Words from 1895 …
In 1894, Reverend Father O’Callaghan had applied to dear Sister Superior Julia for Sisters to take charge of the new school. She had more to give them but promised him a colony later. During the summer of 1895 the first members of the new community were chosen from several Houses in Massachusetts. August 26, 1895, our beloved Sister Superior Julia came to South Boston accompanied by Sister Albertina, Superioress of the foundation, Sister Georgiana, Superioress of Waltham, Sister Agnes Mary, Superioress of Philadelphia, and three sisters destined for St. Augustine's. The other members of the new community soon arrived with their respective Superiors.
The cities and towns of Massachusetts were in holiday dress August 26, 1895. The Knights Templars were visiting the Old Bay State. Public and private buildings were elaborately decorated. Appropriate mottoes were suspended amid the draperies. “Welcome” greeted the eye at every turn, and such cheering words as “God Speed Thee on Thy Way.” We accepted the good wishes as if addressed to ourselves, and prayed as we went that God's blessing might accompany us and guide us on our way. Each group of Sisters walking down E Street from the electric car received many a kindly smile and gracious word of welcome.
McDevitt Senior Homes
South Boston NDC’s current project will provide housing for low-income seniors in the neighborhood. We will convert the former St. Augustine’s Convent into 35 affordable apartments for very low-income seniors and one manager’s unit, known as McDevitt Senior Homes.
The project was awarded $5,145,000 from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and the Community Preservation Fund, and $850,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston.
Our design will repurpose the five-story existing building, while preserving unique features such as the front yard, entrance way, and fifth-floor solarium, and add an addition to the former Paraclete Foundation building. The development will include a shared community room with a kitchenette and bathroom, laundry facilities, and an on-site manager.
As South Boston NDC makes progress on transforming the former convent into McDevitt Senior Homes, we'll be doing periodic stories about the building and the Sisters of Notre Dame who lived there.
Convent really was a home
Even though it didn't look like it from the outside, the St. Augustine’s Convent really was a home on the inside.
“I think the people that lived there … made it a home,” said Sister Peggy Youngclaus SND, who lived in the convent from 1965-1969.
The community spirit in the convent was all pluses, all positive, Sister Peggy said.
Sister recalls strong bonds at convent
The camaraderie among the Sisters of Notre Dame at the St. Augustine’s Convent is a memory that sticks with Sister Eleanor Clancy … from dinners around the table to discuss their day and cookouts on the roof to gathering in the community room at night.
Sister Eleanor, who turns 84 this month, lived in the building on E Street from 1982-1995. She thinks it’s great that South Boston NDC is converting the building, which most recently was owned by the Paraclete Foundation, to affordable senior housing.
Sister Eleanor’s favorite places in the convent were her room and the chapel. “Sometimes I’d go up to my room and just sit down and be quiet.”
