Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts
Lawrence, Lowell and Haverhill are the towns of the Merrimack Valley, especially famous for its textile mills ~1900. The textile mills attracted many Lithuanians, making the area especially rich in historic Lithuanian sites.
Among the most unique Lithuanian sites in the area are the Lithuanian national cemetery (non-Roman-Catholic) and a district of Lithuanian-named streets. There are numerous Lithuanian monuments, Lithuanian churches (all closed) and Lithuanian cemeteries.
The massive red-brick factories themselves are an impressive sight in many Merrimack valley towns. That's a sight that was unavailable in Lithuania itself of the era: it was precisely the Russian czar‘s decision to leave Lithuania an agricultural hinterland that made the Lithuanians who sought for industrial jobs to migrate away to places such as the Merrimack Valley.
Lawrence, the Lithuanian heart of Merrimack Valley
At the center of the Merrimack Valley stands its most Lithuanian city Lawrence (pop. 70 000). It is known as the "immigrant city" for the numerous early 20th-century European migrant communities.
Nearly every ethnicity built its own church in Lawrence (giving it an alias of „city of churches“). Lithuanians established two churches (both now closed).
The first one was the Roman Catholic St. Francis (94 Bradford Street), something usual for the Catholic-majority nation. Currently, the building is used as a Christian Bellesini Academy. Nothing outside reminds of its Lithuanian past. One stained-glass window from the church was moved to Central Catholic High School chapel where it is installed together with a plaque describing its Lithuanian history. After the closure of this church, Lithuanian community was joined to Corpus Christi parish in 35 Essex street; there, some Lithuanian activities still takes place and a replica of Our Lady of Vilnius painting hangs proud. That replica is historically important as it used to tour around the camps of Lithuanian refugees who had to flee the Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1944.
The second Lithuanian church of Lawrence, constructed in 1855 (Garden Street 150), used to be owned by an independent Lithuanian National Catholic Church of Sacred Heart which had acquired the building in 1917. This is a unique denomination established in the early 20th century by Lithuanians which considered itself Catholic but denounced the authority of Roman Pope (thus they are not Roman Catholics). Lithuanian National Catholics had their cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania (still operational) and Lawrence was its only other longer-lasting parish. The former National Catholic church has been sold again in 2001 (to the Haiti Baptists), however, the plaque „Lithuanian National Catholic Church“ still remains near the top of the building‘s front facade (albeit bleached in the sun and barely legible).
Lawrence's Methuen suburb still has a Lithuanian National Catholic Cemetery (est. 1917), the final resting place of the parish. They could have been buried neither in the unsanctified Protestant cemetery ground nor together with the papal followers, that's why they established their own cemetery. Some graves are especially old with pre-modern Lithuanian words, as well as Anglicized or Polonized Lithuanian surnames (such "surname shifts" were common in the early 20th century when the officials would decide upon the orthography of an illiterate immigrant's surname). The National Catholic cemetery has received a nice arch in ~1997 and a memorial to Lithuanians who fought for the USA in 2016 (with both Lithuanian and English inscriptions). ~100 Lithuanian US forces veterans are buried in the cemetery, their graves marked by the small US flags. A free-standing plaque explains the cemetery history, adorned in the Lithuanian flag motif.
The cemetery is supported and beautified by the money received from selling the church. At the center of the cemetery stands a Lithuanian National Catholic altar at which the National Catholic holy masses used to be held, followed by picnics. The altar consists of Jesus Christ statue; it has no Lithuanian inscriptions. Today, the cemetery also accepts Ukrainian internments and Lithuanians gave them some ground.
Methuen suburb also has a unique area near Forrest lake where the entire district has its streets named in Lithuanian. There are Palanga, Varniai, Kaunas, Luoke streets (all named after Lithuanian cities), as well as Birute street (named after a Duchess of Lithuania) and Vytis street (Vytis being the Lithuanian Coat of Arms). This was the former resort area owned by the St. Francis church, which the Roman Catholic church had swiftly sold for residential construction after disestablishing the parish. Varniai, Palanga, and Birute streets are the largest ones, their names appearing on numerous plaques, postboxes, etc.
