Episcopal Bishop Anson Phelps Stokes Dedicates New $250,000 Grace Episcopal Church-September 17, 1962

Visiting the town yesterday to commend the local congregation for a job well done, the Right Reverend Anson Phelps Stokes, D.D., S.T.D., Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts, presided over the dedication of the striking new Grace Episcopal Church at 150 Chapel Street.

Bishop Stokes Hails Parishioners’ Dedication

Beginning at 5:00 p.m., the dedication ceremonies drew enthusiastic crowds to inspect the completed $250,000 edifice. Addressing the assembled parishioners, Bishop Stokes reflected on the early days of the building project when members of the congregation rolled up their sleeves to assist directly with the initial excavation work.

“The church is a traditional meeting place,” Bishop Stokes told the congregation. “Houses are built to shut people out, but the doors of an Episcopal church swing inward and outward, a place where all are welcome to worship.” Following his remarks, the Bishop mounted the rostrum to formally announce his enthusiastic approval of the architectural achievement and community effort that brought the Chapel Street sanctuary to completion.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger