Peaceful Gardens and Quiet Reflection Minutes from Boston
Bethany House of Prayer is nestled in a quiet, residential hillside neighborhood of Arlington, Massachusetts, just minutes west of Cambridge and Boston. We’re easily accessible from Route 2, by Bus (62, 77, and 78), or along the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway.
The shops and restaurants along Arlington’s lively Massachusetts Avenue are just a short walk away.
Set among peaceful gardens on the hillside, our houses and chapel create a welcoming campus for prayer, reflection, and renewal:
St. John’s House: 181 Appleton Street, Arlington, MA 02476
St. Gabriel’s House: 173 Appleton Street, Arlington, MA 02476
Chapel of St. Anne: 18-20 Claremont Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476
Our grounds are open to the public daily, offering space to walk, reflect, and enjoy the gardens.
Parking Information
On-Site Parking
Our parking lot, next to the Chapel of St. Anne, holds up to eight vehicles. We kindly ask day retreatants to use street parking whenever possible, so spaces are available for overnight retreatants.
Day-Use Guests
Nearby on-street parking is available for day retreatants and larger groups. We recommend parking on Claremont Avenue or Hillside Avenue, as they are generally quieter than Appleton Street.
Overnight Guests
Please note that overnight on-street parking is not permitted in Arlington. Our parking lot, next to the Chapel of St. Anne, holds up to eight vehicles. To make sure everyone has a spot, we recommend carpooling or arranging a group bus if possible.
Please let us know in advance if your group requires parking space for more than 8 vehicles so that we can discuss additional parking options with you.
Public Transportation
Bethany House of Prayer is easily reached by MBTA bus and subway.
From Harvard Square (Cambridge)
Option 1: Bus 78 – Arlmont Village (More Direct)
Board MBTA Bus 78 at Harvard (Platform B6)
Ride approximately 26 minutes
Exit at Wachusett Ave @ Appleton St
Walk about 3 minutes to Bethany House of Prayer
Option 2: Bus 77 – Arlington Heights (More Frequent)
Board MBTA Bus 77 at Harvard (Platform B1)
Ride approximately 29 minutes
Exit at Park Ave @ Massachusetts Ave
Walk about 10 minutes to Bethany House of Prayer (Please note that it is a few blocks away; however, the walk is steep)
From Back Bay or Downtown Boston
Step 1: Take the Red Line toward Alewife
From Back Bay or Downtown Boston, board the Red Line heading toward Alewife (the northern terminus) and exit at Harvard Station.
Step 2: Transfer to Bus 78 – Arlmont Village
At Harvard, board MBTA Bus 78 (Platform B6)
Ride approximately 26 minutes
Exit at Wachusett Ave @ Appleton St
Step 3: Walk to Bethany House of Prayer
A peaceful 3-minute walk brings you to our campus.
Helpful Tips
Buses 62, 77, and 78 run regularly throughout the day.
We recommend checking the MBTA website or transit app for real-time schedules and accessibility updates.
If traveling with luggage or retreat supplies, you may wish to use a taxi or ride-share service for added convenience.
From Logan International Airport
There are three main ways to travel from Logan International Airport to Bethany House of Prayer in Arlington, MA.
1. Taxi
Taxi stands are located outside baggage claim at all terminals.
Drivers assist with luggage.
Simple and convenient, especially if you have heavy luggage or mobility concerns.
2. Rideshare (Uber or Lyft)
Available from designated airport rideshare pickup areas.
Follow posted signs to your terminal’s Rideshare Pickup location.
Request your ride via the app once you are on the way to the pickup area.
3. Public Transportation
Takes roughly 1.5 hours and involves multiple transfers.
Route overview:
Take the Silver Line (SL1) to South Station.
Transfer to the Red Line heading toward Alewife (the northern terminus) and exit at Harvard Station.
From Harvard, take Bus 78 to Wachusett Ave @ Appleton St.
Walk about 3 minutes to Bethany House of Prayer.