Thus St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Otis, Massachusetts had its beginning. It is one of the earliest Anglican churches in Berkshire County and is noted for the beautiful simplicity of its provincial, wooden. Gothic design, and its colorful, historical ties with the Old North Church of Boston.

    From 1785 to the early 1820's, the Episcopalians in Otis held occasional services. In 1827, through the zeal of one man, Lester Filley, noted lawyer and member of the State Legislature, with the help at those named above, the Protestant Episcopal Society of Otis was founded. He gave land next to his home, a fine brick homestead, which was built for him in 1812. for the building of the church presumably named for St. Paul's Church, Boston. During the construction, services were held twice a month in the Center Schoolhouse, conducted by the Rev. Benjamin C. C. Parker Rector of Trinity Church, Lenox, and Missionary Minister to St. Paul’s. Otis.

   The cornerstone was laid on October 31, 1828. And the building was begun in 1829. A dozen or more members of the new congregation erected the church. Hewn timbers, felled from local forests, many of them donated by the Crittenden family, were used for the frame construction. Over a thousand pieces of wavy glass were set in the tall, narrow. Gothic windows, ten feet high. The church was built 38 feet wide by 48 feet long, a trim little church. Rising about twelve feet above the roof is the square belfry surmounted at each corner by a pointed spire. The front paneled door with ifs old-fashioned, hand-wrought iron latch, is often admired by architects passing that way. The first service was held on August 22, 1830.

    Architecturally and historically, St. Paul's is one of the most interesting landmarks to be found in Western Massachusetts. It is painted white on three sides, with the back painted red, reminiscent of a time when the difference in cost between a coat of white or red paint was carefully figured, conforming to the old Yankee idea of thrift. Red paint was cheaper than white. It wears well and no one will see it anyway, they reasoned. The total cost of the church for labor and materials was $1,627.87. $900 of which was contributed by Squire Filley. Unfavorable weather hindered construction and the consecration was postponed several times. It finally took place on December 13. 1832 with the Rt. Rev. Alexander Griswold officiating.

    On a fine day in 1830, the Rev. Benjamin C.C. Parker, Rector of Trinity Church, Lenox and a missionary minister to St. Paul's Church, offended a Diocesan meeting in Boston. While visiting Christ Church (Old North) to see some of the recent improvements there, since he had been Sunday School Superintendent there from 1817 to 1819, he saw in the church yard some articles discarded during the renovation - an old pulpit, a chair, a chandelier, and a stove tunnel. These he requested for the new mission church in Otis. And so, to the wilderness frontier in the hills of Western Massachusetts came the beautiful crystal chandelier and the then 100 year old pulpit before which Paul Revere had listened to the sermons of his day.

The chandelier was one of a pair presented to the Old North Church in the spring of 1746 by Captain Thomas Jones Gruchy, Junior Warden, when his ship, the privateer "Queen of Hungary", dropped anchor in Boston Harbor. She had taken a French merchant man on the high seas during the French and Indian War and plundered her cargo including two crystal chandeliers which were presented to Christ Church where they hung in the nave.

    Christ Church records indicated the sale of "one old Chandelier" for $200 in part payment of a debt in 1805. The remaining chandelier still hangs today in St. Paul's Church, Otis.

    The pulpit remains unchanged. Records state that it is believed to be the original pulpit, built by Tippin and Bennet in 1729, which served The Boston church for one hundred years before coming to the little mission church in Otis. Also within the sanctuary stands the lectern from Christ Church.

    The original Communion Table, a relic of great value, given by Increase Sumner, has a marble top inscribed with his name. He was a native of Otis and had studied law under Squire Filley. He is said to have had a wonderful memory and a remarkable ability to imitate. Often he would repeat almost verbatim the sermon, imitating the voice and manner of the preacher of the day.

    There are other links between St. Paul's and Boston. In January 1828, Boston relatives of the Rev. Mr. Parker presented the church with the pewter communion service consisting of two beautifully proportioned chalices and flagon, made by H. Yale and Co., Wallingford, Connecticut, and restored in 1983 by the artisan, Stephen Smithers, Ashfield, Massachusetts. This pewter communion set does not lend itself to present day use and has been replaced by two antique glass cruets given by Carlton Mott and his sister, Ruth Mott and a silver chalice, paten and wafer box given by many friends in loving memory of two faithful and beloved members of St. Paul's, May Barton who died in 1973 and Martha Bruneau who died in 1975.

