Quick History Stops: Blackstone, MA, Part 1

In June 2026, after I gave a violin concert at the Blackstone Public Library, I took a walk to explore quick history stops in Blackstone, MA. This will be a three-part miniseries. This first stop will describe the library, a memorial, churches, bridges, and the fire/police station.

A red brick and glass atrium connected to a yellow stone building. A red brick building with a tall brick and glass atrium and huge windows A yellow stone building of a pair of identical two-story sections connected by a one-story section

The Blackstone Public Library has existed as an institution since 1889, when it had the name Blackstone Athenaeum and Library Association, but the current building opened in 2004. In front of the library is a memorial to Irish workers who settled in the Blackstone Valley to build the Blackstone Canal and railroad, along with working in the mills. The marker was placed by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the oldest and largest Irish-Catholic-American organization. It began in 1836 to aid Irish immigrants, support Irish culture, and protect priests from anti-Catholic mobs. Today, the organization focuses on arts and sports.

A black stone carved with pictures of town landmarks and an explanation about the Ancient Order of Hibernians A red brick church building near the road. A purple and white sign reading in part Waterford A Mill Town Blackstone, MA established in 1825

The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor has put up signage for the village of Waterford, founded in 1825, straddles the border of Blackstone, MA and North Smithfield, RI. It got its name as the place where bridges crossed the Blackstone River. I visited three distinct bridges during my stops. One bridge was constructed during the administration of Massachusetts governor John Foster Furcolo, who served from 1957 to 1961 and was the first Italian-American to hold the position. Nearby was a pair of unusually low bridges measuring 11'5". Located near the corner of Canal Street and St. Paul Street, one is a vehicle bridge, while the other is for trains.

A small river running along tree-lined banks. A metal sign attached to a stone wall acknowledging John Foster Furcolo as governor, among many other people. A one-story, blonde brick building with the words Chief John F. Greene Memorial Fire Station above one door and Police Department above another

Two churches that I stopped by during this part of the trip were a former church building on 74 Main Street and Divine Mercy Parish on 48 St. Paul Street. The building on Main Street was constructed of red brick likely in 1929. It once housed Christ Community Church, now located on 31 Church Street, to be discussed in Part 3. The building was listed for sale in 2021 but is currently off the market. More promising was Divine Mercy Parish, built as the Church of St. Paul in 1851 for the Irish-American community. Half of the church is in Massachusetts, and half is in Rhode Island.

A row of 19th century three-story houses. A pair of very low bridges with a sign indicating 11'5" A pair of early 20th century buildings. On the left is a gray stone church, and on the right is a neoclassical style two-story building made of blond brick.

My last stop for this part was the combination Police Department / Fire Station building. The fire department portion is named for Chief John F. Greene, who served in the role for twenty-eight years until his retirement in 1992 at age sixty-eight. Greene spent his whole life in the area, being born in Woonsocket and buried at St. Paul’s Church Cemetery. He founded James Connolly Division 17 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 1985, and his name is featured prominently on the memorial by the library. Because of his love for Irish culture, shamrocks decorate the police/fire building. This uplifting small town story is exactly why I enjoy learning local history.

Location: Blackstone, MA 01504, USA