Lt. John Stearns House
Lt. John Stearns House
| Also Known As | Maryknoll Fathers Novitiate - Retreat House |
| Address | 77 Dudley Rd |
| MACRIS ID | BIL.184 |
| Built | 1715 |
| Other Lot Structures |
Maryknoll Novitiate
(Built 1933)
Maryknoll Novitiate (Built 1933) |
The first John Stearns came to Billerica in 1653 and settled on the northeast corner of Dudley Farm. He died young and his widow remarried twice. His son, John, married and settled on the southwest corner of the Dudley Farm. He likely started the mill around 1680, which would be long operated by descendants. His son was Lt. John, who built this house on part of the family holdings. His first child was recorded in 1716, so 1715 is an appropriate date for this house.
This house remained in the Stearns family for over two hundred years, with Franklin Stearns (b. 1802) living here in 1853 and 1875. In 1924, Cardinal O'Connell purchased the property as an adjunct to St. John's Seminary of Brighton, and in 1933, it transferred to the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. The property is now the St. Thecla's Retreat House.