Area Map
History
Founded in 1888, St. Cecilia Parish has long been a central part of Boston’s spiritual and musical culture. Built with the scrapped-together earnings of local maids and coachmen, the Parish has a long history of serving as a gathering place for the people of Boston, making it an ideal location for the Society to debut an intimate program of sacred works. Its stunning yet simultaneously simple architectural design perfectly compliments Handel and Haydn’s stirring and intimate sound.
While the Society has never before played a note within St. Cecilia’s walls, the church does have a musically rich background that is intertwined with that of Handel and Haydn. To name one, Richard Ortner, the president of Boston Conservatory, which has enjoyed a long-standing performance relationship with the space, is on Handel and Haydn Society’s Board of Overseers.
Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, is featured in one of the Society’s most oft performed works: Handel’s “Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day”. This piece possesses a passage that deftly encapsulates the concept of music’s power and serves as a reminder of Handel and Haydn’s artistic mission:
From harmony, from heavenly harmony
This universal frame began.
When nature, underneath a heap
Of jarring atoms lay,
And could not heave her head.
The tuneful Voice, was heard from high,
Arise! Arise!
Arise ye more than dead!
Then cold, and hot, and moist, and dry,
In order to their stations leap!
And music's power obey!
And music's power obey!
Directions
Saint Cecilia Church
18 Belvidere Street
Boston, MA 02115
Public Transportation:
We strongly suggest using public transportation in lieu of driving.
Take the Green Line or #1 Bus to Hynes Convention Center and turn left out of the station onto Massachusetts Avenue. Your second left will be Belvidere St., and the church is on the left.
Driving:
Plan Ahead: Be sure to leave plenty of travel time when attending a Handel and Haydn concert, especially during the holiday season and winter months.
From the North and South:
Take Rte. 93 to the Storrow Drive Exit. Follow Storrow Drive for 2 miles. Take the Fenway Exit (on left). Bear left, and follow the signs for Boylston St. Inbound. Take a right at the fifth set of lights onto Dalton St. Your second right will be Belvidere St.
From the West
Take Rte. 90 East (Mass Pike) to Exit 22. At the fork, stay to the left, following the Prudential Center sign. Once above ground, you will merge onto Huntington Ave. Take your first right at the light onto Belvidere St. The Church is on the right just after the Hilton hotel.
Parking:
Reduced-rate parking (maximum of three hours) is available Sundays at the Prudential Center parking garage, Laz parking, and at the Hilton Boston Back Bay. Please bring your parking ticket to church for validation before returning to the garage.
Seating Chart
A seating chart for Saint Cecilia Church is available as a downloadable PDF by clicking on the link below:
Saint Cecilia Church