Lawrence is also famous as the first US city to recognize Lithuanian independence in 1990 04 03. This happened after a lobbying effort by the local Lithuanians and an unanimous vote. A plaque commemorating this has been installed in 2000 inside the pretty Lawrence City Hall in the downtown (first floor; accessible to all visitors during the working hours).
In a park on the other side of the street from the Lawrence City Hall stands the Bread and Roses Strike memorial which commemorates the 1912 strike of Lawrence textile workers that became famous for successfully achieving some of its goals. Among the strikers were Lithuanians; one of their names, Jonas Smolskas, is inscribed on the monument because he was one of three victims of the strike, beaten to death by the strike opponents for wearing a symbol associated with the strikers.
Both the Lawrence recognition of Lithuanian independence (including the plaque commemorating it) and the memorial for the strikers were inspired or funded by the local Lithuanian historian Jonas Stundžia, famous within the Lithuanian-American community, who has worked much to further the Lithuanian goals in the USA (his name is also engraved on the strikers memorial).
Lowell Lithuanian memorial, church and club
10 km further west from Lawrence along the Merrimack River lies the town of Lowell (pop. 100 000), a kind of Lawrence's twin in terms of its size, number of factories and number of Lithuanians.
In 2012, a commemorative stone to local Lithuanians has been unveiled near the Lowell municipal building. It includes a Lithuanian coat of arms, the Lithuanian word for Lithuania (Lietuva) and the engraving of an ethnic strip. It has joined numerous other such stones erected by other Lowell immigrant communities.
Lowell Lithuanians also had their church (dedicated to St. Joseph 151 Rogers Street). Built in 1911, it has been closed in 2003 and transformed into apartments. The cornerstone retains an inscription „St. Joseph‘s Lithuanian R. Cath. Church 1911“.
Until 2017, Lowell had a Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas club named after the famous Lithuanian leader under whose rule Lithuania was the largest medieval European state. Opened in 1920, the club moved to its current location at 447 Central Street in 1966 and its entrance used to be adorned by a Lithuanian flag and a pre-modern Lithuanian abbreviation of its name DLKV. The club was established by the leftists as an alternative to the Lithuanian parishes (after all, the parishes themselves were like ethnic clubs to Lithuanians, as they had many secular activities). However, over the time such clubs would start cooperating with parishes, as the Soviet occupation of Lithuania and the Soviet genocide there discredited the Marxist ideas among Lithuanian-Americans. The clubhouse was sold due to high costs (~14000 USD / year) becoming unbearable for a senescent community. The building is now a laundry.
Haverhill Lithuanian sites
Haverhill east of Lawrence is the smallest of the „Lithuanian“ Merrimack Valley towns.
Its best-surviving Lithuanian site is the Haverhill Lithuanian cemetery (est. 1921).
A Lithuanian flag perpetually waves above the cemetery together with the US flag. A Memorial for Lithuanian imigrants stands at their feet, erected in 2000 by the Gedymino club („Gedyminas“ being an old spelling of the Lithuanian Grand Duke‘s name today spelled as Gediminas). The cemetery itself is owned by the club and is notable by large land lots next to the graves, due to which there is little land for new burials.
Haverhill Lithuanians also had their own Lithuanian church. However, the district where the church stood became a so-called "ghetto" and the church was closed in 1998, then became abandoned and derelict after temporarily serving as a police precinct. It was demolished in 2019. During the "Destination Lithuanian America" mission in 2017 it was still possible to look inside through the broken windows and still see some surviving stained glass windows, but nothing else reminded the church‘s Lithuanian history.
The church building was constructed in 1892, however, it was acquired by Lithuanians ~1910.
Other Merrimack valley
A little north Nashua, New Hampshire is also considered a part of the Merrimack valley. That textile town has its own Lithuanian heritage (described at the New Hampshire article).
Map of the Lithuanian sites
All the Lithuanian locations, described in this article, are marked on this interactive map, made by the "Destination - America" expedition:
March 4th, 2016 - 14:13
my mother was born in Lowell and was baptized in the St Joseph’s Lithuanian Church in 1926 . I was wondering if you have any information about the church during that time. My mother is 92 yrs old and she has dementia but she is remembering a lot about her youth. She had mentioned to me that her father or her brother had sold their house in North Chelmsford to the church. My mothers name is Lena Stanekwicz which is not the correct spelling . I do have her birth announcement but it is so old hard to read the Lithuania names. I would live to have some history on this for her. Thank you A. Vaughan (daughter)
March 4th, 2016 - 22:43
I don’t know much more than what is written here, however, one could perhaps contact bishopric for more info, including info on where the records are kept. Also, maybe some former parishioners would reply here.
