St. Joseph's Convent and School, 517 Moody Street

1883; 1911

National Register of Historic Places (6/19/2002)

St. Joseph’s Convent and School played significant roles in developing and nurturing Lowell’s French-Canadian community for over 100 years.  The two buildings are notable as rare remnants from Lowell’s “Little Canada” neighborhood, an area that was leveled in the mid 20^th century as part of urban renewal efforts.

In 1883, the Archdiocese of Boston established a French-speaking school to help preserve the traditions and culture of Lowell’s French-Canadian community.  Named St. Joseph’s School, it was the first French-speaking school in the Archdiocese of Boston.  Built in the Italianate style, the brick building rises three stories above a raised basement faced in granite.  The roofline is finished with a prominent wood cornice featuring paired brackets.  The neighboring red-brick convent was built in 1911, is three stories high, and was designed in the Colonial Revival style.

School enrollment grew steadily up to the mid-20^th century with several nearby facilities being built to augment the original school building on Moody Street.  However, the early 1960s saw the school decline as urban renewal destroyed many of the houses and apartments in the Little Canada neighborhood around the school.  Residents were forced to move to different parishes and schools.  The convent ceased being used as a residence in 1980 and the school finally closed its doors in 1993.