History 

In the northern part of the city, St. Bernard's Church was the first church to be erected in Newton. Fr. Bernard Flood, of Waltham, who offered Mass in this section occasionally from about 1866 onward, bought a lot at Washington and Prospect Streets on May 17, 1869, and, wishing to gather all the local Catholics to discuss church building, hired the Town Hall for services on Sunday, May 30, 1869. The arrangement was made with Constable Cole, who had the authority to lease the building. It was announced from the altar in the Waltham church on May 23, 1869 .

The cornerstone of St. Bernard's was blessed on November 12, 1871, and on August 23, 1874, Bishop Williams dedicated the tasteful Gothic brick church, which had cost about $45,000.00. Two years later, West Newton was made a separate parish under Father Michael T. McManus (appointed April 20, 1876). Under its third pastor, Rev. Lawrence J. O'Toole (1886-1911), the church was almost completely destroyed by fire on the evening of June 23, 1889. Once more, the congregation went for a season to the Town Hall, but, thanks to the resolute efforts of the pastor and the people, the church was promptly rebuilt substantially along its old lines, but larger and more beautiful than ever. The church was rededicated on April 27, 1890.