"Saint John's seminary opened its doors in May 1884, with room for 100 seminarians and was staffed by Sulpicians from Paris and Baltimore."
"In 1960 there were over 500 students enrolled between the college and the major seminary and 47 men were ordained to the priesthood."
"Enrollment has increased dramatically, from a low of 22 in 2004 to almost 90 at the start of the 2008 academic year."
History of St. John's Seminary
Saint John's Seminary was founded by Archbishop Williams to train priests for the Archdiocese of Boston and other dioceses of New England. Prior to this, Boston and the newly founded dioceses of Burlington, Portland, and Springfield sent their seminarians to study for priestly formation in Baltimore, Quebec City, and Europe. These trips were long, exhausting and isolating for these future priests, who sometimes spent years away from their families, friends, and dioceses. As the Church in New England continued to grow, it became feasible for the creation of a major seminary in the archdiocese of Boston. In March of 1880, Archbishop Williams acquired the 50 acre Stanwood estate, near the present day Lake Street in Brighton, for around 18,500 dollars. Williams, looking back on his own formation with fondness, invited the Sulpician Fathers to staff the Seminary. Work began on the Theology House (St. John's Hall) in April of 1881 and continued for three years. Originally designed to hold 200 students, the plans were simplified, due to construction costs. Saint John's seminary opened its doors in May 1884, with room for 100 seminarians and was staffed by Sulpicians from Paris and Baltimore. The Sulpicians brought a number of books and pieces of art, mostly notably they brought the statue of the Madonna and Child, a replica of a famous piece from the church of Saint Sulpice in Paris. This statue stands in the courtyard to this day.
As the years passed, enrollment increased and by 1895, the seminary was filled beyond capacity, with an enrollment 135 students. The Sulpicians continued to staff Saint John's Seminary until 1911, when Archbishop O'Connell replaced them with a faculty comprised of eleven priests of the Archdiocese.
Saint John's Chapel was not part of the original seminary construction. It was built in 1899, designed by the firm of Maginnis and Walsh. The beautiful artwork which adorns the chapel painted by Gonippo Raggi. It stands as an impressive structure and a breathtaking masterpiece for the glory of God and the spiritual life of countless priests.
Boston was ravaged during the Spanish Influenza Outbreak of 1919, an average of 150 people died daily from this terrible disease. To help Brighton cope with the epidemic, Cardinal O'Connell offered St. John's as a hospital with twenty seminarians assisting the doctors and nurses. Though the seminary operated in this capacity for less than a month, and treated less than 100 patients, its service was greatly appreciated by the community.
Saint John's Seminary went through another expansion and renovation in the 1920's. St. John's hall was expanded, adding more rooms for students. The current refectory and kitchen as well as new heating boilers and a convent for the sisters who served the seminary were also added at this time. A number of other buildings were constructed on the campus around the seminary during the first half of the 20th Century. This construction included facilities which housed several archdiocesan offices, including the chancery building, making the seminary and its grounds the heart of the Archdiocese of Boston for most of the twentieth century.
During the 1960's, Saint John's enjoyed a healthy enrollment and a privileged place in the Archdiocese. In 1960 there were over 500 students enrolled between the college and the major seminary and 47 men were ordained to the priesthood. Dioceses from all over New England and beyond were sending their seminarians for priestly formation. Many of these dioceses had an entire generation of their presbyterate formed at Saint John's.
The next few decades saw a decrease in enrolment and an aging of the facilities. By 1998 Saint John's Hall was in disrepair. Under the direction of Cardinal Law, millions of dollars were invested in the renovation of Saint John's. Modern bathroom facilities were installed and improvements were made to the common areas and classrooms.
In 2001, the Archdiocese of Boston became the focal point for the sexual scandal that rocked the Roman Catholic Church. This event had a profound impact on Saint John's Seminary. Many dioceses recalled their seminarians and, in 2002, St. John's College Seminary closed its doors. In addition, in 2004 and again in 2007 much of the land was sold to Boston College. While diminished in numbers, Saint John's major seminary continued to operate. Much work was done to repair the seminary's image and reputation. As a fruit of this effort, enrollment has increased dramatically, from a low of 22 in 2004 to almost 90 at the start of the 2008 academic year. This increased enrollment includes resident seminarians from many dioceses of New England, international seminarians, and members of religious orders who attend classes Saint John's but don't live at the seminary.
Sources consulted:
Brighton-Allston Historical Society http://www.bahistory.org
O'Connor, Thomas H. Boston Catholics: A History of the Church and Its People. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1998.
Sexton, Rev. John E. and Rev. Arthur J. Riley. History of Saint John's Seminary: Brighton. Boston: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, 1945.
