"Third Fifty Years," 1947- Present

In 1951, after 35 years of devoted service to St. George Parish, Rev. John A. McCauley ended his tenure. He was succeeded by Rev. John Quinlan who spent the next ten years as pastor at St. George's. One of the first curates under Rev. Quinlan was Rev. Andrew Connell who in later years became a Monsignor and then the Director of the Propagation of the Faith in Boston.

Rev. Quinlan was responsible for building the red brick Social Hall used for parish activities. At the dedication ceremonies for this new Social Hall, Cardinal Cushing gave his permission for the construction of the present contemporary church now in use. While this church was being built, the Social Hall was used as a temporary church until 1963 when the building of the new church was completed. This new St. George Church was made of redbrick, faced the street, and eliminated the long stairway needed to enter the church.

In 1961, Rev. Joseph G. Regan became pastor. Under his tenure, the building of the church was completed. It was then dedicated and blessed by Cardinal Cushing on December 22, 1963. An Open House and tour of the new church was held on February 9, 1964 for all parishioners. Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Regan retired in 1972 because of ill health.

Cardinal Medeiros appointed Rev. John F. Lawler as pastor of St. George Church in 1972. Almost immediately, it was time for the Parish's 125th Reunion. This celebration took place on October 14, 1972. The Mass was presided over by the Most Reverend Joseph Maguire, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, who was assisted by Rev. John F. Lawler. A celebratory dinner dance was then held at the Framingham Armory.

On November 7,1980, a "Burn the Mortgage Celebration" attended by more than 500 parishioners and invited guests, was held at the Chateau DeVille in Framingham. The original cost of the church was about $500,000. Eight years earlier at the 125th anniversary in 1972, the remaining debt had been $215,000. Now in 1980, the entire debt was liquidated. Rev. Msgr. Lawler, in praising the parishioners for the dedication shown and sacrifices made in paying off this large debt so quickly said, "Now the evening is November 7, 1980 and the church debt is liquidated. This is your Church. You are the Church. You sacrificed, prayed, and paid for it. It is truly a goal achieved. I share your joy." He paid tribute to the former pastor, Monsignor Joseph G. Regan, under whose leadership and guidance this church was built in 1963.

At this celebration, a new official seal for St. George Parish was presented to Msgr. John F. Lawler. A cross in red represented the love and martyrdom for which St. George of Cappadocia, a martyr about 303, had given his life for Christ. This red cross on a white field, called the St. George Cross as well as the Cross of England, is used as a badge for the Order of St. George. The three mounts represent Boston (only Tremont Street remains) as listed in the Roman Curia. The silver star represents both the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the American Flag and the Morning Star in the Litany of Loreto from the title of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On June 18, 1995, the Rev. Msgr. John F. Lawler celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a priest at a Mass of Thanksgiving concelebrated by Bishop Roberto Gonzales. Before becoming Pastor at St. George Parish, Msgr. Lawler had served in several parishes as well as being the Chaplain to Boston State Hospital in Mattapan for 18 years. In 1967, during his time as Chaplain, Fr. Lawler had been appointed a Monsignor by Cardinal Richard Cushing. In July 1995, Msgr. Lawler retired after completing twenty three years as pastor of St. George Church.

In July 1995, Bernard Cardinal Law, appointed Rev. Francis E. O'Brien as pastor of St. George Parish. Fr. O'Brien, who grew up in Natick, had been pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Medford beginning in 1988.

In the early parish history of St. George, as in the histories of other parishes, most information revolved around the accomplishments and interests of the current pastor. However, as Monsignor Lawler stated at the "Burn the Mortgage Celebration" in 1980, "the people are the Church". Since Vatican II, parish administrations have included parochial vicars, deacons, pastoral associates, directors of various ministries, and parish councils and committees.

St. George, the first or "Mother" Church of this area, established in Saxonville in 1847, celebrated its 150th anniversary with many and varied events during 1997, the "Year of Focus on Christ"-the Incarnate God.

In 2004, the Archdiocese of Boston named Saint George as the "welcoming parish" of the suppressed parishes of Saint Anselm in Sudbury and Saint Jeremiah in Framingham. Today, St. George is the spiritual home and parish of Catholics in North Framingham and Sudbury

The Church of Saint George looks forward to another 150 prosperous, enriching, and spiritual years ahead.

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