Our Blog

On April 1st the renovation work started on the Green at the corner of Middle and Church Streets, in front of our historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church and location of the beloved summer benefit-concert series called Music on Meetinghouse Green. The project is due for full completion by July 5th, in time for the first summer event.

The historic 1806 Meetinghouse in Gloucester has become a superb venue for classical concerts since the creation of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation in 2015, which is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of this hidden architectural treasure at the corner of Middle and Church Streets. Concerts since the formation of the Foundation featuring great works such as such as the Bach Mass in B-minor and Handel’s “Israel in Egypt,’ by Musica Sacra and Haydn’s ‘Mass in Time of War’ by the Spectrum Singers have set a high bar. The premiere New England performance this past Saturday by the Appleton Consort, under the direction of cellist Mark Dupere, on period instruments more than met that level. With obvious love for this repertoire, their authenticity, exuberance, musical prowess astonished and delighted the audience, even for those familiar with the pieces

The highlight of a program on the international remembrance day of the Holocaust called Yom HaShoah, that was presented in the historic Gloucester Meetinghouse on Middle Street last Sunday, May 1st, was the world premiere of a composition by Leslie Steinweiss called “The Grip of Evil: The Endurance of Hope". It was performed with narration by Judith Black by an ensemble including strings, flute, clarinet, piano and two vocal soloists, conducted by the composer. The event was co-hosted by Temple Ahavat Achim and the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.

An audience that applauded the return of live concerts to the Gloucester Meetinghouse on Sunday also brought compassion as they gave more than $4,500 to support war relief efforts in the Ukraine by the International Rescue Committee.

Two words that are frequently used to describe the pandemic that is gripping our world are “unprecedented” and “uncertain.” Although our confidence may be shaken we are deeply grateful to all those who are responding to our community’s needs for health care, safety, food, and essential services.

On Saturday, February 15, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presented its second annual free Family Movie and Crafts Day at the Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. Kicking off the start of winter vacation for Gloucester’s schools, the day-long event provided a perfect opportunity for families to share time together over movies, crafts, and activities.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation’s symposium on November 16 drew a large audience interested in hearing ideas on how to turn Gloucester’s housing situation from crisis to opportunity.

A picture perfect early fall day set the scene for the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation’s second annual Cape Ann Classic Cars on the Green on Saturday, September 28. More than 30 antique and classic cars lined the historic Meetinghouse’s grand allee while scores of car enthusiasts, families, and visitors to Gloucester strolled the promenade. John Hicks and his Giddy Gang provided the perfect accompaniment with their distinctive Dixieland band.

Lanesville textile artist Doris Prouty created this stunning, original-design, hand-made quilt, being raffled to benefit the ongoing preservation of the Meetinghouse. The winner will be announced at our closing event on September 6th.