A Westborough Parish on John Street
Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church sits on a short side street off Main Street in Westborough, Massachusetts, across from Westborough High School. The contemporary church building, with its tall vertical stained-glass window behind the free-standing altar, occupies a large parcel of land in a quiet residential neighborhood of old homes and tall trees. Inside, the parish describes itself in words its members repeat again and again: "a second home, a welcoming family, caring and accepting people, a very social and warm congregation," and "a very special and uplifting place."
The congregation belongs to the Episcopal Church and to the worldwide Anglican Communion. As Episcopalians they are followers of Jesus Christ and believe in one God present as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The parish studies the Bible as God's message of transformative love, grounds faith in Scripture, follows the tradition of Christians across the ages, and trusts in reason and personal experience.
From a Converted Stable to a Contemporary Church
Saint Stephen's story begins in 1872, when Episcopal services were held from place to place with help from a church in a neighboring town. In 1898, the purchase of a house and a stable in Westborough gave the congregation its first real home, with the stable converted into a chapel. The Diocese of Western Massachusetts formed at the turn of the century, and in 1906 St. Stephen's became a mission led by a vicar and an executive committee. In 1907, the parish was formally received as a mission of the new diocese.
After World War II the post-war population boom made a larger church necessary, and land was purchased on John Street, the church's current location. An architect was hired whose philosophy was "to create churches whose walls and roofs and spires express the aspirations of the people who congregate there." The first services were held in 1957, with additional work on Fay Hall, the lower-level classrooms, and the interior continuing over the following years. As the church grew and became financially stable, the Diocese approved an application to become a parish in 1977, with a rector and vestry. The mortgage was burned in 1982, and the centennial was celebrated in 1998.
Tragedy struck the parish in 1991 when the beloved Fr. John Lawton and his wife Nancy were killed in a car accident, leaving behind four children. The town of Westborough named a street Lawton's Way in their memory, and under the leadership of Fr. Dennis Jarry the parish healed and grew in hope, faith, spirit and fellowship.
Walking with Christ and Sharing the Journey
The mission of Saint Stephen's is to "Walk with Christ and share the journey," a phrase that means different things to different people and welcomes all interpretations of having Christ in life and sharing life with others. In the fall of 2020 the parish conducted a Church Assessment Tool survey, with 85 percent of average Sunday attendees responding. Three priorities emerged from that work and from follow-up conversations and listening sessions: making changes to attract families with children and youth, developing a strategy to reach new people and incorporate them into the life of the church, and providing more opportunities for Christian education and spiritual formation at every age and stage.
To make the church accessible to busy family schedules, the parish invested in streaming equipment using a $2,000 Technology Grant from the diocese, including a camera, computer, Eero Wi-Fi units and microphones. A modern, regularly updated online presence and active social media accounts support the same goal of welcoming new people.
Sunday Worship
One service is held each Sunday at 9:00 AM, indoors and live streamed via Zoom. The service follows a traditional style and uses the Book of Common Prayer: Holy Eucharist Rite II, with notations for the liturgical seasons. The 9:00 AM service features musical accompaniment from the choir and organist and lasts about an hour. The 1984 Hymnal is the primary source, supplemented by additional hymnals from across the Anglican tradition.
The Holy Eucharist is celebrated at every service. Both bread and wine are offered, though it is perfectly fine to receive only one element. Communion is distributed at the communion rail, where people may stand or kneel, and gluten-free bread is available for those who cannot tolerate wheat. All baptized Christians, regardless of religious background or age, are welcome to receive.
Each Sunday service is followed by fellowship in Fay Hall, where coffee, half-and-half, pastries and juice are served and conversation is a vibrant part of parish life.
Music and the Choir
Music holds an honored place at Saint Stephen's. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM and on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM, and provides music for the Sunday service and special holy days. Singers who cannot commit to a permanent schedule are welcome to join the special Christmas and Easter choirs. Organist and Choir Director Marla Farrow has served on staff for more than 20 years. She plans the music for worship, coordinates special presentations by other musicians, and directs the parish choir. Marla holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Music from UMass Amherst, and teaches music at Shirley Public Schools.
Children, Youth and Christian Formation
Saint Stephen's offers a layered program of Christian formation. Virtual Sunday School runs during the academic school year, with a video of a Bible story and a related children's song posted each Saturday along with a follow-up activity. Paper bulletins with age-appropriate puzzles and games are available in church on the appointed Sundays. Communion Instruction (First Communion) Class teaches young people about the Holy Eucharist, both for those preparing to receive for the first time and for those who have been receiving since infant baptism.
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a four-year program offering an in-depth look at Scripture, theology and church tradition, meeting weekly and helping participants integrate what they learn with daily life. Pilgrims in Christ is a catechesis program for adults preparing for baptism, confirmation, reception into the Episcopal Church, or public reaffirmation of baptismal vows, with monthly gatherings and mentors. Vacation Bible School is offered each summer through Westborough's ecumenical program, usually in August. Seasonal programs run during Advent and Lent.
Pastoral Care and Prayer
The Pastoral Care Team keeps track of parishioners in nursing homes, those who are homebound, the sick, and families dealing with bereavement. Members visit, take Communion, keep in touch by phone, and update the clergy. Lay Eucharistic Visitors are specially trained to administer Communion during pastoral visits. The Card Ministry handwrites notes of encouragement, birthday cards and anniversary cards. Valentine Care Packages are assembled each February and sent to college students and to parishioners in nursing homes or who are homebound. The Health Ministry educates members about health care concerns and opportunities for well-being.
