Francis House dedicated on Boylston Street
- October 2023: Holy Name Province merges into the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Architecture and Sacred Art
St. Anthony Shrine is a rare example of pure Bauhaus religious architecture in Boston, designed by the German-born Franciscan Brother Cajetan Baumann, OFM, with general contractor Thomas O'Connor and Sons. The clean vertical lines, perfect symmetry and extensive use of white and pink marble and terrazzo contrast with the surrounding traditional churches of the city. The Shrine's most famous work of art is the monumental mosaic behind the main altar — depicting Mary Queen of Angels holding the Child Jesus with St. Anthony offering homage — conceived and executed by American Modernist Peppino Mangravite. A second large mosaic on the rear exterior wall shows St. Anthony holding fire (the Word of God) as he preaches. The upper weekend chapel features contemporary stained-glass clerestory windows narrating episodes from the lives of St. Anthony and St. Francis, and a multi-story glass facade depicts St. Anthony and the Blessed Virgin Mary in outline.
- Architect: Br. Cajetan Baumann, OFM (Holy Name Province)
- General contractor: Thomas O'Connor and Sons
- Style: pure Bauhaus / mid-century Modernist
- Altar mosaic by American Modernist Peppino Mangravite
- Exterior mosaic of St. Anthony preaching on the rear wall
- Stained-glass clerestory windows in the upper chapel
- Materials: white, pink and light beige marble; light terrazzo floors
Franciscan Friars and Staff
The Shrine is staffed by a community of Franciscan friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe (formerly Holy Name Province), together with a dedicated lay staff. Current leadership pairs Fr. Frank Sevola, OFM, as Guardian with Fr. Tom Conway, OFM, as Executive Director; the vicars are Fr. Brian Smail, OFM, and Br. Anthony (Tony) LoGalbo, OFM. Roughly two dozen friars — priests and brothers — serve at the Shrine in various pastoral roles, supported by administrative, operations, communications, liturgy/music, and youth ministry staff.
- Guardian: Fr. Frank Sevola, OFM
- Executive Director: Fr. Tom Conway, OFM
- Vicars: Fr. Brian Smail, OFM; Br. Anthony (Tony) LoGalbo, OFM
- Some 24 friars (priests and brothers) on the pastoral team
- Lay staff in administration, operations, media, liturgy/music, and youth ministry
Outreach and Social Justice Ministries
The Shrine's downtown ministries address the immediate and long-term needs of Boston's most vulnerable neighbors, ranging from daily food and street outreach to clinical mental-health and addiction care. The Franciscan Food Center provides high-quality food in a client-choice setting; the Outreach Team takes to the streets to build relationships with people experiencing homelessness; the Lazarus Ministry arranges proper and dignified funerals for those who die alone or without means; and the Fr. Mychal Judge Center for Counseling and Recovery offers clinical mental-health and substance-use services. The Rita A. DiMento Women's Medical Clinic, run in partnership with Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, offers women-only medical care with a doctor, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, drug and alcohol counselor, and recovery coach.
- Franciscan Food Center
- Street Outreach Team
- Lazarus Ministry (burials for the unclaimed dead)
- Fr. Mychal Judge Center for Counseling and Recovery
- Rita A. DiMento Women's Medical Clinic
- Veterans Ministry (monthly appreciation lunch)
- Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents
- LGBTQ+ Ministry
Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care
Beyond its sacramental schedule, the Shrine offers a full range of formation programs rooted in the Franciscan tradition. The Franciscan Spiritual Companionship program provides a confidential space to explore a deeper relationship with God; the Franciscan Spiritual Direction Training Program offers a practicum and instruction experience for those called to become spiritual directors. Adult Education events, lunchtime lectures and faith-formation series welcome downtown workers and visitors, and a Youth Ministry coordinates programming for younger parishioners. Fr. Brian Cullinane, OFM, is available to help individuals navigate the Church's annulment process.
- Franciscan Spiritual Companionship
- Franciscan Spiritual Direction Training Program
- Adult Education
- Youth Ministry
- Help with the Annulment Process (Fr. Brian Cullinane, OFM)
Worship Music: The Arch Street Band
A professional six-member band, the Arch Street Band, plays four music Masses each weekend, lending a contemporary musical character to the Shrine's liturgy. The Music Ministry is led by Mark Emery.
- Arch Street Band — professional six-member ensemble
- Four weekend music Masses
- Liturgy and Music Director: Mark Emery
Hours, Directions, and Accessibility
The Shrine is open throughout the week: Sunday 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Thursday 5:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday 5:30 AM – 6:45 PM, and Saturday 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM. It is located at 100 Arch Street in Downtown Crossing, easily reached via the Downtown Crossing subway station (Red, Orange and Silver lines), with short walks from Park Street and South Station, and a Blue Bikes station right on Arch Street. Discounted parking is offered through a partnership with Laz Parking at the 33 Arch Street Garage (entrance on Hawley Street), and other garages are at One Avenue de Lafayette, 99 Summer Street and 140 Federal Street. The Shrine is fully handicapped accessible and low-gluten hosts are available on request.
- Downtown Crossing station (Red, Orange, Silver lines)
- Short walk from Park Street and South Station
- Blue Bikes station on Arch Street at Franklin
- Discounted parking at 33 Arch Street Garage (Laz Parking)
- Handicapped accessible; low-gluten hosts available
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Harold R. Blake, OFM1947–1955
First rector of St. Anthony Shrine; definitor of Holy Name Province; appointed Feb. 10, 1947. The friars initially commuted daily from Brookline.
- Fr. Hilary I. Sullivan, OFM1955–1961
Native of Arlington, Massachusetts; appointed by the major superiors of Holy Name Province on July 3, 1955; served during the dedication year.
- Fr. Silas Rooney, OFM1961–1967
Guardian during the mid-1960s expansion of Shrine ministry.
- Fr. Robert B. Lynch, OFM1967–1973
Guardian during the 1969 opening of the Prudential Center satellite chapel and the Shrine's 25th anniversary in 1972.
- Fr. Joseph Sullivan, OFM1973–1979
Began efforts to diversify Shrine ministries; formed a dynamic Young Adult Catholic group and launched the 'Rebuild My House' lunchtime lecture series.
- Fr. Andrew F. Giardino, OFM1979–1982
Guardian during the period when the friars opened a daily breadline.
- Fr. Louis J. Canino, OFM1982–1985
Pioneered a more comprehensive approach to outreach; arranged purchase of the eleven-story Boylston Street building that became St. Francis House.
- Fr. Stephen Lynch, OFM1985–1990
Guardian as St. Francis House was dedicated in 1984 and grew into a professional service center.
- Fr. Kevin J. Mullen, OFM1990–1999
Long-tenured guardian during the 1990s expansion of ministries.
- Fr. John R. Ullrich, OFM1999–2002
Guardian during the Shrine's transition into the new millennium.
- Fr. David I. Convertino, OFM2002–2011
Longest single tenure of the modern era.
- Fr. James P. Kelly, OFM2011–2013
Guardian prior to the leadership restructuring that created the Executive Director role.
- Fr. John Hogan, OFM2013–2017
Guardian during the early years of the new leadership structure.
- Fr. Thomas E. Conway, OFM2013–present
Executive Director (a role newly created alongside the Guardian); continues to serve.
- Fr. Frank Sevola, OFM2017–present
Current Guardian.
