Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 5.

[p. 26] Church of England did not long continue. But members of that Church, if they still desired to engage in its worship, were obliged to do so in the old parishes of Christ and Trinity Churches, Boston, or the somewhat nearer parish of Christ Church, Cambridge. This state of things continued until the year 1847.

In November of that year the project of an Episcopal church in Medford was first agitated; and at a meeting held on December 11 it was determined to make an effort to establish a parish. Christmas Eve was selected as an appropriate time for the first service, and the Rev. Dr. Alexander H. Vinton, rector of St. Paul's Church, Boston, was invited to preach on the occasion. One of the Congregational churches was loaned for the service, and, in accordance with the custom of the Episcopal communion on the Christmas festival, was fitly decorated with evergreen. This was, so far as is known, the first time that the public worship of the church was ever celebrated in Medford. On this occasion notice was given that thereafter there would be regular services in the Odd Fellows' Hall, situated in the upper part of the railway station.

On the evening of February 15, 1848, in accordance with a legal warrant previously issued, seven gentlemen assembled in a private house and organized the parish under the name of Grace Church.

An adjourned meeting was held on the evening of May 7, at which a code of by-laws was adopted and the parish organization completed. At the same time the Rev. David Greene Haskins, of Roxbury, was chosen rector.

On the second of July the church record reads: “Holy communion was first time administered in Medford,” and on the twenty-second of October the rite of confirmation was first administered, eight persons receiving the imposition of hands.

On the first of September, 1849, a committee was appointed to consider and report upon the best site for