Trolley 2

Trolley Stops #2 + #3

Santo Christo Parish & Columbia Street and St. Anne Shrine & Kennedy Park

Fall River: A Cultural Mosaic

Many prime examples of Fall River’s strong Portuguese influence are on full display in the Columbia Street area. Your culinary curiosity will be satisfied here, where the “Taste of Portugal” walking tour highlights popular restaurants and shops serving savory meals, sweet treats, and light & healthy fare (be sure to book tickets in advance). One of the city’s finest examples of late Gothic Revival architecture, Santo Christo Church, has stood on Columbia Street since its construction as a Portuguese parish in the late 19th century. It remains active among the local Catholic community today.

Nearby South Main Street is also known for its diversity of restaurants, including Portuguese and Latin American mainstays and two of the city’s classic hot dog shops.

Some of Fall River’s most beautiful visual attractions are also on display here, with a variety of colorful murals and street art visible all around the neighborhood. South Main Street also connects two of Fall River’s most distinguished landmarks – St. Anne Shrine and Kennedy Park.

Embark on a Self-Guided Tour

Click the play button below to listen to a curated self-guided walking tour of the Columbia Street area and learn about the local Portuguese heritage.

Stop 2

Viva Fall River · Audio Tour 2 | Columbia Street & Santo Christo Church | Fall River Trolley Stop 2

Stop 3

Viva Fall River · Audio Tour 3 | St. Anne’s Church and Shrine & Kennedy Park | Fall River Trolley Stop 3

Click here for more things to do in the area

Creative Excellence Through the Years

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Portuguese Architecture

Santo Christo Church on Columbia Street highlights Fall River’s rich multicultural and faith-based influences. Designed by architect Ambrose J. Murphy and built in the late 19th century mainly for Portuguese parishioners, it is easily identified by its tall stained glass windows and red tile roof. It is also home to the Annual Patron Feast of the Santo Christo Parish every June.

French Architecture

Designed in the Romanesque Revival Style by Canadian architect Napoléon Bourassa, St. Anne Shrine was built in the late 19th century and stands proud at the head of Kennedy Park. It spent many years as a prominent French Dominican parish before the church closed in 2018. However, you can still visit the lower-level Shrine during operating hours. The Church’s towering steeples and blue marble make it one of Fall River’s most recognizable facades.

Portuguese Architecture

Santo Christo Church on Columbia Street highlights Fall River’s rich multicultural and faith-based influences. Designed by architect Ambrose J. Murphy and built in the late 19th century mainly for Portuguese parishioners, it is easily identified by its tall stained glass windows and red tile roof. It is also home to the Annual Patron Feast of the Santo Christo Parish every June.

French Architecture

Designed in the Romanesque Revival Style by Canadian architect Napoléon Bourassa, St. Anne Shrine was built in the late 19th century and stands proud at the head of Kennedy Park. It spent many years as a prominent French Dominican parish before the church closed in 2018. However, you can still visit the lower-level Shrine during operating hours. The Church’s towering steeples and blue marble make it one of Fall River’s most recognizable facades.

Olmsted Designs

Like other municipalities in the Northeast, Fall River benefited from the work of Frederick Law Olmsted and his sons in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Perhaps the most visible example of this is Kennedy Park, which is Fall River’s largest park. Its 57-acre area was partly designed by the Olmsted brothers, who also created seven other parks in the city. The park hosts the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost, a traditional Azorean celebration, every summer.

Baked Excellence

Fall River’s heritage has shaped its unique cuisine for decades. On Columbia Street, Tony’s Bakery has been synonymous with Portuguese sweet bread since 1975. Other eateries, such as Europa Pastries, established in 1998, have followed suit to make Columbia Street a local sweet-treat hub.

Olmsted Designs

Like other municipalities in the Northeast, Fall River benefited from the work of Frederick Law Olmsted and his sons in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Perhaps the most visible example of this is Kennedy Park, which is Fall River’s largest park. Its 57-acre area was partly designed by the Olmsted brothers, who also created seven other parks in the city. The park hosts the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost, a traditional Azorean celebration, every summer.

Baked Excellence

Fall River’s heritage has shaped its unique cuisine for decades. On Columbia Street, Tony’s Bakery has been synonymous with Portuguese sweet bread since 1975. Other eateries, such as Europa Pastries, established in 1998, have followed suit to make Columbia Street a local sweet-treat hub.

Public Art

Walking down the street will reveal colorful murals, profound memorials, and striking monuments. Modern life in Fall River is more colorful than ever, thanks partly to the many public art installations in the Columbia Street / South Main Street area and throughout the city.

Portuguese Fare

Traditional Portuguese food is abundant near Columbia Street. Enjoy a savory meal at one of the area’s established restaurants, such as BarCa, Caravela Restaurant, Sagres, TA Restaurant, or The Clipper Restaurant. Then, pick up some conventional grocery classics like chouriço, linguiça, and morcela at Chaves Market or Nobrega’s Superette.

Public Art

Walking down the street will reveal colorful murals, profound memorials, and striking monuments. Modern life in Fall River is more colorful than ever, thanks partly to the many public art installations in the Columbia Street / South Main Street area and throughout the city.

Portuguese Fare

Traditional Portuguese food is abundant near Columbia Street. Enjoy a savory meal at one of the area’s established restaurants, such as BarCa, Caravela Restaurant, Sagres, TA Restaurant, or The Clipper Restaurant. Then, pick up some conventional grocery classics like chouriço, linguiça, and morcela at Chaves Market or Nobrega’s Superette.