North End in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
St. Francis Chapel
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 18, 2023
1. St. Francis Chapel Marker
How did a small chapel end up in the shadow of a grand national icon?
This building, which houses the Old North Gift Shop, may have the most unexpected story to tell at Old North. It was once the St. Francis Chapel, built in 1918 for Italian, immigrants of the Waldensian faith, a medieval Christian sect named for founder Peter Waldo (1140-1217), Waldo called for a return to a stricter and simpler form of Christianity, which put him at odds with the established Catholic Church. As a result, Waldo and Waldensians faced persecution, and within centuries, the sect had almost disappeared.
Remaining Waldensians found a new home as part of the Protestant community in Europe after the Reformation, and Waldensian Italians were among those who found a new home in the North End. This community dispersed within a few decades. The building became the Old North Gift Shop in the 1950s. Do you see architectural elements that reveal the building's original purpose?
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.
Location. 42° 21.974′ N, 71° 3.268′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in North End. It can be reached from Salem Court east of Salem Street, on the right when
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Historic Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Third Steeple (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Third Steeple (here, next to this marker); A North Ender's Memory (here, next to this marker); 1954 Hurricane Carol (here, next to this marker); The Great Gale of Boston (here, next to this marker); 1775 (a few steps from this marker); The Weathervane (a few steps from this marker); The First Steeple (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 18, 2023
2. St. Francis Chapel Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
