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Monday, January 9, 2012

Hidden Plainfield: 4-On-The-Floor Victorian ID


Property is a block from St. Mary's Church. Brown-roofed building across from church
is the former convent, now housing Missionaries of Charity.

The house, which fills its lot, may originally have had a porch across the front.

Yesterday's Hidden Plainfield property -- a 4-on-the-floor Victorian with both Shingle and Queen Anne details stands at the corner of West 6th Street and Field Avenue.

It is a block from St. Mary's Church and was part of the proposed 'St. Mary's Area Historic District' that never came to fruition.

Founded in 1851, St. Mary's parish served the Irish immigrants who originally worked to build the Elizabeth and Somerville Railroad that came through Plainfield in the late 1830s, and who then settled in the area permanently (see more about the railroad here).

St. Mary's, with its church, parochial school and an adult school became the hub of a busy neighborhood characterized by late Victorian homes.

In recent years, the neighborhood has become largely Hispanic, as has the congregation of St. Mary's.

Notably, the convent was offered by a previous pastor to Mother Teresa's order, the Missionaries of Charity, who make use of it as a novitiate and a contemplative center. Both sisters and novices are frequently seen walking about the community in their distinctive blue and white habits.


Where shall we go next week?



-- Dan Damon [follow]

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