Community Invited To Sunrise Easter Service

Area residents are invited to attend an Easter sunrise service this Sunday, April 8 at 5:45 a.m. at Newhall Park, behind the Bali Hai restaurant. The service will feature readings, music and the flowering of the cross ceremony.  In case of rain, the event will be held at the Old Meeting House in Lynnfield Center.

While Newhall Park was used as the site of Easter sunrise services years ago, the practice was revived in 2010 by Reverend Dennis Bailey of the Centre Congregational Church.

Donald Newhall, the former park and cemetery commissioner for whom the Lynnfield park is named, was an active member of the Centre church with his family before his death in auto accident in the 1950s.  Newhall served in the Navy during World War II and worked in the town’s Tree Warden Department and as a special police officer and town election officer. He was also a founding member of the  Lynnfield Lions Club and played an important role in developing the town’s parks.

Reverend Bailey reports that the former Suntaug Park was renamed Donald F. Newhall Park in 1957. His family left $50,000 to the town to provide various upgrades in Newhall’s memory.  “Upgrades included lighting, fencing, infield work, and a shallow well system.  The field was also reconditioned as a Little League facility.  Newhall Park and the Little League field remains in use, much to the thanks to the Newhall family,” said Bailey.  

“It is a joy to invite the community to an outdoor service, celebrating new life as Christians all over the world celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!” he added. “Thanks to the Town of Lynnfield's Recreation Commission for allowing us to hold this event at this very special location.”