St. John’s celebrates two full centuries

SALISBURY — St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury celebrated its 200th anniversary Sunday, Dec. 15, with a visit from the Right Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello, the Diocesan Bishop of Connecticut.

He brought greetings from the 30,000 Episcopaleans in the state.

In his sermon, Mello asked the parishioners to consider what it means to say they are from St. John’s, and urged them to present themselves in such a way that “those seeing us in action say ‘see how they love each other’ and want to know more.”

Mello greeted worshippers as they filed out of the church, and mingled further at a post-service luncheon.

St. John’s was consecrated on Sept. 15, 1824, by the Bishop, Dr. Thomas C. Brownell.

Brownell wrote of the building: “This edifice is constructed of brick in the gothic style or architecture. It is neatly furnished, and its accommodations are judiciously arranged.”

He added that the cost of the building “has been borne with cheerfulness.

“The zeal and liberality which this parish has evinced afford an encouraging promise of its future prosperity.”

St. John’s has been active in its support of community organizations, with substantial donations in 2024 to the Lakeville Hose Company ($2,650), Housatonic Youth Services Bureau ($2,200), the Chore Service ($1,000), Hispaniola Health Partners/Louise Lindenmeyr ($2,000), the Corner Food Pantry ($4,000), Salisbury Family Services ($3,500), Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service ($2,650), and Project SAGE ($1,000).