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Go 974.402 L95Los 1851423
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01094 6009
HISTORICAL SKETCH of Saint Anne's Church
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS
STIANNE'S CHURCH.
Prepared for THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY of the
CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH 1825 - 1925
1
St. Anne's Centenary Opens Governor Comes Tomorrow
THE
GOVERNOR ALVAN T. FULLER.
RT. REV. WILLIAM LAWRENCE,
REV. APPLETON GRANNIS.
1851423
Tites0
Sunday morning services in St. |er St. Anne, mother of the Virgin |held in the Auditorium tomorrow Anne's church were attended by a Mary, was chosen in recognition of Mrs. Boott. (Tuesday) evening, at which time the Masonic fraternity of Greater Lowell Mrs. Mead and Bishop Lawrence, who were present at the 75th anni- versary of St. Anne's, recalled at that- time how the grandfather of the bishop and Mrs. Mead's great uncle, Kirk Boott, drove from Lowell to Boston to interview Rev. Theodore Edson, inviting him to become the first rector of St. Anne's. will unite with the church in com- memorating the founding of the an- cient church that has been con- nected in an intimate way with the fraternity from its early history. The program of exercises is as follows: How Firm a Foundation, Combined. Choirs The Shepherd's Sunday Song, very large congregation, including many outside of the parish who are interested in the historical connec- tion of old St. Anne's with the early history of this city. The services were in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of St. Annc's, the church which was inti- C. Kreutzer mately connected with the spiritual, The special poem is as follows: Organ, William C. Heller, accompanied by Arthur Heller, cornetist industrial and educational life of the O ringer of the chimes Lowell Masonic Choir In old St. Anne's today, In full accord of tones and rhymes, I hear the sweet bells say: city in its early years. A magnificent Praise Ye the Father ..... C. Gounod Lowell Masonic Choir historical address by Rev. Wilson There's a Wideness in God's Mercy, Waters, rector of All Saints, Chelms- A century ago This edifice was raised, Gloria That more might of the Father know, Solo, The Pilgrim ..... Tschaikowsky . Mozart Ercel Teeson By more his Son be praised. Combined Choirs - .... Combined Choirs ford, was the principal feature. Mr. Waters was for many years a curate at St. Anne's under Dr. Chambre.
Another special feature was the singing of a hymn written for the oc- casion by Ralph H. Shaw, and sung by the choir to the tune of St. Thomas, after being read by Rev. Appleton Grannis, and after the ring- ing of the chimes, in the same tune.
Among the visitors who have close, personal connections with St. Anne's O house of praise and prayer- How time has graced its walls! How calmly by the thoroughfare Its peaceful shadow falls. parish, present at the services yes- terday, was Mrs. George Mead, of Winchester. Mrs. Mead is a grand- Come into it and sing, Your voice with others raise! Today its walls are echoing A hundred years of praise. Public exercises in celebration of 1 niece of Mrs. Kirk Boott, who was Miss Anne Haden of Derbyshire, England. St. Anne's church was built after the model of the old Derbyshire church, and its name, aft- [ the centenary of St. Anne's will be
Within these hallowed walls, How many souls have knelt. And in these courts, to which he calls, A deeper reverence felt.
How many hearts have found Their consolation here,
The strength to bear their deepest wound And stay their saddest tear.
Hallelujah Chorus ...... F. Beethoven Lowell Masonic Choir
Onward, Christian Soldiers, Combined Choirs Opening Prayer, Bishop Lawrence
Introductory Remarks, By the Rector of St. Anne's Greetings of the City of Lowell, Hon. John J. Donovan, Mayor Address, The Church and the State, Hon. Alvan T. Fuller
. Governor of Massachusetts God Bless Our Native Land, Combined Choirs
Address, The Church-The City, Arthur D. Prince of Lowell The Church's One Foundation, Combined Choirs Address: Retrospect, Rt. Rev. William Lawrence, D. D., Bishop of Massachusetts Recessional, Rejoice the Lord Is King Combined Choirs :
Rey. Wilson
aters Delivers historical Huur Cos
good.
"Apparently Dr. Edson cared little for the ordinary social affairs, par- ties and receptions, but when he did attend such he always had a bene- ficient influence on others. by , his
a nation.
"The order, reverence, devotion and beauty of its apostolic worship, the earnest, simple, direct sermons from its pulpit, have touched the hearts and convinced the minds of many. And then there was the influence of the loving and devout life in the parsonage and the manse. It is the testimony. of a neighbor, who was ordained a priest in the church, that the nearer you came to Dr. Edson the more you respected and rever- enced him.
