p. f CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM 1 DATE DUE a_4afpH^ IT i 'wV r X E3U 6 its- 1 yi *WP#'^'^^ J- 1 1 i GAYLORD PRINTEDrN U.S.A. If \, M Cornell University M Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029458779 CENTENNIAL ANNALS OF ST. LUKE'S CHURCH ROCHESTER, N. Y. 1817-1917 BY THE REV. HENRY ANSTICE, D.D. Hcec olim meminisse Juvabit '' Rochester SCRANTOM, WeTMORE & CO 1917 Copyright, 1917 By "J The Rector. Church Wardens and Vestrymen OP St. Luke's Church, Genesee Palds. Ifianmavh The place which St. Luke's Church has occupied in the history and religious development of Rochester justifies the presentation in permanent and accessible form of salient facts in its life. As a contribution to the celebra- tion of its rounding out of the first century of its existence, these Centennial Annals have been prepared by one who looks back upon the period in which he was privileged to minister within its hallowed walls as the happiest and most useful of his long career. No effort has been spared to secure accuracy in facts and figures, and in every case original sources of informa- tion have been consulted where accessible. The epistolary extracts in the earlier part of the Sketch were taken from the "Hobart Correspondence," which is in the archives of the General Convention. The kind co-operation of those who have afforded facilities for the researches necessary in the preparation of this work, or whose personal reminiscences have been of value, is hereby gratefully acknowledged. It has been throughout the simple design of the author to give a clear, accurate and concise embodiment of facts and figures without aiming at grace of expression or in- dulging in personal characterizations of men or measures. In memory of those that have gone before, who have been "'careful to maintain good works," and to the zealous workers of to-day, these Centennial Annals are inscribed. RocHESTEH, N. Y., July 14, 1917. Ifiatnrtral ^h^trl; It was in the "day of small things" for Roch- ester that St. Luke's Church was bom. Only three months had passed since it had reached the dignity of an incorporated village, and the census taken in September of the following year revealed that it contained all-told but 1049 inhabitants. But in this number were a few Church people with suffi- cient hope and courage to effect an organization out of which might grow provision for the spiritual needs of those who loved, or who might come to love, the worship of our time-hallowed liturgy. The original corporators, as indicated by their signatures to the " Declaration of Attachment to the Protestant Episcopal Church," were S. Melancton Smith, Moses P. Belknap, Wm. Y. Green, Jesse Moore, A. G. Dauby, John P. Comparet, Anson House, Daniel Hibbard, Jacob Howe, Elisha Johnson, Jonah Brown, Caleb Hammond, Jabez Wilkinson, Joseph Thompson, Wm. Atkinson, Sam'l J. Andrews, John C. Rochester, John Mastick, Silas Smith, Roswell Babbit, Enos Stone, Oliver Culver, John P. Sheldon, Daniel Tinker, Lewis Jenkins, H. Montgomery, Joseph Spencer, Joseph Griffin. This instrument bore date March 13, 1817, at which time the Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, " Rec- tor of St. John's Church, Canandaigua, and Mis- sionary in parts adjacent," who subsequently became Bishop of Pennsylvania, " held the first public services of our Church at Rochesterville." 6 '■' CENTENNIAL ANNALS The requisite legal notice having been " read at morning service on the two Sundays next pre- ceding " July 14, 1817, the date of organization, twenty of the above-named persons met in a school- house belonging to Samuel J. Andrews, on the east side of the river, in what was known as the town of Brighton, in the county of Ontario. The Rev. Mr. Onderdonk presided and the Rev. Geo. H. Norton offered prayer. Roswell Babbitt acted as clerk. Col. N. Rochester and Samuel J. An- drews were elected Wardens, and Silas Smith, Roswell Babbit, John Mastick, Lewis Jenkins, Elisha Johnson, John C. Rochester, ,Wm. Atkinson and Oliver Culver, Vestrymen. The corporate name adopted was " St. Luke's Church, Genesee Falls." The original Certificate of Incorporation was recorded in the Clerk's office of Ontario County, on the 19th of July, 1817,' in Liber C of Miscellaneous Records, at page 195. The first stated services were held by the Rev. George H. Norton, whose entrance upon the field is chronicled in the following extracts fi-om letters addressed to Bishop Hobart by the Rev. Mr. Onder- donk. Under date of Canandaigua, Januaiy 14, 1817, he writes — Mr. Norton passed his first two examinations a week ago very creditably. In the hope that he will remain in the West, and believing that he is qualified to be very useful, I shall venture to begin operations at Rochesterville pretty soon. But if he is decidedly spoken of there as the missionary for building them up, it will be highly proper that he go there the instant he is in Orders. HISTORICAL SKETCH / And again under date of June 11, 1817, Mr. Norton, I hope, will go to Rochesterville, but I confess that Buffalo is more promising and more in need of him; and if Mr. Norton goes to Buffalo, I should like to secure Mr. Asahel Davis, or somebody, without delay at R. Indeed, Rochesterville has disappointed me not a little. When requested to go there, I told a gentleman I could do but little personally; but they will do almost nothing themselves. But while I am there, they soon get in order again and zealous, but so speedily relax that they have not given the legal notices previous to organizing. Still the materials are good, and they only want a clergy- man fixed there to get on very well. . They had $1300 subscribed at R. for a church, but owing to the pressure of the times and I suspect to difficulty in regard to a site and I fear to unsoundness in an individual or two, the subscription went no further. Still I regard the place as more promising than any except Buffalo, and more promising than that for the mere building of a church, as materials are very cheap at Rochesterville. The actual organization of the parish is thus reported by the missionary to Bishop Hobart under date July 15, 1817. Mr. Norton having supplied my place for the last two Sundays, I devoted the morning of each of them to Roch- esterville. The proper notices had been given and we yesterday met to organize. The number of names had been increased from 12 to 28 attached to the Episcopal Church; of these 20 attended the meeting and a highly respectable Vestry was chosen. The name is "St. Luke's Church, Genesee Falls." Everything I see and learn adds to the conviction that we did not begin there too early, — the village continues to increase. In the afternoon of both Sundays I attended at Carthage, a new village two miles lower down the river, and held a third service at Pittsford, ten or eleven miles this side of Carthage. Whether con- 8 CENTENNIAL ANNALS gregations can be formed at these places is doubtful, but we shall probably gather some gleanings at least. Mr. Norton has charge of the three places. He requested me to urge your sending a clergyman to Buffalo and to Batavia if possible, as a Presbs^erian clergyman has just gone there ; he will devote some of his time to them and Leroy. In September, 1818, Bishop Hobart made his first Episcopal visitation to the infant parish and confirmed four persons — Samuel G. Andrews, Mariette Andrews (Mrs. W. P. Shearman), Mrs. Mary E. Montgomery, and Hannah Ann Andrews, (Mrs. Swan), in the building occupied by the 1st Presbyterian society on Carroll, now State St., which was kindly placed at his disposal for the service. From this time the occasional ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Norton were withdrawn, and for the ensuing eighteen months, some five or six services by the Rev. H. U. Onderdonk and the Rev. Alanson W. Welton, Missionary in Ontario County, were all that were held in the parish ; the place of service being the schoolhouse on the lot adjoining the present church edifice. In the Spring of 1820, the slumbering interest in the Church was roused to the necessity of secur- ing more frequent ministrations, and an arrange- ment was effected with the Rev. A. W. Welton " to perform Divine Service once in three weeks for one year;" but the removal of Mr. Welton to De- troit in a few months, terminated this engagement. The new Vestry, however, elected at the Easter meeting, the first convened since the organization, HISTORICAL SKETCH 9 consisting of George G. Sill and William Atkinson, Wardens, and Roswell Babbit, A. G. Dauby, J. Stebbins, Silas Smith, J. Mastick, S. M. Smith, J. H. Gregory and E. Johnson, determined to estab- lish the parish on a permanent basis. The offer of the original proprietors of " the 100-acre tract," Messrs. Rochester, Fitzhugh & Carroll, " to convey lot No. 85 to the first religious society that should take possession of the same and build a church thereon," being still open, the Vestry resolved, July 10, 1820, to avail itself of the proposition. Before the lot, however, was definitely secured, an effort was made in the Roman Catholic interest to forestall the Vestry, and a messenger was sent to Geneseo to secure the signatures of Messrs. Fitz- hugh and Carroll, who resided in that locality, to a deed of gift. But the Vestry dispatched Mr. Henry E. Rochester, then a lad of fourteen years, on a fleeter horse with a similar object in view. The latter succeeded in overtaking and passing the other messenger, who was tarrying for refreshment in the tavern at Avon, and so obtained the neces- sary signatures, to which that of the senior pro- prietor was cheerfully added. Meanwhile, the Vestry had taken practical possession by digging for a foundation and drawing building material upon the lot. A site being thus secured, the construction of a wooden building, 38 x 46 feet, to contain about forty pews, was decided upon, and a contract entered into, Aug. 5, 1820, with Elias Beach and 10 CENTENNIAL ANNALS Phelps Smith, to build the same, at a cost of $1260, and $200 additional for a bell tower — the building committee consisting of Col. N. Rochester, John Mastick, Harvey Montgomery and George G. Sill. The funds were provided by the following imique subscription, which is given with the spelling and capitalization as in the original: We the subscribers for value received, promise to pay to the Church-Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Luke's Church, in the Village of Rochesterville, and their suc- cessors in office, the several suras set opposite our respec- tive names, on demand; for the purpose and in trust to build a church in said Rochesterville for said St. Luke's Church; and upon the further trust that the said Church- Wardens and Vestrymen, and their successors in office, shall, after the completion of said church, sell or dispose of the pevfs or slips therein, and out of the funds arising therefrom, shall refund to the subscribers, with interest, the several sums by them subscribed and paid, if such funds shall be adequate; if inadequate, then to each sub- scriber ratably, till the funds so arising, are exhausted. Dated, July 3, 1820. Names. Am't. N. Rochester, in lumber $200 H. Montgomery, in Cash 100 James Fraser, in shelf goods 25 Wm. P. Shearman, in goods 25 Oliver Culver (by request S. M. S.) Cash 20 S. Melancton Smith, in Goods 25 Jonathan Child (by H. M.) in Lumber SO Elisha Ely (by request S. M. S.) in Lumber SO Frederick F. Backus, Cash 25 William Cobb, in Blacksmithing 25 Elisha Taylor, in Tailoring work 10 Jas. H. Gregory, Cash 25 West & Clark, in Labor, Painting 25 HISTORICAL SKETCH 11 Names. Am't. Roswell Babbitt, in Cash $25 A. Hamlin, in Goods 10 Silas Smith (by request S. M. S.) in Goods 25 J. N. Stebbins, in goods 25 Wm. Haywood, in Hats 20 Weston & Everest, in Shoemaking 20 Abraham Plumb, Goods 20 Ira West & Co., in Goods 10 W. W. Mumford, in Cash 20 Ebenezer Watts, Jun'r, tinware 10 Elwood & Colman, in Labour 30 Wm Brewster, in Cabinet furniture 10 William Atkinson, in flour 25 Samuel J. Andrews, .4,000 ft. Lumber @ $8 32 Enos Stone, one thousand feet Lumber 8 Bissell and Ely, in lumber, 654M. ft. 50 E. Peck & Co., in Books or Stationery 20 Jno. G. Vought, in Labor 25 S. Cleveland, in Sundries 25 John Harford, Goods 10 John Swift, in work 25 George Cameron, in Tailoring 8 Russell Ensworth (will do something, S. M. S.) T. Bingham, in work 8 R. King, in work 10 H. Scrantom, in flour or goods 7 S. H. Packard, in chairs 8 Jehial Barnard, in tailoring 5 Benj. James, in coopering 5 Frederick Hanford, in Shingles 20 Henry Draper, in team work 25 Abner Wakelee, in shoes 10 E. Pomeroy, Cash 5 Zimri Davis, in teem work 5 John G. Bond, in lumber or team work 6 Jacob Gould, in goods 10 J. Mastick, eighteen dollars cash 18 Elias Beach, in joiner work 30 Phelps Smith, in joiner work 30 John Bingham, in joiner work 10 12 CENTENNIAL ANNALS The following additional subscription, bearing date Aug. 1, 1820, provided for the erection of a Steeple or Cupola; Names. Am't. Abrm. Plumb, donation in goods $20 West & Clark, in Labor, painting 25 John Mastick, in goods out of J. Spencer's Store 5 S. Melancton Smith, in Goods S Silas Smith, in Goods or demand in notes 5 J. N. Stebbins, in goods 5 A. Reynolds, in goods or brick 5 D. D. Barnard, in Cider and apples del'd at Mendon 5 Preston Smith, in Goods at his Grocery 5 E. Watts will do the sodering for the Cupulo. Levi Ward, jr., goods or provisions 5 Elisha Ely, in Lumber 25 Elisha