St. Augustine’s Chapel is dedicated.
July 4, 1819
Architect: Bulfinch, Charles. [?] Built as a mortuary chapel to house the remains of Rev. Francis Matignon, it is located at today’s 181 Dorchester Street. The oldest existing Catholic church in Massachusetts, the first Catholic church in South Boston, and the oldest Gothic Revival style building in New England. The congregation is founded by Bishop John Cheverus. The chapel is enlarged and rededicated as a parish church on October 16, 1831, and a new church is built in front of the chapel in 1874.*
Sources
- Morgan, Keith N.
- South Boston Historical Society