The dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854.
The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and priviledge of almight God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, 1854: DS 2803
In the name of God. Amen.
Having consulted the Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lowell and having obtained the advice and approval of the Consultors of the Archdiocese, I do now decree that Immaculate conception Parish shall include all of the territory encompassed by the following boundaries.
Beginning at the southeasterly extremity of the parish at a point where the Boston and Maine Railroad (Wamesit Division) crosses the Tewksbury-Lowell town line, the boundary proceeds in a general westerly direction along said railroad to the Concord River; thence in a northerly direction along the concord River to he point where East Merrimack Street crosses; thence in a westerly direction along the middle of Merrimack Street to the Merrimack Canal; thence in a northeasterly direction along the Merrimack Canal to the Merrimack River; thence in an easterly direction along the Merrimack river to the junction of the Tewksbury-Lowell-Dracut town lines; thence in a general southerly direction along the Tewksbury-Lowell town line to the point of beginning.
This decree shall be effective at 12:01 A.M., November 21, 1961, the feast of the Presentation of Our Lady.
We would like to thank The Archives of the Archdiocese of Boston, 2121
Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA 02135, for their help in obtaining some of
this information.