Taylor, in Tayloring work 10 Daniel Warren, in mason work when called for with one week's Notice 10 Robert King, in Joiner work 5 Jonathan Case, in mason work, with one week's notice 10 Martin Clapp, in mason work at six days notice 10 Robert W. Churchill, in joiner work 10 Asa Bartlett, Mason work 5 John Meeker, in joiner work on or before thirty days 10 A. Steward 5 N. T. Rochester, in Lumber 5 Timothy Bosworth, to be paid in Combs at cash prices 5 W. L. Whiting, in goods at J. Spencer's Store for improvements on church 10 Joshua Ross, five dollars in Meat 5 Richmon Tuttle, Ten Dollars in Saddlery for improvement on the church 10 Ephm. Moore, five Dollars in Pork out of my Shop for improvement on church Moses Dyer, two dollars in meat when called for 2 David Stone, five Dollars in Joiner's work with one week's notice 5 HISTORICAL SKETCH 13 Names. Am't. Ashbel Steele, 10 Dollars in mason work $10 Samuel Graves, $5 In Blacksmith work 5 William Atkinson, in flour 5 Silas Smith, one dollar Cash pd S. Melancton Smith, one dollar Cash paid William Atkinson, one dollar Cash paid James H. Gregory, one dollar Cash pd J. N. Stebbins, one dollar Cash pd R. Babbit, one dollar Cash pd N. Rochester pd building chimney $4.06 Brick, rent of Stove, etc. 6.35 pd 10.41 Smith & Alcott 9.18 Pending the erection of the church, the follow- ing letter was addressed to Bishop Hobart by William Atkinson, Warden, in behalf of the Ward- ens and Vestrymen, under date Rochester, Nov. 10, 1820, (the title of the village corporation having been changed in 1819 by an act of the legislature from Rochesterville to Rochester), which sets forth fully the condition of the parish at this time: We presume, ere this, you have been informed by our friend Mr. Onderdonk, of the progress of our small society in erecting a house of public worship in this place, which, by the blessing of Providence, we intend to finish by the latter end of December. We have long been desirous of procuring a young clergyman, who would command respect by his talents and esteem by his virtues, and who would be in every way calculated to raise a society from a small beginning to a respectable size. It appears to us that here is a field for a clergyman to become eminently useful by an acquisition of members to the Church. We feel grati- fied on hearing that a person of this description has been found in Mr. Cuming, who, in your opinion, is every way calculated and who seems disposed to come. One great difficulty, however, arises in procuring ample funds for his 14 CENTENNIAL ANNALS support, owing to the smallness of our society and want of means. We,therefore, make application for some assist- ance from your missionary fund, or in any way deemed proper by yourself. We can probably raise three hundred dollars by great exertion and great liberality by our mem- bers, all of whom will contribute to the best of their abil- ity; and by an addition of two hundred and fifty dollars from your fund, we shall be able to establish such a re- spectable standing as to make up any deficiency by those who would soon be added to our numbers. As our popu- lation increases with an unexampled rapidity and many persons of wealth, talent and respectability are daily added to our society, it becomes highly important for the Church that in the commencement there be established among us a man of respectable talents; and that some assistance be granted for his support from abroad, so that an insup- portable tax be not laid on a few individual members in the beginning, and consequently prevent an acquisition of members. A very few years will place us in a situation so as not to require foreign aid. We would thank you to take our situation under your serious consideration, feeling confident that every exertion will be made by you for our assistance, and would be pleased to hear from you previous to our communicating with Mr. Cuming on the subject. Be so good, also, as to inform us whether there would be an impropriety in performing Divine Service in the church before consecration. Mr. Onderdonk has, no doubt, shown you a communication from Col. Rochester, expressive of the minds of the Vestry. The application for aid in the foregoing letter was fortified by the follow^ing communication to the Bishop from the Rev. Mr. Cuming, who was already at this date, Dec. 4, 1820, upon the ground, having come from Binghamton, where he held a missionary appointment : HISTORICAL SKETCH 15 Yesterday, for the first time, I officiated in this place. The attention was both general and flattering. The pros- pect is good. In the evening I went to Penfield. Some- thing may be done there bye-and-bye. The Church will be ready for consecration the 1st of January. Will you have the goodness to inform me as early as possible on what day you will consecrate it, and of the other places in this vicinity you will expect to visit, and whether you will officiate at them morning or after- noon. I expect to take Priests' Orders, when you are here, — will you preach or shall some one of the clergy in this part of the country do it. As my living in this place will not exceed four hun- dred dollars per annum, I trust I shall be continued on the missionary list. The young parish, however, was apparently thought able to take care of itself, as no assistance was received. The Vestry, accordingly entered into agreement Jan. 10, 1821, with the Rev. F. H. Cuming, Deacon, " to perform Divine Service in such manner as is customary in well-regulated Protestant Episcopal Churches in the State of New York, for the term of one year from and after the first Sunday in December, 1820 ;" for which service the Vestry agreed to pay the sum of four hundred and seventy-five dollars; which sum was increased at various times, until in December, 1823, the salary was fixed at eight hundred dollars. The little church was first occupied on Christ- mas Day and was consecrated by Bishop Hobart on the 20th of February ensuing, at which time also the Rite of Confirmation was administered to the following persons: John Mastick, Jared N. Steb- 16 CENTENNIAL ANNALS bins, Elbert Scrantom, N. T. Rochester, Ann Cor- nelia Rochester, Dorothy Stebbins, Frances Tiffany and Sarah Mason. On the following day, the Rev. Mr. Cuming was advanced to the priesthood. In his convention address of tliat year, the Bishop, in mentioning these facts, adds : " It gives me great pleasure to see a respectable and increas- ing congregation in a flourishing village, the site of which at the Falls of the Genesee River a few years since was a wilderness." The prosperity of the parish under the ministry of Mr. Cuming, rendered increased accommodation necessary, and accordingly on the 2Sth of June, 1823, the Vestry resolved to build a new church when the subscription should amount to eight thous- and dollars. It was hoped that Trinity Church, New York, would loan two thousand dollars more, and the Rev. Mr. Cuming was authorized and re- quested, Aug. 12, to draft a petition to this effect to that corporation. The application, however, proved unsuccessful. The following letter from Mr. Cuming to Bishop Hobart under date Aug. 15, 1823, explains the situation: It is now about two and a half years since the Church in this place had the constant services of a clergyman. Five communicants were all that could at the commence- ment of this period be found residing here. The number of individuals in the place who had been educated Episco- palians amounted to twenty. Though we are still but a little flock, our increase has been greater than the most sanguine of us expected to see within so short a period. The Reverend FRANCIS H. CUMING. D.D. Dec. 1, 1820- April 1, 1829. The Right Reverend HENRY J. WHITEHOUSE, D.D., LL.D. Dec 6, 1829-May 5. 1844. The Reverend THOMAS C. PITKIN, D.D. July 14, 1844— July 12, 1847. HISTORICAL SKETCH 17 At the very beginning every effort was made to prevent our permanent establishment. These efforts have con- tinued to be made, but at no time with more determination than at present. It is unnecessary for me to go into details. I have an account of facts treasured up with respect to the hostility displayed toward the Church here, the disclosure of which would even make almost every opposer of our institutions in every other place to which my knowledge extends, blush. The most unremitting exer- tions are made, and the most ungentlemanly acts resorted to to keep people, especially those of influence, enterprise and capital away from the Church and induce them to attend elsewhere It is highly important to the welfare of the Church, and especially to her increase in respectability and wealth, that we erect a building which shall reflect credit upon the architect, upon the village and the Church at large. The infant parish thus obliged to be dependent on its own resources, determined to " arise and build." The following unique subscription paper, dated March 3, 1823, had been circulated and amounts pledged amounting to $8900. Whereas the Building at present known by the name of St. Luke's Church in the Village of Rochester is small and inconvenient for the accommodation of an increasing congregation, and whereas it would benefit the Village at large, and the Episcopal Society in particular, to have an- other, a larger and more finished Building — Now therefore we the Subscribers desirous of advancing the interest of the Episcopal Church in this place do hereby promise and agree to pay to the Vestry of "St. Lukes Church, Genesee Falls" the respective shares by us subscribed at the rate of Fifty dollars for each and every Share for the purpose of erecting and finishing a church according to a plan hereafter to be adopted by said Vestry, which said Shares are to be paid in the following manner, viz. One Eighth 18 CENTENNIAL ANNALS on the first day of August 1823, One Eighth on the first day of January 1824, One Eighth on the first day of May 1824, One Eighth on the first day of October 1824, One Quarter on the first day of October 1825, One Quarter on the first day of October 1826. And the subscribers shall receive Interest from the first day of October, One thou- sand Eight hundred and twenty four, on the respective installments that shall have been paid on or previous to that date, and upon the other installments from the time of payment thereof — until said shares are paid or refund- ed by the said vestry, which may be at any time within ten years after the said church shall be finished. And provided any subscriber shall neglect or refuse to pay any one of the installments due on the said shares at the time above specified for the payment thereof — then in such case every such subscriber shall forfeit his said shares — and all previous payments made thereon, or be held per- sonally liable for the installment due on said shares at the option of the said Vestry, It being understood and in- tended that the stock hereby credited by our respective subscribers shall be denominated "Home Stock" and is liable collectively to be pledged by the Vestry, hereby fully authorised to pledge the same as security for the Redemp- tion within the term of ten Years of such foreign stock as they shall create and negociate for the purpose aforesaid — not exceeding in amount The sum of Four thousand dollars and the Interest that shall accrue thereon at the rate of seven per Cent per Annum — And it is further understood and intended that provided the sum of Five Thousand Dollars or One thousand shares are not sub- scribed to this loan previous to the first day of August 1823, that then in such case this subscription shall be deemed and considered null and void and of no effect. In September, 1823, the Vestry resolved to enter into a contract with H. T. McGeorge to build a stone church 53 x 73 with a tower 16 x 6 at the HISTORICAL SKETCH 19 contract price of $9,000, and William Pitkin, Caleb L. Clark, S. M. Smith, T. H. Rochester and Silas Smith with the minister ex officio, were appointed the building committee. The cost of the edifice, however, reached the sum of $10,400. The old frame church was removed to the rear of the lot and was subsequently used for Sunday School pur- poses until 1832, when the building was sold, re- moved to Buffalo St., converted to secular uses and finally demolished in April, 1875. The corner stone of the new structure was laid May 11, 1824, and the edifice was first opened for public worship Sept. 4, 1825. The following con- temporary description is taken from the first Roch- ester Directory, published in 1827: The style of the building, is Gothick, which has been rigidly observed in every particular. The main part of the front is of hewn gray stone from Auburn. The two cor- ners of the tower and the two corners of the body of the house are of red freestone, as are also the water table, the caps, sills and jambs of the windows and doors. The two windows in the tower are strikingly beautiful, con- taining a proper number of spandrels and branching mul- lions, and ornamented with rich and delicate tracery. Around the arch of the first of these, handsomely cut in the stone cap, is the name of the church, with the year of its erection. The tower is 16 feet square, projecting five feet beyond the body of the church, and rising to the height of 90 feet. This is finished at the top with eight pinnacles, connected by a castellated or embattled balus- trade. A similar balustrade runs around the roof of the whole house, having similar pinnacles at each corner. The wood-work on the outside of the house has been made strongly to resemble the red free-stone, by a process term- ed smalting. 