St. John's Episcopal Church marks 200 years with community celebration
The Episcopal congregation will celebrate 200 years of faith and social justice work with tours, speakers, and special services this weekend.
NORTHAMPTON — St. John's Episcopal Church is marking two centuries of ministry this weekend with celebrations highlighting the congregation's history and its role in founding major local social service organizations.
The church, located on Elm Street, will host a historical tour on Saturday at 3 p.m., followed by remarks from local leaders including Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, and Bishop Miguelina Howell of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Sunday's service will feature a sermon by Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, who made history as the first Black woman elected a diocesan bishop in the Episcopal Church and has deep ties to St. John's.
The congregation was incorporated in 1826, according to the church's records. Members worshiped at a building on Bridge Street from 1829 to 1893 before the current Romanesque structure was built, funded by George Bliss, a Northampton native and New York banker who wanted to provide a church for his childhood congregation.
St. John's is the birthplace of three major community organizations: the Northampton Survival Center, Trinity Room Emergency Freeze Shelter, and Manna Community Kitchen, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this month. The church also historically supported the Round Hill School, an experimental secondary school in Northampton, and continues partnerships with institutions like the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech and Smith College.
In recent years, the church has made structural changes to reflect its values. The wooden pews were rearranged from a traditional layout into a circle facing a central table, symbolizing collaborative rather than hierarchical worship. Rev. Anna Woofenden said the shift represents the congregation's commitment to shared leadership. "It's not about me as the clergy person. It's not about Kathy [Whittemore] as senior leadership. It's not about staff. It's about us doing it together," she said.
The church has added accessibility features including an elevator and designated seating for people with mobility challenges. Children's books are placed inside communion rails to create a "prayground" during services, and small bells allow children to participate in blessings.