Irish Immigrant Charles E. Logue, Builder of Fenway Park, Dies Atop a Church Steeple on December 5, 1919

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Charles E. Logue at Fenway Park

Charles E. Logue (1858-1919), an Irish-born contractor from County Derry who build Fenway Park and dozens of churches, government building and schools throughout greater Boston, died suddenly on December 5, 1919 while working on the roof of St Mary's Catholic Church in Dedham, Massachusetts.

According to news reports, Logue was about 100 feet above ground on staging, when he "seemed to stagger" and was helped by workmen before he fell to the ground.
"Heart failure, caused by the exertion of climbing the ladder, was given as the cause of death," according to The Boston Globe. Logue had climbed the ladder with his son John, to inspect repair work being done on the church cupola.

Logue and his wife Josephine were the parents of thirteen children, and lived at 24 Baker Place and later at Barry Street in Dorchester. In addition to his contracting career, Logue was appointed Schoolhouse Commissioner and a member of the Tenement House Commission by Mayor Patrick Collins, and the Board of Overseers of the Poor, appointed by Mayor Josiah Quincy. In Dorchester, Logue was president of the Meeting House Hill Improvement Association.

The funeral took place at St. Peter's Church in Dorchester, and Logue was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.


During his illustrious career in Boston, Logue was highly regarded for his construction management skills, schools and churches and also for his contributions to local government and charitable organizations. But without a doubt, Fenway Park would become Logue’s enduring landmark, one of the city's most iconic structures today, and nationally, one of America's prized ball parks.

The turn-around for building Fenway Park was remarkable. Local officials, sports officials and the contractors broke ground for the park on September 25, 1911, and the stadium was finished the following spring in time for the opening game against New York on April 20, 1912.

Fenway Park is part of Boston's Irish Heritage Trail, a 3 mile walk covering more than three centuries of the city's Irish history.

Research + Text, Michael Quinlin

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