St. Robert Bellarmine Church
A 1960 Andover Townsman photo depicts an aerial view of a Haggett's Pond Road parcel of land purchased by the Archdiocese of Boston for the future site of a parish to serve West Andover and Tewksbury. [1] The site for the church, between Bailey Road on the West side of Haggett's Pond Rd, was previously owned by Fred W. Doyle. [2] Early plans for the church architectural style were described as being a "colonial-modern design." [3] St. Robert Bellarmine church on Haggett's Pond Road in West Andover opened its doors and began offering masses to the community in November of 1961. [4] The parish was officially dedicated Sunday April 7, 1963 by Richard Cardinal Cushing. Reverend Francis L. Sullivan was pastor when the church opened to the public. [5] For many years, St. Robert's parish sponsored an active Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) sports league with basketball and football teams.
Andover Country Day School, (also known as St. Robert's Country Day) was operated in the basement of St. Robert's church as a kindergarten and preschool for 43 years. In 2012, the preschool moved its operation to the nearby Greek Orthodox church, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, when St. Robert's parish staff decided to use the space for religious classes. Andover Country Day permanently closed in December 2022 after 53 years of operation. [6]
St. Robert Bellarmine was in danger of being closed by the Boston Archdiocese. In May of 2004, the parishioners were informed the church would remain open. [7] [8]
REFERENCES
- ↑ New Church Site, Andover Townsman, June 9, 1960.
- ↑ New Roman Catholic Church in Andover, The Eagle Tribune, December 1, 1960.
- ↑ Colonial Modern Design for Church. Andover Townsman, August 25, 1960.
- ↑ Church Opens This Week, Andover Townsman November 22, 1961.
- ↑ Cardinal Dedicates West Andover Church and Confirms 33 Children. Lawrence Eagle Tribune, April 8, 1963.
- ↑ Letter to the Editor The End of an Era, Eagle Tribune, January 6, 2023.
- ↑ St. Robert's considered for closing: Parishioners hoping for best," Andover Townsman, May 13, 2004, p 1.
- ↑ "Thanksgiving for Andover church," Andover Townsman, May 27, 2004, p. 1.
See Also
- "Andover parish added to list," Eagle Tribune, May 7, 2004, p. 1.
- "Relief, jubilation at St. Robert," Eagle Tribune, May 26, 2004, p. 1.
- "After 45 years, church burns its mortgage," Eagle Tribune, September 19, 2006, p. 1.
For a complete list of Andover Churches see Houses of Worship in Andover
--Stephanie (talk) 09:53, 24 January 2024 (EST)
--Kim 14:14, July 26, 2013 (EDT)
--Eleanor (talk) 13:54, 26 March 2015 (EDT)
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