Biddeford in York County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
St. Mary's Church / L'Église St. Mary
Biddeford, Maine
— The Museum in the Streets® —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 12, 2021
In 1848, Irish Catholics celebrated their first mass in the Emery House at the foot of Emery Street in Biddeford with Father McGuire of the parish of St. Dominic's in Portland. Around 1850, Catholics started to congregate on the second floor of the offices in the Pepperell Mills, where mass was said about every three months by a priest from Portland. The congregation then moved to St. Mary's Church, first known as the Church of the Assumption, built by Patrick C. Keely in 1856. It was located on Vetromille Street, later renamed St. Mary's Street. French-Canadians originally attended mass in St. Mary's until they moved to the old Methodist church in 1870. Following destruction by fire the rebuilding of St. Mary's Church began in 1923 and deciation was held in 1926.
Erected 2006 by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 21.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Biddeford, Maine series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 43° 29.747′ N, 70° 27.573′ W. Marker is in Biddeford, Maine, in York County. Marker is at the intersection of St. Mary's Street and Hazel Street on St. Mary's Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23 St Mary's St, Biddeford ME 04005, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Society Saint Jean-Baptiste de Bienfaisance / La Société Saint Jean-Baptiste de Bienfaisance (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); McArthur Library / La Bibliothèque McArthur (about 600 feet away); St. Joseph's Church / L'Église St. Joseph (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tracy House / La Maison Tracy
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 12, 2021
Additional commentary.
1. Spelling on the marker
The term mass has been taken verbatim from the marker. Catholics tend to capitalize the term (i.e. Mass) when referring to the sacrament.
— Submitted November 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 19, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.