Emmanuel Episcopal Church Celebrates 130th Anniversary & Unveils Chancel Renovation

Emmanuel Episcopal Church will celebrate the 130th anniversary of its church building on Sunday, August 21.  A highlight of the anniversary celebration will be the unveiling of the church’s newly renovated chancel.  A Festival Choral Eucharist will be held at 9:00 a.m., with a brunch to follow in the parish hall. All are welcome.  

The Emmanuel Parish Choir, under the direction of Michael Salvatore, will perform pieces composed by two of the church’s former long-time musicians, Arthur Motter Lamb and Gertrude Mellett.  Emmanuel’s rector, the Rev. Matthew P. Cadwell, will offer a sermon reflecting on the parish’s history and looking forward to its future.   Nursery care will also be provided.

Emmanuel Church was founded by Episcopalians in Wakefield in 1870.  After over a decade of using various rented rooms for worship, the parish finally was able to build a permanent church in 1881 at a cost of $5,000.  The first Sunday service in the new building was held on August 21, 1881.  At the time, the church was located on Water Street, then the center of town.  A new chancel was added to the church in 1893, designed by Cram, Wentworth, and Goodhue, the firm of Boston’s famous architect Ralph Adams Cram.  In 1900 the original church building was physically moved to its current location on the corner of Main and Bryant Streets.  The parish hall and rectory were added in 1902 and 1903, respectively. 

Despite changes in the style of Episcopalian worship since the 19th century, Emmanuel’s chancel had remained largely unchanged.  Over the past decade the parish engaged in several conversations about how to make the church’s worship space more flexible and better functioning, while preserving its historic character.  In 2010 the parish’s vestry approved modest a renovation.  The architectural firm of Donham and Sweeney completed the plans.  The vestry contributed accumulated memorial funds and undertook a capital campaign to raise the necessary funds.  Many gifts were donated in memory of former parishioners and family members.

Features of the renovated chancel include a repositioned and handicapped accessible altar rail, refinished floors, and a free-standing altar.  Wooden parapet walls that obstructed the congregation’s view of the chancel were removed.  The carved pulpit and historic high altar were maintained intact.  As a result of the renovation the space is more open and airy and can be used for concerts and plays as well as worship.

“This is such an exciting anniversary for Emmanuel,” said the Rev. Cadwell.  “After years of prayer and conversation we came to the conclusion that the time was right to set our eyes toward our bright future, while maintaining the very best of our history in this beautiful building.  I think our cherished predecessors, in whose memory many gifts were given for this special project, would be so pleased at how we have cared for the church that they passed on to us, even as we make necessary updates that will complement our worship today and long into the future.”   

The Emmanuel Church community is diverse and inclusive.  People of all backgrounds are welcome.  The church is handicapped accessible.  For more information contact the parish office at 781-245-1374 orinfo@emmanuelwakefield.org. 

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