Timeline of Our Building History

  • 1861
    • 17 Jul. The building’s cornerstone was laid.
    • 15 Dec.  First service was held in the church.
  • 1862, 24 Apr.  The church was consecrated.  
  • 1863.  A free-standing chapel was added.
  • 1864.  The West transept was added.
  • 1883.  The first Parish House was built.
  • 1898, Apr.  The last service was held before expansion of the old church.
    • Services thereafter were held at the nearby YMCA until completion of the new church.
    • The chancel was added.
    • Orientation of the Sanctuary was changed from North-South to East-West.
  • 1899, 5 Mar.  The expanded church was dedicated.
  • 1906.  11-13 Newbury Street bought by Walter Baylies for a parish house.
  • 1915
    • 21 Apr.  Leslie Lindsey and Stewart Mason married.
    • May 7.   Newlyweds drowned on the torpedoed Lusitania.
  • 1920.  27 Newbury St. bought by William Lindsey.
  • 1924, 1 Oct. Lindsey Chapel was consecrated.
  • 1926.    The current Parish House built.
    • The old chapel was changed into a library with fireplace.
    • A room on the Mezzanine was created for the kindergarten.
    • Second floor
      • A large workroom was added for the women of the parish.
      • A new kitchen with modern equipment and a dumbwaiter were installed.
    • Third-floor offices were constructed.
    • These basement rooms were created
      • Club room for choir boys
      • Choir room for practice
      • Study for the organist.
  • 1946.   Cram & Ferguson submitted plans for repairs to the Sanctuary, conversion to oil heat, and other renovations.
  • 1950. 11-13 Newbury Street was sold to raise funds for ongoing renovations.
  • 1955.  Extensive renovations of the  Sanctuary and Parish House were completed.
  • 1964.  Lindsey Chapel was damaged by arson.
  • 1967.  We began heating with Boston Edison’s district steam.
  • 1972.  Moulton Sacristy was installed beside the Lindsey Chapel chancel.
  • 1999
  • 2000
      • Apr.    The Vestry explored installing a handicap-accessible bathroom.
      • 12 Nov. Sacristy and parts of Sanctuary were damaged by fire.
      • 7 Dec. Services returned to Lindsey Chapel.
      • 24 Dec. Services returned to Sanctuary.
  • 2003.  With insurance funding
      • The Music Room and the Sacristy were renovated.
      • Roof was repaired.
      • Bathrooms were expanded.
  • 2006.  Hardscape, garden, and a fence designed by David Polando were installed.
  • 2008, 13 Jan. Emmanuel’s Land Window was rededicated with Frederic Crowinshield‘s grand-daughter Gertrude Wilmers in attendance.
  • 2010.  Replacement statues carved by Simon Verity were installed in Lindsey Chapel reredos.
  • 2017, 26 Feb.  Burnham Window was rededicated by the Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris.
  • 2020.  Our facade was renovated under the supervision of Peter K. Johnson with support from the City of Boston’s Community Preservation Commission.