"'And then,' he says, 'dear Mrs. Edson, it does seem as if such peo- ple do not live now, and I am very glad that I was not born too late to have seen something of the graceful Estateliness and stately' gracefulness of a dame of the best blood and breeding of two (now three) genera- tions ago.' And there was another in that parsonage to whom this clergyman owed his early knowledge of the Greek language, and a wealth of cherished associations of his boy- hood days. I never saw Dr. or Mrs. Edson, but I was privileged to be a frequent guest in the hospitable home of their daughter, whose memory I revere, who was a pious, kind and saintly woman, of bright intellectual attainments.
"I have had many good friends and !acquaintances in St. Anne's. Al- though I should like to speak of oth - iers, allow me to speak of only one []
and the alternative of denial of cer- tain fundamentals of the Christian faith. Both
rTcUT. "the same may be said of the later rectors of Anne's. Many men connected with these young men preached in St. Anne's at the invita- tion of Dr. Edson. George Packard held the first church service in Law- St. Anne's have represented Lowell in the State Legislature or in the halls of Congress; and at least one or two.as. govoreor raropened upof St. Anne's when your present rector Chambre remark that he had always came here; customs and conditions "It was there that I once heard Dr. had good curates, and I, would say have altered in the last 20 years, and that if he treated them all as well; as he treated me, he deserved to have good curates.
where it can be done, without too great a severance of traditions, the administration of affairs must meet "Upon his shoulders fell gracefully the new conditions. The really fine the mantle of Dr. Edson. He emu- work which is now being accom- lated the diligence and zeal and plished in this parish makes the suc- self-sacrifice of his predecessor, and cess of your rector's tireless efforts. maintained the tradition of the par-
,"A vestryman in a large parish ish. Bishop Paddock said he did the once said to. me: 'I do not always work of three men, and the bishop agree with my rector, but he knows himself was not slack in his work; the parish better than I do, and I he knew what work is. Bishop Law- mean to uphold him in his plans for rence, in a letter which I was privi- the good of the church.'. That is the leged to read to you on the Sunday true spirit for a layman to have, and v. here there is unity of spirit, the following the death of Dr. Chambre success and beneficient influence of in 1911, said that Dr. Chambre gave the parish will be felt and known far to those who did not know him, the and near. ·
"Lowell was once a city of a sub- stantially homogeneous population. chiefly of Anglo-Saxon origin. Today her people have come from many na- tions, and on her streets there is confusion of tongues; yet with all her varied and almost countless in- dustries, she seems a beehive, or a city of the Saturnian age.
impression of austerity; indeed there was much of the Puritan in him. But, as with many Puritans, he had a most tender heart, a sympathetic spirit, and many of you have in times of sickness and sorrow, and of joy, too, experienced his sympathy and loving devotion. 'I have never known, continues the bishop, 'a more tireless worker.' This great parish, his civic duties in hospital, school and bank, his diocesan work, all had his thoughtful attention" Above all he
In the midst of these multifarious activities, St. Anne's has stood, calm and undisturbed, speaking peace amidst turmoil; a beacon, a watch- who tower. a comfortable, inn, to guide, to gave to the church and to all people guard and to refresh "those the high example of a chivalrous sol- would travel heavenward." dier of Christ. He, may well have
6
Rev. Wilson Waters Delivers Historical Address as St. Anne's Church Opens Centennial Program; Grand-Niece of Mrs. Kirk Boott Attends Service
ST. ANNE'S CHURCH
St. Anne's church was filled, at through the 100 years of Its existence, , built after the model
service yesterday forencon la but also In connection with its close | Derbyshire church, and Its name, aft-]
lonship to the life of the city, Fer St, Aitre, mother
sary of that historic church, so close- y connected with the early history
ot Lowell. This service was the bez | personal connections the be-
Inming! ginning of the centennial cel
Among the visitors who have clone ounections with St. Anne's
pariah, present_at the services yea- | who were present:
and the publie exercises in the Mos | terday,, waa Mrs. George } s. George Ofend.
morial "Auditorium Tuesday evening | Winchester. Mrs. Mead in'n FE time b grandfather of the
will be commemorative of the niepe of M Kirk Loott, who was church's history, not only ao It has | Miss Anna Haden -of ] Derbyshire. Kirk Boott, drove
ministered spiritually to Its people all "] England. church was
hatcar to interview Rey. "Theodore 1
CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX
CONTINUED.
beginnin sang na the Processional the well known hymn beginning
torieat address ..
