St Francis of Assisi Chapel
Built in 1918, the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel was an important religious and cultural center for the North End’s Waldensians — Italian Protestant immigrants. Today, the building serves as the home for Two Lanterns: Gifts at Old North Church.
Who Were the Waldensians?
The Waldensians were a notable minority religious group in Boston’s North End. As Italian Protestants, their small population was entirely dwarfed by the predominantly Catholic neighborhood. The Waldensian sect actually pre-dates the Protestant Reformation, beginning in the 12th century in what is today France and Italy. They were named for Peter Waldo, who stressed a simpler form of Christianity, strict adherence to the Bible, voluntary poverty, and a more decentralized structure of clergy and worship.
The Catholic Church soon accused them of having heretical beliefs, and at various times, they were nearly eradicated over the centuries. But they managed to survive, and eventually the Waldensians found a place within the larger Protestant Reformation. By the end of the early 20th century, there were pockets of Waldensians in places like Italy and Switzerland – and, through immigration, as far away as the North End.
The Waldensians and Old North
The North End’s Waldensians did not have a regular, dedicated church of their own, so in 1914, Old North’s rector invited the community to use Old North Church on Sunday afternoons. Old North also arranged for an Italian-speaking minister, Henry Sartorio, to lead services in their primary language.
The services flourished, and within a few years, plans were developing to create a place the Waldensians could call their own. Funds were raised, and the chapel was built on Old North’s campus. On Thanksgiving Day 1918, the Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi was dedicated.
As the Waldensian community grew and prospered, they left the North End for areas in Greater Boston, and attendance declined at the St. Francis Chapel. By the 1950s, the building had been converted into a museum and retail space. Today, the building houses Two Lanterns: Gifts at Old North. When you visit the shop you can still see many of the chapel’s original architectural features including angels, sentinel stone lions, and crosses.
Read More About the St. Francis Chapel
Visit Two Lanterns
Come and explore the former St. Francis Chapel in person! Check out Two Lanterns: Gifts at Old North Church.
The Surprising Origins of Old North's Gift Shop
Watch a video deep-dive into the history of the St. Francis Chapel.
Windows Restored in Former St. Francis Chapel
Read about the restoration of the chapel’s windows in 2021.