September 15, 2008

St. Anne’s congregation had its beginning with meetings held in Horton Hall, the second floor of a building on Main Street.  On November 24, 1850, meetings moved to the present location on Church Street, where the church hall still stands.  The church itself, a wood frame structure of Gothic architectural style, was begun shortly afterward, the cornerstone being placed on June 10, 1853.  The plans for the church buildings were furnished by James Renwick, who also designed St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the original building of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.  Owing both to the fame of its architect and to its prominence among churches in the Down East area, St. Anne’s is listed in the National Registry of Historical Landmarks.  The church was consecrated on May 11, 1854 and has been in continuous service since then.

 The parish facility includes the church with a seating capacity of 150,  an electric organ, and a clock tower containing a four-face clock and bell.  The bell is still in use.  Due to vigorous fund-raising, as well as many hours of volunteer work, the parish has recently restored major portions of the church including the exterior and the clock tower.  In addition, a new heating system was installed.  The adjacent parish hall, which includes The Great Hall, Chior room, double classroom, Nursery with bathroom, two handi-cap bathrooms, Church Office, Rector’s Office, Youth Missioners Office/Director of Christian Ed, and a large kitchen.  The Great Hall  is used social gatherings, and meetings.  The Parish Hall was dedicated to the Glory of God in June of 2008.

The Clock in the tower was removed in August of 2008 to be restored.  At the present time the clock is back in the tower but has not been put  back together.  It is our hope that the clock will once again chime by mid September 2009.

 In its 151 years, the parish has been served by twenty-five priests.  The most recent, Fr. David O. Sivret  from February 2003 to present.

 The rectory, a ten-room, 1 1/2 bath wood frame colonial house with a detached 2 car garage, is situated on a spacious lot on Lafayette Street in a residential neighborhood.  It is adjacent to a city park and is four blocks from the church.

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