The late 1800’s were a difficult period for the Society and the town of Sandwich. Six villages petitioned for separation from from Sandwich including Bourne, Buzzards Bay, Pocasset, Cataumet, Monument Beach and Sagamore. The Boston and Sandwich Glass Factory also closed making it difficult to raise the monies needed to build a church and pay the Rector.
In 1896, a lot was purchased at 159 Old Main Street which measured 60 feet by 123 feet. The fundraising efforts of the Woman’s Guild of the church, as well as, donations from summer visitors including former president’s wife Frances F. Cleveland, resulted in $1219.75 of the needed $1600.00 for the Carpenter’s estimate. The rest was covered through pledges and they hired Robert H. Slack of New Bedford as the architect. He designed a small church with a nave to seat 100 parishioners, a small sacristy, and a belltower. Construction began on March 13, 1899. It was decided to leave the interior woodwork natural and to paint the ceiling a robin’s egg blue as it was soothing and peaceful.
In 1919, the present organ was given by Louis A. Warren in memory of his wife Harriet, and the church continued to share rectors. Camp Edwards was dedicated as a Massachusetts National Guard Camp in 1938 with a large ceremony in town that included a 12 mile long parade. In 1940, the camp was expanded to build Otis Air Force Base and starting the next year, the Parish Hall was made into a canteen for the servicemen at the base. Through the faithful work of the rectors serving at the church, the altar guild was formed and the Woman’s Guild expanded.
With the rapid growth in the population of the town of Sandwich, the vestry decided to call a permanent rector in 1969. Reverend John H. Thomas was selected and moved into the new church rectory purchased at 178 Main Street with his wife Frances and their three sons. To make more room for Sunday School, the Parish Hall renovation started that year with the church sitting on supports while the new space was excavated underneath the existing Parish Hall.
St John’s became a center for community services including Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous, Youth Groups, and the Red Cross Bloodmobile. Father John Thomas expanded the community services outside of the church walls by providing pastoral counseling for the Cape Cod Council of Churches, assisting with Public Housing, formation of the local food pantry. and running the Coffee House for the Community Youth Program.
Father John Thomas began his 11 year journey to receiving a Doctorate of Ministry in 1975 and women started to play a significant role in the church leadership for the first time with Gail Alcorn voted in as the first woman Senior Warden, Nel Harper who was also on the Vestry and managing the church Thrift Shop, and Louise Velsor who had served for over a decade as Treasurer.
During this time, the church eagerly embraced the concept of shared clergy leadership between Father John Thomas and Reverend Alan Swain who began attending services in 1980. Reverend Swain came to the Cape as Priest in Charge of the Briarwood Conference and Retreat Center in Bourne and after St John’s became an anchor for him, he began assisting with the services and performed pastoral care activiities at local hospitals and nursing homes. At the same time, Reverend Thomas brought both music and drama into St John’s with the church choir and The Glasstown Players.
In 1992, the altar was moved forward to it’s current position so the Priest could celebrate the Eucharist in close proximity to the parishioners. The Chancel floor was extended, the communion rail moved, and the floors carpeted.
The church Thrift Shop evolved through the years through the work of the Woman’s Guild. The first Thrift Shop was located in the Parish Hall and was only open in the summer months because the space was needed for Church School. The shop moved to the old garage in 1968 and then to the basement under the Parish Hall. The shop moved to its current location, 2 Jarves Street, in September of 2003 where it functions year round. The Thrift Shop is staffed by members of the parish and community volunteers who believe that the shop provides a valuable service to the Upper Cape.
In the early 1980’s, there was a need for childcare in Sandwich and that fall, David Thomas began an after school program in the Parish Hall. The community childcare ministry was expanded to the Sandwich Village Preshool when the church purchased the property at 163 Main Street in June of 1983. Under the direction of Louise Pola, the Preschool continued to grow and provide important services to families.
Reverend Dr. John H. Thomas retired in June of 1993 after 34 years as Rector of St John’s. The search committee brought in a new rector, Reverend John E. McGinn, to the church in October of 1995. Reverend McGinn moved to Sandwich with his wife Marian and his two grown children.
church was up for sale and the decision was made to expand the existing church and stay in Sandwich Village. While the architectural drawings were developed, the church continued to receive generous gifts including the 900 pound bell from the Netherlands to fill the empty belfry, and the handmade needlepoint kneelers that were lovingly designed with biblical flowers.
A capital campaign drive was kicked off in 2000 to fund the $1.4 million expansion, chaired by Tom Moon and Jos Schermerhorn. With $600 thousand raised in the campaign, the expansion was split into two phases, with phase one including increasing seating capacity to 300, increased sanctuary and choir space, expanded undercroft, new fire suppression system, gas heat, and 6 new stained glass windows, three of which were donated by Jos and Skid Schermerhorn.
For six months during construction between October 2002 and April 2003, Saturday evening worship was held at the First Church on Main Street, and Sunday worship services were held at the Henry T. Wing School, with average weekend attendance of 205 parisioners. The new church was dedicated by Bishop Cedarholm on October 26, 2003.
The first St John’s Golf Tournament was held in 2005 and proved to be a highly successful fundraiser and fellowship event. The annual Christmas Fair continued to be a highlight and was expanded to become a substantial fundraiser for the church. The addition of the Annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast created a fun fellowship event for the church which also made St John’s an important part of the July 4th traditions in Sandwich.
Community outreach was also expanded with the Preschool at full capacity under the direction of the new director Larry Smith, and the Thrift Shop at 161 Main Street had record sales. The monthly Gathering Meal was moved to St John’s where the parishioners from Corpus Christi and First Church join the St John’s parish in preparing and serving a free lunch time meal. The church provides continual support to Alcoholics Anonymous, local Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, local Food Pantries, Noah Shelter, Safe Harbor, Cape Cod Youth Empowerment Initiative, Hyannis Street Reach, Youth Leadership Academy, and Helping Hands of Hyannis.
St John’s is thankful for all of our faithful stewards who continue to give their time, treasure, and talent to create a flourishing faith community where we enjoy spiritual liturgy, warm fellowship, opportunities for spiritual growth, and activities to serve our neighbors.