20 year St. Agnes Parishoner, Althea Howe, with Bishop Frank Caggiano at St. Agnes’ 50th Anniversary Brunch.
Bishop Frank Jospeh Caggiano, celebrated Mass at St Agnes Church, Greenwich, to mark the Parish’s 50th Anniversary. The Mass was celebrated with current Pastor, Father Jim McDevitt, Deacon John Linsenmeyer, former Pastor, Father William Carey, and St. Agnes’ original Pastor, Father J. Clifford Grise.
The trip to St. Agnes marked the Bishop’s first to the small Stanwich Road church, but he insured the congregants that he would be back to the visit the parish community with the “generous, joyful spirit.”
Joan Englert Eaton and Patricia Englert Cafero original members of St. Agnes with current Pastor, Father Jim McDevitt.
A brunch followed the service in the Parish Carriage Room. Greenwich Free Press met up with Joan Englert-Eaton and Jean Englert-Arcoite, twins, who some 50 years ago, were the first two babies to be Baptized by Father Grise at St. Agnes. Joan is the first name in the Parish Book, followed by her twin sister, Jean.
Twins Jean Englert-Arcoite, left, and sis, Joan Englert Eaton.
Patricia Englert one of the Founding Mothers from St. Agnes and mom to the first two babies Baptized at the church 50 years ago.
The twin’s mother, Patricia Englert, one of the Parish’s Founding Mothers, sat with her daughters taking in the significance of the day.
“The original men worked hard to make this church what is today, and I think Father McDevitt has made some really great changes too.” – Patricia Englert
Greenwich State Representative, Fred Camillo, presented St. Agnes with a Citation from the CT General Assembly, signed by the Speaker of the House.
State Representative, Fred Camillo, was once an Altar Boy at St. Agnes. Fred attended yesterday’s celebration.
St. Agnes Church sits on land originally owned by the Dommerich family, which was known as Wildwood Farm. Built in 1917, the 50-room main house was the home of Alexander and Clara Dommerich. The house was completely destroyed by fire in January, 1967. Stanwich School is currently located where the house once existed.
The Dommerich Carriage House was transformed into a chapel, taking on several iterations to become the 350-seat parish it is today.
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