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A little bit of Wellesley’s St. James the Great Church lives on at sports complex

December 14, 2019 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

St. James the Great plaque
Selectmen Tom Ulfelder, Father Robert Blaney and St. James the Great parishioners

 

St. James the Great Church parishioners would much rather still have their place of worship, but those in attendance at a ceremony to commemorate the parish at the new Boston Sports Institute on Rte. 9 are thankful that the space is still being used to bring community together.

Plaques were unveiled recognizing St. James the Great and those in town who worked to buy the property when the archdiocese made it available and turn it into a facility for community use. St. James, built in 1947, served a couple thousand parishioners before being closed by the archdiocese in 2004 and torn down in 2015 following a nearly 8-year vigil.

“It’s a very fitting way to remember a vibrant parish,” said Betty Garvey, a St. James parishioner, speaking loudly over the voices of excited children entering and leaving the sports complex. “People worked collaboratively to build a place that brings together families.”

Among the others in attendance was Beth Hinchliffe, who was baptized at St. James and recently penned an excellent history of the church for WellesleyWeston Magazine.

father blaney sports center
Father Robert Blaney blesses the St. James the Great plaque

 

Wellesley Board of Selectmen member Tom Ulfelder, Father Robert Blaney of the St. John-St. Paul collaborative, and 900 Worcester St. project chair Andy Wrobel all shared thoughts on the past, present and future of the property. Father Blaney said that while parishioners were devastated to lose the church, the plaque will help those who visit the center keep the spirit of St. James alive in their hearts.

Wrobel said the new skating, swimming and recreational facility was a dream more than 10 years ago. Its arrival required involvement from many residents and town officials such as then-Planning Board head Don McCauley (who was in attendance),  and required numerous Town Meeting presentations. His hope is that the facility will stand for at least 57 years, as did the church.

Once the ceremony ended, attendees took a tour of the sports center. And some stuck around to watch the defending state champion Wellesley High girls’ hockey team open its season at one of the arena’s rinks.

 

plaque st james

 

Unveiling of St. James the Great plaque near entry of #Wellesley’s Boston Sports Institute #CatholicChurch pic.twitter.com/P7hUj2Jet0

— swellesley (@swellesley) December 14, 2019

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Filed Under: Religion, Sports

Comments

  1. S Hawkinson says

    December 14, 2019 at 9:51 pm

    Thank you for this thoughtful post. And the girls hockey team won 7-0 in their first game at the new rink.

    Reply
    • KM says

      July 21, 2020 at 7:23 am

      Father God we come before your throne with hockey scores.

      Reply

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