A Brief History of St. John's...
For
many years there
were two Episcopal Churches in Randolph-- Grace Church at the Center, and
St. John's in the Village. Both churches trace their ancestry to Christ
Church, Bethel, which was organized as a parish in 1794. The first Episcopal
service in Randolph was held about 1820 and Grace Church was erected in 1848,
fourteen years after the "Episcopal
Society in Randolph" was organized.
A complex chain reaction saw St. John's Randolph grow out of old Grace Church, which was demolished in 1969. St. John's owes part of its existence to the activities of nineteenth century railroad barons who pushed through a new line in the Civil War era to the town known as West Randolph. Population soon followed and the vestry of Grace Church authorized construction of the present building on Summer Street. (Cost $3,896)
Judge Weston donated the building lot and the church was completed in 1867. It was consecrated by Bishop Hopkins in 1869. St. John's Parish was organized and become independent of Grace Church. The first service in St. John's was held Christmas Eve, 1867.
The Rev. Homer White became Rector October 16, 1881. During his rectorate St. John's was thoroughly renovated and three stained glass windows were placed in the Church, the center one being inscribed to the memory of John McAvoy. Later a black walnut altar was added. From 1869 to 1894 eighty-five were baptized and fifty-seven were confirmed.
Since 1867 there have been twenty-four Rectors who have served St. John's. The average length of service has been two years and the longest was seventeen years. Also during six different one-year intervals, there has been no Rector. Since the beginning of the year 1981 we have been blessed with a new Rector, Father Timothy Eberhardt, who has brought us together in a renewed feeling of spiritual fellowship. To quote from a little book published in 1895, entitled "Historical Souvenir"-- "There seems to be nothing to hinder the future prosperity of this Church."