Rev. Mr. Waters spoke in part in follows:
"My friends of St. Anne's: I deem it an honor na we
A special feature of the service was it an honor as well as a pleasure the singing by the choir of a hymn, stand here,
here, where I first stood the words of which were written for years ago. to speak to you on a sub- too long
casion by Ralph H. Shaw. The
rector, Rev. Appleton Grannia, read |your interest. whatever I may makel who e of !1.
TestoTi Rev. Appleton ut e poem In full, after which the chimes rang out the tune. "I Love hy Kingdom Lord," to which tune the words of five atanzas of the Poem were sung by the choir. The drat stanza being merely introductory, was om
was omitted in singing. The poem is as followa:
In full eceord of tones and I hear the sweet bells say:
it more might of the Father know, By more his Son be praised.
Within these
A deeper reverence felt.
How many hearts have found Their consolation here.
And stay their saddest tear.
How time has graced its walls Its peaceful shadow falls. me into it and o Tigers with others raise!
your Voice jis are geholng A hundred years of pralar.
In place of the usual sermon. Rev. |whose home. probably the parsonage. loon Waters, rector of All Saints
An aunt of folhe visited years before Chelmsford, who was for a long term | I was born. /////w.1 ... ] -4.6 ....
.of Dr. Huntington, born in Marietta and a, friend of my boyhood daye.
. Anne's In 1690, was a a grandson when minded young and old that there Is home of peace and happiness he- IR of peace ad happiness # rond this' life .. And many who have been spiritually; nourished, Tema hare
h Packard, the Unitarian confirmation classes, which were al- oftes make requests for A generous minister of Chelmsford from 1793 to minister ways large. His sermona were simple, sums Alrect, ernest and effective, end must auma at the offertory) 1 . In the fret , end must 40 years about $25,000 passed through 1:02- and, about 1530, minister of parish et Middlesex Village, was born | hay re made an Imp e an Impression profound his hands a called upon to the poor.
in a part of the town of Bridgewater, and lasting. He was called upon to the hand and was given as alma to the birthplace of Dr. Edson. They They „the weekly offertory
good friends. Wilkes Allen. Packard's successor in Chelmsford.
Chemeses friend of Dr. Edsoa. Thear sem sters both bad who became clergymen in the Epis- copal church. I am disposed to think that it wa that it was largely the Induence of St. Anne's and De. Edson which led them, brought up. as they were, at y betwe
of bitter controversy between u time of bitter e the Orthodox Congregationalnta and the Unitariana.
cepal church their wa y of escape from the hard and arbitrary doc- but as a wise and cautious
trimes of New England Puritanism no the alternative of dental ef der- lal et der-
fundamentals of the Christian faith. Both these young preached la St. Anne's at the lostin-
held the arst church service in Law- d was re of Grace chut rence. and was rector of Grace church for 30 yeara.
POVETDO governor of Massachusetts.
"In works of charity and in amsist- Bachusetts.
Ing feeble churches in va in various parts Band Sanderson said that the Pious Lite br
of the country St. Anne's has always
been a generous giver, Lowell was a clergyman was visible rhetoric; and bern
Il was the life of Dr. Edson has been to umbel of the famous as a place of enterprise and the lif
wealth. a . and a d many bishops and multitudes a speaking clergymen came and carried away and beauty beauty of holiness and the power of gentle Grinness. Suaviter in m fortiter In Te. Throughout the whole
in The the cerly days when the population country his benign influence has ebed
was ch IN Amer s soothing rays reflected in + thoa-
sand hearts ;
good, "His long ressed ong padrate of 60 years im-
taped bort Iharveste thay raped hort,
e and- furnished material fo
Fot things come in
sacrifice- humility and consecration, when thead
Ly and comsecratio
a great influence for good; as the t good; as L
japples on the surface of the stream "multiply and perpetuate themselves, ao his character lives on In the lives of others
about reading prayers out a learned to love. for in It they, found the ancient
as a pargh There are people all & welcome guest. DE, Seymour, dean over the land who, although they
General Seminary Erin have been worshipplag for years In York, wrote to him: "The pleasantest other cities. still turn to St Anne's feature of the commencement season as their parish church. . . . . I am ix your presence and notour conddent that the spirit of old 84. We all look forward to your coming Anne's will live In the next genera- with delightful anticipation.' Another n deligh lion.“
"Those were the days when the of angels entertained. unawares, P of angels ent
preacher went into the pulpit vested the boys were pleantd to dad'n com- in a binel academie gown and white panion in a venerable sage.'n.