June 11th, 2016 - 18:34
I am so happy to see the photo of the church on 94 Bradford St in Lawrence. My grandmother was very active in that church (which I believe was called St Mary’s Lithuanian Church in the early 1900s till ?) Her name was Mary (Pankauski or Pankauskas).) Golobski, and her parents had been married there in 1907. Her sister Amelia Pankauski was also active in the Church. Though I never attended Mass with them, my cousins did at holiday time. I have very fond memories of volunteering in two Thanksgiving dinners for the Lithuanian community in the late 1970s to possibly the very early 80s. They were held in the basement of the church, which was a large room where the seating tables were arranged. A kitchen in the back had very old stoves, possibly still wood, and an old icebox that needed a chunk of ice! I would go early in the morning with my grandmother and her sister and we would spend the day with other ladies cooking, setting the tables, decorating. At night, people arrived and the room was full with Lithuanians of all ages ,but especially the elderly, enjoying an evening out, seeing old friends and relatives, and having a good meal. I especially loved the raffles and won a prize one year- a homemade cake in the shape of a lady with a dress frosted in colors of the Lithuanian flag, and holding a small homemade Lith. paper flag on a toothpick. I still have the flag, and could not bear to cut the cake, but took a photo of it which I still have. The walls were lined with framed old pictures of groups of Lithuanians- I hope someone still has the pictures. My grandmother’s funeral was also held at this church. As a kid, it seemed huge to me, with dark stone stairwells. My grandmother regularly not only attended church but also cooked and volunteered for most of the activities. I also remember asking her for coins for candles to light near the altar. I wish I could go back in time and go back with her and Amelia again.
June 11th, 2016 - 18:47
The Lithuanian National Catholic Cemetery in Methuen Massachusetts is very precious in my memories and has several of my Lithuanian relatives buried there, and more distant relatives. I well remember in the 1960s and 1970s, on Memorial Day, my grandfather Albin Golobski would drive down the street to pick up his sister-in-law, my great aunt, Amelia Pankauski. He had a lawn mower loaded in the back of the car, and Amelia would bring hand tools. I would often go along for their yearly cemetery cleanup of graves, with my grandfather mowing the grass and Amelia trimming around the headstones and cleaning up. Some may remember a small path at the back corner of the cemetery through the trees that led to the Lithuanian community picnic grounds. There was a large wood dance pavilion which the men had built, and an outbuilding where food was prepared for sale at low prices for special summer parties. As a kid, I volunteered for a couple of these events in the late 70s. I remember cooking the usual summer food, serving it, and piling cans of Genessee beer in big tubs of ice. The dance pavilion was not used for dances at that point as it was getting somewhat run down, but the young kids loved running around in it and screaming to hear their voices echo. Unfortunately the picnic grounds were sold in later years and the dance pavilion pulled down. I am not sure what group owned the grounds.
August 17th, 2017 - 23:53
As a child would have large extended Lithuanian family gatherings at the picnic area….I remember them with much love…my maternal was full Lithuanian and it was through her and her family that I learned about Lithuanian culture. My mother and most of her mothers family are buried in The Lithuanian National Cemetery…the Tomulaitis, Sabutis, Marcinonis surnames…..so many memories…thank you Les for allowing me to remember….
June 11th, 2016 - 19:05
I am working on Lithuanian genealogies, and thought I would add that in the 1906 Lawrence Massachusetts Directory, the pastor of St Mary’s Lithuanian Church (later the St Francis Lithuanian Church) on 94 Bradford St was Rev A Yusaitis, who lived in the rectory there.
June 11th, 2016 - 19:09
Sorry, Rev Antony Jusaitis Of St Mary’s Lithuanian Church in Lawrence Mass (later St Francis)
February 1st, 2017 - 04:10
My grandparents, Antanas Burba and Marijona Talackiute came to Larence in early 1900s, from Lithuania, uncertain of location. I am looking for where to find records, any information! Any help will be greatly appreciated! Kathleen.
