Emmanuel Church
Encyclopedia
Emmanuel Episcopal Church is a historic church at 15 Newbury Street in Boston, Massachusetts
The church was founded in 1860 as part of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
. Designed by architect Alexander Rice Esty
and constructed in 1861, it was the first building completed on Newbury Street in Boston’s newly filled Back Bay. In 1899, Frederic Crowninshield
designed its sanctuary's centerpiece window, in which Piety points the way to Emmanuel's Land. The Leslie Lindsey Memorial Chapel, consecrated in 1924, is considered one of the architectural gems of Boston.
Its outreach program in the early twentieth century, known as the Emmanuel Movement
, was influential in the development of self-help groups for mental health
, particularly for alcoholism
. The church is known for hosting Emmanuel Music
, which performs Bach Cantatas in their intended liturgical setting, coordinated with the Lectionary
.
It currently has a cooperative, interfaith partnership with the Jewish community Boston Jewish Spirit. The clergy from the two congregations regularly offer sermons for each other's congregations, and members are invited to attend the other congregation's services.
The church was founded in 1860 as part of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Episcopal Diocese of MassachusettsThe Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is one of the nine original dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America....
. Designed by architect Alexander Rice Esty
Alexander Rice Esty
Alexander Rice Esty was an American architect who is largely known today for designing many Gothic Revival churches in New England, however his work also encompassed university buildings, municipal and Federal buildings, office buildings, and private residences across the Northeastern United...
and constructed in 1861, it was the first building completed on Newbury Street in Boston’s newly filled Back Bay. In 1899, Frederic Crowninshield
Frederic Crowninshield
Frederic Crowninshield was an American artist and author.-Life:Crowningshield was born in Boston on November 27, 1845 into the Crowninshield family....
designed its sanctuary's centerpiece window, in which Piety points the way to Emmanuel's Land. The Leslie Lindsey Memorial Chapel, consecrated in 1924, is considered one of the architectural gems of Boston.
Its outreach program in the early twentieth century, known as the Emmanuel Movement
Emmanuel Movement
The Emmanuel Movement was a psychologically-based approach to religious healing introduced in 1906 as an outreach of the Emmanuel Church in Boston, Massachusetts. In practice, the religious element was de-emphasized and the primary modalities were individual and group therapy...
, was influential in the development of self-help groups for mental health
Self-help groups for mental health
Self-help groups for mental health are voluntary associations of people who share a common desire to overcome mental illness or otherwise increase their level of cognitive or emotional wellbeing. There are several international mental health self-help organizations including Emotions Anonymous, the...
, particularly for alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
. The church is known for hosting Emmanuel Music
Emmanuel Music
Emmanuel Music is a Boston-based collective group of singers and instrumentalists founded in 1970 by Craig Smith. It was created specifically to perform the complete cycle of over 200 sacred cantatas of J.S. Bach in the liturgical setting for which they were intended, an endeavor twice completed...
, which performs Bach Cantatas in their intended liturgical setting, coordinated with the Lectionary
Lectionary
A Lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian or Judaic worship on a given day or occasion.-History:...
.
It currently has a cooperative, interfaith partnership with the Jewish community Boston Jewish Spirit. The clergy from the two congregations regularly offer sermons for each other's congregations, and members are invited to attend the other congregation's services.
Clergy
- Frederic Dan HuntingtonFrederic Dan HuntingtonFrederic Dan Huntington was an American clergyman and the first Protestant Episcopal bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York.-Background:...
, founder - The Rev. Pamela L. Werntz, Rector
- RabbiRabbiIn Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Howard Berman, of Boston Jewish Spirit, rabbi-in-residence