Our History
In the
early 1860’s there came from Salem a textile
manufacturer, George Hodges,
who had purchased the Oxford Woolen Company.
This move deprived his wife Sarah Elizabeth Hodges, of her
church
association. Her great longing was for a church of her own Episcopal
faith. Plans
moved rapidly to establish a church, and in April, 1863, through the
generosity
of Mr. Hodges, the site for a church was purchased, and the cornerstone
was
laid.
On July 19, 1863
services began in Sanford Hall, Oxford, with
the anticipation
of organizing a parish. For 12 weeks various clergymen officiated, and
on
November 22, 1863, the Rev. William Lloyd accepted the call to Grace
Church.
By
1865 the church, an architectural gem built of locally
quarried stone, was completed and consecrated by The Right Reverend
Manton
Eastburn, Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts.
The cost, a large part of which was given by
Mr. Hodges, was $20,000. The
following
year an organ, built by William A. Johnson of Westfield, was
installed in the church at a
cost of $1800. This
organ, with its hand
made lead pipes and excellent tonal quality, is still in use today. The woodwork in Grace
Church was considered
as fine as any in the Diocese. It
is of
walnut, even in the trusses of the nave.
When Mr. & Mrs. Hodges moved to another part of
town they gave their
home to be used as a rectory.
Weavers who come
from England
to work in Mr. Hodges’ mill
were among those who made up the first congregation, happy to be
worshipping in
an Episcopal church.
Expenses for the
first year amounted to $800. At
the outset pews were rented, but
apparently this practice was of short duration as there is no record of
continued rentals.
Among
the historically interesting furnishings of Grace Church
is a baptismal font made of materials from the U.S. Frigate
Constitution, also
know as “Old Ironsides”, which bears an inscription
indicating its history. The pulpit was
originally made for Emmanuel Church, Boston,
transferred to
All Saints, Worcester, and finally in 1905 it was brought to Grace
Church.
In
1869 several members of Grace Church had moved to Webster
and formed their own church. Though
Grace Church was often referred to as the “Mother of the
Church of the
Reconciliation, Webster”, disquieting years followed. Membership was at a
minimum, ever-tight
finances plagued the parish, and inter-fractional strife had to be
overcome, occasionally
making it necessary to close the church completely.
During these times of vicissitude there were
always those persistently loyal parishioners, though often few in
number, who
held tenaciously to their faith in the ultimate growth and success of
Grace
Church. Intermittently the church was
cared for by vicars from Worcester
and Rochdale,
services being scheduled to coincide with the trolley car service
– the only
transportation available to clergymen at that time.
From 1903 on, except
a period of 5 years when the church was again completely closed,
rectors from
Webster and Southbridge
served as vicars. Since
1964 resident vicars
have served the parish.
In 1945, the 80th anniversary year, application
was made into the union with the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Admission was granted in
May, 1949.
On June 23, 1957, a new
parish house was dedicated, with the
Right Reverend Lawrence, Bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts
presiding.
In April and
May, 1964, the 100th anniversary of
the founding of Grace Church was commemorated to the glory of God, and
for his
blessings in bringing forth fruit to an often parched parish.
Throughout the years many gifts, both material
and
service-wise, have come to Grace Church, adding to its beauty in the
worship of
God. The list is
long, and constantly
growing – a manifestation of the devotion and gratitude of
its
parishioners.
Two ordinations have taken place in
Grace Church, Arnold
Pederson in 1949, and Paul Goranson in 1975.
