Title
The First Hundred Years of Grace Church
The history of Grace Church, located in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The history of Grace Church dates from the beginning of Lawrence (first called Merrimack) in 1846. Reverend George Thomas Packard (called Doctor Packard as he was a physician before becoming a minister) was appointed 'missionary at large' in 1846; he was in charge of Beverly, Woburn, and Merrimack. Members of the Lawrence family (Amos and Abbott) contributed to the fundraising effort for the chapel that became Grace Church. The Essex Company had a proviso that within 5 years a brick or stone church replace the wooden chapel intended. The Essex Company offered a lot of land, and the location of the chapel was left to Dr. Packard and Samuel Lawrence. They chose the site of the current church. The architects hired were from H. and J. E. Billings of Boston, Massachusetts. The book goes on to identify the describe the incorporation of the parish, the election of clerk, moderator, and other officers. The church was incorporated as Grace Church.
Dr. Packard died on November 30, 1876 and was replaced by the Reverend William Lawrence. During this time period, it was not unusual for rectors to preach at a different church. There was a small circle of clergy making up this 'visiting clergy' group. In November, 1883, Mr. Lawrence resigned to take the Chair o Homiletics and Pastoral Care at the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. On May 4, 1893 he was elected Bishop of Massachusetts and on October 5th of that year he was consecrated in Trinity Church, Boston, Massachusetts. Reverend Augustine H. Amory succeeded Reverend Lawrence. He remained in that position for 18 years.
The book continues the story of each succeeding rector by the years of their tenure, up to 1946. The final chapters of the book cover the subjects of music, the church school, the Grace Church monthly, societies, memorials, clergy, officers (wardens, treasurers, clerks), as well as the Rolls of Honor for World War I and World War II.
Two news articles are inserted at the end of the book:
* Grace Church Parishioner Negotiated Alaska Purchase
* Six bishops in 61 years
Publisher
Privately Printed by The Andover Press, LTD., Andover, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Collection
Lawrence History Center Library
Author
Edith St. Loe Saunders
Rights
This book is owned by the Lawrence History Center, but copyright may be held by another business or organization. Please contact the Center for more information.
Date (coverage)
1846-1946