SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. - St. John’s Episcopal Parish at St. Paul’s Chapel marked a milestone on Sept. 19 with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new rectory, with Episcopal Bishop Matthew Heyd presiding.
The ceremony, held outdoors on a beautiful late-summer day, marked the beginning of construction on a new home for the parish’s rector, the Rev. Frank Hakoola, and his family. According to the parish, the project is the first rectory built by the Episcopal Diocese of New York in more than 50 years.
The new rectory will provide a permanent home for Hakoola and his family, who have moved to South Salem and are currently living in temporary quarters while construction is underway. His children are attending Katonah-Lewisboro schools.
Hakoola said he looks forward to becoming more involved in the Lewisboro community and getting to know more of his neighbors.
The turn-key modular home is being funded through local parish funds, a grant from the Bedell Fund and support from the Episcopal Diocese of New York.
The groundbreaking was followed by a special service inside St. Paul’s Chapel featuring the chapel’s historic reed organ, built by the Estey Organ Co. of Brattleboro, Vermont. The organ dates to the Colonial era and is one of only three of its kind remaining in the United States, according to the parish.
The service offered parishioners an opportunity to hear the instrument’s distinctive historic sound in the chapel, connecting the celebration of the parish’s future with its history.
The day concluded with a fellowship gathering featuring food and conversation.
St. John’s Parish holds weekly services at 5 p.m. Saturdays at St. Paul’s Chapel and at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at St. John’s Church.
Upcoming events include “Tunes & Tea,” an afternoon of traditional British and Scottish music, on Nov. 15 at St. Paul’s Chapel, followed by the parish’s annual Christmas Carol Sing-Along on Dec. 12.
Article courtesy of St. John's Episcopal Parish. To learn more, visit stjohnsepiscopalparish.com
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