20 CENTENNIAL ANNALS In the arrangement of the interiour will be seen con- venience, elegance, and a strict economy of room. The pulpit and desk consist of a number of delicate Gothick arches, behind which is a drapery of dark blue velvet. The chancel is in the form of an oval, placed in front of the desk, and containing a Communion Table of Italian marble, and a baptismal font of the purest alabaster, rest- ing on a pedestal of agate marble. The gallery is sup- ported by large cluster columns, painted in imitation of light blue variegated marble. The ceiling is finished with intersecting vaulted or groined arches, ornamented with stucco work. In the church is placed a large and remark- ably fine-toned organ. This organ was built by Hall & Erben of New York and cost $1,300, most of which was raised by a special subscription; the instrumental music in the old church having been furnished by a violin, flute, clarionet and bass viol. The first organist was Daniel Clark, who held the position till May, 1827, when he was superseded by William Staun- ton, remaining, however, in charge of the choir until April, 1828. The engagement authorized to be made with the new organist was " at a salary of $200 per annum and a guarantee of ten scholars in music @ $10 per year for one year." The pews were " offered at public sale on per- petual lease, and for one or three years by bids for choice at the valuation and annual rents affixed in the schedule attached." The highest valuation was $280, and the highest annuity $20. The num- ber of pews on the ground floor was sixty-six, and in the gallery twenty-six. HISTORICAL SKETCH 21 The church was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, Sept. 30, 1826, the ceremony having been thus long delayed owing to the Bishop's absence in Europe. A Letter to the Parishioners of St. Luke's Church on the subject of the " Spiritual Character of The Liturgy " was issued in pamphlet form by its first rector in 1827, a rare copy of which is preserved in the archives of the parish. The Christian activity of the parish found ex- pression, March 2, 1827, in the organization of the " Female Benevolent and Auxiliary Missionary Society," whose object was " the procuring of funds in aid of plans and societies formed for the purpose of promoting the cause of religion as con- nected with the interests of the Prot. Epis. Church, special reference being had to the wants of the General Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church and the Monroe County Episcopal Associa- tion, for disseminating religious knowledge." This last-named association, organized in February, 1827, appears to have allowed the object for which it was formed, viz., " the supply of vacant places within the county with the services of the Episcopal Church, assisting in the establishment and support of new congregations, and the formation of Sun- day Schools," to devolve entirely upon the ladies' society, designed to be auxiliary to it. This organ- ization, however, devoted itself at once to earnest work, with a membership of 126, and with Mrs. Elisha Johnson for President, Mrs. H. Montgom- 22 CENTENNIAL ANNALS ery, Vice-President, Mrs. W. Pitkin, Secretary, and Mrs. T. H. Rochester, Treasurer. The first efforts of the society were directed to providing missionary services in parts adjacent, as is evident from the following extract from a letter of Mr. Cuming, dated May 21, 1827, enclosing to his correspondent a copy of the constitution of the newly- formed society: The inducements which the society can at present hold out are by no means so great as we wish we had it in our power to offer. But when it is mentioned that there are strong, very strong reasons to authorize the belief that the prudent, zealous, persevering efforts of some able and pious clergyman would much promote the interests of the Episcopal Church in this quarter and result in building up two or three respectable congregations, we think we pre- sent an argument calculated to have much weight with those who sincerely love the Church. The minutes of the society show that appropri- ations were made from time to time for missionary work at Penfield, Pittsford, Brockport, Scottsville, and Honeoye Falls. The need of missionary work within the city (for Rochester became a city in 1834) claimed more and more attention, and from 1846 (with increased ability on the part of diocesan agencies to care for outlying points), this society addressed its efforts mainly to the cit)'^ field by pro- viding successive Rectors with clerical assistance. With some modification of its name, the society re- mained in existence till Feb. 3, 1868, when the Christian activity of the ladies was directed into other channels. It may here, however, be fitly re- HISTORICAL SKETCH 23 marked that great interest was early manifested by the congregation in the missionary cause, both for- eign and domestic; an interest largely fostered by this association, which through systematic annual offerings liberally contributed to missionary objects. An evidence of the special interest felt in the mis- sion to Greece lies in the fact that a scholarship in Dr. and Mrs. Hill's school at Athens was supported by ladies in St. Luke's; and the first Greek girl received into that school, Agathoula by name, tes- tified her gratitude by working on canvas, with emblematical and ornamental designs, a scripture text, " In memoriam of Mrs. Sophia Rochester, Dec. 9th, 1845 " — a memento still preserved in the Roch- ester family. Another organization was formed of unmarried ladies in the parish, on Ash Wednesday, 1827, to be known as " The Young Ladies' Benevolent and Reading Society." Its objects were " to promote the mutual instruction of the members, and to pro- cure funds for charitable or religious purposes." The society met once in two weeks, and during a reading by one of their number, the others were required " industriously to employ themselves in making such articles as may be disposed of to the advantage of the society." Its benefactions took a wide range, including appropriations to missions, theological students, parochial needs and the main- tenance of a charity school ; and its good work as a distinct organization was continued until 1838. The earlier establishment of the Rochester 24 CENTENNIAL ANNALS Female Charitable Society, Feb. 26, 1822, should also properly be noted here; which, although a general organization, included among its first offi- cers and members many ladies of prominence in St. Luke's Church. The first public discourse in its behalf was preached by the Rector of St. Luke's, and it has ever retained the confidence and prac- tical sympathy of the congregation. The letter of Rev. Mr. Cuming last quoted contains, at the close, the following important ref- erence : " Measures are now taken to organize another Episcopal congregation in this village, next Monday." The measures referred to originated in the following action of the Vestry of St. Luke's, May 7, 1827: Whereas, The congregation of St. Luke's has become so numerous in consequence of the increasing population of the village, that their present church cannot afford the necessary accommodation, and it being therefore advisable to establish an additional church in the Village of Roch- ester, and application having been made by parishioners of St. Luke's Church residing on the east side of the Genesee river for the organization of such additional church and society agreeably to the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church; therefore, Resolved, That the said additional church be located on the east side of the Genesee river within the bounds of the village corporation. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to carry the above resolutions into effect in a legal manner and as soon as practicable, and that the following gentle- men compose said committee: Messrs. Atkinson, Johnson, Boulton, Whittlesey and Pitkin. HISTORICAL SKETCH 25 Resolved, That the said committee wait upon the Rev. Mr. Cuming and express to him the continued con- fidence and attachment of all the parishioners of St. Luke's Church, and request him to proceed in the organization of the additional church. In accordance with this action, St. Paul's Qiurch was organized, May 28, 1827, in a room of the Franklin Institute in East Rochester, the Rev. Mr. Cuming presiding at a meeting duly convened, and Wm. Atkinson and Giles Boulton were elected Wardens, and Elisha Johnson, Elisha B. Strong, Jared N. Stebbins, S. M. Smith, Enos Stone, Sam- uel J. Andrews, Daniel Tinker and A. B. Curtiss, Vestrymen of the new Church. The Rev. Suther- land Douglas was the first Rector. The following communicants were transferred from St. Luke's to the new parish: Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Atkinson, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Jared N. Stebbins, Giles Boulton, E. Smith Lee, Mrs. Susan Lee, Mrs. Mary Williams, Mrs. Elisha Johnson, John Carnes, Mrs. Richard P. Petherick, and Mrs. W. G. Russell. Five others also were dismissed during the year to form the nucleus of a new organization in the village of Penfield, to be called Trinity Church. A contract for a bell of 2,000 lbs. weight was authorized to be made, July 5, 1827, with Ward, Bartholomew & Brainerd. Its cost was $900, $500 of which was provided by the proceeds of a lot given to the parish for this purpose by Colonel Fitzhugh. The bell was hung in the tower, April 17, 1828. 26 CENTENNIAL ANNALS At the Easter meeting in this year, Monday in Easter week was substituted for Thursday as the time of the annual election. An enlargement of the church by the addition of two arches at the west end was deemed expedient, which would increase its length by thirty feet. A contract was entered into with Elias J. Mershon to execute this plan at an expense of $3,000, Wm. Pitkin, S. O. Smith and F. Whittlesey being the building committee. The work was so conducted that the use of the church was not interrupted, and the new part was thrown open for occupancy in the fall of the same year. The Rectorship of the Rev. Mr. Cuming was brought to a close by his resignation under date March 23, 1829, after an incumbency of eight years and four months. The Vestry accepted the resig- nation,, " deeply regretting the existence of reasons that in his estimation are deemed of sufficient weight and importance to determine him to resign a situa- tion he has so usefully occupied and the duties of which he has so faithfully and satisfactorily dis- charged." An invitation to become the Rector was now extended to the Rev. Francis L. Hawks of New Haven, but declined by him on the ground of duty to his present parish and the condition of his health. The Rev. Henry J. Whitehouse of Reading, Pa., was then called to the Rectorship, Sept. 9, 1829. After visiting the parish and officiating, the call was renewed, Oct. 4, by the Vestry and accepted " by the advice of Bishop Hobart," and on the first Sun- HISTORICAL SKETCH 27 lay in December the new Rector entered upon his luties. His formal Institution took place Aug. 29, 1830, on which occasion the Bishop preached upon ' The Reciprocal Duties of Minister and People." The rite of confirmation was administered in the evening of the same day to sixty-one candidates; an which occasion the Bishop accidentally over- turned the alabaster font, which was thus broken to pieces. It was his last service in St. Luke's, as his lamented death took place on the 12th of the ensuing month. The Vestry placed on record their feelings in reference to the loss of their beloved Bishop, in the following language: But two weeks before his decease, he in this church instituted our Rector and administered the apostolic rite of confirmation. It was almost his last ministerial act. We feel sensibly, we hope, this divine dispensation, and humbly pray God to direct us in the way of our duty, and that in due time He will raise up another bishop who shall with equal consistency preserve the integrity of the Church, with equal self-devotedness dedicate himself to her inter- ests, with equal purity adorn her highest office, and, like him we mourn, be the polished gentleman, the practical scholar, the consistent Christian and the best of bishops. The church was draped in black and the Vestry wore the usual badge of mourning, for thirty days. The Vestrj' further requested the family of the late Bishop " to furnish for publication a copy of the sermon delivered by him at the Institution of our Rector, that we may have continually before us his parting exposition of the relative duties of minister and people." 28 CENTENNIAL ANNALS The Rector reported to the Convention of this year, that he had given a third service for ten or twelve Sunday evenings in the village of Penfield, and occasionally a week-service in the town of Brighton. In the following year, these services in Penfield were continued, and six persons were con- firmed there by Bishop Onderdonk, Aug. 22, 1831. The venerable founder of the village and the first jwardeu of the church, Col. Nathaniel Roches- ter, deceased on the ^ of May, 1831, at the age of seventy-nine years. The Vestry manifested their respect and affection for his memory by appropriate resolutions and official participation in the funeral solemnities. On that occasion a memorable sermon was preached by the Rector, from the text. Gen. xliii. 