Anthony of Lisbon in 1876. Sixteen years later. on June 26. 1892. the mission was elevated to parish status and renamed Senhor Santo Christo Dos MilagresHoly Christ of Miraclesmaking it the first Catholic church to serve the Portuguese community in Fall River. It soon became an important religious and cultural center which served to ease the transition to American life for immigrants from Portugal and the Azores. In fact. so many people were coming to Fall River from the Azores and mainland Portugal that the Santo Christo community established four missions throughout the city. all of which were eventually elevated to parish status. This leadership in the creation of missions to serve the growing immigrant population has earned Santo Christo the recognition as mother parish of the seven which now serve the Portuguese community in Fall River. Today the parish. led by Father John Martins. serves the needs of 9.300 parishioners. most of whom are of Azorean ancestry. The communitys importance is exemplified by the feast where tens of thousands of people from all over the Northeastern United States and Canada gather once a year to pay homage to Santo Christo through mass. prayer. procession. music. and festival.
Keywords matched
immigrant immigrants