Camp St. Augustine - early 1900's

History of Camp St. Augustine and the Chapel 56 Mill Street Foxborough, Massachusetts

Historical Information: Camp St. Augustine

Originally this Mill Street property was owned by the Hartshorn Family and was known as the Hartshorn Farm. In the Mid 1800's, Deacon Charles Morse and his wife Hestor purchased this 100+ acre parcel of land with the help of the Boston Children's Aide Society. They renamed it the Rocklawn Farm. From this point on, the land would be recognized as a place of benevolent work. Under the guidance and care of the Morses, approximately 200 boys from troubled homes in Boston were educated and trained at the farm.

Deacon Charles Morse & his wife Hestor

Rocklawn Farm - late 1890's

In July, 1900, the farm transfered ownership and was purchased by the Anglican Order of the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) of Cambridge, and renamed St. Augustine Farm. This Farm became an extension of the parish work being done at the church of St. Augustine & St. Martin, which was the first parish in the Boston diocese for people of African decent. For nearly twenty years Reverend C.N. Field ran the farm as a camp for the children. These children were mostly from Caribbean families affiliated with the St. Augustine Church in Boston, after which the property was named. The purpose of the farm/camp was to enable the children to learn household chores and enjoy their summers in a non urban setting.

Toward the end of World War 1, the Camp St. Augustine Farm took on the role as a clinic for those affected with tuberculosis for about ten years. Wooden crosses and stone markers in the camp's cemetery indicate that a number of women, some children, and even one of the Brothers had passed away during that time when overcome by the terrible disease. Later still, during the 1940's and 50's, the farm was used as a choir camp for boys. By the 1980’s the camp returned to its original purpose as a place for less fortunate children. But in 2002, the 100 year old camp was forced to close due to financial difficulties. The impending sale threatened the scenic forestlands with housing development, demolition of historic buildings and danger to nearby water supplies. It was at that point that the FOCSA group was formed to convince the Town that the land was worth purchasing for the good of the community. At a March 8, 2004, special town meeting, the citizens of Foxboro overwhelmingly voted in the affirmative to purchase twenty acres of the Camp St. Augustine property for Town use.

Historical Information: St. Augustine Chapel

The chapel structure on the camp property was built in 1913, and was used for religious purposes and services.

Chapel & Stone Building / Early 1900's

Chapel setting predating the current Chapel

The following text is taken from a Foxboro Reporter Article written on October 4, 1913, describing the dedication of the Camp St. Augustine Turnbull Chapel:

"Turnbull Chapel Dedicated: The exercises attendant on the dedication of the Turnbull Memorial Chapel at the St. Augustine children's Farm and Home for Colored Children in So. Foxboro, was an event of more than ordinary interest. The exercises were under the charge of Fr. C.N. Field of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, Boson, who conducted early morning masses in the new chapel.

Bishop S. G. Babcock, assisted by Rev. Fr. Bull of Boston and Rev. Fr. Field, the Asst. Superior of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, dedicated the chapel with solumn and beautiful ceremony, before a number of visiting priests, children of the farm, and a score or more of other guests."

"Following the procession around the chapel, the company entered and the bishop offered fervent prayer, dedicating the structure to the work for which it was designed. The bishop confirmed two children, and the chapel was placed unter the patronage of St. Michaels and All Angels. Immediately following, the bishop delivered a most excellent discourse touching the splendid work which has and is being done by the Society of St. John the Evangelist, and of the faithful work for the Master which is being done under Fr. Field and his helpers at the Home. Luncheon followed for all the guests.

No doubt that many of our people would be pleased to see the new chapel which was erected as a memorial to Miss Jeannie Turnbull of Washington, with money left by her and turned over to the proper authorities. The inside is in mission style, whle the altar is of white marble. The supporting pillars were taken from the old church of St. Augustine on Phillips Street, Boston in honor of which this farm and children's home, are named, and which has been solemnly dedicated to God's work in making better their lives".

The Chapel, always referred to as "St. Michael's Chapel" by the Brothers, was continuously used throughout the 20th century as a location of prayer and discussion by the Camp St. Augustine staff and the children they were servicing. In 1993, the chapel was renovated by a local contractor named Stephen Fuller, who repaired the chapel, and made the structure more functional for the camp's needs. In 2003 the chapel changed hands with the sale of the property to the Town of Foxboro, and in 2005 second process of renovation was initiated by the Friends of Camp St. Augustine and their contractor, Chris Heydecker, of Main Street Building and Remodeling..

This most recent renovation was broken into three phases, each phase taking a year to complete. PHASE 1 (2005) would see installation of new windows, doors and flooring, plus electricity and a fresh interior and exterior coat of paint. PHASE 2 (2006) targeted the addition of water, a kitchette, a handicapped toilet area and sewer connection. PHASE 3 (2007) would add the final touch of a heating system and insulation to enable year round use of the building. Utilization of the building was to begin at the end of phase 1. By the end of PHASE 3, the facility would be utilized as an attractive "meeting house" for public and/or private functions.