    The church has a one-manual pipe organ with four stops, It was built in 1830 by Franklin Whiting of New Haven, Connecticut, who died shortly afterwards of smallpox at the onset of his career. The organ cost $110 contributed by the Berkshire Bar Association, Squire Filley being President at the time. A unique feature of this pipe organ is that the player himself pumps the air into the bellows in the absence of electric power. Over the years, the organ fell into disuse and disrepair. In 1965, Richard C. Hamar of Connecticut, an expert organ builder, restored the instrument without charge because of his interest in the instrument's historical uniqueness. This was a very generous gift inasmuch as the church was without funds at the time.

    The first resident Rector was the Rev. Calvin Wolcott, called in 1834. who served for two years at an annual salary of $150. On Easter Sunday, 1837, the Rev. Ethan Allen of Boston began his ministry at St. Paul's at a salary of $200 and "the privilege of instructing youths in the languages and higher branches of learning each year, and be absent occasionally within said time without being required to account for loss of time. The Parish, in addition to said salary, shall furnish Mr. Allen his wood during the year without any expense to him." The Rev. Mr. Allen was the father of Professor A V. G. Allen of the Episcopal Theological School of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Otis was the birthplace of this distinguished writer and educator. The Rev. Mr. Allen was Rector of St. Paul's Church for eight years, one of the happiest periods of which the church can boast. He went from here to St. Paul's Parish in Nantucket.

    After 1845, financial difficulties beset the Parish. Visiting clergy, or lay readers, or a shared ministry conducted services. Prolonged vacancies between vicars and the decline in the population of the town resulted in smaller attendance and St. Paul's had to be closed sometimes for long periods of time. No regular services were held from 1865 to 1885. Occasional meetings were held to discuss problems besetting the missionary church. In 1896, a meeting was called by Samuel Norton, Justice of The Peace, and at that meeting it was decided to admit women as officers of the church. Miss Nellie E. Haskell was elected Moderator and also Warden.

    In 1893. it was a special and last request of the Rt. Rev. Phillips Brooks, Bishop of Massachusetts, to the Rev. William Wilberforce Newton, Rector of St. Stephen's Church, Pittsfieid, that this old church which, for so many years had been closed - except for some lay services - should be opened. He had intended visiting it had he lived. He died that same year.

    In 1903. the newly elected Bishop of Western Massachusetts, the Rt. Rev. Alexander Hamilton Vinton, became interested in St. Paul's Church. He visited the church in 1909 and contributed $100 towards the painting of the church, saying that the object was to preserve the old structure, not to remodel it. At this time he wrote: "You gratify me in what you tell me about the renovation going on. I don't want the old to be wiped out, so that the preservation of small details, such as the marble effect and so on have my approval. Also, I think you will agree with me that we have so little of an antiquarian interest in the Diocese that so well-preserved a specimen of the country church interior should be prized as greatly as St. Peter's, Philadelphia, or St. Paul's, New York."

    The repairs consisted of painting the body of the church two coats of white and the tower three coats, while the tower roof and rear of the church were painted red to carry out the old idea. Tower blinds were painted green and the tower points received new tin. The old chimney was removed and a new one constructed on the outside at the west end of the church. The roof was repaired with cedar shingles. New sills were put in place and the foundation stones were righted and cemented. The tower timbers were renewed and strengthened, and rods and turnbuckles were inserted to prevent the building from spreading. New lath and plaster repaired damage to the walls which received a coat of fresh whitewash. The sash were glazed and painted, floors stained, seats repainted lead color, and graning varnished.

    Services were held in 1909 and 1910 under the direction of the Rev. Oscar F. Moore, Jr. Minister-in-Charge. Others assisting included Bishop Vinton, who visited St. Paul's twice in 1909; the Rev. Charles James Sniffen, Diocesan Missionary, who came twice in 1909 and once in 1910, the Rev. Arthur J Gammack of Lenox; the Rev. Thomas H. Yardley of Stockbridge; the Rev. Frederick Maurice Kirjus of Trinity Church, Washington, Delaware; the Rev. Robert Keating Smith of Westfield; the Rev. C. J. Palmer of Lanesboro; W. L. Root, Layreader of Pittsfield and the Rev. Samuel Hilliard, former Rector of Lee.

