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Saint Philip
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The original chapel was built in the 1850s.
The contruction of the current church was completed in 1977.
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History of Saint Philip Parish 1830s 'til now
The story of St. Philip Church began in the early 1830s when a group of Grafton families was visited by Rev. James Litton, “the missionary of New England”. The Grafton church was a mission of Christ Church in Worcester, St. Brigid in Millbury, St. Mary in Uxbridge, and St. Ann in Worcester.
During the 1850s, a small chapel was constructed on West Street and dedicated in 1861 to the patronage of St. Philip Benizi. The church was enlarged during the 1860s and in 1869 became a parish by itself with the appointment of Rev. Angelus Baret as the first pastor.
Since its founding, St. Philip has been the mother church of four parishes — the former Holy Angels in Upton (now part of St. Gabriel’s in Mendon), St. James in Fisherville (South Grafton), St. Mary in North Grafton, and Our Lady of Lourdes in East Millbury. The parish priests of St. Philip also tended to the Grafton State Hospital and Crescent Manor Nursing Home.
Through the years, St. Philip has been served by 19 pastors and more than 25 curates and associates. Rev. James Boyle, the second pastor, expended his energy in building the rectory and churches in the other parts of town. His successor, Rev. John Murphy, beautified the church and cemetery.
Among the longer serving pastors during the twentieth century were Rev. John Casey (1925-1945), Rev. James Ruddy (1952-1968), Rev. Raymond Lange (1969-1977), Msgr. Richard Collette (1979-1985), and Rev. Anthony Marteka who served from 1985 to 2010 and led the parish into the twenty-first century.
While the “old St. Philip Church” building served the parish for well over 100 years, it was replaced in 1977 by a new, modern building designed to better serve the needs of the growing parish. Additions to the church through the years include outdoor statues, illuminated starburst crosses, carillon bells, and stained glass windows.
Today, as through the long history of St. Philip Church, the pastor and parishioners work and pray together as they build for the future a parish family in the long and honored tradition of dedication to “the glory of God and the service of His people”.
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Saint James
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In 1987, Saint James Parish celebrated 100 years! We formed a committee, worked on a celebration, and published a book on it, St. James Church, 1887-1987, Custombook, Inc., Tappan, NY. The section to the right that follows is an extract of information from that book.
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History of Saint James Parish 1887-1987
The story of the growth of the parish stretches back to the earliest days of New England history, before the town of South Grafton was established. The region, originally known as Nipmuck, was inhabited by Hassanamesit Indians. An early grant of seven hundred acres, parts of what are now Shrewsbury, Northboro and Grafton, was made to Elijah Corlet, who was called the first schoolmaster in America. Upon his death in 1687, other people purchased the land.
In 1724, forty men petitioned the General Court of Massachusetts to purchase a part of Nipmuc for a town. The deed was signed with the Indians in 1727; and on April 18th, 1735, the General Court approved the incorporation of a town. The name Grafton was chosen to honor the Duke of Grafton, Charles FitzRoy, who was a friend of the colonists. The Duke was the grandson of Charles II of England, who had reigned from 1661-1685.
Grafton began as a farming community and later gained prominence for its hometown industries. By the mid-19th century, the town was divided into three parts: Grafton, North Grafton, and South Grafton. South Grafton was home to many successful mills, including the Canal Cotton Company, which was later called the Fisher Manufacturing Company. Hence, the South Grafton mill villages received their names Fisherville, Saundersville and Farnumsville.
That company, the Canal Cotton Company, in 1883, donated land for St. James Parish, which had begun as a mission of St. Phillips in Grafton that same year. Fisher Manufacturing Company also gave land to the Union Congregational Church in 1895.
Parish Hall
When Fr. Lucey died in 1952, he was succeeded by the fifth pastor, Fr. Charles H. Dolan. During Fr. Dolan's term, the number of Roman Catholics in the parish rose to 2,300. There was now a need for a larger parish hall. The new pastor dedicated the parish hall in 1957 after repairs to the old center. It had been on Ferry street, built in 1917 by the Fisher Manufacturing Co. as a social center for Fisher employees. In 1935, it was acquired by the French Social Club, and St. James purchased it in 1956. Fr. Dolan landscaped the grounds and constructed a Marian shrine nearby. The five-foot statue of the Immaculate Conception in Carrara marble was the work of parishioner, Gerard M. Gosselin and the architect of the Shrine itself was Theodore J. Brodeur.
Fr. Arthur J. Heamer, during his term of five years, incorporated the first parish council at St. James. He also fostered educational programs in order to inform people about the nature of changes brought about by the Vatican Council. During these years, Fr Heamer and the people of the parish constructed the present parish hall.
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Saint Mary
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A fire on March 30, 1948 destroyed the original church that was built in 1896.
The current church construction was completed in 1949. The addition of the Gathering Space, offices and classrooms was completed in 2000.
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History of Saint Mary Parish 1882-1952
St. Mary’s began offering Catholic services to the people of North Grafton as a mission in 1882. Father James Boyle of St. Philip’s Church, Grafton Center began construction of a church on the main road from Westboro on the slope of a gentle hill. Actually, until 1896, the people of North Grafton worshiped in a roofed-over basement which was low and wide, and covered the dark colored brick. It was facetiously called “Fort Boyle” because of the military characteristics of Father Boyle.
In 1887, Father Boyle was succeeded by Father John R. Murphy who seriously undertook the completion of St. Mary’s Church. The parish had grown, so new plans by Providence architect James Murphy were substituted for the original. A Romanesque building with cruciform outlines was completed in 1896. It was dedicated on Sunday, November 29, 1896 at a Solemn High Mass by the Most Reverend Thomas D. Beaven, Bishop of Springfield. Thirty-four priests were present at the Mass which was followed by the Confirmation of 120 children.
The $20,000 mission church, which was constructed by Fullerton of Providence and decorated by A. Blair of Holyoke, was said to be "neat, commodious and unusually beautiful."
Disaster struck this lovely church on March 30, 1948. A fire of unknown origin broke out in the church one hour after a requiem Mass was offered by Father Thomas F. Mullahy.
It completely destroyed.the church, with an estimated loss of $75,000. At the height of the fire, Father Guy Rossi, a Stigmatine Father from Wellesley, was passing by the church. He succeeded on his third
try in bringing out the sacred vessels through heavy smoke. Services for the North Grafton people were then held at the Grafton State Hospital until Christmas of 1948.
Plans were completed for the construction of a new church on the site of the original one. The cornerstone was laid on August 15, 1948. The first Mass was celebrated in the newly completed church on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949, and it was dedicated on Friday, May 19, 1950. The newly installed Bishop of Worcester, the Most Reverend John J. Wright, blessed and dedicated the church, assisted by 10 priests, and confirmed 69 children after the dedication ceremony.
St. Mary’s Church was elevated to the status of “Parish” on April 30, 1952.
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