The Chapel of St. Anne

Gazing upon The Chapel of St. Anne, can you sense the echoes of prayers whispered over a century? This serene sanctuary, nestled in Arlington, Massachusetts, just a short distance from Boston, has offered solace and spiritual nourishment since 1915. The Chapel of St. Anne isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to faith and a quiet haven amidst the bustle of life. The renowned architect Ralph Adams Cram designed this Episcopal chapel. His vision brought to life a unique blend of Norman Gothic architecture, a departure from his usual Victorian Gothic style. The chapel stands as Cram’s sole creation in Arlington, a distinctive landmark in the town’s architectural landscape. The stones used to build The Chapel of St. Anne weren’t imported from faraway lands. They were gathered locally, giving the chapel a deep connection to its surroundings. Look closely, and you might spot a paving stone repurposed from the Cambridge sewer system. Inside, a 16th-century Madonna and child, sculpted from Carrara marble, graces the interior. Intricate ecclesiastical wood carvings add to the chapel’s rich artistic heritage. The curved apse and the rose window at the western gable end are testaments to Cram’s attention to detail. The stained-glass windows, crafted by Cram’s frequent collaborator, Charles Connick, bathe the interior in a kaleidoscope of colors. Originally part of an Episcopalian orphanage established by the Society of St. John the Evangelist (Cowley Fathers) in 1910, the chapel replaced a smaller, wood-frame structure. Later, the property transformed into St. Anne’s School for Girls in 1928, overseen by the Sisters of St. Anne. For over a century, the Sisters have called The Chapel of St. Anne their spiritual home. They extend a warm invitation to all who seek solace and connection to join them in prayer and contemplation. The Chapel of St. Anne continues to be a place of grounding and peace. It whispers stories of the past while offering a sanctuary for the present. Its enduring presence reminds us of the power of faith and the importance of finding moments of quiet reflection in our ever-changing world.