Did you ever hear of a church born from exclusion, blossoming into a beacon of inclusivity? This is the story of Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. Right here in Cambridge, on Harvard Street, stands a testament to faith and perseverance. Saint Bartholomew’s wasn’t always located within these walls. Its roots lie in the early 1900s, with a group of Black Episcopalians, primarily from the Caribbean. They found themselves unwelcome in other churches. Under the guidance of Mr. John S. Brown, they began meeting in a home on Windsor Street. This small gathering, known as the “St. Andrew’s Association,” became the seed of Saint Bartholomew’s. As the association grew, they petitioned for their own space. They were granted a small mission building on Columbia Street. Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church had found its first home. This 80-seat building soon proved too small for the burgeoning congregation. Years later, they purchased their current building from the Methodist congregation that had previously occupied it. For many years, Saint Bartholomew’s remained a mission church, relying on the financial support of the Diocese. A succession of vicars served the community until a pivotal moment in 1940. The Reverend Kenneth de Poullain Hughes became vicar. He championed the cause of Saint Bartholomew’s independence, successfully petitioning the Diocese to elevate its status to a full parish. Reverend Hughes was a remarkable figure, weaving social and political justice into his religious beliefs. Today, Saint Bartholomew’s stands as one of seven historically Black churches in the Diocese of Massachusetts, a vibrant community led by the Reverend Zachary Njogu Kinyua. The church continues to be a place of welcome and spiritual growth, a living testament to the resilience and faith of those who first gathered on Windsor Street.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to