History

Holy Angels is one of 22 former Protestant or Episcopal churches in Worcester County acquired for use by Catholics. It was originally built in 1847 by Unitarians for $5,682. In 1875 the church was bought for $5,000 by Reverend James Barrett for the Bishop of Springfield and renovated for Catholic use. Renovations included adding large stained glass windows that were imported from Germany.

In 1900, Reverend Richard Burke was appointed as the first resident pastor on Holy Angels. In the late 1800’s the church’s steeple was removed because its weight could not be supported, and a smaller steeple was added instead. The bell was silent until a 1977 memorial gift in the name of Richard T. Broderick was given making the automated bell clapper possible.

The church sustained significant damage in the hurricane of 1938, but the stained glass windows, organ, and altar were spared. Today, four newer stained glass windows beautify the church, which were created by parishioner Carl Paulson.

Information taken from:

“Upton: A Pictoral History: Memories of a Massachusetts Town.” Published for the Upton Historical Society by The Society’s Picture Book Committee in 1995.

“There Were Giants in Those Days: Glimpses of Roman Catholic History in Central Massachusetts.” Written by Owen J. Murphy in 2000.