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February 1st, 2017 - 04:29
True Lithuania may offer heritage search services in Lithuanian archives, if needed.
April 8th, 2017 - 19:15
My grandparents immigrated from Lithuania about 2928 would love to learn mor e about them. My grandfather Julius palubinskas. My grandmother named Monica.
April 9th, 2017 - 13:36
If you are interested, we (True Lithuania) may search for the information about them in the Lithuanian archives. We can send you a proposal by e-mail.
February 3rd, 2018 - 19:06
My maternal grandparents, John Riemitis and Pauline Mumsia were married at St. Francis in 1916. My grandfather built the bakery on Exchange Street in 1924. They are buried in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence where the greater number of Lithuanians are buried in this multi-ethnic Roman Catholic Cemetery. At the time of the closing of St Francis Church, I was responsible for the removal and shipping of the statues and other religious artifacts to Lithuania. This was accomplished with the help of Sister Helen Ivanauskas of the Sisters of Jesus Crucified in Brockton and the financial support from a number of former members of the parish. The last Lithuanian pastor was Father Albin Janiunas.
July 17th, 2018 - 13:41
I married to the Kirmil’s and we visited the cemetery yesterday. It was such a happy feeling to see my the root of my husband’s family.
December 12th, 2018 - 17:47
I live on Varniai Street in Methuen MA. In 2004 I read in The Boston Globe that St Francis Church, described as a Lithuanian Catholic Church, in Lawrence MA had closed and 13 acres in Lawrence owned by the church had been purchased by the City of Methuen. The article said that at the urging of the neighbors the city was keeping 11 acres as conservation land, and to pay for the purchase there would be 6 house lots rezoned and sold. Five of the house lots were wooded areas but one lot housed St Francis Hall, a cinder block building overlooking Forest Lake.
My wife and I bid on the St Francis Hall lot after we saw the gorgeous view from the Hall’s deck and we then became owner of St Francis Hall. There were 2 identical bids, but as I was getting my ferried check, I added 25 cents to my bid which made me the successful bidders. Our reaction: gulp! What do we do now?
I am told the church in Lawrence bought the property around the lake in the 1920s as a place of respite for parishioners, and I suspect that lots were sold off over the years. St Francis Hall was originally a wood frame property used 3 seasons but had become a hangout for neighborhood kids when it was not in use. In 1985 it burned to the ground and the rebuilt cinder block building was not going to meet the same fate, it was a virtual fortress with no windows, effectively closing out the gorgeous lakefront views, and it also was guarded by steel doors. Over time, it became a “social club”.
Apparently mass was celebrated at the Hall too, and neighbors tell me there also were church services in a small chapel in the woods across Varniai Street (now part of the conservation land mentioned earlier), but I’m told that chapel was burned to the ground too.
My wife and I considered rehabbing St Francis Hall but there was a musty odor in the basement and we worried about mold. We had the building torn down and built our home on its footprint. I have the St Francis Hall wooden sign in hanging in our finished basement wall.
I have many pictures of the cinder block St Francis Hall which I can share with this website, but have not been able to find, and would love to have, pictures of the original St Francis Hall and the chapel in the woods.
December 12th, 2018 - 20:56
Thank you for the extensive description! I e-mailed you regarding the possibility of getting the images of the building.
December 12th, 2018 - 17:48
Correction:13 acres in Methuen
November 29th, 2020 - 03:16
Hello! I am very excited to have found your website. Both my grand parents, and Great Grand Parents should be there at 94 Bradford. I have been trying to trace them, however between handwritten documents, “Americanizing” last names, and my Mother was mysterious about all of it! I would love some help. Please reach out to me.
November 29th, 2020 - 23:31
We will send you an offer by e-mail if you need translations, heritage research in Lithuania, and other such help.
June 16th, 2021 - 22:35
Greetings; I am looking to find archival information from the Lithuanian Catholic Church in Haverhill. Birth or baptismal records and if they have them death records. Do you know where I can obtain them. Many thanks.
June 20th, 2021 - 21:24
I have been informed by a local that you should contact Mr. Thomas Lester Archive Director, Archdiocese of Boston 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, Ma. 02164-4561 tel # (617) 746-5897 fax # (617) 779-4561
Also, New England geneological society helps with translating the ethnic parish records.