The St. Polycarp site has undergone many transformations over the past centuries. In the 1600’s, the site was vacant and some of the land was underwater. In 1630 it became part of Governor John Winthrop’s land, and during the 1800’s the site was used as a trash site. The 27 mile Middlesex canal also traveled through the site.

In the year 1921, Reverend Francis J. Butler, Pastor of St. Ann’s church, started construction on the new church for his community. Reverend Butler passed away and was never able to see the church completed in November, 1927. Reverend John O’Connell became the first Pastor of the St. Polycarp church.

It was not until 1949 that additional land was purchased to make way for a school and convent for the church. Construction on the buildings began on June 25, 1950. The Convent was finished first and the sisters moved into it on April 14, 1951. The school first opened later that year on September 12th. The first principal of the school was Sister Georgina who administered from 1950 to 1956. St. Polycarp flourished for 43 more years, and the church was a place of worship and hope for many who came. The church was closed on 1999.

In 1999 the church was closed following the Reverend Robert Doyle’s departure. The Boston Archdiocese decided to merge St. Polycarp’s parish with St. Ann’s parish instead of finding a new pastor. Its doors were left open until 2002 when St. Ann’s parish elected to sell the St Polycarp site to help deal with their debt. It was sold to the Somerville Community Corporation in January 2006. The church is now being used by a Haitian parish and the other buildings are being made into green affordable housing.