27, " The old man of whom ye spake, is he yet alive?" -—^ A communication addressed to the Rev. Mr. Whitehouse by the Vestry of St. Paul's Church, bearing date Dec. S, 1831, was laid by him before the Vestry of St. Luke's, in which it was unani- mously proposed to associate the two Churches under his parochial charge as Rector of both, with authority to procure an assistant-minister, — ^the services and the expenses to be equally divided between the two Churches. The Vestry of St. Luke's, after full consideration of the subject, found. themselves of one opinion as to the inadvis- ability of the proposed scheme, and to a detailed statement of their objections thereto, added these words : " This Vestry receive with much gratifica- HISTORICAL SKETCH 29 Lion the expression of the committee of St. Paul's to our Rector, of their ' approbation of the views md policy exhibited by him during his connection with St. Luke's Church,' and sincerely hope it is m earnest of the desire and determination of that congregation to be governed by the same sound and consistent views and policy, as they are calculated to present our episcopal institutions under one form, establish harmony and engage the cordial co-opera- tion of the members of our respective congrega- tions." In 1832, a building was erected in the rear of the Church as a lecture-room and for the Sunday School, and also for the Charity School, which it ivas proposed to establish. This latter was organ- ized in 1833 with seventy-five scholars and was supported mainly by the Young Ladies' Benevolent Society of St. Luke's, Gershom P. Waldo and Ethan (\llen, both afterwards in Orders in the Church, being among the teachers of the school. The sub- sequent development of the common school system Dccasioned its discontinuance, and in April, 1843, the Vestry authorized " the giving away of the Charity School apparatus." At a meeting of the Vestry, Sept. 29, 1832, the embarrassed condition of the affairs of St. Paul's Church were again presented to their attention through a communication from the Vestry of the latter, whereupon the following preamble and reso- utions were adopted: Whereas, certain statements of the affairs and condi- 30 CENTENNIAL ANNALS tion of St. Paul's Church in the Village of Rochester from the Vestry thereof, have been submitted to the considera- tion of the Vestry of this Church; from which it appears that the pecuniary affairs of said Church are in a condition so embarrassed that they entertain no hope of being able to extricate themselves, and that without means, without a Rector and burdened with debt, they fear that they must sink under their difficulties, the Church be borne down, the congregation dispersed and the building sold, to the great injury of the Episcopal interest in this section, unless some new arrangement can be made for their relief and the benefit of the Church in general, and so suggesting that the Corporation of this Church should purchase the building of St. Paul's Church as a Chapel of St. Luke's, as the only practical measure of saving it from entire sacri- fice and averting a serious and permanent injury to the prosperity of the Episcopal Church generally, therefore Resolved, that the interests of the Episcopal Church demand that St. Luke's Church should make an effort to purchase the building known as St. Paul's Church as a Chapel of this Church, if it can be done without too great a burden upon its resources and funds. Resolved, that the Rector of this Church be empower- ed to ascertain what foreign resources can be depended upon for the above object, and to this intent, if necessary, present the matter to the Vestry of Trinity Church, New York. After considerable negotiation, it was finally deemed unwise and impracticable by the Vestry of St. Luke's for them to assume the responsibility which the purchase of St. Paul's as a Chapel would involve, since the conditions connected with the offer of Trinity Church, New York, to pay the interest on $10,000 indebtedness for two years, re- quired the purchase of the property by St. Luke's HISTORICAL SKETCH 31 and the clearing off of all claims and incumbrances in excess of that amount. A plan for the reorganization of St. Paul's under another name was subsequently devised, and liberally aided by Trinity Church, New York; and the new corporation of Grace Church came, through foreclosure, into possession of the property. The only occasion when St. Luke's has been visited by fire was in the early morning of Sunday. December 23, 1832, when the damage was slight and mainly by water. The kind invitation of their neighbors of the First Presbyterian Society to wor- ship in their edifice was gratefully accepted : which courtesy the Vestry were pleased tO reciprocate on a subsequent occasion, when the walls of the First Church came to be considered unsafe; proffering the use of the Church to a religious society, whose relations with St. Luke's, its oldest and nearest neighbor, have always been of the most friendly character. The Rev. Mr. Whitehouse proposing a trip to Europe for his health, and the Vestry expressing their cordial concurrence in the plan, he left the city Aug. 8, 1833, having preached a farewell ser- mon on the evening preceding. The Rev. James A. Bolles, of New York, was invited by the Vestry " to take charge of the parish as assistant minister there- of from the first day of September next at a salary of $600. The Rev. Mr. Bolles accepted the propo- sition, preaching his first sermon Sept. 15. The Rector returned Dec. 7, 1834, having received dur- 32 CENTENNIAL ANNALS ing his absence the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Geneva College. In 1836 a project for the establishment of a second offshoot of St. Luke's was agitated, and a committee of the Vestry was appointed to " circu- late a subscription for purchasing a lot for a new church in Frankfort." As the result of this effort an eligible site was secured opposite Brown's Square, and Seth C. Jones opened a Sunday School in the school-house which then stood on the square ; and here the work rested for a time. In October of the same year the Rev. Dr. Whitehouse, having secured leave of absence from his duties, was married in New York and sailed for Europe Nov. 22, remaining abroad until Oct. 8, 1837. The services meanwhile were supplied by the Rev. N. F. Bruce, M. D. Toward the close of the year 1843, $1,200 was subscribed " for the purpose of making necessary and suitable repairs on or about the exterior of the church edifice and for erecting chancel rail, altera- tion in gallery, cleaning and painting ceiling and walls, varnishing woodwork, carpeting aisles, pro- curing trimmings for desk and pulpit, etc." The desk and pulpit therefore were themselves con- structed at an earlier date, as is further evidenced by a parchment found some forty years later attached to the interior of the pulpit, on which is inscribed in the handwriting of Dr. Whitehouse and bearing date June 29, 1839, " This pulpit was erected A. D. 1836 from original designs of the Rev. Henry HISTORICAL SKETCH 33 J. Whitehouse, D. D., Thomas Thorn, carpenter. The Screen and Canopy, completed 1839, from de- signs by the same, Elijah Somers and Henry Rogers, carpenters ; Painting and Graining by Wm. H. Myers." This document is now preserved in the archives of the parish. The ministry of Dr. Whitehouse was terminated by his resignation Feb. 19, 1844, his farewell sermon being preached on the 5th of the ensuing May. The Vestry and congregation very unwillingly assented to the separation of the ties which had bound them together for fourteen years and five months, and placed on record their testimony to his ability and fidelity, and their recognition of the fact that to [lis faithful services it was chiefly due that the Church which he " found comparatively feeble " he was leaving " strong, prosperous and influential." A call to the vacant Rectorship was extended. May 9, 1844, to the Rev. Thomas C. Pitkin, of Louisville, Ky., and accepted by him May 21st. He entered upon his duties July 14, 1844, just 27 years from the date of the parish organization, and was instituted by Bishop DeLancey on the 11th of the following August. The influence of the new Rector was cordially Bfiven to the realization of the project to establish a new church in the northern part of the city. The friends of the movement and the subscribers to the lot already secured on Brown's Square, met in Au- gust, 1845, in the public school-house comer of Fish (now Centre) and Jones Sts., and inaugurated pub- 34 CENTENNIAL ANNALS lie service Sunday afternoons and evenings under the auspices of the Rector. This movement resulted in the formal organization, Oct. 27, of Trinity Church, the following persons participating in the meeting : the Rev. T. C. Pitkin in the chair, Francis Brown, who acted as Secretary, Henry E. Roches- ter and Seth C. Jones, who were elected Wardens, George Arnold, P. G. Buchan, George R. Clark, S. F. Witherspoon, Lewis P. Beers, who were chosen Vestrymen, and Alfred Ely, John Parsonson, Salva Anderson, and B. F. Gilkeson. Those elected to complete the number of Vestrymen were David Hoyt, W. E. Lathrop and Seth M. Maltby. The Rev. Vandevoort Bruce was elected the first Rec- tor, and it was resolved to sell the lot on Brown's Square, as being rather too far out of the city, and to purchase one which was regarded as more eligible on the corner of Fish and Frank Sts. adjoining the school-house in which the services were being held. The Rev. Mr. Pitkin, " finding his health inade- quate to the care of so large a parish," tendered his resignation April 3, 1847, which took effect after thrfee years of service, on the 12th of the following July, amid general expressions of regret on the part of the people. He was assisted during part of the year 1846, by the Rev. John N. Norton. An invita- tion to the Rectorship was now extended to the Rev. Wm. Suddards, of Philadelphia, but declined by him. The charge of the parish was then committed temporarily to the Rev. T. F. Wardwell, who offici- HISTORICAL SKETCH 35 ited from Aug. 29,. till the close of the year, when the Rev. Henry W. Lee of Springfield, Mass., who had been called to the Rectorship, October 18, entered upon his duties January 2, 1848. He was instituted by Bishop DeLancey Feb. 16, 1848. In his onerous pastoral labors in the parish, he was successively assisted by the Revs. Edw. Meyer, Geo. H. McKnight, Bethel Judd, D. D., W. H. Barris, Geo, N. Cheney, Geo. W. Watson and Theodore A. Hopkins ; funds for that purpose being provided in part by the Ladies' Missionary Society. Services were frequently held in the suburbs of the city, and in the town of Brighton. During the year 1848, the sum of $4,000 was subscribed to liquidate a standing indebtedness of the corporation. The debt was accordingly can- celed upon payment of the amount pledged, and report thereof made to the Vestry Aug. 5, 1850. A proposition to introduce gas into the Church was negatived June 4, 1849; which improvement was not effected till Dec. 24, 1853. A committee appointed to circulate a subscrip- tion to provide a chime of bells and a new organ, consisting of Messrs. Kidd, Pitkin, Churchill, Dewey and Whittlesey, reported July 1, 1850, that they had secured $3,600 ; whereupon contracts were authorized to be made with A. Meneely, of Troy, for the chimes, and with Appleton & Warren for the new organ. At the first Commencement of the University of Rochester, June 9, 1851, the honorary degree of 36 CENTENNIAL ANNALS Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon the Rev. Mr. Lee. In April, 1854, on the retirement of Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Dewey from the choir, the Vestry ex- pressed their cordial thanks for their faithful and valuable services, rendered gratuitously for upwards of sixteen years. A similar resolution, accompanied by a valuable testimonial, had been voted by the Vestry in December, 1845. Besides Mrs. Dewey, her sisters, Mrs. J. M. Winslow and Mrs. Albert Walker, had previously rendered efficient and ac- ceptable services in the choir for many years. The resignation of Dr. Lee, after a ministry of seven years, occasioned by his election to the Episcopate of Iowa, was presented Oct. 9, 1854, and accepted with " unmingled feelings of regret and with grate- ful appreciation of the many qualities which have rendered his ministry so important to the prosperity of our parish, and which have endeared him to the people of his charge." His Consecration as Bishop of Iowa took place in St. Luke's, on the 18th of Oct., 1854, Bishop J. H. Hopkins presiding, and Bishop Manton East- burn preaching the sermon. Bishops McCoskry, DeLancey, Burgess and Whitehouse uniting in the imposition of hands. His first episcopal act was the Confirmation of a class of thirty-five, in his own Church, on the 24th of December. The Vestry meanwhile had called to the Rector- ship the Rev. Benjamin Watson, of Zion Church, Newport, R. I., who accepted the same and entered Thk Right Reverend HENRY WASHINGTON LEE, D.D., LL.D. Jan. 1. 1&48— Jan. 1. 1855. The Reverend BENJAMIN WATSON, D.D. April 29. 1855— Augr. 7, 1859. The Reverend R. BETHELL CLAXTON, D.D. Dec. 1, 1859— Sept. 24. 