Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Specialties

Emmanuel Church serves the community of greater Boston as a dynamic center for spiritual discovery and renewal. We practice the buddy system at Emmanuel Church, because we are persuaded by the African proverb, «If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.» Together, we have a four-​fold mission for our city, for the Episcopal Church, and for the wider world: radical welcome to people on the spiritual margins, especially members and allies of the GLBT community and interfaith families; serve and advocate for people on the economic margins; strengthen the connection between art and spirituality; and be good stewards of our building and resources.

To find out more about this unusual congregation that is Emmanuel Church in the City of Boston, visit our worship, mission, community, and action pages. Better yet, come visit us in person at 15 Newbury Street at 10 am on Sunday morning.

History

Established in 1860.

«The plan of forming a new church originated with those residing on the Mill Dam, who have long felt the inconvenience of attendance on distant places of public worship. Many others in favor of extending the sphere and influence of our church, sympathize in the movement. And a third class, who for various reasons wish to connect themselves with some new Society, favor the project.»

Thus is described the impetus for a meeting at the home of Dr. William Richards Lawrence on the night of March 17, 1860 at which Emmanuel Church was formed. The meeting took place in the Lawrence home at 98 Beacon street. This rather bland description begs as many questions as it answers.

To learn more, check out our history page on our website.