    At this time, the Rev. Mr. Smith wrote to the Diocesan Missionary, the Rev. Mr. Sniften:
"I should be delighted to give the Otis Church a service. Otis ought to be looked after, and you ought to feel that you have a right to demand the help of all neighboring clergy to give assistance once in a while. It was the clergy of Otis and Blandford and Granby, Connecticut, that gave Westfield the first services of the church, so we are especially indebted to Otis."

    In 1909, Mrs. Lindsay Fairfax of Lenox gave a brass altar cross and two vases in memory of her brother, George Dexter Bradford. These are still in use today. They were blessed by Bishop Vinton on May 8, 1910 in a memorable service attended by over one hundred people. Assisting the Bishop were the Rev. Arthur J. Gammack of Trinity Church, Lenox and the Rev. Oscar F. Moore, Jr. and the choir of Trinity Church, Lenox.

    In 1916, services began in May under the Rev. Oscar F. Moore, Jr. Cards were sent out announcing the opening of St. Paul's for the summer. Hardly had the cards been mailed when a case of infantile paralysis was reported in Otis. Miss Nellie E. Haskell, one­time warden and clerk of St. Paul's writes in the church records:

"This paralyzed our efforts for a tine, but Mr. Moore held himself in readiness to come for services as soon as the danger was over and arranged with Miss Hogden. Deaconess, to play the organ. The medical profession seemed to know so little, definitely, about infantile paralysis, and the ways in which it is carried seemed so mysterious, he felt we should "take every precaution." Services were discontinued from August until September 23, the last Sunday of the season."

    In 1920, the side walls and ceiling, which had always suffered from frost heaving, had become badly cracked. This condition so impressed Miss Nancy Craig Wharton of Lenox and New York on her frequent visits to St. Paul's that she started a fund among her Lenox friends, contributing liberally herself, to repair the walls. The contract called for $300, but when the work was finished, it amounted to about $400. After this restoration, the church was open from July through October 1920, with services conducted by the Rev. Frank C. Wheelock, Rector of St. Gorge's Church. Lee and Minister in Charge of St. Paul's, Otis.

    The 1920's brought renewed interest in St. Paul's. The Rt. Rev Thomas F. Davies, Bishop of Western Massachusetts, made his annual visitation for Confirmation in 1921. In 1927, the Centennial of the organization of the Church was celebrated on the evening of September 29, the Festival of St. Michael s and All Angels. Bishop Davies preached the sermon and the choir of Trinity Church, Lenox, provided the music.

    The celebration of the Centennial of St. Paul's in 1927 is history, but the problems of upkeep have continued. On June 20, 1926, Mrs. May Helen Barton was received into the church to transfer from St. John's Episcopal Church, Stamford, Connecticut and became a vital member of the parish. Her children were baptized in St. Paul's and she mourned the deterioration of the church building and the organ, and vowed she would undertake the restoration as, " a prayerful project between myself and my Almighty".

As reported in the parish records, November 3, 1943:
"Mrs. Barton, Clerk and Treasurer has to date, collected a considerable sum and there are several more people to solicit. Mrs. Barton has furnished a car for the considerable distances to be covered with no expense to the Parish. It is also interesting and encouraging to note that Mrs. Barton has collected various sums for repairs on St. Paul's Church from almost every family in Otis - something no other member of our parish has been able to do

    In 1938 through 1943, the Rt. Rev. William Appleton Lawrence conducted several services at St. Paul's. In 1943, Bishop Lawrence, assisted by the Rev A. D. Snively, Minister-in-Charge of Otis, and the Rev. Stanley Shirt of the Church of the Atonement, Westfield, conducted Evening Prayer offering, "special prayers for our men in the various branches of the Army, Navy and the Air Force of the U.S.A. There were many silent prayers for the safety and well being of First Lieutenant Nelson Tacy who is a prisoner in Germany. "

    Through the years 1947 to 1953, the Rev. Edward j. Day, Rector of St. George's, Lee, read Evening Prayer on Sundays during the summer; and the Rev. Douglas J. Berndt, his successor, continued through the summer of 1956.

    In the early 1960's, the church was reroofed and the exterior repainted. In 1965, a young man drove by the church and inquired about the organ. This providential visitor was Richard Hamar of Connecticut, on expert organ builder and restorer who offered to repair the St. Paul's organ without charge. The broken pipes had been piled behind the organ in the choir loft and a small cottage organ had been used when needed. Mr. Hamar succeeded in making a complete restoration of this rare instrument and generously donated his work.

