PARISH HISTORY

The development of the Parish of St. Mary can be seen in a number of well-defined stages. The first mission work in Massachusetts, south of Boston, began in 1797. In the late 1840's visiting priests set up mission stations in the homes of Irish immigrants here and in what was then called North Wrentham, now Norfolk. In 1851, a chapel was donated in Easton, and this became the "mother" church of the region. During the 1850's, the home of Daniel Ryan on Dedham Street in Wrentham became the regular location for worship by the town's Catholic community. A lot of land on Taunton street was purchased in 1859. This was the site of a former shoe factory and this building was remodeled into a chapel, named in honor of Saint Mary. This chapel was the center of worship for Catholics in Wrentham for 68 years. The Parish was associated with Attleboro, Walpole and Franklin during the 1860's and 1870's. In the 1880's, it was once again connected to Foxboro.

The Catholic community in Wrentham enjoyed a fairly stable population. There were about 24 year round families, but each summer would bring an influx of visitors.Thus, it became necessary to move Sunday Mass to the town hall. The Parish grew slowly during the beginning of the twentieth century. Parishioners asked to be allowed to establish a building fund for a new church, and a fund started in 1919. The community had grown to approximately 100 families by then. In 1927, construction money was fully available, and Patrick Mahoney donated a valuable piece of land on South Street. Because St. Mary had been a mission church for so long, a unanimous vote of the parishioners led to our church being built in a distinctive Mission style. Construction was completed at the present location in 1928. In 1943, an adjacent building, a former inn, was purchased to serve as the rectory.

By the 1970's, the Parish reached 3000 members, and the building was growing too small. The church underwent significant renovation and expansion, which was completed late in 1989. During the 1990's, the Parish continued to grow and the physical plant continued to be a major issue. Some buildings were found to be structurally unsound and demolished. The Rectory was rebuilt in 1999, and dedicated on June 10, 2000, with a Mass and open house attended by Bernard Cardinal Law. The St. Mary Parish continues today to grow as a vibrant faith community within the town of Wrentham.

The Parish of St. Mary, Wrentham THE HISTORY
The development of the Parish of St. Mary can be seen in a number of well-defined stages. The first mission work in Massachusetts, south of Boston, began in 1797. In the late 1840's visiting priests set up mission stations in the homes of Irish immigrants here and in what was then called North Wrentham, now Norfolk. In 1851, a chapel was donated in Easton, and this became the "mother" church of the region. During the 1850's, the home of Daniel Ryan on Dedham Street in Wrentham became the regular location for worship by the town's Catholic community. A lot of land on Taunton street was purchased in 1859. This was the site of a former shoe factory and this building was remodeled into a chapel, named in honor of Saint Mary. This chapel was the center of worship for Catholics in Wrentham for 68 years. The Parish was associated with Attleboro, Walpole and Franklin during the 1860's and 1870's. In the 1880's, it was once again connected to Foxboro. The Catholic community in Wrentham enjoyed a fairly stable population. There were about 24 year round families, but each summer would bring an influx of visitors.Thus, it became necessary to move Sunday Mass to the town hall. The Parish grew slowly during the beginning of the twentieth century. Parishioners asked to be allowed to establish a building fund for a new church, and a fund started in 1919. The community had grown to approximately 100 families by then. In 1927, construction money was fully available, and Patrick Mahoney donated a valuable piece of land on South Street. Because St. Mary had been a mission church for so long, a unanimous vote of the parishioners led to our church being built in a distinctive Mission style. Construction was completed at the present location in 1928. In 1943, an adjacent building, a former inn, was purchased to serve as the rectory. By the 1970's, the Parish reached 3000 members, and the building was growing too small. The church underwent significant renovation and expansion, which was completed late in 1989. During the 1990's, the Parish continued to grow and the physical plant continued to be a major issue. Some buildings were found to be structurally unsound and demolished. The Rectory was rebuilt in 1999, and dedicated on June 10, 2000, with a Mass and open house attended by Bernard Cardinal Law. The St. Mary Parish continues today to grow as a vibrant faith community within the town of Wrentham.