History
St. Paul’s is the second Millis Episcopal parish, succeeding St. Clement’s (1865) which burned at LaCroix’s corner in 1871 when we were East Medway. Millis had no parish until 1905 when a group of women led by Anna Hoff began meeting in her Lavender Street home. Our current site (“Grant’s Square”) was purchased from Mrs. Emerson (whose husband began Emerson College) and the church was designed by the brother-in-law of T.S. Eliot. The cornerstone of this 20 by 30 foot building was laid by Bishop William Lawrence in 1910.
Millis was part of the Norfolk Mission Field and the Rev. Guy Miner, based in Franklin, served six area parishes on a circuit. Beginning in 1929, Millis shared Medfield’s clergy; in 1949 the Rev. William Kilpatrick served both Millis and Medway.
A parish hall was built and the Village Street Rectory purchased when the first full-time Rector, Edward Dell, was called in 1956.
The Rev. Crawford Coombes began a twenty-year Rectorship in 1961, starting the Peter Pumpkin Fair and overseeing an enlarged church, parish hall and new stained glass. He was followed by a Canberra Australia priest, Bruce Stevens, who served us while completing his doctorate.
The Rev. John Griswold came to St. Paul’s in 1987. With his encouragement the Lay Reader duties expanded. Nursery Care, youth programs, a rejuvenated Peter Pumpkin Fair and a renewed missions program were begun. He remained rector for sixteen years until retiring in 2003 and was named Rector Emeritus. Sadly, John passed away in January 2005.
The Rev. Rebecca Black became the fifth Rector of St. Paul's on January 1, 2005. Rev. Rebecca instituted the All-Generations worship service, which features a kid-friendly interactive sermon on the first Sunday of each month.
People say there’s a special spirit at St. Paul’s: friendly and caring. We would welcome you as part of the family, as we offer our lives, cares and dreams to God and listen to His Word.
