HISTORY OF HOPEDALE UNITARIAN PARISH

The founder of Hopedale and our first minister, Adin Ballou, had an intense desire to put his religious faith into practice. He conceived and promoted the Fraternal Community No. 1, the forerunner of this parish. From 1842 to 1856, he and his followers lived on farmland that now is the town of Hopedale. It was here that they worked to embrace an ethical idealism. Although his experiment made a promising beginning, it eventually dissolved. Many who had taken part in the noble effort to live out the demands of Christian socialist principles continued to worship with Adin Ballou, thus establishing this Parish.

The Hopedale Unitarian Parish was formed October 2, 1867. The Parish accepted the remaining members of the Community, its Meeting House, Sunday School, Cemetery and Funds. Today, the Hopedale Unitarian Parish is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association, which has headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts.

THE CHURCH BUILDING, CHIMES, AND ORGAN

The building that is standing is a memorial church. It was erected through the generosity of Eben S. Draper and George Albert Draper in memory of their father and mother. Dedication services for the, church edifice were held on September 15, 1898. The architectural style is English Gothic.

The chimes in the church tower were dedicated at services on November 13, 1910. The bells contain inscriptions of the names of donors. Today, the chimes are played before each Sunday service and also for important occasions such as funerals and weddings, also for special patriotic occasions.

The organ donated by Mrs. Edward L. Osgood, was originally run by compressed air. It was electrified and entirely renovated in 1963.

For more on the Chimes and Organ, go to Music .

THE CHURCH WINDOWS

The Good Shepherd Window was the gift, in 1913, of former Governor Eben S. Draper and his wife, Nancy Bristow Draper. It suggests motifs from the twenty-third Psalm. It is so placed that there is no time of day or night when it is better illuminated than at the hour of Sunday services. It is made of Tiffany glass and is so well proportioned, so well done, that it gives rest to the spiritual and physical eye that views it. The Reverend JB Hollis Tegarden often said, "One of the many blessings of this church is that if a worshipper could not get a sermon from the pulpit he could always get one from the Good Shepherd Window". The Good Shepherd Window cost was $3,000.00.

The Medallion Window was a gift, in 1915, from George A. Draper and his wife, Jessie Preston Draper. This window is an example of the best type of Medieval design of medallion windows of the thirteenth century/ but it has stronger design and detail than the Medieval ones because in this window no paints are used. The background is composed of very small jewel-squares, alternating ruby and sapphires. The round center medallions represent scenes in the life of Christ. This window is also made in American Tiffany glass.

Scenes in the Medallion Window: The Nativity, Announcement of the Nativity to the Shepherds by the Angel, Announcement by the Angel to Mary that she will bear the Savior, Jesus teaching in the Temple Jesus baptised by John Jesus gathers his disciples, Jesus appears after the Crucifixion, Jesus waits in the garden of Gethsemane while the disciples sleep, and The Last Supper. The Medallion Window cost was $5,000.00.

The Saint Cecilia Window. In 1915 Miss Grace Dutcher gave this stained glass window at the right of the transcept . It is appropriate that this patron saint of music should be near our choir and organ.

The Saint Paul Window. The corresponding window on the other side was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Dutcher and represents the apostle Paul.

For more in our stained glass windows, go to Windows

OUR MINISTERS