1865. HISTORICAL SKETCH 37 upon his duties April 29, 1855, the services during the interim having been maintained by the Rev. T. A. Hopkins, assistant minister at the close of the last rectorate. An annual report of the Sunday School, dated Dec. 31, 1855, and signed by Jos. A. Eastman, Supt., is of interest as showing the flourishing condition of the school at this period. It numbered 332 scholars and 45 teachers, and gave for missions $80.35. The congregation had contributed $70 toward replenishing the library. The necessity of a fourth Episcopal Church, which had been increasingly felt, resulted in the organization of a new parish in the southeast quar- ter of the city. The first official act of the new Rector was to officiate, April 29, in Palmer's Hall, at the primary service of the new congregation, mainly composed of parishioners of St. Luke's. The meeting to organize pursuant to legal notice was held in the same place May 7, 1855, at which Silas O. Smith and David Hoyt were elected Wardens; and Dellon M. Dewey, A. J. Brackett, D. B. Beach, J. M. Winslow, John Fairbanks, Edward M. Smith, Delos Wentworth and Chas. R. Babbitt, Vestry- men. The original number of communicants was thirty-one. Rev. Henry A. Neely was elected the first Rector, and the first Christ Church was built upon the site of the present edifice. The Institution of the Rev. Mr. Watson, by Bishop DeLancey, took place on Thursday, Feb. 14, 1856. 38 CENTENNIAL ANNALS During the first year of his ministry, the church edifice was thoroughly repaired within and without, at an expense of over $5,000. The subscription to defray this improvement being some $1,500 short of that amount, the Vestry saw fit to mortgage the church. It was at this time that the present stained glass was inserted in the windows, the interior fres- coed and the tower remodeled. Largely increased expense was also incurred for music. An ineffectual effort was made in April, 1859, to procure a rec- tory, but the realization of its importance bore fruit a few years later. The Rev. Mr. Watson, finding the climate un- congenial, and having been called to the Church of the Atonement, Philadelphia, presented his resignation, which was regretfully accepted July 23, 1859, to take effect the 7th of the following month, when he delivered his farewell discourse; it being recorded that " during his term of four years and three months' service as our Rector, he has, by his ability, fidelity and exemplary Christian deportment in the discharge of his arduous duties, won the respect, confidence and affection of his whole con- gregation." His assistants were the Revs. Robt. W. Lewis and Chas E. Cheney. The services dur- ing the interim were supplied by the Rev. W. B. Otis, from Aug. 7 to Oct. 2, 1859. The Rev. R. Bethell Claxton, D. D., of St. Paul's Church, Cleveland, O., was called to the Rectorship, Oct. 1, 1859, and entered upon his duties on the 1st of the following December. On HISTORICAL SKETCH 39 the 20th of February ensuing, he was instituted by Bishop DeLancey, Bishop H. W. Lee preaching the sermon. Steps were efficiently taken by the Vestry to secure a rectory, and a negotiation to obtain prop- erty on Fitzhugh street was terminated by an authorization to purchase, Aug. 25, 1860, at the price of $7,000, of which $4,000 was paid in cash. The patriotic spirit of the congregation mani- fested itself, April 29, 1861, in a resolution of the Vestry to procure the National colors and erect a flag-staif on the church, and also to present a Prayer-Book to every volunteer from the City of Rochester, who would accept it. The flag was raised on the tower of the church on the 4th of May ; on which occasion addresses were made to a large concourse of people by the Rector, Hon. Alfred Ely and Roswell Hart, Esq. The plan of building a Mission Chapel was at several meetings urged by the Rector upon the Vestry without eliciting from that body any satis- factory encouragement ; but convinced of the neces- sity of such provision for those at a distance from the church, he persevered in his design and succeed- ed in founding the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, in the eleventh ward, — a part of the city at that time destitute of all religious privileges. The means to accomplish this result were provided by the Sunday School, the Ladies' Missionary Society and a few willing helpers. The corner-stone of a neat edifice of brick, 28 x 52, with a porch 8 feet square, upon 40 CENTENNIAL ANNALS a lot 54 X 150, was laid, by the Rector, Sept. 23, 1863 ; and on the 31st of July in the next year, he had the happiness of opening the chapel for Divine Service. The total cost of the building was up- wards of $3,000. As early as June, 1861, the Rev. Dr. Claxton addressed a communication to the Vestry, proposing the establishment of " an Asylum for orphans and destitute children, to be under the especial care of our Church in Rochester." The Vestry declined to assume responsibility in the matter ; but the nucleus of a fund to establish such an institution was formed by the collections at the joint-service of the several parishes on successive Maundy Thursdays, begin- ning in 1861, and seven years later the Church Home was organized. Plans and elevations for a new church edifice were presented to the Vestry by Mr. William Churchill, Feb. 24, 1864, and a committee was ap- pointed to " ascertain if money can be raised for the erection of a new church," and " to present to pew-owners a request to surrender their pews in the church." This committee subsequently reported that they " had not succeeded in inducing pew- holders to surrender their pews or to submit to new annuities." In the failure of the project to build a new church, it was decided, April 11, 1864, to erect a very much needed Sunday School building, and Messrs. Bronson, Brewster and Hawley were ap- pointed to act in the matter. The contract for the HISTORICAL SKETCH 41 work, however, was not formally authorized until April 24, 1865, when $2,700 had been collected for the purpose, nor finally completed till April, 1866, at a total cost for building and furniture of $6,000. The inadequacy of the income of the Church to meet its current expenses without continual re- sort to special subscriptions, pressed so heavily upon the Vestry that in the Spring of 1864, they called a meeting of the congregation and presented as the root of the difficulty their inability legally to fix such annuities upon the pews as would be sufficient to defray the expenses of the Church, and earnestly requesting the pew-owners to relinquish their leases, which limited the amount which each could be re- quired to pay; but strenuous effort on the part of the Vestry failed to secure the surrender of the vested rights. A plan, however, was subsequently devised, to which all the pew-holders except two assented, by which the Vestry were to extinguish the rights of such lessees as would not surrender their pews for a term of years by the payment of a consideration ; and the Church was ordered to be mortgaged for $6,000 to procure the necessary funds, after paying the existing mortgage debt of $1,200 and advances by the Treasurer, amounting to $1,700. Application was also ordered to be made to the Legislature for the passage of an act authorizing the Vestry to assess upon pews and sittings the current expenses of the corporation. The laborious duty of securing the surrender of 42 CENTENNIAL ANNALS 27 leases and the extinguishment by purchase of 14 others devolved upon Mr. T. C. Montgomery, to whom the church is under lasting obligations in this matter, as well as for another most important service in perfecting what was supposed to be an absolute title to the church property through re- leases secured by him from the heirs of Rochester, Fitzhugh and Carroll. The Rev. Arthur Cleveland Coxe, D. D., having been consecrated assistant Bishop of the Diocese, Jan. 4, 1865, visited the parish on the I5th, and received a most cordial welcome from pastor and people. It having been proposed to invite him to make Rochester his residence, the Vestry appointed a committee to confer with committees from the other parishes in the city on the subject. As the result of such conference, steps were taken to pro- vide by general subscription a home for Bishop Coxe in this city, but he ultimately decided it to be for the best interests of the Diocese that he should reside in Buffalo. The Rev. Dr. Claxton having been appointed " Professor of Pulpit Eloquence and Pastoral Care " in the Philadelphia Divinity School, presented his resignation to take effect Oct. 1, 1865 ; in accepting which the Vestry " bear willing testimony to the fidelity with which he ministered in holy things, the purity of his doctrines, the earnestness and ability of his pulpit appeals, the untiring industry and self- denying zeal which has marked the discharge of his parochial duties and the uniform interest and HISTORICAL SKETCH 43 aifection with which he has watched over the flock." Upon the nomination of the retiring Rector, the Rev. Wm. J. Clark was placed in charge of the parish from Oct. 1, 1865, which engagement ter- minated April 18, 1866. The Rev. Henry C. Potter, D. D., of St. John's Church, Troy, was invited, Nov. 8, 1865, to accept the rectorship, but though earnestly urged on the occasion of a personal visitation to the parish to accept the charge, he after careful deliberation de- ■clined the call. A joint committee of three from the Vestry and three from the congregation on the subject of secur- ing a Rector, recommended, April 9, 1866, that an engagement be made with the Rev. Henry Anstice, ofiBciating at St. Barnabas' Church, Irvington, to take pastoral charge of the parish for one year; and a special committee consisting of N. T. Roch- ester, T. C. Montgomery and Aaron Erickson was appointed to extend the invitation. At a subsequent meeting the committee reported " that they could not make any arrangement with the Rev. Henry Anstice to take temporary charge of this parish." A call to the Rectorship at a salary of $2,000, with the use of the Rectory and $800 for an assistant was thereupon extended April 23, 1866, and accept- ed, to take effect on the 13th of the following month. At the first meeting of the Vestry with the new Rector, he was requested to take the keys of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd and to make such 44 CENTENNIAL ANNALS disposition thereof as he with the concurrence of the Vestry may from time to time think advisable, and in accordance with a subsequent resolution he received and accepted the title to the property from the Rev. Dr. Claxton, the Vestry having been un- willing to assume the legal responsibility incident thereto. A plan for general city mission work having been projected by Mr. George R. Clark and the Rev. Dr. Van Ingen under the name of " The St. Matthew's Church Mission/' and it having been intimated to the Vestry that the said Mission was desirous of purchasing the Good Shepherd Chapel in order to unify the work of Church extension in the city under one management, it was resolved " with a view to promote harmony of feeling and action between the several clergy and parishes of Rochester and as an expression of interest in the newly inaugurated joint mission work," to enter into a contract to convey the property to trustees for the use of the said mission. The " St. Mat- thew's Mission " accordingly conducted services in the chapel as well as at other points in the city by its missionaries, the Rev. R. M. Duff, Dean, and the Rev. E. S. Wilson, assisted by Mr. S. D. Boorom and D. H. Lovejoy, M. D., candidates for Orders. Upon the dissolution of that organization, however, in June, 1867, the chapel reverted to St. Luke's and the services were continued therein by the Rector and his assistants. The other points at which ser- vices had been sustained by this joint missionary HISTORICAL SKETCH 45 effort were the school-house near Deep Hollow, which was committed to the care of Trinity Church ; the Oregon St. Mission, which was assigned to Grace Church, and Hope Chapel, which was com- mitted to Christ Church, and developed by the care of its Rector and some zealous laymen into St. Clement's in July, 1871, which was reorganized as St. Andrew's Feb. 7, 1879. The Vestry having had under consideration the advisability of thoroughly remodeling and refitting the interior of the church, and placing the whole 'edifice in the best possible condition, requested the Rector to call a meeting of the congregation to express their views upon the subject. At this meeting, held July 16, 1866, plans and estimates were presented and discussed, and on motion of Mr. Aaron Erickson, it was resolved, " That the congregation do advise the Vestry to make the improvements proposed, and at the same time to make provision for paying off the entire church debt upon the basis of property in the pews." Steps were, accordingly, at once taken to carry out the recommendations of the congregation, and Messrs. Bronson, Brewster and Perkins, with the Rector as chairman, were appointed the building committee, and the same members of the Vestry, together with Mr. Erickson, and Hon. E. D. Smith, were desig- nated a committee to solicit subscriptions, — ^the labors of which latter work, devolved almost entire- ly upon Judge E: D. Smith and Mr. G. H. Perkins. The last service in the old church, prior to its 46 CENTENNIAL ANNALS occupation by the workmen, was held Oct. 7, 1866 ; from which time the congregation worshipped stat- edly on Sunday afternoons in the First Presbyterian Church, opposite, which had been kindly tendered for that purpose by the Christian courtesy of its Trustees. A Wednesday