For now I'll be converting this to a personal historical memorabilia page of Saint Francis as it has
been the family's church for nearly 100 years (Frazier/Fougere and Levangie/Lavandier).
So while all the official information is on the new web site,
some historical information and photos will remain on this page.
A brief history of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, which I helped to write several years ago
Updated 15 September 2005
By 1875 Mass was being offered each Sunday at the Grand Army of the
Republic Hall in the Holbrook block in South Braintree. The first effort
toward building a church came when a Catholic society was formed and
subscriptions raised the funds to construct a building on Central Avenue in 1876. (It is at this location that my
Grandfather, Isaac Fougere/Frazier and Sophia Anne
Lavandier/Levangie were married.) See a photo of them, below, leaving the church. The first Mass was offered there on 25 December 1878, and subsequently
on Sundays alternately at 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. On Tuesday, 21 October 1879
the Saint Francis of Assisi Chapel was officially dedicated.
In 1903 the first resident pastor was assigned to Saint Francis of
Assisi. In 1910 land and a house at the present location were purchased, and
in 1911 a new brick church was built. The building had serious flaws and was
virtually reconstructed in 1927, with the style being substantially changed
to reflect a Spanish mission design (the reason being given that while there
were Italian style churches in the area, there were none with a Spanish
design). The altar was built to reflect, on a small scale, that of Saint
Peter's in the Vatican. In 1959 the parish built its own grade school, with
a convent for the teaching nuns being built in 1962. As the school became
staffed almost exclusively with lay teachers, and the rectory became
structurally unsound, the convent was converted to a rectory. It was
dedicated on 6 May 1980, followed by the razing of the original rectory.
Some architectural features of the old rectory were incorporated into the
new building. In 1995 a major effort to update the church was undertaken, to
make it consistent with new liturgical objectives coupled with parishioners
desires for a church of traditional appearance. Today's parish has grown
from the original 45 families, to approximately 1,700 families.
.....It was in this church that my son was baptized and my daughter was married. (See photos of her wedding below.) Both of my children attended the Saint Francis of Assisi School
Saint Francis of Assisi Church and Rectory, circa 1940
Saint Francis of Assisi Church circa 1960
One of the first major family events which took place at Saint Francis of Assisi Church, the marriage of my grandfather and grandmother, 9 January 1909. Here they are shown leaving the church when it was located on Central Ave. They are leaving in a one-horse open sleigh.
The last major family event which took place at Saint Francis, a wedding on 12 August 2001.
The priest who officiated at my daughter's wedding is one of the greatest guys, inspring and wonderful of priests you could ever want to know. He's now a good friend. I introduce him to you here:
Parochial Vicar: Rev. Robert W. Conole
Father Bob was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the second of three sons of Isabel M. (Carney) Conole,
and the late Clement J. Conole.His family has resided in St. Francis Parish in the town of Dracut for many
years.
As a youngster, he graduated from St. Michael School, Lowell,and then Dracut High School. He received his college education
at Fitchburg State College, graduating with a B.S. in Industrial Arts. Subsequently he received an M.Ed
degree in Occupational Education, also from Fitchburg State. Upon completion of undergraduate
studies, he began a seven year teaching career with the Bedford, Massachusetts Public Schools. His
teaching assignment was middle school Industrial Arts (woodworking, drafting, graphicarts, metalworking,
electricty, plastics, construction technology, etc.).
Fr. Bob notes "The call to the priesthood (which, in truth, was being sounded for many years -- I just chose
to ignore it) became overwhelming; I began studies at St. John Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts."
He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 22, 1991 (along with Fr. Jim Laughlin, previously assigned
to SFA), and received his first assignment: St. Monica Parish, Methuen (a neighboring parish to
his home parish).
After six "wonderful years" in Methuen, he accepted an assignment at St. Michael Parish, Hudson,
where he remained until early October, 2000. With a new assignment still pending, the Clergy
Personnel Office asked him to temporarily serve at Our Ladyof Hope Parish, Ipswitch, until early
January. On January 15, 2001 he was assigned to Saint Francis of Assisi in Braintree.
He notes "In terms of pursuits and interests, I've done extensive work with the Fire Service
as Chaplain to the Methuen and Hudson Fire Departments as well as the Massachusetts Department
of Fire Service. I also enjoy biking, hiking, woodworking, carpentry, and spoiling my twin nieces, Katherine and
Elizabeth (age 6), when their parents aren't looking.
"
In February Fr. Bob was assigned as Chaplain to the Quincy Fire Department.
This page will be under ongoing re-construction, so come back and visit us
again when we have had an opportunity to place new information here. If you have pictures you'd like added, you can contact me.
Father Bob was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the second of three sons of Isabel M. (Carney) Conole,
and the late Clement J. Conole.His family has resided in St. Francis Parish in the town of Dracut for many
years.