Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Blessing of the Animals in Natick on Oct. 1 & 15

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The annual Blessing of the Animals will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Natick (39. E. Central St.) at the Oct. 1, 10am service to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis. For animals that might not hack it through an entire indoor service, they are also welcome around 11:15am outside the church for a blessing.

Another chance for animals to get blessed comes on Oct. 15 at the St. Linus parking lot (119 Hartford St.) at 3pm.

In Wellesley, critters can come to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (79 Denton Rd.) on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 5-6pm and outside at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church (207 Washington St.) from 4-4:30pm. Stuffed animals and photos of pets are welcome, too.

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If you attend services and are willing to share photos with us, please send to natickreport@gmail.com

 

More: Where to worship in Natick

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Jehovah’s Witnesses convention returns to Natick

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(Updated 6/12/23): The Natick Assembly Hall on Bacon Street in Natick was the site this weekend of the first in-person Jehovah’s Witnesses convention there in three years after the pandemic forced gatherings online.

The local Exercise Patience! Convention was one of some 6,000 such meetings being held worldwide this year, and the religious organization says it has been holding such conventions for more than 100 years.

“While our online conventions helped to keep us safe during the pandemic, we have truly missed the fellowship these large events provide,” said Pedro Capunay, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, said in a statement.

Convention sessions explored “the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through Scriptural examples. A live baptism will be performed following the Saturday morning session.”

The convention was to the public and no collection was taken.

Former St. Patrick’s School in Natick getting closer to full demolition

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The former St. Patrick’s School, located directly across the street from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Natick Center, is getting closer to achieving complete teardown status. Local developer Stonegate received its demo permit from the town last month and got going almost immediately. Lots of heavy equipment has been at work on the property, which is being prepared for a mixed-use retail and residential development project. Stonegate has completed other major Natick projects such as 13 West Central St. (the former American Legion building) and 11 South Main St. (Odd Fellows building).

St. Patrick's School, Southgate
St. Patrick's School, Natick

 

St. Patrick's School, Natick

 

St. Patrick's School, Natick

 

Plans for the site, which have been vetted before the Zoning Board of Appeals, call for a mixed-use development including market rate (i.e., expensive) and affordable (i.e., less expensive) residential units, plus space on the first floor of the main building at 45 E. Central St. for up to four retail tenants. That main 4-story building will feature 46 1-3-bedroom units and underground parking. Another eight units with 3 or 4 bedrooms will be divvied among four townhouse buildings on Lincoln and Wilson Streets. A quarter of the units will be affordable based on a state formula. Overall, the residential and retail space will amount to 14,320 sq. ft.

Treasures of the St. Patrick’s School site

Some landmarks of the area were saved, but some have not been as lucky.

Last December Stonegate removed a religious-themed statue that adorned the entryway of the former school, and transported it to St. Patrick’s Cemetery. The 8-ft. high sculpture depicts Jesus welcoming a small child.

Not so lucky has been a much-loved beech tree at the corner of the property, which is in the process of being felled. Stonegate has assured residents through its Facebook page that many trees will be planted to mitigate its loss.

St. Patrick's School, Southgate