St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church is in the "Merrick" section of West Springfield. The area is named Merrick because the land in this vicinity was owned by members of the Merrick family for over 100 years.
The complex highway arrangement near St. Ann's Church is a result of the construction of three Connecticut River bridges, one for trains and two for automobiles.
The street along the edge of the railroad tracks is one of the oldest streets in West Springfield having been laid out when the 3rd Division lots were granted in 1643. It acquired the name Bridge Street when the "Old Toll Bridge" was built in 1816.
The roadway along the church parking lot, New Bridge Street, was laid out in 1841 when the construction of the railroad through West Springfield made parts of "Old Bridge Street" impassible.
In 1920 the Stigmatine Fathers decided to build a church for the Italian residents living in southeastern West Springfield. Construction of the church began in 1923 and the first mass was held November 9, 1924, shortly after the Memorial Bridge was opened as a replacement for the "Old Toll Bridge".
The damage from the flood of November 1927 was not very great for two reasons; the watermark reached just to the level of the Church pavement and the cellar had not yet been dug out and converted into a hall. Still some restoration was required and when this work was finished, local businessman, Peter Fossa and his family, donated the beautiful marble altar imported from Italy, which is still in the church today.
The flood of 1936 was another problem altogether. This flood crested six feet above the floor of the church interior and the damage to the church was very great. While repairs were being made the congregation held services at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
During, and just following World War II the Church's beauty was further enhanced by the addition of several pieces of art including, statues; stained-glass windows; and an historic pulpit, built in 1785, which had been originally installed in New York City's Saints Peter and Paul church.