Photos by E.J. Lefavour
That the Annisquam Village Church is an interdenominational community church. The geographic area of the Annisquam Village Church, called The Third Parish, was established in 1728, and originally included the villages of Annisquam, Bay View and Lanesville. Today the community of the church extends well beyond those boundaries. In 1728, when the Third Parish was founded, the Church was Puritan in belief and Congregation in polity. Pastor Benjamin Bradstreet served for 34 years, from 1728 until his death in 1762. The church primarily relied on local supply ministers until “Father” Ezra Leonard was hired in 1804. He served until his death in 1832. He was considered a “Renaissance Man.” In addition to serving as pastor, he also served as medical doctor, teacher, and state representative. In 1811, Father Leonard had a “conversion experience” and left behind his orthodox, Puritan beliefs in favor of becoming a “Universalist.” The Third Parish became a Universalist Society and kept Father Leonard as their pastor. In 1830, a New Meeting House was constructed; this is the building that you see above. Father Leonard died in 1832. There were many pastors after his death. In 1944, the pastor had a “conversion experience” (from Universalist to Episcopalian). The Church voted to keep him as pastor, and Episcopalian doctrine was taught in Sunday school. The next pastor urged the Church to become a non-denominational, Protestant, Community Church. In 1954, the Parish voted “To conduct a Protestant interdenominational church for public worship of God.” The church remains such today. This is a really lovely old church near Lobster Cove, which you can see through the windows of Fellowship Hall where they serve refreshments after service. I found their service unique and refreshing, the organ and choir excellent, and the people of the church very welcoming. If you want to check it out, there website is http://www.annisquamvillagechurch.com/
E.J. Lefavour
Alicia
blackswanbeth
Joanne
Paul F. Frontiero Jr.
Joey C
Marty Luster
Craig Kimberley
David B. Cox
Ed Collard
Sharon
Fr Matthew Green
patrickr
Manuel F. Simoes
S.D. Kelly
Thom Falzarano
We starting going there in 1960 when John Elder was pastor. His daughter, Nancy, and John came back in December 1991 do perform my marriage ceremony – it was such a treat to see father and daughter sharing duties at the pulpit. Truly a milestone on Cape Ann and so prominent at the entrance to Annisquam. Great article on the history, now I know why it is Leonard Street.
What a beautiful church to be married in, and to have two generations of pastors, especially father and daughter, officiating must have been special. I hadn’t looked that far – Leonard St. could have been named after Father Leonard, although Annisquam was founded in 1631, and Father Leonard didn’t appear until the early 1800′s. I’ll do some research.