The History of Saint Gabriel's Church
In the 1870's, a small group of vacationing Episcopalians met for worship at the corner of South and Water Streets, at what was once the Bay View Hotel. Later, Rear Admiral Andrew Allen Harwood opened his home at 99 Water Street, the site of the present Beverly Yacht Club for Morning Prayer, where Admiral Harwood was the Lay Reader. These services moved to the upper room of the Sippican Seminary, which was sold to Admiral Harwood in 1874, and became known as Saint Gabriel's Mission Parish. This is our present Chapel, which was consecrated in 1900. Our patron's name is said to have originated in a storm at sea, when Admiral Harwood called upon the Angel Gabriel for deliverance. He promised to build a church in Marion, which subsequently became St. Gabriel's.
Since becoming a parish in 1951, Saint Gabriel's has had five rectors whose cure has been the three towns of Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester, an area of 65.6 square miles. Rochester was one of the first towns to be established in the United States; Marion celebrated its sesquicentennial of its separate incorporation as a town in 2002.
In May 1967, ground was broken for the new church and church buildings around the courtyard for a cost of $150,000. The opening of the church was held in April of 1968, but the Consecration was delayed by the rector until the cost of the building was paid, "since one does not offer to God that which one does not own." Instead, the church was consecrated before the festival celebration of St. Gabriel's Centennial on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th, 1971.
During recent years it became evident that thirty years of wear and weather had resulted in systemic moisture problems that would need to be addressed. A capital campaign raised over $600,000 during 2000-2001 for the much needed removal of the floor and the addition of larger windows to regulate moisture conditions in a church so close to Buzzards Bay. The Reconsecration of the renovated church took place on the first Sunday of November 2002, with Bishop "Bud" Cedarholm presiding. In 2006 the Gabriel stained glass window was installed in the main church.
On Sunday mornings, St. Gabriel's makes full use of its two worship spaces: The 8am Rite I Holy Eucharist held in the traditional and much-loved Chapel, while at 10 am the wide open areas of our main worship space embrace an eclectic gathering of inter-generational worshipers, with the choirs 'making a joyful noise' at most of our Rite II Holy Eucharists.
Come join us. All are welcome.