Grace Church
270 Main Street, Oxford MA, 01540, 508-987-1004
Welcome to Grace Church
270 Main Street, Oxford MA, 01540
508-987-1004
UPCOMING EVENTS
Food Shelf: January 2012 is the month that Grace Church provides volunteer help for the food shelf. Help is needed each Thursday Evening from 5 -7:15. Everyone is welcome! If you have any questions please contact Father Al at 508-987-1004. The Food Shelf is asking for canned meat, coffee, boxed and canned pasta, and baking goods.
The Annual Church Meeting will be on Sunday January 29th after the 10:30 Mass. There will also be a pot luck luncheon. A sign up sheet is in the back of the Church.
Vestry Meeting: Thursday January 12, 2012 at 7pm.
A 9:30 Mass on Wednesdays has been added. Please come and join us.
A new sewing, knitting, etc. group has been formed and meets on Wednesdays at 10am at the Rectory. All talents are welcome.
Built 1864
Consecrated 1865
Our 149th year
Times:
Saturday Evening:
Rite I 5:00 pm
Sunday Morning:
Sunday School 9:00 am
Rite II 10:30 am
Monday Evening:
Healing Service and Bible Study 6:15 pm
Wednesday Morning:
9:30 Mass
In the name of Christ welcome!
The Reverend Alfred Zadig
The Reverend Alfred T. K. Zadig, Sr. has come to be the new priest at Grace Episcopal Church in Oxford. He was formerly the Interim Rector of Saint Mary’s Church in Asheville, N. C. and then Parish Priest of Saint Paul’s Church in Morganton, N. C. Prior to his ministry in North Carolina, he served in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts as Interim Rector of Saint Andrew’s Church, Longmeadow, the Church of the Atonement, Westfield, and Saint Peter’s Church in Springfield.
Father Al has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Care and a Ph.D. in Psychology. For 30 years, in addition to his parish duties, he was the Executive Director of Ecumenical Counseling Service, a mental health center specializing in the care of members of the clergy and religious orders.
The father of seven children, one of his sons, Father Alfred T. K. Zadig, Jr. is also an Episcopal Priest, and the Rector of Saint Michael’s Church in Charleston, S. C.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Our worship as Grace Church follows the Book of Common Prayer, the official prayer book of the Episcopal Church. As stated in that book, "The Holy Eucharist is the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord's Day and other major Feasts..." The Holy Eucharist (also called Mass, Holy Communion, The Lord's Supper) is our usual liturgy. Saturday evenings at 5:00 the service is celebrated simply according to Rite I (using traditional Elizabethan English). Sunday mornings at 10:30 there is a Sung Mass in contemporary English (Rite II). All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion at either service.
In addition, Weekday services and other Sacraments are provided as announced. The Sacrament of Penance ("Confession") is available by appointment with the parish priest.
Grace Church History
In the early 1860’s there came from Salem a textile manufacturer, George Hodges, who had purchased the Oxford Woolen Company. This move deprived his wife Sarah Elizabeth Hodges, of her church association. Her great longing was for a church of her own Episcopal faith. Plans moved rapidly to establish a church, and in April, 1863, through the generosity of Mr. Hodges, the site for a church was purchased, and the cornerstone was laid.
On July 19, 1863 services began in Sanford Hall, Oxford, with the anticipation of organizing a parish. For 12 weeks various clergymen officiated, and on November 22, 1863, the Rev. William Lloyd accepted the call to Grace Church.
By 1865 the church, an architectural gem built of locally quarried stone, was completed and consecrated by The Right Reverend Manton Eastburn, Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts. The cost, a large part of which was given by Mr. Hodges, was $20,000. The following year an organ, built by William A. Johnson of Westfield, was installed in the church at a cost of $1800. This organ, with its hand made lead pipes and excellent tonal quality, is still in use today. The woodwork in Grace Church was considered as fine as any in the Diocese. It is of walnut, even in the trusses of the nave. When Mr. & Mrs. Hodges moved to another part of town they gave their home to be used as a rectory.
Weavers who come from England to work in Mr. Hodges’ mill were among those who made up the first congregation, happy to be worshipping in an Episcopal church.
Expenses for the first year amounted to $800. At the outset pews were rented, but apparently this practice was of short duration as there is no record of continued rentals.
Among the historically interesting furnishings of Grace Church is a baptismal font made of materials from the U.S. Frigate Constitution, also know as “Old Ironsides”, which bears an inscription indicating its history. The pulpit was originally made for Emmanuel Church, Boston, transferred to All Saints, Worcester, and finally in 1905 it was brought to Grace Church.
In 1869 several members of Grace Church had moved to Webster and formed their own church. Though Grace Church was often referred to as the “Mother of the Church of the Reconciliation, Webster”, disquieting years followed. Membership was at a minimum, ever-tight finances plagued the parish, and inter-fractional strife had to be overcome, occasionally making it necessary to close the church completely. During these times of vicissitude there were always those persistently loyal parishioners, though often few in number, who held tenaciously to their faith in the ultimate growth and success of Grace Church. Intermittently the church was cared for by vicars from Worcester and Rochdale, services being scheduled to coincide with the trolley car service – the only transportation available to clergymen at that time.
From 1903 on, except a period of 5 years when the church was again completely closed, rectors from Webster and Southbridge served as vicars.
In 1945, the 80th anniversary year, application was made into the union with the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Admission was granted in May, 1949.
On June 23, 1957, a new parish house was dedicated, with the Right Reverend William Appleton Lawrence, Bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts presiding.
In April and May, 1964, the 100th anniversary of the founding of Grace Church was commemorated to the glory of God, and for his blessings in bringing forth fruit to an often parched parish.
Throughout the years many gifts, both material and service-wise, have come to Grace Church, adding to its beauty in the worship of God. The list is long, and constantly growing – a manifestation of the devotion and gratitude of its parishioners.
Two ordinations have taken place in Grace Church, Arnold Pederson in 1949, and Paul Goranson in 1975. Father Goranson served Grace Church for 32 years, first as Assistant, and then as Rector. After his retirement, services were conducted by visiting priests until March, 2009, when at the request of the Wardens and Vestry, The Reverend Alfred T. K. Zadig, Sr. was appointed as Parish Priest by The Right Reverend Gordon P. Scruton, Bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
Senior Warden: Russ Rheault
Junior Warden: Michael Heil
Treasurer: Paula Parker
Clerk:
Vestry Member: Hal Williams
Vestry Member: Betty Blodgett
Vestry Member: Carol Auger
Vestry Member: Hope Zielinski
Vestry Member: Dan Costello
Vestry Member: John McLaughlin
For questions or information, please contact us at gracechurchoxford_yahoo.com
Telephone: 508-987-1004
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