Welcome to St. Andrew's! We hope you will join us on Sunday!
St. Andrew's Episcopal church is a Eucharistic-centered parish in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. The laity take an active role in the liturgy and governance of parish life and in outreach to the community and the world.
Sunday Morning Eucharist 9am
A Bit of Parish History
A Young priest, the Rev. George Burgess, was appointed country missionary in 1915. He felt the Turners Falls Episcopalians, who had worshipped in various temporary settings through the years, should begin a building fund. It was through his efforts that land at the corner of L and seventh streets was deeded to the Episcopal diocese of Western Massachusetts by the Crocker family of Fitchburg.
In 1919, the bishop accepted the mission into union with the diocese. When the rev. George Stockwell became missionary in early 1921, the plans for the building of a church were well under way and he was appointed first vicar.
The cost of the new church was set at $12,000 with at least $7,000 of it raised through a building fund.
On Nov. 30, 1921, Stockwell and the Rev. John B. Whiteman, rector of St. James in Greenfield, conducted the first service in the new church despite shavings that littered the floor. It was not until Christmas Eve that the Holy Eucharist was celebrated at the midnight service.
Today the church is a full parish in communion with the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
Traditions
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, a self-supporting parish of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, is a liturgy and Eucharist-centered parish.
The laity take and active role in the liturgy and governance of parish life and in outreach and mission to the community and the world.
During the year, St. Andrew’s celebrates observances that continue English traditions of the Anglican Church.
Mothering Sunday: Every year on the fourth Sunday of Lent, St. Andrew’s observes the old English custom of Mothering Sunday.
In days past in the English countryside, young people were let out to work on farms away from home. It was a matter of finding work where workers were needed. On this Sunday they returned to visit their mothers and their home parishes.
They brought with them gifts of violets and cake. At. St. Andrew’s a special simnel cake—a rich fruit cake—is baked and decorated. It is blessed on the later and pieces are distributed to the congregation in honor of mothers and the mother church.
Harvest Festival: Every fall, St. Andrew’s celebrates the English tradition of the Festival of Harvest Homes. The church is decorated beautifully with cornstalks, pumpkins, fruits, vegetables, and flowers. A special Eucharist is celebrated in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest of the fruits of the earth.
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