Establishment and Early Years

St. John Fisher Church, established in 1972, serves approximately 600 households in the Marlborough area. Its origins reflect the growth of the Catholic population in the region during the 1960s. Before its establishment, Marlborough’s Catholics attended Mass in surrounding towns such as Glastonbury and East Hampton, the latter located in the Norwich Diocese. On June 18, 1972, the mission of St. John Fisher was created, marking a rare instance of an archdiocesan mission beginning without a sponsoring mother parish.

Later that year, financial assistance came in the form of low-interest loans from St. Augustine Parish in South Glastonbury, effectively making it St. John Fisher’s mother parish. Initially, Mass was celebrated in the basement of Marlborough Manor, a local convalescent home. When state law prohibited liturgical celebrations there, the community moved to the American Legion Hall and later to the Grange Hall. On June 22, 1974, St. John Fisher achieved full parish status. Groundbreaking for the church’s permanent home occurred on May 11, 1975, at a scenic tract on Jones Hollow Road. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on November 29, 1975, and Archbishop John F. Whealon dedicated it on February 15, 1976.

Choosing the Patron Saint

The name “St. John Fisher” was selected by the parish community through a vote held during Sunday Masses. The choice was fitting for Marlborough, a town with English roots, and for a parish founded on June 22, the feast day of St. John Fisher. St. John Fisher, a Bishop of Rochester, was renowned as a scholar and reformer who opposed King Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and refused to recognize him as head of the Church of England. His resistance led to his beheading on June 22, 1535, after more than a year in the Tower of London. Pope Paul III elevated him to the rank of Cardinal shortly before his execution.

Growth and Milestones

A 1971 door-to-door census confirmed the need for a Catholic church in Marlborough. Once established, the Marlborough Catholic Community—as the mission was initially known—began holding services at various temporary locations, including the Grange Hall, the Marlborough Congregational Church, and the American Legion Hall. The purchase of a four-acre parcel on Jones Hollow Road enabled the construction of a church and a lower-level hall named after St. Thomas More, another English martyr and contemporary of St. John Fisher.

A successful building drive raised over $265,000 in pledges, facilitating construction. Parishioners celebrated groundbreaking in May 1975, and by November, the community gathered for the first Mass in the newly built church. The dedication by Archbishop Whealon on February 15, 1976, marked the culmination of years of planning and fundraising, providing Marlborough’s Catholics with a permanent place of worship and a vibrant parish center.

Celebrating 45 Years

On February 15, 2021, St. John Fisher Church celebrated the 45th anniversary of its dedication. Over the decades, the parish has evolved into a cornerstone of Marlborough’s Catholic community, fostering spiritual growth, education, and fellowship. Like the town itself, the parish was carved out of existing communities, embodying the spirit of resilience and collaboration.

Legacy and Significance

The story of St. John Fisher Church illustrates the determination of a growing Catholic community to establish a spiritual home. From humble beginnings in borrowed spaces to a thriving parish, it stands as a testament to faith and unity. The dedication to English martyrs like St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More reflects the parish’s connection to its heritage and commitment to upholding Catholic values.

References

• Foley, L. (2011). Catholic Parishes of the 20th Century. Liturgical Press.

• Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. (n.d.). "Saint John Fisher." Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-Fisher

• Catholic Historical Research Center. (n.d.). "Archbishop John F. Whealon."