Grace Episcopal Church of Norwood, Massachusetts began as a tiny mission around 1883. The first public Episcopal service in Norwood was held on May 27, 1888 in the Village Hall, with the Rev. John Hewlitt officiating. From then until 1894 services for a small but growing group of followers were conducted by the Rev. John McGrath of Mattapan. He is credited with naming the group the “Norwood Mission of the Holy Spirit.”
During the next twelve years, under the leadership of the Rev. Albert George, the congregation, which had grown to over 100 members, was renamed “Grace Mission,” and fundraising to construct a permanent church building was begun. Grace Mission continued to grow under the leadership of the Rev. Percy Owen-Jones, and when the first confirmation service was held on March 11, 1908, so many people attended that the service had to be held at the Universalist Church of Norwood.
For the next 32 years the Rev. Charles Hastings Brown led Grace Mission. Early in his tenure a church building was erected in Norwood Center. The cornerstone was laid on October 3, 1910 and the dedication was held on February 19, 1911. Today we remember the Rev. Hastings through the many memorials he bestowed to the church including the altar, litany desk, and bishop’s chair, and the Resurrection stained glass window that was installed in his memory in 1941.
Throughout the tumultuous years of World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II, Grace Church grew and prospered. The dominant industry in Norwood at the time was the printing industry, and many of our parishioners were involved in this work.
Following the retirement of Rev. Brown in 1942, the church had three rectors within the span of ten years, but it continued to grown. In 1952 the Rev. John H. Parke became rector. He was responsible for the acquisition of our church bell. (In 1993 we were fortunate to have the Rev. Parke return as guest preacher for the dedication of our new bell tower, a joyous occasion when the church was filled to overflowing with parishioners, former parishioners and friends from the community.)
In 1955, the Rev. Edwin Grilley became rector. During his pastorate, a combination of unforeseen circumstances and the growth of the parish made it apparent that the church building required extensive reconstruction. A number of alternative solutions were suggested and discussed by members of the parish; however, it subsequently became clear that a new site was needed. God, in His infinite grace, created a unique set of circumstances and guided the parish in the solution of this problem by providing the opportunity for the church to purchase the former Plimpton estate property, consisting of 3.1 acres on Chapel Street, the location of our present church building.
The Plimpton family owned Plimpton Press, one of the largest book publishers in the country. We now have the honor and pleasure to have the Rev. Hollis Plimpton, a grandson of the Plimptons who owned the estate on which Grace Church is now situated, as our Priest Emeritus.
In early October of 1961, in a snow squall, the cornerstone of the present church building was laid. The building was dedicated on September 16, 1962 by the Rt. Rev. Anson Stokes, Jr., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
Rev. Grilley served as rector for 15 years, and when he retired in 1970 he was honored with the title of “Rector Emeritus.” He is remembered particularly for two attributes which still characterize Grace Church: a strong ecumenical relationship with other churches in Norwood, and a warm, friendly and caring spirit within the parish.
Rev. Grilley was succeeded by the Rev. George Hearn, who served the parish faithfully for the next 14 years. During this time the church greatly expanded its outreach ministry and acquired its pipe organ. The Rev. Hearn resigned in 1984 and then, following a two year interim, the Rev. David G. “Chip” Robinson was installed as rector on November 9, 1986.
The Rev. Robinson brought youth, energy, new ideas and renewed dedication to Grace Church. The Ecumenical Food Panty of Norwood was created during his tenure. The church continues to house the pantry which serves approximately 300 Norwood families. When the Rev. Robinson resigned to assume a new position in New Hampshire in November 2000, he left a parish, which, although still small, continued to be known for its warm fellowship and active community outreach.
In 2005 the Rev. Kate Ekrem was called to serve at Grace Church. Rev. Kate brought a renewed commitment to the spiritual development of our children and youth as well as continuing the traditions of Grace Church through active community commitment, pastoral care and evangelism.
Throughout its history Grace Church has shown a strong love for Christ and for one another. Many souls, for many years, plowed, planted, watered and nurtured this community of faith; and the continuing strength of this congregation stands as a living testimony to their love and dedication.
Historical Sunken Garden
The Sunken Garden at Grace church has been on the property since 1916 when the property was part of the estate of Herbert M. Plimpton. The entire Plimpton property had been landscaped in 1895 by Frederick Law Olmsted, along with the adjacent Winslow property (Herbert Plimpton was married to Frances Winslow). From looking at the landscape plans which are in the Olmsted Museum, it appears that the present site of the sunken Garden was originally a rose arbor, beyond which was a horse stable.
The Sunken Garden was added in 1916 and was designed by Arthur A. Shurtleff (also found as “Shurcliff”), a protégé of Olmsted and at one time a member of the Olmsted firm. Shurtleff is probably best known for his design work in the restoration of the gardens at Williamsburg, VA.
The property has been owned by Grace Church since the early 1960s. The Sunken Garden had fallen into disrepair and ruin and by the time a group of parishioners made the decision to restore the garden in the early 1990s, it was totally overgrown. Work on the restoration of the garden has progressed slowly over the past decade. In recent years the front stone wall, built of bluestone, has been repaired, the inner square and walkway has been reestablished, and the fountain basin in the center of the garden has been restored. We continue to work to restore this historic garden to its original beauty.Proceeds from the annual Grace Church spring plant sale go toward the restoration, maintenance and plantings of the Sunken Garden—a true historical treasure of the community of Norwood.
