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Parish of the Messiah
Auburndale
MA
02466
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Who we are
Messiah: “a welcoming Episcopal community of healing and hope, justice and song.” This phrase described the values that were at the heart of our community since our founding in 1871.
The Parish of the Messiah celebrated its last Holy Eucharist in Auburndale, MA on November 22, 2015. On Sunday, November 29, 2015, the Episcopal Parish of the Messiah in Auburndale and Trinity Parish of Newton Centre, MA merged and had its first official Sunday together at Trinity in Newton Centre. The two congregations joined together permanently at Trinity Parish on the corner of Centre and Homer Streets in Newton Centre.
The merger of the two historic parishes came after almost two years of discernment and preparation for the move. Eight Episcopal parishes currently exist in the City of Newton. But the times, together with Newton’s changing demographics, no longer support that many Episcopal churches. According to the Rev. James La Macchia, Parish of the Messiah’s rector, “The congregations of Messiah and Trinity believe that we can be more effective evangelists and missionary disciples by joining together for worship, mission, and ministry. By merging, we will be better stewards of our time, talent, and treasure.” The Bishop and Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts agreed, and in September, approved the merger of the two parishes.
For well over one-hundred years, both parishes have engaged in significant outreach to their respective surrounding communities. The Centre Street Food Pantry will continue to operate from Trinity, and the new congregation is eager to continue and to expand the outreach activities undertaken by Messiah for the last one hundred and forty-four years, including the administration of a special endowed fund for the poor of Newton. When asked about joining forces with Messiah, Rev. Todd Miller, Trinity Parish’s rector, said, “We are excited and energized by the potential we will have made possible by the merger of these two parishes.”
We invite you to come and be a part of our new parish! Trinity Parish is located at 11 Homer St. in Newton Center. Holy Eucharist is celebrated each Sunday at 10:00 AM. Sunday School and childcare are offered beginning at 9:45 AM. Fellowship follows the 10:00 AM service. More information can be found on Trinity’s website: www.trinitynewton.org.
The Parish of the Messiah celebrated its last Holy Eucharist in Auburndale, MA on November 22, 2015. On Sunday, November 29, 2015, the Episcopal Parish of the Messiah in Auburndale and Trinity Parish of Newton Centre, MA merged and had its first official Sunday together at Trinity in Newton Centre. The two congregations joined together permanently at Trinity Parish on the corner of Centre and Homer Streets in Newton Centre.
The merger of the two historic parishes came after almost two years of discernment and preparation for the move. Eight Episcopal parishes currently exist in the City of Newton. But the times, together with Newton’s changing demographics, no longer support that many Episcopal churches. According to the Rev. James La Macchia, Parish of the Messiah’s rector, “The congregations of Messiah and Trinity believe that we can be more effective evangelists and missionary disciples by joining together for worship, mission, and ministry. By merging, we will be better stewards of our time, talent, and treasure.” The Bishop and Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts agreed, and in September, approved the merger of the two parishes.
For well over one-hundred years, both parishes have engaged in significant outreach to their respective surrounding communities. The Centre Street Food Pantry will continue to operate from Trinity, and the new congregation is eager to continue and to expand the outreach activities undertaken by Messiah for the last one hundred and forty-four years, including the administration of a special endowed fund for the poor of Newton. When asked about joining forces with Messiah, Rev. Todd Miller, Trinity Parish’s rector, said, “We are excited and energized by the potential we will have made possible by the merger of these two parishes.”
We invite you to come and be a part of our new parish! Trinity Parish is located at 11 Homer St. in Newton Center. Holy Eucharist is celebrated each Sunday at 10:00 AM. Sunday School and childcare are offered beginning at 9:45 AM. Fellowship follows the 10:00 AM service. More information can be found on Trinity’s website: www.trinitynewton.org.
Location of worship / Church Address
Church Pastor
The Rev. James LaMacchia
Rector
1900 Commonwealth Ave.
Auburndale,
MA
02466
United States
Download Rector The Rev. James LaMacchia vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
Psalms 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Denomination
Episcopal Church
Episcopal Churches in Auburndale, Massachusetts, United States
Episcopal Churches in Massachusetts, United States
Episcopal Churches in United States
All churches in Auburndale, MA
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The Rev. James LaMacchia
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Rector
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Reverend James R. La Macchia was been the rector at Parish of the Messiah since September 2012. Previously, Father James served for 14 years as Associate Chaplain & Religious Studies teacher at Saint Mark’s School, an independent, coeducational boarding and day school located in Southborough, MA.
He holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude as an English-Honors major. Before his ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church, he was an English teacher for 16 years. He taught writing as well as English, American, and World Literature. Prior to his tenure at Saint Mark’s, he served as the Anglican Chaplain at the Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Center. His parish experience includes serving as a priest in two parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire.
Father James is the author of The Riches of the Word of God: Homilies of an American Priest and is working on another book. He spent many summers living and studying in Israel/Palestine, and much of his ordained life has been involved with ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, especially among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. He is particularly interested in Holocaust studies and was invited to speak at the 2012 biennial International Conference on Holocaust Education in Jerusalem. He also is a commissioned presenter of the method of Centering Prayer for Contemplative Outreach.
He holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude as an English-Honors major. Before his ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church, he was an English teacher for 16 years. He taught writing as well as English, American, and World Literature. Prior to his tenure at Saint Mark’s, he served as the Anglican Chaplain at the Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Center. His parish experience includes serving as a priest in two parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire.
Father James is the author of The Riches of the Word of God: Homilies of an American Priest and is working on another book. He spent many summers living and studying in Israel/Palestine, and much of his ordained life has been involved with ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, especially among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. He is particularly interested in Holocaust studies and was invited to speak at the 2012 biennial International Conference on Holocaust Education in Jerusalem. He also is a commissioned presenter of the method of Centering Prayer for Contemplative Outreach.
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Parish of the Messiah Leadership Photos
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Parish of the Messiah Auburndale Service Times
In November of 2015, Parish of the Messiah Auburndale merged with Trinity Parish, Newton Center:
http://www.trinitynewton.org/
The church building is now home for Brookline Infant Toddler Center:
http://www.bitcenter.org/
Service Times last updated on the 2nd of December, 2021
http://www.trinitynewton.org/
The church building is now home for Brookline Infant Toddler Center:
http://www.bitcenter.org/
Service Times last updated on the 2nd of December, 2021
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Additional Info:
In November of 2015, Parish of the Messiah Auburndale merged with Trinity Parish, Newton Center:
http://www.trinitynewton.org/
The church building is now home for Brookline Infant Toddler Center:
http://www.bitcenter.org/
http://www.trinitynewton.org/
The church building is now home for Brookline Infant Toddler Center:
http://www.bitcenter.org/
Parish of the Messiah Photo Gallery
Parish of the Messiah History
Excerpts from "The Messiah Miracle"
J. Foster Ober was commissioned to draw up plans of a church building located to the North and West of the Chapel [built in 1881] .... The congregation went to work with a will to raise the necessary funds with fairs, suppers, and other activities on which goodly sums were realized. The cornerstone of the church was laid by Bishop Phillips Brooks on October 3, 1892. The tune "Auburndale" in the 1918 Hymnal was composed by Horatio Parker for this occasion.
On November 15, 1943, tragedy came to our beloved church, when the entire plant was completely gutted and destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. It was indeed a heart-rending sight when many stood in the ruins the next day .... But there amid the ashes and rubble was born the determination to rebuild as soon as possible.
Help came from unexpected sources: friend and foes, Jew and Gentile, [Black and White], members, former members, from the neighborhood, from sailors in the Pacific ... from a stranger in Chicago, from our sister churches, and from community offerings ... Services were held at the Auburndale Club. The stage serving as sanctuary ... and the lounge was used as a side chapel for early communion celebrations and baptisms.
Permission to rebuild was granted us by the War Production Board in May 1944 ... On Sunday, October 15, 1944, in impressive ceremonies, the cornerstone was re-laid by Bishop Sherrill assisted by Mr. McClintock ... The church was dedicated on September 30, 1945, by Bishop Sherrill and the service was attended by many ministers of the city ... Following the service the 500 people present were invited to meet the mayor, bishop, and rector in the living room of the new rectory. It was a great day for the parish and the crowning climax to a long up-hill struggle.
More than 65 years after that service in September 1945, the present members of this active community carry on the traditions of those early members and rededicate themselves and the church as a place of worship, healing, and hospitality. The parish strives to deepen its relationship with one another and initiate new outreach programs outside the walls of our parish.
Click here to read the Wikipedia entry for the Parish of the Messiah.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Parish_of_the_Messiah_%28Auburndale,_Massachusetts%29
J. Foster Ober was commissioned to draw up plans of a church building located to the North and West of the Chapel [built in 1881] .... The congregation went to work with a will to raise the necessary funds with fairs, suppers, and other activities on which goodly sums were realized. The cornerstone of the church was laid by Bishop Phillips Brooks on October 3, 1892. The tune "Auburndale" in the 1918 Hymnal was composed by Horatio Parker for this occasion.
On November 15, 1943, tragedy came to our beloved church, when the entire plant was completely gutted and destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. It was indeed a heart-rending sight when many stood in the ruins the next day .... But there amid the ashes and rubble was born the determination to rebuild as soon as possible.
Help came from unexpected sources: friend and foes, Jew and Gentile, [Black and White], members, former members, from the neighborhood, from sailors in the Pacific ... from a stranger in Chicago, from our sister churches, and from community offerings ... Services were held at the Auburndale Club. The stage serving as sanctuary ... and the lounge was used as a side chapel for early communion celebrations and baptisms.
Permission to rebuild was granted us by the War Production Board in May 1944 ... On Sunday, October 15, 1944, in impressive ceremonies, the cornerstone was re-laid by Bishop Sherrill assisted by Mr. McClintock ... The church was dedicated on September 30, 1945, by Bishop Sherrill and the service was attended by many ministers of the city ... Following the service the 500 people present were invited to meet the mayor, bishop, and rector in the living room of the new rectory. It was a great day for the parish and the crowning climax to a long up-hill struggle.
More than 65 years after that service in September 1945, the present members of this active community carry on the traditions of those early members and rededicate themselves and the church as a place of worship, healing, and hospitality. The parish strives to deepen its relationship with one another and initiate new outreach programs outside the walls of our parish.
Click here to read the Wikipedia entry for the Parish of the Messiah.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Parish_of_the_Messiah_%28Auburndale,_Massachusetts%29