"It would be difficult to imagine
Lands. This pulpit stood on the other sbde o of the chancel. and when the the state of things In Lowell It St. time came for the sermon, he went Anne's had never existed. Think of into the vestry-room on the side the depressing blank, tho bars desert, where the organ new la and changed In the higher and spiritual life" ot wn and this community, hnd thia ; acre,, on
steps, which which the church and rectory at 'manufactu been devoted to manufacturing of tead of cor
o bustorss int
""Bishop Griswold and his wife Busloess interests Instead of contrl- and Mra. buting for a century to the religious
Edson and these ladies would s would some- and Intellectual uplift of the many
times accompany thede h
labands thousends who have been influenced when visita were made from Salem thereby. Look over' the catalog of Well, or from Lowell to Sniem, your city officfilis, schooly teachers to Lowell, or from Lowell to Salem, Pour faty school
Techying tra- gitne, St. Anne's, to those who longed for spiritual freedom, freedom, rest and peace. must have appeared as peared as a Vlaion of the old rellgloas home in the imother
country, radiant and glorious hy con- Anne's In 2328. undoubtedly the first
[ trast with the actual scene about thett
"Tho break came, and the new
alleglaace was given to the old church |churchly character, helped to spiri- ¡ of their forefathers when, In 1824, Ta Qual uplift and the beauty of hollness worship n signed a paper and declared that in the worship.
ne to pay their they were willing to pay their minle- al tax to Dr. Edson Instead of to the Town of Chelmsford, as hitber= vigor, having made good, t phrase, and having attained asked an
to they had been obliged to dot and they' remained loyal to their convle- Llona
Household, that "of Mir, and Mrm Mrs. | said,"
S: kept the faith," and we know that
myself, I there is lald up for bim 'a e of | was welcome and urged to come at of righteousness.'
Button.
"It was there that I once heard Dr. "The order, reverence, devotion and Chambre remark that he had always come he
"Times change, and we change with them. A new era opened upon T. 81. Anne's when your present rector ways came here! customs and beauty of Its apostolte worship, the and good curatea, and I would suy have alt resent rector conditions have altered in the last 20 yeare, and earnest. simple, direct sermons from that if he treated them all as well where it can be done, without t Ita pulpit, have touched the hearts as he treated me, he deserved and convinced the minds of many. | have good curates. ad conv
And then there was the Induence of yout lite in tl loving and devout fite in the parsonage and the
testimony. of a neighbor, who was
h. that
ordained & priest in the church, that maintained the tradition of the par-
D Paddock d
. Edson ish. Bishop Paddock sald he did the he vesen in a large parish
Bald to me: I do not always at be kr
the more you respected and rever- work of three men, and the bishop agree with my rector, but he knows himself was not alack In hla work: the parish
""And then,' he says, "dear Mra. Edson, it does seem as it auch peo- ple do not live now, and i am very Flad that I was not boen too la Ihave seen
rence, in a letter which I was privi- the good of the church,' That is the leged to read to you on the Sunday true spirit for a layman to have, and r a layman to hat re Where there is unity of spirit, the success and beneficient Induence of
following the death of Dr. Chambre success ar
In 1931, sald that Dr. Chambre gave the parish will be felt and known far to those who did not know him. the and near.
was much of the Puritan in him. But. blant
homogeneous population.
from many m.
of cherished associations of his boy- ] spirit, and many of you have in times tions, Ar
Edson, bat I wna pr frequent guest in the hosp n the hospitable home their daughter, whose me e memory Treiere, who was a plous, kinda 'saintly woman, of bright intellectual attainmenta.
"I have had many good friends and aintancea in s
though | should like to speak of oth= peak of
:ers allow me to speak of only one []
worker." This great parish, his civile his civic
Ist of these multifarlous
duties in hospital, school and bank, DEuva Tand ok. activities, BL Anne Anne'e bas atcod.
undisturbed. ] speaking prate
all land his andum his diocesan work thoughtful attention) A Ahove an he tower. a he amidst turmoll; a congon, a watch- gave to the church and to all people tower, a comfortable, Inn, 'to guide, to and to refresh those who the high example of a chivalrous sol- would travel henvenward." e fler ,of Christ. He may well bay
" book of prayers for special ofcula!