The Prayer Chain is a dedicated group of parishioners who pray daily for anyone who has requested prayer, either for themselves or on behalf of others. All information remains confidential.
Fellowship and Annual Traditions
The Men's Group meets on the first and third Saturdays of each month for fellowship and coffee, with time for studying scripture and praying together. Other fellowship traditions include the St. Joseph's Dinner in March, an Italian feast near the feast of St. Joseph with donations collected for the local food pantry; the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper organized by the Men's Group with a Mardi Gras theme; the Mother's Day Brunch hosted by the men of the parish in May; the Blessing of the Pets on the front lawn at the beginning of October, near the feast of St. Francis of Assisi; and the Living Nativity at Christmas, a free reenactment of the Christmas story told with musicians, narrators, actors and animals.
The Yarn Club knits and crochets blankets for Project Linus and Warm Up America, welcoming all levels of experience. The Loafing Ministry bakes fresh loaves of bread and delivers them to visitors after Sunday morning services. The Newcomers Ministry Team helps visitors and newcomers feel welcomed and informed and hosts periodic newcomers brunches.
Outreach in Greater Worcester
Outreach is a central commitment of Saint Stephen's. Volunteers serve throughout the year at the Community Harvest Project in Grafton, where donations and labor help farm vegetables that go to local food pantries. Our Father's Table is a feeding program in Marlborough that offers hot meals to those in need; Saint Stephen's hosts the meal on the occasional fifth Monday of a month. The Little Red Wagon sits in the narthex and collects items for the Westborough Food Pantry, with donations delivered weekly. The Giving Tree goes up every December with ornaments describing a child's age and wish-list item, inviting members to buy a gift for a family in need. United Thank Offering is an annual collection taken up at Saint Stephen's and other Episcopal churches to benefit outreach causes around the world. The parish also partners with the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) of Greater Worcester, providing shelter and assistance to families with children who are homeless.
Bingo, Bible Study and a Thrift Store
Bingo is hosted on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. A drop-in Lectionary Bible Study meets every Wednesday at 6:30 PM with no preparation necessary. Brown Bag Sundays on the fourth Sunday of each month invite donations for local charities. The parish also operates a thrift store, with proceeds supporting the work and ministry of the church.
Worship Space and Accessibility
The main entrance under the cross is handicapped accessible, as is the entrance to the church office, and handicap parking is available directly in front of the church. Shortened pews on the front right-hand side of the nave accommodate wheelchair access. Restrooms are located at the end of the entrance hallway and on the lower level, including men's, women's, and handicap-accessible options. Ushers are available to help visitors find their way.
The church grounds include a columbarium for inurnment of cremated remains.
The Rector and Staff
The Reverend Mary Rosendale serves as Rector. A cradle Episcopalian from Colorado, she earned a BA in History from Colorado Mesa University in 2012, spent three months volunteering in an orphanage in Masindi, Uganda, and completed her M.Div at Virginia Theological Seminary in 2016. Before Saint Stephen's she served as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Ware, Massachusetts for four years, worked as one of four Domestic Violence Chaplains for the region, and completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Bellevue Hospital in New York. She and her husband José have two children. Reverend Rosendale currently serves both Saint Stephen's in Westborough and Saint Paul's in Hopkinton in a collaborative effort, with three-quarters of her time at Saint Stephen's and one-quarter at Saint Paul's.
Allison Mawokomatanda joined the parish staff in September 2022 as Parish Administrator, managing the office and the administrative work that keeps the church running. Marla Farrow continues to oversee the music program as Organist and Choir Director. Peter Williams has served as Sexton since 2014, keeping the building and grounds clean and in good repair.
The parish vestry, elected by the congregation, includes senior and junior wardens, treasurer and assistant treasurer, and members with portfolios in Worship, Service, Stewardship, Parish Life, Evangelism and Education.
Safe Church and Hospitality
Saint Stephen's practices Safe Church Policies, an approach aimed at making the church a safe place for those who worship, minister, come in need, and serve or seek Christ. The parish affirms that this policy helps live out the Baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of every human being.
Visitors are warmly welcomed and will not be asked to introduce themselves during worship or singled out during announcements. The dress is informal to professional, whatever is comfortable. Visitors are invited to sign the guest book in the narthex before leaving, sit anywhere they like, and join the community for coffee hour in the parish hall.
Visiting Saint Stephen's
The church is located at 3 John Street in Westborough, just off Main Street (Route 30), across from Westborough High School. Parking is available in the church parking lot just beyond the building on John Street, with one space reserved exclusively for visitors. The main, metal double doors on John Street, under the cross, lead into the church.
Episcopalians move around a bit in worship: standing for singing, sitting for readings and the sermon, and kneeling for prayers. Visitors are encouraged to follow at their own pace. Readings and prayers are printed in the service bulletin received upon entering.
The parish office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to noon, and is closed on Fridays. The office number is (508) 366-4134, and the general email is info@ststeph.com. Parish giving is available online through Tithe.ly.
The Episcopal Faith
As members of the Episcopal Church, the people of Saint Stephen's are part of the Anglican Communion, a worldwide community of more than 85 million people in 38 provinces spread across more than 165 countries. The church ordains as deacons, priests and bishops all whom God has called to ministry, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or relationship status, and affirms a vital role for lay people in the governance and ministry of the church. Committed, lifelong, monogamous relationships may be blessed by God and the church, and there is grace after divorce. The primacy of conscience is affirmed, and personal decisions such as family planning are respected.
All are welcome to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church, and all are welcome at Saint Stephen's.