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[p. 8] three Masses said every morning in the week.
The parishioners of St. Joseph's number two thousand five hundred, and they are all zealous in their faith and active in good works.
A few years ago the Catholics of West Medford, who were members of St. Joseph's Church, found they had so increased in number as to desire a congregation and Sunday School of their own. So Father Flanagan hired Holton Hall in West Medford for their use, and there served them.
But they soon outgrew the hall, and land was bought and a beautiful little chapel was built, the name of St. Raphael being given to it, the Rev. Nathaniel Merritt having been sent to them as pastor.
He has since been transferred to Winchester and the Rev. Jeremiah Lyons is now the rector.
The congregation has grown from six hundred and fifty to about one thousand, and is most flourishing.
St. Joseph's Church has also contributed its share of parishioners to the new parish of St. Clement, beyond South Medford, which was set apart last spring by His Eminence and placed under the care of the Rev. Thomas McCarthy.
It has a membership of two thousand nine hundred.
The congregation worshipped all summer in a huge tent, but it is already in its new building, which has been dedicated since this paper was begun.
So the Catholic Church in Medford has increased greatly in numbers, and has adhered most firmly to the faith brought hither by the stalwart and loyal Irish immigrants so many years ago. The spirits of those faithful pioneers must look with loving pride and gratitude upon the result of their labors which have been so blessed of God.
Medford, MA. 1914.
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