"First Fifty Years," 1847- 1897

From this early beginning in 1834 until the start of the twentieth century, the priests and pastors changed and improved various church functions and structures in several ways.

The next two pastors were Rev. John Doherty in December 1848 followed by Rev. George A. Hamilton in February 1850.

The first resident pastor, Rev. Edward Farrelly, a scholarly man, was appointed in May 1851. He started the first parochial school in the diocese holding classes in the basement of the church. He also organized a public school for upper grade students located on the site of the present parking lot across from the church.

In December 1854, the Reverend Edward Turpin became pastor of St. George Church as well as continuing the practice started by other pastors of being a missionary priest to surrounding towns. Rev. Turpin was then succeeded by Rev. John Walsh in Feb. 1856.

During Fr. Walsh's tenure, St. George Parish became one of the largest in the Boston Diocese. He purchased seven acres of land a mile distant from the church to be used for the new church cemetery and arranged for the transfer of bodies from the old cemetery next to the church to this new resting place. Fr. Walsh celebrated Mass in many surrounding towns for several years, before becoming pastor of St. Patrick's in Natick for the next 21 years. He was succeeded by his brother, Rev. Michael Walsh, for a few months in 1869.

Rev. Antonio J. Rossi, who was pastor from December 1869 until June 1885, was responsible for building the colonial style rectory presently serving St. George Parish. Fr. Rossi was succeeded in 1885 by Rev. James P. Rogers who was pastor until March 1892. He died of ill health while in England. The Rev. John McNamara, who became pastor in April 1892, was responsible for the building of the frescoes on the interior of the church and the installation of steam heat in both the church and the rectory. This pastor, who was very dedicated to the poor, died suddenly of pneumonia after a few days of illness in February 1894.

The Rev. Patrick Murphy who had been a curate at St. Patrick's in Natick had shown much interest in the young people of the parish by encouraging them to develop their interests and abilities. During his time as pastor at St. George Parish from 1894 until 1907, Fr. Murphy paid off the debt from the previous alterations which had been made to church property. He also updated the church by adding a larger sacristy and two side altars as well as a colonnaded porch and
a cupola to this wooden church building. Outside at the rear of the church, he built a facsimile of the Grotto of Notre Dame de Lourdes. Many people of the parish as well as from the surrounding towns often walked across the small wooden bridge to visit Our Lady for help or to give thanksgiving for favors received. Fr. Murphy made the parish a focal point of interest for many visitors by adding a duck pond with many types of birds, fowl, and animals as well as generally making the five acres of parish grounds more beautiful. He also renovated the rectory. He was transferred to Holy Rosary Church in South Boston and later died while on a trip to Ireland in 1929.
During Fr. Murphy's tenure at St. George, the Parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee in June 1897. Special Papal Blessings were received from Pope Leo XIII. A Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated on the Sunday followed by solemn Requiem Masses on the next three days for deceased parish members.

Continue to 1897- 1947