    In October 1969, a meeting, called in the interest of the future of St. Paul's, was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Barton, and chaired by the Rev. Robert S. S. Whitman. Rector of Trinity Church, Lenox. The Rev. Douglas Krumbhaar, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Stockbridge, was among the sixteen present. It was decided to secure a rented cottage to house a visiting priest in return for taking the Sunday services from June through Labor Day. From 1972 to 1983, the May cottage on Big Pond, Otis, was rented by the church to serve as the vocation cottage for the visiting clergy. At pre­sent. St. Paul's is technically a summer chapel under the pastoral care of the Rector of St. George's in Lee.

    One of the dedicated parishioners of this time was Charles H. Peter Deroy who picked up and carried the torch from May Barton, making possible the continuance of Sunday services during the summer season. To quote from the 1973 "Stewardship Report" by Benjamin Bragg;

"... a new chapter was initiated in the life of the Episcopal Society of Western Massachusetts, better known as St. Paul's, Otis. May Barton had kept the church intact almost single-handedly for nearly a quarter of a century. With her death in May of this year, a small group of believers, who for the most part had been standing on the sidelines, stepped forward under the leadership of Peter Derby, and the spiritual life began to grow."

    Meeting with Peter Derby at this time were Walter and Theo Smith of Otis, John and Betty Lee Carlson of Monterey, and Benjamin and Mary Bragg of Blandford. The Rev Robert C. Grandfeldt, who had recently moved to Blandford, volunteered to help with the services that year.

    In the following years, clergy from within the Diocese as well as from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and as far away as Africa, conducted services. On July 4, 1976, the Rev. James Mabonga, Diocese of Uganda, Africa, studying at Virginia Theological Seminary, was our celebrant. Mrs. Helen Crittenden, Clerk, writes: "His presence here in Otis was a reminder to us of the many Christian brothers and sisters we have in far away Africa."

    Peter Derby's love for St. Paul's was evident in his caring for the upkeep and appearance of the church and its grounds, as well as in arranging for the summer clergy, with help from the Bishop's office. He was seen tidying up the grounds a few days before his death at the age of seventy-four years in May 1983. His devotion to St. Paul's was confirmed by his bequest of $50,000 to be used within six years for further restoration of the church. This thoughtful and timely gift made possible the much needed replacement of the new foundation as well as interior restoration.

Norman G. A. Day, architect of Lenox, was hired to draw plans for necessary work on the foundations. Michael Whey was engaged as general contractor. Gordon Houldsworth of Richmond, who had considerable experience with foundation work on old buildings was engaged to begin work on the new foundation. Originally, the church had been constructed on numerous large boulders. These were removed, and later placed to make a retaining wall at the rear of the church. Cement footings were poured. A new foundation was made, four steel beams and iron columns were judiciously placed for support. Rotting supports and floor boards were replaced. The original granite facing blocks had been carefully removed before the new cement foundation was laid. When the foundation was completed, these original granite slobs were put back in place to restore the original appearance. The area beneath the church is not fully excavated. Therefore, spaces for ventilation were strategically left when the slabs were put back. New cement steps into a small cellar area in the rear and a metal hatchway were put in place when the foundation work was being done.

    At this time it was voted by the Parish to introduce electricity for utilitarian purposes only. Prior to this time, all cleaning of the church was done by mop and broom. The electrical work was done by George Barton of Otis, son of May Barton He had been baptized in St. Paul's Church.

    When the new foundation was completed, work on the interior proceeded. Many of the panes of old glass were cracked. A young architect, who summered in the area, stopped in one Saturday morning to see the inside of the church. He had been attracted by all the work which was being done. He made a plea not to replace the broken glass with plain glass, and gave us the name and address of a company in New York City which imports glass from Germany. This glass is made in the old manner and has the interesting imperfections the old rolled glass had. We brought the matter before the congregation, reminding the members that the cost of the imported glass was approximately five dollars instead of $1.25 per pane for the regular glass, It was decided to use the imported glass as being aesthetically more correct. Philip and Sally Allen were hired to undertake the project of replacing 200 panes of glass. The glass was purchased from Bendheim Company of New York City.

