Our Historic Building

Grace Episcopal Church was designed by noted American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, with a major stained glass window by John LaFarge.  Located at 160 High St. in Medford, MA, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The church was built in 1868, one of Richardson's earliest works.  It was the second of his churches and now the earliest remaining.  When it became evident that construction costs would exceed the budget, the Brooks family of West Medford paid to have the church completed.  It became a private chapel under Episcopal law until the Brooks family delivered the deed to the parish 1873, the year of its 25th anniversary.  The Shepherd Brooks Estate stands today and is open to the public.

The architect later became known for his "Richardson Romanesque" style, perhaps best recognized in his design of Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston.  By contrast, Grace Church is gothic in design and of rustic materials. The building is constructed of glacial boulders with rough-hewn granite trim.  A massive slate roof, in gray with bands of red, dominates the nave's low walls and the five-sided apse is attached at the east wall.  The 90-foot bell tower begins at ground-level with a square base and rises to an octagonal spire.  

The church is set back from the street creating the look of an English country church, nestled into the landscape.  Several additions have been made to the rear of the building, unseen from the street.

The interior of the building remains largely unchanged except for alterations to the chancel.  A variety of richly colored memorial windows adorn the walls. Of note is the stained glass window "Rebecca at the Well" by renowned 19th century artist John LaFarge.  The window was commissioned and created as a memorial to Ellen Shepherd Brooks after her death in 1884.