~ Revere History ~ Centennial Milestone on Revere Street

By John J. Henry

The statue of Cristoforo Columbo (Christopher Columbus) has stood at its present location, at 250 Revere Street, Revere, for 100 years, with one hand pointing to the earth and his outstretched arm and hand pointing to heaven. This imposing bronze statue of Christopher Columbus is almost as well traveled as its namesake.

He was sculptured by Belgian-born Alois G. Buyens and presented to the Catholic Archbishop of Boston, John Williams, by the Knights of Columbus, on October 12,1892. The statue of Columbus was subsequently placed in front of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, where it remained for 33 years. In 1925, Cardinal William O’Connell ordered the statue of Columbus moved from Boston to the Piazza in front of Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Revere, then under construction, as a gift from the Archdiocese of Boston to the Italian residents of Revere.

On Columbus Day in 1925, the statue of Columbus was unveiled by the Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Reverend Ernesto Rovai, and the Mayor of Boston, James Michael Curley. The dedication ceremony included a large parade consisting of military detachments and fraternal organizations, civic groups, Boston Italian fraternal societies, Saint Anthony’s parish religious groups and Revere Italian organizations. The dedication and parade, celebrating the statue of Christopher Columbus, was an opportunity for Revere’s Italian-American community to celebrate their Italian heritage and culture. The dedication ceremony concluded with a huge fireworks display on the Hutchinson Street side of the church.

  John J. Henry served as City Clerk of the City of Revere for 32 years, from 1977 to 2009. He has written numerous articles about Revere and its people.