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Saint Anthony Parish
History of Saint Anthony's Parish :
In the 19th century, the only Catholic church in the area was Saint Joseph's in Woods Hole, which served the southern part of Cape Cod as far as Harwich, and included the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. At the turn of the century, a heavy influx of Portuguese-speaking people a mixture of sailors and workers came to Cape Cod, and many of them settled in East Falmouth.
As early as 1911, the Portuguese people established the Holy Ghost Association of East Falmouth. They gathered regularly in the Saint Anthony's Hall on Brick Kiln Road to maintain their cultural identity, most continuing to trek each Sunday to Saint Joseph's in Woods Hole for Mass.
As early as 1919, strawberry farmers began setting aside money from the sale of strawberries for the purpose of purchasing land to build a church. The Portuguese descendants appealed to Bishop Daniel J. Feehan of the Diocese of Fall River to send a priest to minister to them in their own language. In 1921, their prayers were answered; the Reverend Antonio M. Fortuna came to East Falmouth, celebrating Mass and other sacraments on a regular basis in Saint Anthony's Hall. In time, the 36-acre John Crocker Estate was purchased for $5,000. The only building on the property served as the priest's residence. With the creation of this new parish, Portuguese Catholics living across Cape Cod became communicants of Saint Anthony's Parish. Saint Anthony's Church was built on this property and Masses were celebrated for the first time on January 1, 1924. Within a few years, the mortgage of $42,000 was paid and the parish became free of debt.
The building now known as The Lodge had formerly been a dance hall located some 200 yards away in the center of East Falmouth village. During the winter of 1933 the building was moved to its present site and after undergoing complete remodeling, the hall was formally dedicated on January 4, 1934.
In 1946, the magnificent painting of Our Lady of Fatima was unveiled; the artist was Henrique Medina of Portugal. For a closer look and more information about this painting, click here.
In 1948, the present pews were installed in the church at a cost of $5,200 and the ceiling lights were replaced with the crystal chandeliers. At the same time, the ceramic Stations of the Cross were replaced with the hand carved Italian wood stations.
In 1951, the sanctuary was remodeled, a reredos was constructed, and the painting of Our Lady of Fatima was incorporated. The Portuguese Royal Shield at the top of the frame became an integral part of the sanctuary scene.
In the 19th century, the only Catholic church in the area was Saint Joseph's in Woods Hole, which served the southern part of Cape Cod as far as Harwich, and included the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. At the turn of the century, a heavy influx of Portuguese-speaking people a mixture of sailors and workers came to Cape Cod, and many of them settled in East Falmouth.
As early as 1911, the Portuguese people established the Holy Ghost Association of East Falmouth. They gathered regularly in the Saint Anthony's Hall on Brick Kiln Road to maintain their cultural identity, most continuing to trek each Sunday to Saint Joseph's in Woods Hole for Mass.
As early as 1919, strawberry farmers began setting aside money from the sale of strawberries for the purpose of purchasing land to build a church. The Portuguese descendants appealed to Bishop Daniel J. Feehan of the Diocese of Fall River to send a priest to minister to them in their own language. In 1921, their prayers were answered; the Reverend Antonio M. Fortuna came to East Falmouth, celebrating Mass and other sacraments on a regular basis in Saint Anthony's Hall. In time, the 36-acre John Crocker Estate was purchased for $5,000. The only building on the property served as the priest's residence. With the creation of this new parish, Portuguese Catholics living across Cape Cod became communicants of Saint Anthony's Parish. Saint Anthony's Church was built on this property and Masses were celebrated for the first time on January 1, 1924. Within a few years, the mortgage of $42,000 was paid and the parish became free of debt.
The building now known as The Lodge had formerly been a dance hall located some 200 yards away in the center of East Falmouth village. During the winter of 1933 the building was moved to its present site and after undergoing complete remodeling, the hall was formally dedicated on January 4, 1934.
In 1946, the magnificent painting of Our Lady of Fatima was unveiled; the artist was Henrique Medina of Portugal. For a closer look and more information about this painting, click here.
In 1948, the present pews were installed in the church at a cost of $5,200 and the ceiling lights were replaced with the crystal chandeliers. At the same time, the ceramic Stations of the Cross were replaced with the hand carved Italian wood stations.
In 1951, the sanctuary was remodeled, a reredos was constructed, and the painting of Our Lady of Fatima was incorporated. The Portuguese Royal Shield at the top of the frame became an integral part of the sanctuary scene.