evening service with lec- tures on the Prayer Book was also held in our Sunday School building, and the sessions of the Sunday School were not interrupted. The Rev. M. R. St. J. Dillon-Lee entered upon his duties as the first assistant to the Rector, Sept. 2, 1866. With his co-operation weekly cottage services were maintained throughout the Winter in the Eighth Ward, and a Sunday afternoon service established in the following Spring in a building rented for that purpose. The whole southwestern section of the city was divided into districts, and lady visitors assigned to each with a view to organ- ized personal ministries of divers sorts to the people there resident. The committee of the Vestry which had been appointed in April to act with similar committees from the other three parishes for the purpose of purchasing a lot in Mt. Hope Cemetery for the interment of " persons attached to the Episcopal Church for whose burial no other appropriate place should be provided," reported Jan. 31, 1867, that they had purchased jointly such a lot for $324, of which $106 was to be paid by St. Luke's. The work of repair was meanwhile slowly pro- gressing in the church building. It had been found HISTORICAL SKETCH 47 necessary to make excavations, build foundations for the pillars, put in new timbers and flooring and make unplanned alterations and improvements to such an extent that the work was protracted into the short days of Winter and the expense very ma- terially increased. Before the remodeling of the edifice there was no middle aisle and no entrance through the tower; the pews had doors as high as the backs of the seats; there were square pews in the gallery, and the building was heated with stoves. Steam-heating apparatus was now introduced throughout the church and Sunday School building, and the organ was renovated and its power in- creased by the addition of several stops. On the 10th of March, 1867, the church was reopened for Divine Service by the Bishop of the Diocese, and on the 14th inst. in the presence of all the city clergy, the formal Institution of the Rector took- place ; Dr. T. C. Pitkin of Buffalo, a former Rector, and Dr. Abner Jackson of Geneva, acting as attend- ing presbyters, Bishop Coxe preaching the sermon and performing the ceremony, and William Pitkin, Esq., presenting the keys of the church, — an office he had discharged at the Institution of each preced- ing Rector ; all of them except the first having been formally instituted into the Rectorship. A statement of the financial condition of the parish was laid before the congregation on Easter Monday, April 22, 1867, from which it appeared that there had been expended in repairing the church edifice about $19,000, and that the sums col- 48 CENTENNIAL ANNALS lected from subscriptions and sales of pews amount- ed to $18,770, with about $7,000 more due and unpaid. The debts of the Church, contracted before the repairs were commenced, were stated at $6,000 on the church building, $3,000 of purchase money on the Rectory, $2,400 in contracts for pur- chase of Exchange St. property in rear of Rectory, and $1,000 balance due and unpaid on the Sunday School building; thus showing the total debt of the corporation, before the improvements were be- gun, to have been $12,400. The hope which had been entertained, that the entire debt would be paid off at this time was therefore disappointed. A material reduction of it, however, was effected through the gradual collection of unpaid subscrip- tions, proceeds of sales of pews, and the operation of a sinking fund created by the very considerable excess of current income over expenses; so that before the meeting of the Convention in August, 1867, not only had the entire cost of the improve- ments been defrayed, but $3,200 had been paid upon the outstanding obligations, and the mortgage on the church was still further reduced by $1,000, within three years thereafter. The parochial activity in City Mission work was at this time approaching its highest develop- ment. An additional Assistant Minister was needed to devote himself particularly to the work at the Good Shepherd Chapel ; and provision having been made therefor, the Rev. Jacob Miller entered upon his duties in that field in July, 1867. In the Eighth HISTORICAL SKETCH 49 Ward, the services were attended with deep interest, and the people of the district showed themselves in earnest for the erection of a chapel by subscribing $1,CXX) for that purpose. Service on Sunday after- noons and a Sunday School were maintained in the school-house on Lake Ave., near Deep Hollow, from July, 1867, when this enterprise which had been a legacy to him from St. Matthew's Church Mission, was committed by the Rector of Trinity to the Rector of St. Luke's. In the Ontario St. neighborhood, cottage services were well attended by the people in that locality, and the duty of chap- lain to the City Hospital was also discharged by one of our staff of clergy. Divine Service being held for one year on every Lord's Day afternoon. Meanwhile, the Rev. Mr. Dillon-Lee having accepted a position as assistant minister in Christ Church, New Orleans, resigned after thirteen months of service and was followed by the Rev. David H. Lovejoy, M. D., Sept. 29,1867, who re- mained one year in the parish. The 12th of March, 1868, marks the progress of the work at the Good Shepherd Chapel in the creation, by the Rector, of a quasi- Vestry, to relieve him of details and represent the needs and wishes of the people. The result of this arrangement was to rapidly develop the interest and self-sustaining power of the congregation, and pave the way for that ecclesiastical independence which was per- fected a year later. The corner-stone of the new chapel on Frances 50 CENTENNIAL ANNALS St. was laid by the Rector in the absence of the Bishop, on the 23rd of July, 1868, addresses being delivered by the Revs. F. S. Rising of New York, and J. H. Waterbury of Le Roy. The completed building was formally opened for Divine Service Feb. 28, 1869. The total cost of the chapel was $10,000, which had been raised by subscriptions and five-cent collections, by the Sunday School, by a public lecture given by Bishop Lee, and from the proceeds of some lots on Penn St. given to the Rector for this purpose by the heirs of Asa Sprague. The chapel was thus described in the " Gospel Mes- senger " : " It is neatly and substantially built of brick, in Early English style, sixty feet by forty-two inside, slate-roofed, with four double lancet win- dows on each side and a window in front on either side of a central tower, which is eighty-two feet high. The inside walls are rough-finished, blocked and stained. The seats are neatly upholstered in crimson damask, having reversible backs for Sun- day School purposes, arranged in double rows on each side of a central aisle, with side aisles at the walls, and will accommodate three hundred per- sons." Jonathan Dent was the mason, Thomas Wil- liamson the carpenter, and Isaac Loomis the archi- tect, by whom the chapel was built. On the 18th of Sept. 1868, the Bishop advanced to the priesthood the two assistants of the parish, the Revs. Jacob Miller and David H. Lovejoy, M. D., presented by the Rector; twenty clerical HISTORICAL SKETCH 51 members of the Rochester Convocation being present. The congregation of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd was organized by the Rev. Mr. Anstice, with the Bishop's approval, into a separate parish, March 29, 1869. John Greenwood and George Cummings were elected Wardens, and Thomas Thompson, Thomas Tamblingson, William Att- ridge, Jr., Robert G. Newman, Samuel Attridge, William Webb, Walter Williamson and Charles H. Finch were elected Vestrymen. The Rev. Jacob Miller, who had been ministering in the congrega- tion for twenty months as assistant to the Rev. Mr. Anstice, was, on nomination by the latter, elected the first Rector. Forty-one families and fifty-one communicants were transferred from St. Luke's to form the nucleus of the new parish. And thus the Good Shepherd took its place as the fourth daughter of St. Luke's among the city churches. The Church Home, the idea of which was first broached by the Rev. Dr. Claxton of St. Luke's, sprung from the conviction of the Clergy and Laity that the Church should possess and control a Home where her orphan and destitute children might be cared for and taught, and aged communicants be sheltered in their declining years. The realization of the project was made possible by the generous gift of a site with a small house upon it, on Mt. Hope Ave., from Mr. Geo. R. Clark and Mr. Geo. E. Mumford, in July, 1868, upon which a stone structure was erected at a cost of $15,000 by the 52 CENTENNIAL ANNALS church people of the city. The corner-stone of the new building was laid April 20, 1869, by the Rector of St. Luke's, who also made the address at the formal opening of the Institution, Oct. 26th, of the same year, all the city Rectors being present and taking part in the services. The Rev. W. W. Raymond became assistant to the Rector, with special duties in the Eighth Ward field, Feb. 7, 1869, and at the Ember Ordination, March 13, 1870, was advanced to the priesthood in Christ Church by Bishop Coxe, on presentation by the Rector of St. Luke's. In the evening of May 2, 1869, the sermon in St. Luke's upon the text " Who is on the Lord's Side ? " was interrupted by the breaking out of fire in the First Presbyterian Church across the street. Mr. Jos. A. Eastman, who had quietly passed out with a few others at the sound of the fire bell, re- turned in a few minutes, advanced to the center aisle looking up toward the pulpit, and announced, as the Rector paused, " The First Church is on fire." The Rector responded with " Let us pray," the people knelt, and he pronounced the benediction. Many then promptly sought their homes, but a large number from the front porch watched the conflagration with sympathetic interest, until the spire fell upon the roof of the chapel. On the Tuesday following. May 4th, the Church and the city were called to mourn the loss of the Hon. William Pitkin, who had been Mayor of the city in 1845-6, and had filled many positions of HISTORICAL SKETCH 53 honor and responsibility in the community, in which he was universally respected. The Rector at his funeral delivered an appreciative estimate of his character and life from the text " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." The Vestry placed on record the following tribute to his memory: Resolved, That in the decease of William Pitkin who for nearly fifty years has been a member and communicant of St. Luke's Church, for six years a vestryman thereof, and for thirty-nine years afterwards one of its wardens, said church has lost one of its most useful and esteemed members, one of its wisest counsellors, and one of its highest ornaments. Resolved, That we deem it but a measure of simple justice to the memory, merits and services of the deceased, to express the opinion, that a large degree of the success, harmony and prosperity of St. Luke's Church for nearly half a century, are eminently due to the wisdom, prudence, unseasing care and watchful regard of the deceased, for the best interest of said church and congregation. Resolved, That we deem it a pleasure and a duty also, to express our high sense of his virtues and many excell- encies, and our esteem for his consistent Christian char- acter, for the purity and integrity of his life, his excellent example, and great worth as a citizen and as a man. On the 8th of May, 1870, a morning service was instituted at the Epiphany, the name by which the chapel had been christened Nov. 7, 1869. Up to this time no sacrament had been administered in the chapel, but there was a Sunday School of 160 members and a stated congregation of 200 persons. A handsome font was now provided and a com- munion service. A better organ also was procured. 