An industrial section of Fall River, Father Kelly is a more established neighborhood dating back to the town’s textile past. “That whole part of the Southend and the whole of Fall River was very diverse in the 1830s and 1850s, with a lot of people coming in to find jobs. There was a huge boom of cotton textile mills, and they needed people to work them,” says Caroline H. Aubin, the registrar and assistant site manager of the Fall River Historical Society. While Father Kelly still holds a lot of history, it is changing as new residents move in. “Traditionally, Father Kelly is a Polish neighborhood, so there’s a lot of families who have been there for a while, but there’s a new influx of young families coming in,” says Patti Rego, executive director of Viva Fall River, a tourism website and visitors center for locals and travelers alike.
Textile mills were once a proud employer in the Father Kelley neighborhood.
The Father Kelley neighborhood is densely populated and has gridded and angular streets.
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Old mills taking on new lives
Father Kelly’s housing landscape is slowly starting to change. “Old mills have been taken down, and luxury houses have been put up,” Rego says. There is some new construction from 2022 and 2023, but there are still traces of Fall River’s textile past in homes dating back to the early 1900s. “The house I grew up in was a single-family home surrounded by tenements because it was the mill supervisor's house,” Aubin says. Single-family homes sell for between $245,000 and $538,000. Multifamily homes range from $385,000 to $830,000, often depending on the condition and number of bedrooms. There are a few condos in the neighborhood hovering around $215,000 to $359,000. Properties sit neatly packed in tight grids, with some yards bigger than others.
King Philip Lofts is a dramatic rehabilitation of an old mill building in Father Kelley.
Businesses and housing throughout the Father Kelley neighborhood are harmoniously blended.
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Fishing and boating at Cook Pond
Father Kelly Park, sometimes called Kelly Park, is a 5-acre green space with a softball field. Thomas Chew Field is just below the park and includes a basketball court. At 158 acres, Cook Pond takes up a large portion of the neighborhood. Residents can fish at the pier or launch their boats into the water. "It’s been cleaned up, and it’s still a big focus for environmental groups,” Rego says. "Cook Pond is likely going to become a recreational destination at some point, while it was seen as a dumping ground.”
Cook Pond has an elegant fishing and boating area in teh Father Kelley neighborhood.
The Father Kelley neighborhood sits athwart Cook Pond in southern Fall River.
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Durfee High's culinary program
The western half of the neighborhood is zoned for Carlton Viveiros Elementary and Matthew J. Kuss Middle, both of which earn a C-plus on Niche. The eastern half and a portion of the southern side are zoned for C-rated Henry Lord Community School, which serves kindergarten through Grade 8. The whole of the neighborhood attends B. M. C. Durfee High, receiving a B grade. Durfee High's new 2021 building is more similar to a college campus, with gathering spaces and courtyards. Culinary arts and cosmetology students work in restaurant and salon storefront-style spaces.
BMC Durfee High School is where teens may attend high school in Fall River.
B. M. C. Durfee High School is a Fall River mainstay with a new building.
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Unique finds at Globe Flea Market
The Father Kelly Neighborhood Association meets once a month. Father Kelly Park is one of the rotating outdoor spaces hosting the Summer Evenings in the Park event. Fall River residents celebrate the summer season with live music and food. Globe Flea Market started over 30 years ago and is open every weekend from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It offers electronics, clothing, antiques and more.
The South Coast Rail project will connect Fall River to Boston
Father Kelly is a walkable neighborhood bordering Main Street. "It’s near the Globe Four Corners, where five places intersect to one; it's the beginning of the true Southend,” Rego says. The South Coast Rail project, expected to be completed by Spring 2025, will connect Fall River and southeastern Massachusetts to Boston through a commuter rail. The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority runs buses throughout the neighborhood. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is around 25 miles from Father Kelly. Commuters can reach Downtown Providence in about 19 miles, but commuting to Boston will take around 52 miles. Father Kelly has a crime score of 5 out of 10, slightly higher than the national average of 4.
Patti’s Pierogis on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
The town has a diverse culinary scene, and some of Rego’s favorites are in Father Kelly. “People know Fall River for Portuguese restaurants, but that’s changing,” she says. Patti’s Pierogis is a casual Polish restaurant that Guy Fieri once visited on his show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. With a recipe straight from England, Hartley's Original Pork Pies was established in 1900 and is the oldest fast food in Fall River. Amaral's Central Market is a neighborhood grocery spot with imports from Portugal. Fall River Shopping Center has chain restaurants and a Burlington Coat factory. One block over, there’s a Stop & Shop grocer.
Patti's Pierogis is a Father Kelley neighborhood institution known across the world.
Patti's Pierogis is a great place to enjoy delightful pierogis and drinks in Father Kelley.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Kelly Park
Baseball/Softball
Parking Lot
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Rhode Island Tf Green International
39 min drive
Bus
E Main St And Hamlet St
Bus
Laurel St And Dwelly St
Bus
E Main St And Palmer St
Bus
Broadway And Osborn St
Bus
S Main St And Globe St
Bus
Shove St And Vernon St
Bus
Laurel St And Aetna St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Father Kelly
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Father Kelly Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Father Kelly, Fall River sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Father Kelly, Fall River over the last 12 months is $365,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Well-maintained 3-family property featuring updated furnace and electrical systems completed just 3 years ago. Located on a main street with MBTA bus access, only two blocks from the hospital and close to shopping. Property also includes 24-hour security camera surveillance—offering convenience, safety, and long-term value for homeowners or investors.
Situated in the Maplewood Neighborhood of Fall River this property has easy access to local amenities, schools, public transportation, St Annes Hospital and an easy 5 min drive to (195) highway. This is a compelling opportunity for investors seeking rental income or owner occupants looking to offset their mortgage cost with rental revenue. This property offers an updated electrical system with
Renovated 2-Family with Commercial Storefront – Turnkey Investment Opportunity! Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to own a renovated mixed-use property! This versatile building features two updated residential units and a street-level commercial storefront—ideal for owner-occupants, investors, or business owners. Property Highlights: Renovated with a brand-new roof (2025), updated
**For Rent: Updated 2nd Floor Apartment**Welcome to this freshly updated 2nd floor apartment, 2/3 bedroom, featuring brand new carpets, modern doors, and a fresh coat of paint throughout for a bright and inviting atmosphere. Enjoy the convenience of on-site coin-operated washer and dryer facilities. Step outside to a lovely yard, perfect for relaxation or outdoor activities. Experience
King Philip Lofts is now leasing! Offering stylish 1, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments situated on Cook Pond in Fall River, MA. Every apartment showcases gleaming granite countertops, sleek stainless-steel appliances, oversized windows, hardwood floors, in-unit washer and dryer, most with water views of Mount Hope Bay and Cook Pond!Our community offers a fully-equipped fitness center,
AVAILABLE FOR JULY 1st - OWNER OCCUPIED BUILDING- 2nd FLOOR - 3 BEDROOMS - NEW BATHROOM - SEPARATE DINING ROOM PLUS APPLIANCED EAT IN KITCHEN WITH A HUGE CLOSET - WOOD FLOORS - COIN OP IN BASEMENT - ALL APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE A PRELIMINARY APPLICATION, PHOTO IDs AND CREDIT SCORE PRIOR TO VIEWING - NO PETS - NON SMOKERS ONLY - NO PAST EVICTIONS
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
7,744
Median Age
39
Population under 18
23.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$33,811
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$48,603
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
63.4%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
10%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.9%
% Population in Labor Force
52.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
52''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
8''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
79/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
32/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
