![Aerial view of St. Sebastian's East Campus]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1729691727/stsebs/hzgzu5j5tlvrf3u2zl5k/EastCampus_aerial.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1729691727/stsebs/hzgzu5j5tlvrf3u2zl5k/EastCampus_aerial.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1729691727/stsebs/hzgzu5j5tlvrf3u2zl5k/EastCampus_aerial.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1729691727/stsebs/hzgzu5j5tlvrf3u2zl5k/EastCampus_aerial.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1729691727/stsebs/hzgzu5j5tlvrf3u2zl5k/EastCampus_aerial.jpg","width":1338}])
On October 24, 2024, the following message from Head of School Brendan Sullivan was shared with the entire School community regarding the closing with the Archdiocese of Boston of St. Bartholomew Church and its surrounding property.
View drone footage of the property⇒
Dear St. Sebastian’s Family,
I am excited to announce that yesterday, October 23, our School closed on the landmark purchase of St. Bartholomew Church and its contiguous property. This transaction marks a significant and proud milestone in our School’s history and secures a major part of the campus for our future.
The Archdiocese of Boston made the decision to merge St. Bartholomew Parish with St. Joseph Parish in March 2023, citing diminishing Mass attendance as well as financial challenges. On June 30, 2024, the Church celebrated its final Mass as “St. Bart’s”. The parcel, bordered by Great Plain Avenue and Greendale Avenue, consists of the Church and Rectory, the parking lot, green space and all surrounding property. Totaling five acres of land, this purchase expands the footprint of St. Sebastian’s campus by over 25%!
Since January 1983, when St. Sebastian’s moved from Newton to Needham, this area, known as the “East Campus,” has been leased from the Archdiocese of Boston and St. Bartholomew. St. Sebastian’s has enjoyed a symbiotic partnership with the Parish for over 40 years while making substantial improvements to the Birmingham Academic Building, adding significant classroom and community spaces. Maintaining our warm relationship with St. Joseph Parish remains important to us as we continue to work with and support our local Catholic community.
The planning of the East Campus begins with a sense of enthusiasm as we strategically explore our priorities and essential goals to further our mission of pursuing truth through faith and reason and advance St. Sebastian’s in all respects. This acquisition will create many opportunities to enhance and expand the School’s facilities and programs.
I look forward to sharing details of our plans for the property as they begin to take shape over the course of the year and throughout the transformation.
With love and gratitude for your continued support,
Brendan Sullivan
Head of School