On Aug. 5, 1923, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire Edward Melville Parker consecrated All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Peterborough.
For the last 100 years, community members have been gathering at the church every Sunday for prayer and song. In celebration of the church’s upcoming anniversary, organizers are planning a special musical performance.
On Sunday, June 4, at 5 p.m., the Evensong Choir of All Saints’ Church, alongside organist and choirmaster Jeffrey Fuller, will perform choral evensong and premiere a new anthem curated by Michael Sitton, dean emeritus of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. Fuller said the piece has taken six months to prepare.
According to the Rev. Jennifer Walters, the new anthem has a much deeper meaning, as it will premiere in memory of longstanding member of All Saints’ Church Charlie Ruth, who died in 2022.
“We wanted to honor Charlie,” said Walters. “It’s a moment to do something new, just like the church was 100 years ago.”
To close the performance, the choir will sing several other pieces by Stephen Paulus, Benjamin Hutto, Martin How and Richard Shephard. After the performance, community members will have the opportunity to tour the chapel and hear from several speakers about the building’s history. The event is free and open to the public.
Fuller said he’s looking forward to showcasing the choir’s talents to community members and celebrating the church’s historical significance in Peterborough.
“It’s an important milestone for us,” said Fuller. “We are very conscious during this 100th year to do things that show this church is more than just a building.”