Ashburnham located between the hills of Wachusett and Monadnock, was named for John Earl of Ashburnham in England. The town was established in 1765. In 1851 a small group of Catholics began to maintain religious services in Ashburnham. Previously it was necessary for the Faithful to go elsewhere to worship. In 1886 Rev. John L. Tarpey, then pastor of Sacred Heart Church in West Fitchburg, was assigned to Ashburnham, and it was to him that the task of building a church in South Ashburnham in 1893 was assigned. 

Land for the building of the church in South Ashburnham was given by Mr. and Mrs. Moses Morriseau at the junction of Center and Cross Streets. Following the completion of the building, Rev. Alfred Langevin, pastor of the Holy Rosary Church in Gardner, assumed charge of the church. 

In 1895 Rev. David Moyes D. C. L. was the first pastor. Father Moyes remained for three years and was succeeded by Rev. Charles McManus. Father McManus died in 1902 and was followed by Rev. John Meehan. In 1906 Rev. Michael T. Slattery assumed the duties of the parish remaining until 1910. He was followed as pastor by the Rev. Michael J. Curran, and in 1916 Father Curran was succeeded by Rev. John T. Casey. It was during the pastorate of Father Casey that the rectory in South Ashburnham was purchased. 

Father Casey remained until 1922 and was succeeded by Rev. Patrick W Morrissey. Father Morrissey died in 1925, and Rev. James Burke served for a time as administrator. Rev. Francis A. O'Malley was then appointed pastor. Father O'Malley died in 1928 and Rev. Patrick Coyle served as administrator. In 1929 Rev. James R. McCarthy became pastor and remained until 1932. 

Rev. James Costello then became pastor and it was during the pastorate of Father Costello that the church building in South Ashburnham was moved across the street and remodeled and enlarged to twice its former size. Father Costello remained until 1939 and was succeeded as pastor by Rev. Thomas Mulahey. In 1944 Rev. William V. Lucey took over the duties of pastor and remained until 1951. 

In November 1950 the Most Rev. John J. Wright, D.D., became Bishop of the newly established Diocese of Worcester, and on September 5th, 1951, Bishop Wright established St. Denis and St. Anne's separate parishes and appointed Rev. Joseph A. Lacey pastor of St. Denis Church and the Rev. Charles E. Lynch pastor of St. Anne's Church. 

One of the distinguishing marks of beauty in South Ashburnham is the statue of St. Anne, the patron of the parish. The statue had been located in front of the Church and was blessed by His Excellency Bishop Wright at the St. Anne Parish Home-coming August 18, 1952. The St. Anne Church has a seating capacity of 330; the spacious and beautiful sanctuary, was adorned with simple, but beautiful appointments. It can well be said that the statue of St. Anne and the church building with its devotionable sanctuary was first in the hearts of the people of St. Anne's Parish. 

Rev. Thomas Dunn became pastor in 1954 and presided the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Church building. At this celebration in 1960 a special guest was Fr. James Costello. 

Rev. Edward Dyer added the wooden paneling, the Stations of the Cross, and the carved wooden crucifix (hand-carved from Germany). His gift of eloquence and a love of singing brought much joy to the parishioners in his term as pastor (1962 - 1964). 

A love for gardening and landscaping was the special touch of Rev. John O'Flaherty, who served the parish from (1965 - 1971). 

Under the leadership of Rev. Jacques Smith the outside staircases, which were often filled with ice and snow during North Country winters, were brought inside in a major renovation of the front entrance. Parishioners were thus able to access the Church in a safer manner. Rev. Smith served from the summer of (1971 - 1981). 

Rev. Richard Fortin was assigned to the parish in 1981 and brought a special liturgical expertise with him. He designed the altar in the rectory chapel which was used for daily mass, as well as the altar, tabernacle, and chair now in the main sanctuary of the Church. Much work was also done at the rectory to provide a functional yet nicely appointed home for the priests. 

In June of 1990, a major change in the leadership for both parishes in Ashburnham occurred when Rev. Joseph Jurgelonis was appointed pastor of St. Anne's and St. Denis, with residence at St. Denis. This arrangement, one of several in the Worcester Diocese, has brought with it shifting roles of responsibility, as well as challenges to both priest and people. 

For about two years, St. Anne's rectory was the home for two religious sisters who did work outside the parish but who also ministered within the Ashburnham faith community. 

Increasing demands made upon a small congregation at St. Anne's, as well as the pastor's need for only one rectory, brought about the selling of St. Anne's rectory in 1994. 

St. Anne's faith community consisted of a dedicated group of parishioners who love the Catholic Church and love their parish. The church closed July 9, 2015 after a Fire Department inspection determined the failing roof and other structural problems made the building unsafe to hold services. The parishioners of St. Anne’s are now joined with St. Denis Parish. 

Former Pastors of St. Anne’s 

Rev. John L. Tarpey 

Rev. Alfred Langevin 

Rev. David Moyer 

Rev. Charles McManus 

Rev. John Meehan 

Rev. Michael T. Slattery 

Rev. Michael J. Curran 

Rev. John T. Casey 

Rev. Patrick W. Morrisey 

Rev. Francis A. Malley 

Rev. Charles E. Lynch 

Rev. Thomas M. Dunn 

Rev. Edward J. Dyer 

Rev. John O’Flaherty 

Rev. Jacques A. Smith 

Rev. Richard A. Fortin 

Rev. James R. McCarthy 

Rev. James P. Costello 

Rev. Thomas Mulahey 

Rev. William V. Lucey 

Rev. Gordon A Dowd 

Rev. Joseph Jurgelonis 

Rev. John Hogan 
 

Former Assistants 

Rev. Patrick F. Coyle 

Rev. Timothy Champaux 

Rev. John Foley 

Rev. Gordon A. Dowd 

Rev. John W. Shea 

Rev. Francis Powers 

Rev. John Murphy 

Rev. John Cahill