"In 'the words of another! of the :
The "Dr. Edson entertained at the par- pastoral induence and loyalty of the gonege many hishopa and other people live emphasized St
which book they soon
"In contrast with the wooden meet- ing-houses, solemn and dignified as creed, the charter of their faith, to some of them were, the erection Fwhich for several New . this substantial elone church in this. England had been a stranger, 0 thea, rural apot In a remote portion here in unity" of spirit, the very bond thele forefath they prayed the f their forefathers of Old England whose church, had well nigh heen forgotten here. of a small New England to Buirland town, and : dedicated to the worship of Almighty God under the patronage of St. Anns, the mother of the Blessed Virgin, must have had a tremendous Indu The services on Geed Friday and Enater, 1824, were a new thing to ence on the mcanty population of Puritan descent and traditions, You East Chelmsford, for these days had, perhaps have seen the pletu
bivouac on the edge of a, battlefield
guna stacked and weary fighters some of the good people brought # Im of T of the plet a.the dusk or dawn, and up
e corner of t s the : vignette which, in fair colors and | mas celebration, it must have been
Elewiog light, representa dier's sweet dream of home an E home and hap- lage. the piness. So, in the midst of dreary theological debate and decaying ditions of the passing Puritan re
the sol- a revelation to the people o
be people of the vil-
The great fasts and fo
church had been prac-
| ucally forgotten In Massachusetts outalde of Boston, Balem, Newbury- arblehead, or other com Lowna, where th 1 church
which place Bishop Griswold and other Induential citizens during that time, especially in the frat
served S Peter's church, after he th n 1828. or 50 years, the formatles period. of
came from Bristol, H. 1., In
pon the city, who have had thailr ideals
The bishop depended mues
Dr. Edson received calls to calls to parishes mill be convinced that this church d nobacked-
outside this diocese, the bishop u . the bishop urged with Ha saintly r saintly rettor and noble.iaf- artur und Er at St. men has been the most powarful und the necranity of his remaining at &t. impo
Anne's for the good of the parish and Important element in the making of personal re because of his personal regard for Lowell Even as compared, with the r. Elson. 88 well a 1. 88 well as the latter's possible commercial use to which, the moleht
god ters of ece eslastlen]
apked and valued -Dr. Edson's aastat- aeg
as nurned ktanter divl-
dende for the people than any other | house piece of property in His vicinity. It James'y, Franele where for years.
has been instrumental in building | rather unaccountably to e spiritual life and character untold thousands. Righteousness | any time for a chat or to sit at their exalted a city as truly as it exalteth bomutiful table.
Lo great a severance of traditions, the ministration of affairs must meet "Upon his shoulders fell gracefully the new conditions. The really die e mantle of D
the mantle of Dr. Edaca. He emu- work which is now being
the i It is the ' lated the diligence and
d zeal and plished in this parish makes the suc- self-sacrifice of his predecessor, and cess of your rector's tireless efforts,
have seen something of the graceful teliness and stately' gracefulncen Fot a dame of the best blood ar breeding of two (now three) genera- Impression of austerity; Indeed there tions ago.' And there was and fin that parsonage to whom [clergyman owed his early knowledge | as with many Puritans, he had nu
"Lowell was once # city of a eub-
a cluefly of Anglo-Saxon origin. Toda most tender beart, a sympathetic her people have come from many pa- on her streete there " confusion of tongues; yet with
perienced his sympa &. I never saw Dr. OF Mrs. of sickness and Borrow, and of joy, confusion of longues; yet with als I was privileged to be a / too, experienced his sympathy ond her varied and almost countless in- dustrien, she ng devotion, 'I have never known, duftles ane seems a bechive, or op. a monse tireless city of the Saturnian worker." This he bishop. "a more tireless "in the midst of; these mu
modern phrase.
position [ Influence and p found hla environment imant especially
|| favorable frof the exercise of that made in preparing hla widely used induence and power.
wople learned
other people learned rer book ner-
take part in the prayer book ner- vices and, under Dr. Edson's taettul leadership, overcame their ecraplea yera out of & book,
an dersy, and wherever be went hs was elcome Buca y, of the Genent
clergyman writes: "My wife.
peaka
it is safe to say, never been observed here until" then; and when, in 1827. Ome of up chaise
full of evergreen and was trimmed for the Christ-
had made them known. "And the , placed In Et.
Dr. Edson'e advlee in matters of im- created or stimulated by their asso- portance, and more than once. when clatles with old St. Anne's, and you ever used in this neighborhood, must given a solemn dignity t , which with other Botes of
"It was between 1830 and 1840, when Mr. Edeon, still in hla youthful
valued ald In convention and In met. property might have been put. 1u H. financial va . He financial value, seldahly ", estimated, has been greater to an immeasurable
EIN Edson's time reached the nu 654, children received Instruction and Was Plenty and stormen there was comparatively Mittle pover- y In Lowell, and the ell, and the rector did not or did not pressed his character upon the par- HET. and city. an example of faithful- imple of faithful-
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