UPON THIS ROCK
In 1872, Father Peter Ronan was asked to form a new Catholic parish and oversee the creation of a new church building in the
Meetinghouse Hill area. The Archdiocese suggested a simple, brick design with an overall seating capacity of 700 people.
Father Ronan, however, wished to "place a church that would meet the future's needs."
Because of this visionary, St. Peter's Church, designed by the noted architect Patrick Keely, is one of the most significant
buildings in the commonwealth of Massachusetts in terms of design and construction.
It is believed that the stone was quarried on-site - removed from the significant ledge of Roxbury Puddingstone. The craftsmanship
inside is unusual, as well. The "hammer beam" roof truss design is believed to be found in only nineteen other churches throughout
the Americas. The mahogany ceiling, the stained glass windows, the circular roundel paintings in the center of the nave and
on both sides of the trusses all contribute to its spectacular appearance.
Architectural historian Douglas Shand-Tucci has called St. Peter's Church a "preeminent landmark of modern Dorchester."
THE PASTOR AND THE ARCHITECT
Peter Ronan was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, in 1844. His family moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1851, and he received
Holy Orders in June 1868. Four years later, this young priest, not quite 30 years old, started St. Peter's Parish with 200
fellow Irish-immigrant parishioners.
Patrick Keely was born in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland on August 9, 1816. He immigrated to Brooklyn, New York a few
years before Father Ronan was born. Mr. Keely gained recognition in 1846, for the design of the Williamsburgh (N.Y.) Church
of St. Peters and Paul. By the time the young priest endeavored to build a church for the future, Mr. Keely had been designing
sacred places for nearly three decades.
Together, Mr. Keely and Father Ronan created a place worthy of its parishioners and their tribute to God's blessings.
