The John F Kennedy Memorial Garden in Hyannis is a popular tourist attraction. The garden is set along Ocean Street adjacent to Lewis Bay with lovely views looking over the Ocean. Hyannis was best known as the summer retreat for the Kennedy family.

A little further along South Street stands St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, a lovely white painted, typical New England style of church, what makes this church quite special is that it is where John F Kennedy and his brothers were altar boys, today, a plaque marks the pews were the former President used to sit whilst attending mass. From 1926 – 1986 St Francis Xavier’s was the summer church for the Kennedy family; they donated the central altar in memory of their son Joseph A Kennedy jr, who died during World War 11.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy the 35th President of the United States attended Sunday Mass throughout the summer of his presidency until his assassination on 22nd November 1963. Members of the Kennedy family still attend mass at the church whilst on Cape Cod.

Our church tour guide gave an excellent commentary during our visit and went on to say that both Maria Schriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger were married here.