Emmanuel Church  
  in the City of Boston  
 
15 Newbury St. Boston MA 02116  617.536.3355
 
Timeline of Emmanuel's History
Chronological List of Our Clergy   Early Vestry Members
     
We're interested to learn of significant dates and events involving Emmanuelites past and present. Please email Clerk.Emmanuel@gmail.com about the details of your Emmanuel timeline.
 

1860

  • March 17. The first meeting held at WR Lawrence’s house, 98 Beacon Street.  A committee was formed to secure Dr. Frederic Dan Huntington as rector, although he had yet to be ordained an Episcopalian priest.
  • April 9 (Easter Monday). The name Emmanuel Church was formally adopted. 
  • Sept 12. Dr. Huntington was ordained a deacon at Trinity Church, then on Summer Street, downtown.
  • Sept 16. The first service was held at Mechanics Association Hall, Bedford and Chauncy Streets downtown.

1861

date stone  
 
  • March 24. Dr. Huntington ordained and became Rector of Emmanuel Church. 
  • June 17. Emmanuel Church cornerstone laid, Alexander Estey architect, elsewhere Battle of Bull Run.
  • Dec 15. First service in church.

1862

  • April 24. Emmanuel Church consecrated. First building constructed on Newbury Street. Pews sold and pew deeds issued.

1869

   
Dr. Huntington becomes first bishop of Central New York. Dr. Alexander Vinton becomes rector.  

1875

Vestry votes to light Church by electricity.

1878

Dr. Leighton Parks becomes rector. He requested free seats at afternoon services, requiring releases of pew holders' rights.   

1894

Memorial bronze bust of Alexander Vinton by Augustus St. Gaudens is dedicated.

1896

Leighton Parks rejected a call from a Brooklyn parish.  Vestry quickly began work on a larger church, adding 40 pews.

1898

April 19. Francis R. Allen's plans approved and work began on expansion.  


1899

  • March 5. New church dedicated.

Early 20th Century

Motoring craze takes many people away from the city and churches, as had the bicycling craze of the 1890s.

1904

Leighton Parks called to St. Bartholomew's New York.  Dr. Elwood Worcester called as rector and starts the Emmanuel Class for Tuberculosis.

1910

Emmanuel Movement, a forerunner of Alcoholics Anonymous which ran until 1929, was started by Elwood Worcester.  

 

1915

  • April 21. Parishioner Leslie Lindsey and Stuart Mason married.
  • May 7. The Lusitania, their ship to England, was sunk by a German U-boat.

1924

  • Oct 1. Lindsey Chapel, a memorial and gift of Leslie Lindsey’s parents, was consecrated.

1960

Centennial celebrated.  The First Hundred Years is published by the Vestry.

1962

  Al Kershaw becomes rector.

 

1970

Emmanuel Music begins with Craig Smith. Their first Bach cantata is Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt (BWV 151 audio clips).

1986

Vestry adopted resolution on inclusive language, welcoming changes in the language of liturgy and hymns.

1993

Bill Blaine-Wallace becomes rector.

1996

Our website is launched.

 

 

2004

2005

  The Rev. Dr. Maureen Kemeza becomes priest in charge.
MaureenKemeza
 

2008

  • March 2. The Rev. Pamela L. Wentz is installed as priest in charge.
PamelaWerntz
 

2009

The Rev. Pamela L. Werntz is elected Rector.

2010

150th anniversary of founding of Emmanuel Church is celebrated with the Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw presiding.

 
website.emmanuel@gmail.com
1/1/11