54 CENTENNIAL ANNALS A bell alone was lacking, and at Christmas-tide this want was also satisfactorily supplied. The Rev. Mr. Raymond, after sixteen months of service in the parish, preached his last sermon May 22, 1870. The Rev. Geo. S. Baker came to take his place, August 14 of the same year. During the summer of 1870, the Sunday School building was thoroughly renovated, the walls paint- ed ,the woodwork oiled, and the floor carpeted ; the carpet being given as an individual contribution by one who took pleasure in being liberal. In the fol- lowing June the Vestry authorized a committee con- sisting of Jas. Brackett, C. F. Smith and Roswell Hart to repaint and redecorate the interior of the church and build a new organ to replace the old, for which improvements $4,700 was raised by sub- scription. The total cost was $5,230.32, the balance being provided from the current revenue of the Church. In Advent, 1871, the Rector organized the will- ing workers of the Church into a body known as the " Parochial Helpers." The District Visiting and Mothers' Meetings were especially effective in fur- thering the work in the Eighth Ward, and were continued till the Chapel reached that stage in its development where labor of this sort more properly devolved on its own members. A Sewing School was also well sustained in the Epiphany. The sew- ing interest at the Mother-Church was known at this time by the name of the Industrial Circle; HISTORICAL SKETCH 55 which, among its plentiful good works, provided for refurnishing the Vestry Room. On the 19th of February, 1872, the Vestry au- thorized a committee with the Rector as chairman, to remove the old rectory to the south side of the lot which it occupied and procure plans for the erec- tion of a new and more suitable residence for the Rector. The old rectory was accordingly removed and placed in good order at an expense of $1,949.40; whereupon the committee was authorized to proceed with the erection of a new building not to exceed $12,000 in cost. During the same summer a parsonage house was erected on the lot adjoining the Epiphany, at an ex- penditure of $4,000, while the chapel itself was ren- ovated and walls and woodwork tastefully repainted. The Rev. Wm. Long entered on his duties as assistant to the Rector Dec. 1, 1872, remaining in the parish four years and five months, until April 29, 1877. The new rectory being completed on the 12th of April 1873, a final report was made to the Vestry by which it appeared that its cost had been $11,961.69, and that this sum had been provided by the sale of the old rectory and the proceeds of a bank loan upon the new, in anticipation of the sale of the lots in the rear. A new bell was this Spring hung in the tower at a cost of $600, to replace its predecessor, which had become useless. On the 13th of April, 1874, Messrs. Brackett, Perkins, Hart, Eastwood and Whittlesey were ap- 56 CENTENNIAL ANNALS pointed to solicit subscriptions to clear oif the bal- ance of the original debt on church and rectory, contracted in 1860 and 1864. An amount sufficient to extinguish this balance, $7,000, was raised within two months. A service for deaf mutes was at this time inau- gurated in one of the rooms of the Sunday School building, which was uninterruptedly continued on Sunday afternoons by Mr. J. C. Acker as lay-reader for many years. St. Luke's has ever since been the center of the work in this city for the " Children of Silence." Stated and special services have been held in the parish house, and, on the occasion of visits of the Rev. Dr. Gallaudet, the Rev. Thos. B. Berry or others expert in work among these people, in the Church itself, the Rev. Edward P. Hart being ever ready to interpret in the sign language. The work is now in charge of the Rev. C. Orvis Dantzer, mis- sionary to the Deaf Mutes in Central and Western New York. The need of some new missionary enterprise in the northern portion of the city being apparent, the Rector of St. Luke's, at the instance of the Bishop, and with the concurrence of all the west side clergy, took measures to establish a service and Sunday School under the name of St. John's Chapel on State St. A hall in Cochrane's block was secured and neatly fitted up at an expense of $600, and the open- ing service was held Jan. 24, 1875, the Rev. J. J. Landers assisting. The Rector himself officiated every evening during the summer, but his personal HISTORICAL SKETCH 57 connection with the enterprise ceased in September, and Mr. Landers conducted its affairs until the fol- lowing February, when at the instance of the local clergy, and in view of the fact that a new Rector had infused fresh life into Trinity parish, and upon the distinct pledge of the Vestry of Trinity that they would occupy the field, the Bishop advised the discontinuance of the mission. The Rev. Mr. Walsh at once took charge of the Sunday School and main- tained a service, and the Vestry of Trinity redeemed its pledge at a later date in the removal of their Parish Church northward. The University of Rochester at its Commence- ment in June, 1875, honored the Rector of St. Luke's with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. President Anderson in communicating this action wrote: Permit me to say that the Trustees and Faculty of Instruction deemed this a fitting recognition of your faithful pastoral work and of your constant, vigorous and well-directed efforts in the propagation and defense of the common elements of our Holy Faith. Personally it gave me great pleasure to be the organ of the University in this public expression of the estimate formed by the Christian public of the intelligence and energy which you have devoted to the cause of religion and morality in our beloved city. During this Summer of 1875, the Rector held missionary services in Fairport and Penfield on alternate Sunday afternoons for the benefit of the few Church people residing in those villages. The Rev. Geo. S. Baker after five years and more of faithful service, resigned to accept the 58 CENTENNIAL ANNALS rectorship of St. James' Church, Batavia, in Octo- ber, 1875. He was followed at once by the Rev. C. M. Nickerson, who became assistant minister on the 1st of November. On the 13th of Sept., 1876, the Rev. Dr. Anstice organized the congregation of the Epiphany into an independent parish, and on his nomination the Rev. Chas. M. Nickerson was elected the first Rec- tor. He transferred 170 families and 202 commu- nicants to constitute the new parish, and deeded the property, consisting of the church and rectory, worth over $18,000, with a debt only upon the latter, to the newly organized corporation; which thtls entered upon its independent life under most propitious auspices. The first Vestry consisted of J. H. Martindale and Romeyn Boughton, Wardens, and John Hancock, David Fairman, F. W. Bergh, James Ratcliflfe, W. H. Cross, F. R. Plummer, John Clements and J. H. Stedman, Vestrymen. An ordination of special interest, from the fact that the candidate was one who had been baptized and confirmed in St. Luke's, was held June 11, 1876, when the Bishop conferred Deacon's . Orders upon Mr. John W. Greenwood. On Nov. 19, 1876, the 54th Regiment, N. Y. State National Guard, in which the Rector of St. Luke's held a commission as Chaplain, assembled in the Church in full dress uniform to listen to a sermon on " Our Citizen Soldiery." On the pre- ceding Sunday evening. Dr. Anstice, who was also Chaplain of the "Protectives," preache'd the annual HISTORICAL SKETCH 59 sermon before that organization, which presented a fine appearance in their full uniform. The Woman's Missionary Association, which had been organized in January, 1873, entered upon a career of increased efficiency in the fall of 1877, and continued weekly meetings during the working season, largely increasing the parish contributions for missions and gladdening many a missionary's heart by timely gifts of " boxes." In 1877 the Rector was honored by an election as first of the Deputies of the Diocese to the Gen- eral Convention, at which he was appointed first assistant secretary of the House of Deputies, a po- sition which he held continuously until 1904, when he became secretary of that body and still holds that office. He was a deputy also in the General Conventions of 1880, 1883 and 1895. The Vestry appointed, Nov. 13, 1877, Messrs. Reynolds, Brackett and Wolcott " to solicit sub- scriptions to defray extraordinary expenses in- curred by reason of necessary repairs to the Church building and taxation for local improvements." Mr. Brackett, from this committee, reported Feb. 27, 1878, that they had raised about $2,150 for the pur- poses named. The first issue of Our Church Work appeared Dec. 1, 1877. The Rector of St. Luke's had in- duced the clergy of the Rochester parishes to unite with him in editing and publishing this unpreten- tious little sheet each week " to foster the unity and growth of the Church in our own midst," believing 60 CENTENNIAL ANNALS that " a better knowledge of each other's work may well promote a heartier sympathy and, where occa- sion serves, earnest cooperation." It served its purpose and was well appreciated. But yielding to the Bishop's wish that it be consolidated with The Orbit, published by him in Buffalo each month. Our Church Work bade its readers what the event proved to be a temporary farewell, and The Kal- endar came into being as the recognized diocesan organ. On Ash Wednesday, 1878, a twelve-day Mission was inaugurated in St. Luke's, all the city clergy being present, the Rev. J. W. Bonham, Evangelist, taking the lead in conducting the Mission services, which closed March 17. In the Winter of 1878, a sewing school was es- tablished at the Church, with seventeen officers and 125 learners, which continued its sessions each Winter. A series of " Mothers' Meetings " was also inaugurated, Oct. 18, which proved productive of much blessing. A Guild, too, was organized which signalized the first year of its existence by raising means sufficient, together with the proceeds of two collections in the Church, to re-carpet the building and make some improvements in the organ; which work was completed in the Summer of 1879. The 21st of December, 1879, was the occasion of another ordination of special interest. Byron Holley, Jr., a son of St. Luke's, was presented to the Bishop by the Rector, for admission to the Dio- conate. He at once entered upon his duties as HISTORICAL SKETCH 61 assistant minister, which position he held until called to take charge of the Church of the Good Shepherd, April 1, 1881. The Vestry, on the 21st of May, 1880, resolved as follows : " That this Vestry, having heard of the proposed removal of Trinity Church to a new location in the north part of the city, hereby tender their sincere congratulations to the Rector and people of Trinity Church upon their brightened prospect of increased usefulness, and desire to ex- press the earnest hope that a new era of prosperity is about to dawn upon them in their new and en- larged field." During the Summer of 1880, the Rector and his wife had the privilege of a somewhat extended European trip, witnessing the Ober-Ammergau Passion Play, and returning to find no other experi- ence more enjoyable than the cordiality and affec- tion of their welcome home. A Missionary Conference was arranged by the Standing Committee of the Board of Managers of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society to be held in St. Luke's, May 31 and June 1-2, 1881, at which distinguished speakers from abroad were present and addressed the several meetings. On the second day a Diocesan Auxiliary to the Board of Missions was organized in order to unify and intensify the zeal and efforts of the women of the several parishes. St. Luke's had been doing an efficient missionary work through its Woman's Mis- sionary Association, which the Rector had organ- 62 CENTENNIAL ANNALS ized in January, 1873, and which by the plan in use of a quarterly offering in the Church for the four great branches of the work, the Domestic, the For- eign, the Indian, and that among Colored People, had very largely increased the contributions of the par- ish to the missionary cause. It had become, more- over, one of the banner parishes in the number of its subscriptions to the Spirit of Missions. It may be noted, by the way, that what is now known as Section One of the Junior Department of the Woman's Auxiliary to the Board of Missions orig- inated in St. Luke's, in January, 1891, as the "Babies' Branch," or "The Little Helpers," and its educational missionary influence with the little ones has been widespread throughout the Church and will ever be an enduring monument to the zeal and efficiency of its founder. Miss Mary E. Hart. During the Winter of 1881-82, the Rector was maturing plans for the consolidation of all the agen- cies for good in the parish into one organization, intending to add several new departments of church work. Those plans culminated in the organization of St. Luke's Guild, embracing nine chapters, a full account of which, with the names of the members of each Chapter, was published in a neat pamphlet at Easter, 1882. The object of the Guild was to secure co-operation with the Rector in systematizing and developing the Christian activity of the parish, of unifying parish activities under one control, in which representatives of all the Chapters should have a share, which underlying plan came to be HISTORICAL SKETCH 63 adopted in many parishes throughout the Church. Its membership consists of such persons as may signify to the Rector their willingness and determination to con- secrate some portion of their time and energy to such Church work as shall be undertaken by the Guild. Its work is divided into various departments, and is com- mitted to the several Chapters of the Guild as follows : The work of the Sunday School Chapter is to aid the Rector in the instruction of the young people of the Parish in Biblical learning and the doctrines of the Church. The work of the Woman's Missionary Chapter is to awaken and develop the Missionary Spirit, to diffuse intel- ligence regarding the several departments of the Church's Missionary work, and to promote a personal devotion to the cause in labor, prayer and systematic giving. The work of the Choir Chapter is to render the " Service of Song in the House of the Lord " during the Lenten Season, and upon Holy-days and such other occa- sions of public worship as may be required. The work of the Church Home Chapter is to promote the interests of this Institution by personal service and influence, and to carry into effect approved plans for rais- ing funds for its support. The work of the Mothers' Meeting Chapter is to carry on, by approved methods, that scheme of Christian effort known under this name, including religious and other instruction at the weekly social gathering, and the syste- matic visiting of the attendants upon the meetings, with personal ministries in their homes. The work of the Sewing School