Gate of Heaven Parish History
1865-1890: Invigorating the Parish
The first resident pastor of the newly created Gate of Heaven Parish was Rev. James F. Sullivan, who was appointed January 11th, 1865. He erected the original parochial residence, which was situated to the left of the church, on Fourth Street. It was a brick structure with granite trimmings, and its three stories were capped by a mansard roof. The house was so divided that it afforded ample and spacious rooms for the clergy. Standing behind a green lawn and beautiful shade trees and flower bushes, its ivy-covered walls looked most attractive, and gave the whole place the appearance of a shady retreat.Throughout his pastorate, which continued for three years, Father Sullivan was ever faithful and zealous in looking after the wants of his people. He was a genial, kindly man, who was held in affectionate regard by all who knew him.
Father Sullivan’s successor was Rev. Emiliano Gherni, O.S.F. Pressed for the need for priests in the diocese, Bishop Fitzpatrick introduced the Franciscans into the diocese. Father Gherni was the first to come from Italy. He was earnest and devoted priest, who for five years cared for the welfare of the parish and the congregation. He was greatly respected for his learning and his piety, and by his courtesy and gentleness he won the hearts of all. After a brief illness, he died on June 28th, 1873 and was buried in St. Augustine’s Chapel. Rev. Michael F. Higgins succeeded him as rector. Father Higgins proved to be a very active and energetic man and on his first undertakings, on assuming the pastorate, was to erect St. Agnes Convent, a brick building with granite trimmings. It is situated on the parish property, at the corner of I and East Fifth Streets, and is the home of the sisters of St. Joseph, who were introduced to the parish by Father Higgins. Although the community in Boston numbered only twenty members at the time, Mother Regis, with magnificent courage emanating form a great love of God, opened a grammar school for girls, known as St. Agnes School, in September, 1879. On the opening day, Sister M. Clare, the Superior, enrolled three hundred and seventy-five girls.
St. Agnes Convent and chapel were blessed December 3rd, 1879, by Archbishop Williams. The first Holy Name Society in the diocese was established in the Gate of Heaven Parish in 1881 by Father Higgins. He took a most active interest in the parish school, to which he devoted a great deal of attention, and in which he took a special pride. Father Higgins died May 7th, 1886. He was a man of unbounded hospitality and generosity, a tireless worker, who spent his whole life doing good. He did much for the cause of religion and the welfare of the Gate of Heaven Parish during his thirteen years of service.
Father Higgins’ successor was Rev. Theodore A. Metcalf, who as a seminarian had the honor of attending the first Vatican Council in 1869 acting in the capacity of a transcriber. His pastorate, extending for 1869 to 1890, was made memorable by his successful protest against the use in the public schools of a textbook containing misstatements regarding the Catholic Church. This protest was in innocent cause of the strongest manifestation of an anti-Catholic spirit in Boston since 1834. Father Metcalf organized a branch of the Sacred Heart League in the parish. It was one of the first and the most flourishing in the diocese of Boston. HE was compelled to retire in 1890, because of ill health. Father Metcalf gained a wide reputation as a pleasing and effective preacher, and both during his service at the Cathedral and at the Gate of Heaven, people came from all parts of the city to listen to his sermons.
Fr. W.A. Blenkinsop
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