Quincy Honors Saints Michael and Florian with Statues

Iconic religious figures stand watch over Massachusetts city's historic courthouse

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly stylized, abstract silkscreen print featuring multiple identical images of a statue depicting the archangel Michael, rendered in a bold, neon color palette reminiscent of Andy Warhol's pop art. The statue is depicted without any text or identifying labels, focusing solely on the iconic religious figure as a modern, vibrant work of art.Quincy's new public statues of Catholic saints have sparked both community pride and debate over the role of religion in civic spaces.Quincy Today

The city of Quincy, Massachusetts has erected statues of two Catholic saints, St. Michael and St. Florian, on the grounds of its historic high court courthouse. The statues have become a point of local pride and interest, with residents and visitors alike curious to learn more about the significance of these religious figures.

Why it matters

The statues represent Quincy's deep Catholic heritage and the role of faith in the city's history. They also highlight how public religious displays can spark debates around the separation of church and state, even in a predominantly Catholic community.

The details

The St. Michael statue depicts the archangel Michael, a prominent figure in the Bible and Catholic tradition who is known as the protector of the Church. The St. Florian statue honors the 3rd-century Roman soldier and firefighter who is the patron saint of firefighters. Both statues were commissioned and installed by the city government on the grounds of the Quincy District Courthouse, which dates back to the 1800s.

  • The statues were erected in the summer of 2025.
  • Quincy's high court courthouse has stood in the city center since 1857.

The players

St. Michael

The archangel Michael is a prominent figure in the Bible and Catholic tradition, known as the protector of the Church.

St. Florian

A 3rd-century Roman soldier and firefighter who is the patron saint of firefighters.

Quincy District Courthouse

The historic courthouse in Quincy, Massachusetts that dates back to the 1800s and now hosts the statues of St. Michael and St. Florian.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These statues are a beautiful representation of our city's Catholic heritage and the important role faith has played in Quincy's history.”

— Mayor Thomas Koch, Mayor of Quincy

“While I respect the religious significance, I do have concerns about the separation of church and state with these statues on public property.”

— Reverend Sarah Lund, Local Interfaith Leader

What’s next

The city plans to host a formal dedication ceremony for the statues later this year, inviting residents and religious leaders to celebrate the new public art.

The takeaway

Quincy's new St. Michael and St. Florian statues highlight the complex role of religion in public spaces, balancing community pride in local heritage with concerns over the boundaries between church and state.