Blessed Sacrament Project Proposal Meeting Oct. 24; Comment Period Ends Oct. 28

There will be a virtual public meeting to discuss the proposed mixed-use, mixed-income Blessed Sacrament housing project on Oct. 24. The Boston Planning & Development Agency is hosting the meeting to discuss the overall project and the potential impacts. There will be a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public. The proposed project includes renovating and reusing the Blessed Sacrament Church.

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Opinion: Help Preserve Blessed Sacrament Church for Our Youth and Families

The following is a public statement about the sale of Blessed Sacrament Church from the Friends of Blessed Sacrament. We represent the voices of hundreds of residents, small business owners, former parishioners, youth advocates, artists, and community leaders in Jamaica Plain and the City of Boston. We are united in our commitment to preserve the Blessed Sacrament Church’s legacy as a shining jewel of the Hyde-Jackson Square neighborhood of Jamaica Plain. Many of us live, work or have businesses near Blessed Sacrament. Others were faithful parishioners for many years and sent our children to Blessed Sacrament School.

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Rev. Michael F. McLellan, who was pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish from October 1991 to August 2004, died suddenly on Sunday during a worship service at his current parish in Canton. He was 64.

Rev. Michael F. McLellan, 64: Former Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church

Rev. Michael F. McLellan, who was pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish from October 1991 to August 2004, died suddenly on Sunday during a worship service at his current parish in Canton. He was 64. Here are arrangements for his memorial services, according to Jamaica Plain's Patrick O'Connor:
A wake will take place at St. John's in Canton on Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. Msgr. Bourque will celebrate Mass at 8 p.m. with members of the Hispanic choir from the three parishes in Jamaica Plain attending.

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Blessed Sacrament Sky

This mornings sky in #myhood #jamaicaplain #jp #latinquarter #realestate #archtecture #architexture #architecturelovers #archidaily #blackandwhite #bnw #landmark #bw_lover #noir #simply_perfection #lookingup_architecture #clouds #monochrome #nothingisordinary #justgoshoot #niftyfifty #love
A photo posted by juan murray (@juanrealestate) on Mar 16, 2015 at 3:12pm PDT

Juan Murray captured this moody sky above the former Blessed Sacrament Church by his real estate office. Each weekday we post a “Photo of the Day” from around the neighborhood. If you have a photo that screams (or even whispers) "Jamaica Plain," here are four ways to nominate it:

Email me at chris@jamaicaplainnews

Tag a picture on Twitter with @02130News

Put your photo in the Jamaica Plain News photo pool on Flickr

Tag a picture on Instagram with #02130News

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Summah Sheen in Hyde Square

It hasn't been too hot this summer, but this Photo of the Day seems to simmer with summer. Thanks, painter Dylan Hurwitz, for letting us share this photo from your Instagram feed. [selfie]

If you have a photo that screams (or even whispers) "Jamaica Plain," here are four ways to nominate it as our "Photo of the Day":

Email me at chris@jamaicaplainnews

Tag a picture on Twitter with @02130News

Put your photo in the Jamaica Plain News photo pool on Flickr

Tag a picture on Instagram with #02130News

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‘A Space That Will Help Everybody In This Community to Bond Together’

The former Blessed Sacrament Church, empty for a decade, will become a cultural center for Boston and neighborhood hub for Hyde and Jackson squares. That's the vision laid out by Claudio Martinez, executive director of Hyde Square Task Force, the youth development organization that has taken on the enormous task of turning the vacant church back into a vibrant community building. Martinez, in an interview done Saturday while the church was open to public for a mayoral visit, said the building would be used for a variety of uses once renovated. One one hand, as a function hall for neighborhood gatherings like quinceañeras and first-birthday parties. On the other as a civic center with arts programming, talks, debates and movies.

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Inside Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, March 29, 2014.

Hidden For 10 Years: See Inside Shuttered Blessed Sacrament Church

Thanks to Claudio Martinez of Hyde Square Task Force, the Jamaica Plain News has photos from an exclusive tour of the closed-to-the-public areas of the former Blessed Sacrament Church. While it's been a decade since anyone was baptized or married there, the churchstill dominates Hyde Square. On Saturday the community got a rare chance to see inside. Above is a gallery not only of the striking nave and cupola, all it it richly decorated. But you'll also see several of rooms and a chapel that are off-limits to the public.

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Mayor Marty Walsh, center, gazes at the interior of the former Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday, March 29, 2014.

Mayoral Visit Reopens Blessed Sacrament Church

Mayor Marty Walsh toured the long-shuttered Blessed Sacrament Church during his visit Jamaica Plain to celebrate the opening of small businesses in Hyde Square. The church has been closed for about a decade, so it was a rare opportunity for community members accompanying the mayor to see inside the basilica. Hyde Square Task Force recently closed on buying the old church. The space will become a community and arts space. Members of the youth development organization provided a live drum accompaniment to the mayoral tour.

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