Pam Hawley Marlin April 2025
The morning of September 12, 1953 dawned mild and radiant, a perfect day for a late summer wedding at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island. This, in contrast to the brisk, gray December day we experienced when we visited the historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church 70 years later. Bundled against the 20-degree chill, we stepped inside, eager to be transported back to that moment in time when John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK), the charismatic young senator from Massachusetts, married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, the elegant socialite with deep ties to Newport.
Stepping into St. Mary’s Catholic Church offers a glimpse into 19th-century craftsmanship and devotion. Built between 1848 and 1852 in the Gothic Revival style, the church has a peaceful and elegant interior. Its high ceilings are supported by dark wooden beams, gently drawing the eye upward. Light filters through the stained glass windows, adding soft color to the wooden pews and stone floor. A walk down the center aisle leads visitors past pew number 10, the spot where JFK and Jackie regularly sat during their visits to Newport.
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newport, Rhode Island. P Marlin 2024
A memorial to the wedding of John and Jackie Kennedy on
September 12, 1953 graces the entry to the church.
Historic pew number 10 where a metal plaque states, "President of U.S.
and Mrs. John F. Kennedy 1961"
Historic pew number 10 where a metal plaque states, "President of U.S.
and Mrs. John F. Kennedy 1961"
On the day of the JFK and Jackie's wedding, the interior of the church was decorated with pink gladioli and white chrysanthemums while the center wooden archway was adorned with smilax—a delicate green vine known for its graceful tendrils and heart-shaped leaves. Archbishop Richard J. Cushing of Boston presided over the ceremony which was witnessed by 700 invited guests, including congressman, ambassadors, and Hollywood elite. As the couple exchanged vows, a special surprise blessing was read on behalf of Pope Pius XII, adding a deeply spiritual note to an already historic ceremony.
According to newspaper accounts from the time, after the ceremony concluded, Jackie and John Kennedy returned down the aisle to the strains of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” As they exited St. Mary’s Church, they were met by Patrolman George Leber and a flurry of photographers, eager to capture the moment. While the newlyweds made their way to the reception at Hammersmith Farm, curious onlookers began filing into the church to admire the elaborate floral decorations. However, admiration soon turned opportunistic as guests began stripping the pews and altar of gladioli and chrysanthemums. By 12:15 p.m., reports of missing valuables prompted officials to order the doors of the church closed.
The following series of “then and now” photos offers a brief glimpse into that unforgettable day: Jackie’s sister, Janet, stands beside the church’s stone wall, pointing toward something in the distance; JFK, accompanied by his best man and brother, Bobby, walks toward the sanctuary to greet his bride; Jackie, escorted by her stepfather, Hugh D. Auchincloss, makes her way down the aisle past the rich wooden entryway wearing the Lee family bridal veil, a family heirloom. At the altar, JFK and Jackie kneel together quietly before returning down the aisle — Jackie looking slightly pensive - perhaps imagining the future ahead, or missing her father, who did not attend the ceremony. And then the final exit through the ornate church doors, where uniformed patrolmen, a sea of photographers, and the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd greet them.
Jackie’s sister, Janet, along with wedding guests, stands beside the
church’s stone wall, pointing toward something in the distance. Janet,
along with the other bridesmaids, was adorned in long pink taffeta dresses,
featuring cap sleeves and a full skirt. Each gown was accented with a
wide, shaped cummerbund sash made of red faille silk, with long trailing ends.
The same stone wall today, decorated for Christmas. P Marlin 2024
JFK,
accompanied by his best man and brother, Bobby, walks toward the sanctuary
to greet his bride.
The same location today. P Marlin 2024
Jackie, escorted by her stepfather, Hugh D. Auchincloss,
makes her way down the aisle past the rich wooden entryway adorned with smilax.
This photo provides a view of the Lee family bridal veil (see photo below).
The wood entryway and aisle. Imagine how beautiful this church looked with
all the wedding decorations. P Marlin 2024
JFK and Jackie kneel together at the altar.
Visitors are not allowed access to the altar area - this spot
is the nearest access. P Marlin 2024
JFK and his new bride exit the church.
Such a lovely church. P Marlin 2024
A final exit
through the ornate church doors, where uniformed patrolmen,
a sea of photographers, and the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd greet them.
The ornate doors of the church. P Marlin 2024
One charming detail worth noting is the Lee family bridal veil. First worn by Jackie’s grandmother, Margaret Merritt, at her wedding in 1903, the delicate heirloom was passed down through generations. Fifty years later, Jackie continued the tradition, wearing the same veil when she married John F. Kennedy. For her ceremony, the veil was elegantly secured by a lace tiara adorned with orange blossoms, adding a romantic, vintage touch to her already iconic bridal look. In 2016, I had the special opportunity to see the veil on display for the first time—exhibited at the Biltmore House in North Carolina (see photos below).
The Lee family bridal veil on display for the first time at Biltmore in North Carolina.
P Marlin 2016
