Saint Anne And Saint Patrick Parish

Saint Anne's church was built by Mgr. Brochu in 1883 as a mission of Notre Dame Parish in Southbridge. Simultaneously, another mission was established in Sturbridge under the patronage of Saint Patrick. Both missions were united to form one parish in 1887.
On the Sunday following the feast of Saint Anne, 1887, a parishioner, Mrs. Houde, was partially healed of dropsy as she approached the altar to receive Communion. The next year, 1888, on the same Sunday and in similar circumstances, Mrs. Houde was completely healed.

That afternoon, parishoners gathered at the church and formed the first procession in thanksgiving to God for this favor obtained through the intercession of Saint Anne. With that procession, the Shrine was born.

In 1893, an authentic relic of Saint Anne was donated to the Sturbridge Shrine by the Shrine to Saint Anne de Beaupre in Quebec.

Soon the church was too small to accommodate the crowds which flocked to Saint Anne's for Sunday Mass. An outdoor chapel was constructed and Sunday Masses began to be celebrated out of doors. Monuments were added and the grounds were embellished for the devotion of the faithful.

In 1955, Bishop Wright entrusted the Shrine and Parish to the pastoral care of the Assumptionists.

In 1971, the Assumptionists brought their unique collection of Russian icons to the Shrine. These holy images are available for public viewing.

Since the first healing, over 100 years ago, people have continued to come to this holy place seeking solace and peace from God through the intercession of Saint Anne. The devotion and faith of so many Christians have made of this shrine an ideal place to discover and experience the unfailing love of Christ for his people.