"The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 26, was organized on August 1, 1868 as the Hibernian Aid Society with a membership of 33. Timothy Hurley was the first president. The organization became affiliated with the A.O.H., the oldest and largest Irish Catholic organization in the United States, on March 4, 1876. The Hibernians were among the many fraternal and civic organizations that participated in the 250th anniversary procession on Monday, May 28, 1894. The 85 members marched in the 1st Division of the procession which started on Main Street near the Wakefield residence, (now the corner of Main and Armory Street) up to Sweetser, Pleasant, Park, Main, Yale Avenue, Railroad (now North Avenue), West Chestnut, Park Avenue, Dell Avenue, Converse, Gould, Albion, Railroad, Chestnut to Main, where they passed in review before the Governor and other guests opposite the Town Hall on Main Street, at the corner of Water Street. Locally, the Hibernians were instrumental in the early growth of St. Joseph's Church. The members bought the buildings at the corner of Albion and Foster Streets in 1924, renovated it, and officially dedicated it on September 10th. It was said to be one of the largest and most successful fraternal gatherings ever held in Wakefield." Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 2013 Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
