Congregational Church

Mt. Forist Methodist Episcopal Church

First Baptist Church
From a photo postcard sent as a Seasons Greetings by Rev & Mrs. H.E. Buffum, 1908

The Berlin House and Universalist Church circa 1896

GUARDIAN ANGEL CHURCH

ST. KIERAN’S CHURCH

For some years. Irish and French Roman Catholics worshipped together in Ste. Anne’s Church. As time passed, however, the church was found to be too small for the growing congregation. It was also difficult and awkward for the priests to make the different na­tionalities understand their sermons.

These were probably the reasons why the Reverend E. D. Mackey, the pres­ent pastor, determined to break away from Ste. Anne's and to help the Irish secure funds to build their own church. With remarkable foresight, Father Mackey selected a location which, at the time, seemed strange indeed. It was virtually a "bog in the wilderness”; but with the growth of the cit his wisdom has been proved, for St. Kier­an’s has one of the finest sites within the entire town.

The corner stone of the church was laid June 10, 1894. September 24th of that year, the first services were held in the basement, as the construction of the upper part of the structure had just been started. May 30, 1895, the build­ing was dedicated by Bishop Bradley. Music was furnished by the Cathedral Choir of Manchester.

This church, which is considered one of the most beautiful in New England, cost over $65,000. The installation of a fine pipe organ in 1898 was a much appreciated addition. The parish has also a presbytery, a home for the Sisters of Mercy, and a school.

The original Ste. Anne's Church, built circa 1881

Ste. Anne's Parish

The first Mass was celebrated by the Reverend Isidore Noiseaux, pastor of Lancaster, in 1867. At first, he came once a year, later, every month. Father Noiseaux was succeeded in 1876 by the Reverend Father Charland. In 1881, the Reverend Father Gorman was named pastor of Ste. Anne’s Church. The first year he built a church which was dedicated within twelve months of his arrival.

The first Franco-American pastor was the Reverend N. Cournoyer who arrived in 1885 and remained 14 years. During his administration he finished the church, built a sacristy and a presbytery, opened classes in the basement of the church and a little later he built a convent and a school. He then invited the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, to take the direction of the school. At the death of Reverend Father Cournoyer in 1899, the Reverend Louis M. Laplante was named pastor.

In April, the old church was moved to the site it still occupies and transformed into a school where the lower grades still function. July 1, 1899, the contractor, M. H. Roy of Lewiston, began the work for the new church. The ceremony of blessing the corner stone of the new edifice took place August 19, 1900. The Right Reverend G. A. Guertin, D. D., bishop of the diocese, officiated. May 6, 1901, the first Mass was celebrated in the new temple. Two weeks later, Sunday, May 12, was celebrated the first High Mass. The Reverend L. M. Laplante, pastor, officiated, the Reverend Father Gauthier acting as deacon, and the Reverend J. A. Roy as sub-deacon.

On Sept. 30, 1909, the venerable pastor, Reverend Father L. M. Laplante, was transferred to St. George’s parish, Manchester The same day, his successor, Reverend C. J. Paradis, arrived.

The attention of this zealous prelate was at once turned to the parochial school which lacked both capacity and equipment to accommodate the ever-increasing population. On May 2, 1910, a contract was signed between the Reverend C. J. Paradis and Mr. J. B. Gilbert to build a parochial school. In Sept., 1911, the new school, under the name of St. Regis Academy, was ready to welcome the rising population.

In July, 1926, Reverend Father Paradis’ failing health obliged him to retire from active life.

In the summer of 1926, the Reverend J. A. Trudel, D. D., administrator of the parish after the resignation of the Reverend C. J. Paradis, found it urgent to make certain very expensive repairs both in the foundation and in the cupola of the parish church—these completed, the interior of this beautiful edifice was the object of his solicitude.

In 1927, the painter’s brush touched every nook and corner where an atom of dust might dare to penetrate. In 1928, two rich offerings, “The Descent from the Cross,’ and the statue of the “Little Flower" - both gifts of pious parishioners completed Father Trudel’s work, making Ste. Anne’s Church Berlin, one of the most beautiful temples in New England.

On Dec. 16, 1928, the Reverend J. Maloncon took charge of this flourishing parish on which there is no debt.  The new pastor’s attention will be turned at once towards the old church which after rendering faithful service for well nigh half a century must again yield its place – this time to a new school.

Berlin, New Hampshire Centennial 1829-1929

National Register of Historic Places

Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church
built in 1915

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church stands like a gem overlooking the city of Berlin, NH. Its many-domed roof rises into the sky, its gold crosses glow in the sun. The church truly was founded on the rock of faith, and has served to preserve and spread the light of Orthodox Christianity throughout the northern reaches of the New England Diocese.

In the early 1900's, the lumber business of northern New Hampshire was booming. It was back-breaking labor, with cold, wet and dangerous conditions, entailing virtual exile from the company of wives and family. But there was plenty of work, and there was plenty of young men who followed the spirit of adventure and left their home countries of Europe to seek good fortune in the country of America.

By 1915, Berlin population rolls included approximately 300 Russian men--32 with families--mostly hailing from Minsk, Wolensk and Gordensk. Concerned over the salvation of his isolated brethren in Berlin, Rev Fr Jacob Gregorieff of Boston appealed to the newly consecrated Archbishop Evdokim of New York and North America. In March of 1915, the priest was appointed who would act as the catalyst for the founding of Holy Resurrection parish. After serving his first service, Fr Arcady Piotrowsky gathered his flock at the parish hall of St Barnabas Episcopal Church. Here, a first step towards a constant Orthodox Christian presence was taken when the group of 139 Russians unanimously agreed to have a regular priest, Church, and school. They elected an executive committee and elders, adopted a constitution and by-laws and named their newly founded church "Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church". A mere five months later, construction of the church was complete, and on October 10 it was dedicated by Archbishop Evdokim. According to the 1940 commemorative booklet, "At the conclusion of the impressive morning service, a cornerstone laying service was conducted by Archbishop Evdokim."

Visit their website here.