WELCOME
TO
OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION CHURCH
FLORENCE, MASSACHUSETTS U.S.A
This photo was taken by Reverend Henry Dorsch who was pastor of the church circa 1991. It is a wooden sculpture depicting Mary, the Mother of Christ. It was placed on the east wall in the sancturary upon completion of drastic renovation of the interior of the church after Vatican II. The renovation was directed and supervised by Reverend William Connor who was pastor at that time. In May and October of every year, if the sun is shinning at a certain time in the morning (usually arount 9 AM when Mass is being celebrated) the sun shines through the stained glass windows above the altar on the opposite side of the figure, giving a halo of brillant colors surrounding Mary's head.
THE SANCTUARY BEFORE VATICAN II
On January 6, 1880, the dream of Roman Catholics have a Church in the village of Florence, Massachusetts, USA, was a dream come true.Dedication
and consecration ceremonies took place on October 3. 1880. Services were celebrated there before the interior was completely finished. Rev. P.F. Gallery was appointed thefirst pastor.
He died July 30, 1886. He inspired his parishioners so much that they wanted to have him buried in the church yard "so that he will be with us always." This was an unusual procedure
in New England, but the request was granted and the parishioners themselves purchased a fine monument to mark the spot in front of the church.
(Excerpts reprinted from article written by Alice Manning, the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Friday, February 15, 1980).
--The occasion for this particular gathering of men in the parish who belonged to the "Holy Name Society", a Communion Breakfast followed the Mass. This photo was taken from the church choir loft
A closer view of sanctuary before Vatican II
THE SANCTUARY AFTER VATICAN II
This is a photo of the interior of the church after it underwent a complete renovation after Vatican II. A life size figure Christ on the cross is in the center on the back wall. The cross is framed in wood designed to be an exact replica of the entrance to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Notice the two figures on each side of the wall in the sanctuary. The one on the left is the figure of Mary that you see in the photo above. On the right wall is a figure of St. Joseph.