    Work then proceeded With plastering and painting of the interior of the church. One of the plasterers, in his eighties, mused that as a lad of twelve he had helped his father do some plastering in the church. David Carlino was the painting contractor. The original Hudson Blue paint on the pews was not disturbed. The walls and ceilings were repainted the original color

    In May 1983 after Peter's death, when preparations were made for the summer opening, the brass altar vases were missing, and after some delay, were found in Ashfield, Massachusetts where Peter had taken them several months earlier for cleaning by Steve Smithers, a silversmith and artisan. When we went to get them, we also found a large pewter tankard which Peter had taken for restoration. This discovery solved the mystery of two pewter Communion Chalices (1828) which had been found in the red wooden box in the church. After consulting With the Parish and getting an estimate from Mr. Smithers for the restoration of the three pieces, it was decided to proceed with the restoration. A proper case was made by Deco Art Co. in Pittsfield to protect them They are now on display in the narthex of the church.

    At this time, the altar hangings and clergy stoles were replaced. They were made by the Holy Rood Guild at St. Joseph s Abbey in Spencer, Mass. A matching communion veil was given by Mr. and Mrs. James Wells in memory of Mr. Wells' mother. One of the clergy stoles was given by friends of Mary Monk in her memory. Mary was a beloved member of St. Paul's and wife of the Ven. Arthur Monk.

    In 1987 we inquired at the Sandwich Glass Museum, Cape Cod, about a replacement for some of the pieces missing from the chandelier. Glass Repairs and Lighting Parts. Gem Monogram, a company in New York City, was recommended. We sent a picture of the chandelier and the company responded that they had an exact duplicate of one of the missing pendants. We purchased it for $150.

    It took six years to complete the restoration work and the legal requirements. Approximately $5000 interest had accumulated on the original bequest. The total amount was used after all fees for the lawyer, architect, and contractors were honored.

    More recently the exterior of the church was painted, and an additional granite step was added to the original front steps. Allen Wiiliams of the Chester Granite Co. provided the granite and labor. Only one half of the roof needed reshingling at the time of the restoration. The north side was done at that time.

    New Prayer Books and the 1982 Hymnals were purchased at this time to replace the older ones.

    A beautiful new altar service book was given to St.. Paul's Church by Bishop Andrew F. Wissemann.

    Any history of St. Paul's would be incomplete without the mention of the support and encouragement provided by the Rt. Rev. Alexander Doig Stewart, the fifth Bishop of Western Massachusetts. Bishop Stewart made annual visitations to St. Paul's, conducted special services, and aided in the procurement of summer supply clergy. One of these special services was the Memorial Service for Peter Derby held on June 26. 1983, and conducted by Bishop Stewart who was assisted by the Ven. Arthur Monk, the Rev. Peter Knight, the Rev. Robert A. Freeman, and the Rev. Theodore H. Evans, Jr. One hundred and fifty people filled the church whch was decorated with wild and garden flowers gathered and arranged by Peter's loyal friend, Carlton Mott in the tradition of wild flower arrangements carried on so beautifully by Peter from earlier days. Music was provided by members of the choir of the South Congregational Church of Piftsfield under the direction of Mr. Paul Hamill.

    The Service of Holy Communion with Sermon and Hymns is celebrated at 8:30 am, each Sunday morning from mid-June through Labor Day weekend with visiting clergy officiating. The congregation consists of vacationers and visitors in the area along with local residents. St. Paul's will, undoubtedly, remain a summer chapel, and in this capacity will fill a need as evidenced by an increasing attendance over the last few years

    The generosity of those who offend these services has provided for not only the maintenance of the church with no financial burden to the Diocese, but also tithing to the Diocesan and Presiding Bishop's Funds. The little church, founded by a handful of men, and carried on through the nineteenth and into the twentieth century by a small group of men and women, stands today very much as its founders left it, a gift from the past, the loving, caring spirit of those who worship here today, carries that gift into the future.

Edward & Lois Knight,
February, 1984

St. Paul's Otis has continued to survive under the loving leadership of Lois and Edward Knight as Wardens from 1983 to 1992. Lois had the charisma to make everyone welcome, and Ed was our dedicated organist. Together they followed in the footstep of their predecessors, and through their benevolent role caused St. Paul's to flourish. Summer services at St. Paul's continue under the guidance of elected Wardens Harry and Cremilyn Vaughan and Secretary-Treasurer Elinor Hamill, assisted by willing members of the congregation. The scheduling of clergy is arranged by Stephen Burrall.