St. Aidan's Chapel is open on Sundays, from June 22 through August 31, 2025
Welcome
St. Aidan's, an Episcopal summer chapel, is home to a devoted and vibrant community that welcomes warmly persons of all faiths to our services. For many people, St. Aidan’s is the alternative to their home church, to others, it is their only house of worship. Often churchgoers attend services while visiting family and friends on vacation. Celebrating Christ’s love and teachings in a charming and historic summer setting is only part of what makes St. Aidan's so unique.
We invite you and your family to worship with us this summer, including children of all ages. From listening to and praying with our accomplished and devout summer chaplains, to our commitment to bring God’s blessings to those in need in the Greater New Bedford area, St. Aidan’s is a joyful and nourishing experience.
The schedule for 2025 is as follows: Each Sunday from June 22 through August 31, there will be two communion services. The 7:45 am service will be held inside the Chapel. The 9:00 am service will be held outdoors in the Chapel Garden. (In the case of inclement weather, the 9:00 am service will be held inside the Chapel.)
We are inclusive to all. Please join us. Everyone is welcome!
Website Updates:
This website is updated regularly with helpful information regarding the summer of 2025 at St. Aidan's. Please get in the habit of checking the Announcements section for up-to-the-minute details regarding our worship schedules, bad weather contingencies, activities, events, and community needs.
Summer 2025 schedule:
Welcome back! Our worship services begin on June 22 and continue through August 31. As in past years, there will be two communion services offered every Sunday: at 7:45 a.m. inside the chapel, and another at 9:00 a.m., outside, under the beautiful beech tree in the garden. The 9:00 a.m. service will include joyful music and song. The chapel will also remain open daily throughout the season for personal visits and reflection.
(In the case of inclement weather the 9:00 a.m. service will be held indoors.)
St. Aidan’s will again be led by our Officiating Clergy, The Rev. Mike Dangelo. He will be joined by returning priests who know our chapel community well: The Rev. Kit Lonergan, The Rev. Canon Arlette Benoit Joseph and Bishop Carol Gallagher.
The Rev. Noah Van Niel is taking the year off to accompany his church choir from Christ and St. Luke’s in Norfolk, VA., on a joyful European tour in July. We are delighted to welcome our devoted group of clergy and their families back to our community.
Visiting Clergy Summer 2025*
The Rev. Michael B. Dangelo
Officiating Clergy
June 22, June 29; July 6; July 13, July 20
July 27 (TBD)*
The Rev. Kit Lonergan
August 3; August 10
The Rev. Canon Arlette D. Benoit Joseph
August 17; August 24
August 31 Bishop Carol Gallagher
* Please note that the schedules for the clergy are still being finalized.
From The News
Christmas Eve Caroling Fun!
A spirited group of carolers met at the chapel on December 24 to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to mark the Christmas holiday. Ably led once again by Felicity Forbes, the singing was robust and enjoyed by all. Families, young and old, made time to come together and keep the spirit of St. Aidan’s…
Goodbye until 2025!
The final worship services of the summer were held on Labor Day weekend. Led by The Rev. Kit Lonergan, a large number of congregants were inspired by her sermon that highlighted the biography and calling of St. Aidan. As always, our connections to the Gospel readings and one another were fortified by Rev. Kit’s thoughtful…
Summer Social at Salter’s
The food and refreshments were abundant as the annual summer social got underway at Salter’s Casino on August 16. This year, the event included a screening of a six-minute video reflecting the history of the chapel as told through the memories of the Houghton families who made the chapel a reality 107 years ago. Special…
The Rev. Canon Arlette Benoit Joseph’s Response…
Our visiting clergy are asked to respond to a quick question every year. This summer the question is: “If you were not an Episcopal priest, what other profession or calling might you have pursued?” Rev. Arlette: I’d definitely be in the corporate world, specifically in marketing. I would enjoy being somebody’s Chief Marketing Officer.
A Moveable Spiritual Feast
The Rev. Canon Arlette Benoit Joseph returned to St Aidan’s for her fourth summer on Sunday. The weather was less than ideal as the worshippers at 9:00 commenced under the beech tree. However, after the readings, Rev. Arlette suggested that the group move inside the chapel to avoid some uninvited raindrops. The switch worked like…
August Worship!
Another beautiful Sunday brought enthusiastic parishioners to the chapel and under the beech tree. The Rev. Kit Lonergan celebrated two communion services, inviting worshippers to join her at the table to offer assistance and blessings. The spirit was inclusive, joyful, and participatory. Thank you to Rev. Kit for bringing her thoughtful and inspiring ministry to…