Above, the Hammer Beam Ceiling in St. Peter’s church, an architectural masterpiece that was revived from obscurity by the famed Irish American architect Patrick C. Keely. The design features no center beam and is supported by the sides, providing an uninterrupted view of a magnificent mahogany wood ceiling.
Dorchester author John Joseph Fahey offers a rich historical analysis of St. Peter’s Church in a second printing of his book, “St. Peter’s – a Church to be Treasured,” which was first published in 2010. A generous gift has funded this second effort to benefit the church and its programs.
“The book will show people how beautiful the church is because we want people to come see it,” said Fahey, a life-long parishioner. “It also lets people see the art and workmanship that went into the building.”
Built in the mid-1800s to a design by the famed Irish American architect Patrick C. Keely who also designed Boston’s Holy Cross Cathedral, the church was shepherded into being by its legendary pastor, Rev. Peter Ronan. The story of the parish and its church is chronicled from beginning to end – even with an index of all who served at the parish.
The crown jewel that the architecturally minded come to see is the Hammer Beam Ceiling, a masterpiece executed by Keely and revived as a type from obscurity. The design features no center beam and is supported by the sides, providing an uninterrupted view of a magnificent mahogany wood ceiling. Hammer Beam had been popular in the construction of churches in Europe in the 13th and 14th centuries, and more modern examples are rare.
“It’s magnificent with an invisible support system, and the mahogany ceiling looks like it was varnished yesterday, but hasn’t been touched since the 1950s,” said Fahey.
“Many professionals have come to see it specifically, and the ceiling also resembles an upside-down hull of a ship built by Nova Scotian shipwrights. Plus, you have St. Peter being a fisherman in boats as well.”
His book is available for purchase at the parish office (Ronan Hall), at 278 Bowdoin St.