Chapter is to organize and instruct classes of young girls in various kinds of useful and ornamental needle work. The work of the Visitors' Chapter is to manifest a kindly interest in such of the sick and needy as may from time to time be commended to its care, to visit statedly the inmates of the Church Home and the City Hospital, and 64 CENTENNIAL ANNALS to prosecute the labor of love known as the Flower Mission. The work of the Sanctuary Chapter is "the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary," the special care of the chancel, vestry room and vestments, the exten- sion of the Church's hospitality to strangers on all occa- sions of public worship, and the arrangement through com- mittees for the fit decoration of the Lord's House at Christmas and Easter. The work of the Girls' Friendly Society Chapter is to seek out and bring into personal relations with the mem- bers of the Chapter, and with each other, such young women earning an independent livelihood as may be will- ing to associate themselves together in the bonds of friend- liness, for mutual culture and interest in each other's welfare. The general officers of the Guild, together with the Heads of Chapters, appointed by the Rector, and one representative selected by each Chapter, constitute the Guild Council, which meets bi-monthly, or otherwise as it may determine, for review of the work of the organiza- tion, consultation upon plans for its extension and in- creased efficiency, consideration of the Guild finances, appropriation of funds to the several Chapters, and the decision of any questions which may arise respecting the conduct of any department of the Guild work. A tenth, the Brotherhood Chapter, was organ- ized and added to the Guild, Dec. 10, 1884, whose object was to enlist the young men " to carry out such plans for doing good as may be adopted, and for the promotion of social intercourse, intellectual improvement and religious culture among its mem- bers." The Rev. Dr. R. Bethell Claxton, one of St. Luke's former Rectors, having died May 24, 1882, HISTORICAL SKETCH 65 the Vestry, at its meeting following, placed upon record their tribute to his " eminent faithfulness, untiring industry, devotion to the poor, affectionate nature and ready sympathy, which won the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact." In September of this year the Rector of St. Luke's was elected Dean of the Rochester Convo- cation, which position he held until 1885, and again from 1889 to 1895, when the Diocese was divided into two archdeaconries and the Rochester arch- deaconry voted to make its archdeacon, to be elect- ed, a salaried officer who should " be required to give his entire time and attention to the missionarv work." In April, 1883, the Vestry entered the following minute upon its records : In the death of Hon. Roswell Hart, for many years a member of this vestry and identified with St. Luke's Church from his childhood, we are called upon to deplore no common loss. The welfare of the Church was always dear to him, and to his duties as a member of this body, he invariably brought unflagging interest and zeal. Active in plans and labor for the Church's temporal prosperity, faithful in all the trusts committed to him, constant in his attendance at the House of God, a staunch friend and a ready helper, we place on record this brief tribute to his memory. In June, 1883, the Vestry requested the Rector " to prepare and publish in book form an Historical Sketch of St. Luke's Church, embodying such doc- umentary and statistical facts as he shall deem of interest." 66 CENTENNIAL ANNALS In June of this same year, the death of Mr. Nathaniel T. Rochester removed one of the few remaining ties which bind the present to the elder generation. His life had been identified with St. Luke's Church from its very beginning. He was the oldest communicant connected with the parish, having been confirmed by Bishop Hobart with seven others, Feb. 20, 1821, in the little frame Church which was the first spiritual home of St. Luke's congregation. He was Clerk of the Vestry from 1821 to 1832 and from 1835 to 1843. He occupied the position of Treasurer from 1823 to 1832. He was Vestryman from 1828 to 1831 and from 1835 to 1838, and Warden from 1847 to 1858, and also from 1866 to 1868, when with that modesty which was one of his marked characteristics he retired, that the duties of the ofiSce might devolve upon a younger man. To the interests of the Church he was devotedly attached, and freely gave his time, his thought, his means, to advance its spiritual and material well-being. Universally respected in the community and beloved by all who knew him well, he filled the measure of his days, and has been gathered to his fathers " in favour with God, and in perfect charity with the world." In strictest truth it may be said of him, " Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile." During the Summer of 1883, a new roof was placed on the Sunday School building, a larger boiler substituted for the old in connection with the steam heating apparatus, which was thoroughly HISTORICAL SKETCH 67 overhauled, and other repairs effected, at a cost of $1,200. The following tribute was placed upon the rec- ords of the Vestry, Dec. 21 : In the decease of the Hon. E. Darwin Smith, which sad event occurred on the 11th ult., this church has sus- tained no ordinary loss. Identified with it for more than half a century, he never failed to feel and manifest the deepest interest in all that might concern its welfare and prosperity. Baptized in 1831 by Dr. Whitehouse, St. Luke's second rector, he was confirmed in the same year by Bishop Onderdonk. In 1838 he was accredited to represent the Church in the primary convention of Western New York, and since then has almost continuously held an honored place in the councils of the diocese. He was elected to the vestry in 1846 and 1847, and again in 1869, remaining vestrymen till 1873, when he was made a warden, in which position he remained until his death. His inter- est in the Church was an essential feature of his charactei and life. He loved it arid believed in it. His place was never willingly at any service vacant ; illness alone detained him from the house of God. He was a wise and prudent counsellor, faithful in every trust; loyal and loving to his rector; of gentle heart and kindly disposition; a genial friend and a consistent Christian. " The end of that man is peace.'' As a contribution to the Semi-Centennial Cele- bration of Rochester as a city, Mayor Parsons re- quested the clergy to preach appropriate sermons June 8, 1884. The Rector of St. Luke's responded with a sketch of the religious growth of the city from 15 church organizations in 1834 to 70 at the present time, from the text, " Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." 68 CENTENNIAL ANNALS The noonday Lenten Services were inaugurated this year with special reference to the convenience of business men and others, various speakers being provided, which noonday service as an institution has, with some exceptions, been since maintained. -. — ""The bronze memorial tablet commemorative of Col. Nathaniel Rochester, one of the founders of this city, and the first Warden of St. Luke's, which now adorns the rear wall south of the chancel, was erected by John H. Rochester and other members of the family, permission therefor having been granted by the Vestry, Oct. 1, 1884. ~' An ordination of exceptional interest was that of Edward P. Hart to the Diaconate by Bishop Coxe, Dec. 27, 1884. He was emphatically a son of St. Luke's, and became at once on ordination its assistant minister, a position which he retained until June, 1888, when his Rectorship of St. Mark's de- manded all his time and energy. As a lay-reader he had been appointed, June 1, 1884, to the care of St. Mark's Mission, which had had a precarious existence for some years, since services were first held in the neighborhood by the Rev. Albert Wood, and which was now located in a room on Channing St. and Concord Ave. The first essential to its permanent establishment and growth was a suitable Church building, and this the Dean of Rochester determined it should have forthwith. The people of St. Luke's responded generously and so did friends in other parishes, and as prompt action was desirable on the eve of Winter, the Dean and the HISTORICAL SKETCH 69 Missionary, in the former's buggy, started Nov. 14, 1884, to find a lot. That on the corner of Channing and Hollister Streets was selected, the owner sought and found, a contract for the purchase drawn up by Dr. Anstice on the spot and executed by the owner and himself as a check passed, and in the afternoon of the same day a gang of men were dig- ging out a cellar for the structure which had been previously planned. The new Church, 34 x 64, with a recess chancel and vestry room, was occupied for services within two months, and by Aug. 15, was completely paid for, and the property deeded to the Diocesan Trustees, and on Dec. 16, 1885, was consecrated by Bishop Coxe. Its total cost was $5,437.41, of which $3,778.58 was given by St. Luke's Church and Sunday School, Mr. M. F. Rey- nolds contributing $2,000. St. Mark's was built for Mr. Hart by those who knew and loved him, and his whole ministry was exercised therein with utmost faithfulness till he was called to rest from his labors, May 16, 1917. Some former parishioners of St. Luke's and others, living in Scottsville, being desirous of form- ing a Church organization, the Rev. Dr. Anstice, as Dean of Rochester, presided at an enthusiastic meeting in St. Joseph's Hall, Jan. 12, 1885, at which Grace Church was incorporated under most encour- aging auspices, and on the following June 25, he laid the corner-stone of what was to be an attract- ive stone edifice for this young and vigorous parish. The two lots on Exchange St. in the rear of 70 CENTENNIAL ANNALS the rectory, which had been purchased by the Vestry in the first year of Dr. Anstice's Rectorship, for $2,400, were authorized, Aug. 8, 1885, to be sold, and on Dec. 17 the Rector reported that a sale had been effected to A. G. Yates for $7,500, and the purchase money applied to discharge the encum- brances on the rectory property, which had thus been reduced to $500, which balance was liquidated in the following Spring, so that there was at this time no encumbrance of any kind upon any of the Church property, the original debt on the Church edifice, contracted to extinguish the leasehold rights of pewholders and other purposes having been ex- tinguished in 1874. A fifteen-day Mission was arranged for, to be- gin on the second Sunday in Lent, 1886. It was to be on Churchly lines, the city clergy generally were sympathetic toward it, and the Bishop, in per- sonal attendance at one of the meetings, attested in touching words his approval. The preparatory work, so indispensable to the success of any " Mission," was thoroughly organized and extended over many weeks, during which constant prayers were offered, and more than 18,000 invitations and leaflets were distributed by willing helpers, from house to house in the Third and Eighth wards. An atmosphere of expectancy of rich spiritual blessing pervaded the entire parish. The Missioner was an experienced one, the Rev. F. H. Du Vernet of Ontario, who is now Archbishop of the Province of British Co- HISTORICAL SKETCH 71 jmbia, whose fervency, ability and methods left irge and lasting spiritual results. In response to the desire of Church people in 'harlotte for services and a Church building, the Lector of St. Luke's, June 11, 1886, purchased the Id Rink on the corner of Broadway and Stutson it., for $262.50, and secured an option to purchase be land on which it stood, for $1,500. The build- ig was immediately fitted up for services, which rere held Sunday afternoons from Trinity Sunday, le city clergy and others officiating. He also broke round for a new edifice, Oct. 18, 1891, the old uilding having been removed to the south side of le lot, and on Feb. 28, 1892, as Dean of Rochester, e formally opened the new building, which had een named St. George's, in connection with a leeting of Convocation. The new Church cost 2,540, of which the Charlotte people contributed 972.15, and $1,000 of the balance was raised by le personal efforts of Mr. William J. Ashley, who, nth the Dean and Missionary, constituted the luilding Committee. Our neighbor, Mr. Yates, having inadvertently xtended the cornice of a new bay-window over le rectory line, approached the Rector with a view ) purchasing one foot of land along the line of ivision. When $200 was named as a proper price, le intending purchaser asked the Rector if he lought land on Fitzhugh St. was worth as much 3 that by the front foot. He promptly answered, No, but this is a retail transaction, coal by the 72 CENTENNIAL ANNALS single ton brings more than by the carload." Our neighbor got the land, and the Vestry put the $200 into the Special Church Fund. The condition of the Church edifice in the Spring of 1887 demanded the attention of the Vestry, and at a meeting held June 16, it was resolved " that a new Church be built in place of the present build- ing." It was also proposed to purchase the adjoin- ing warehouse " to meet the increasing demand for church accommodations." The committee to negoti- ate with the owner, however, reported that " the price he demanded far exceeded the limit which the Vestry entertained of its value." It was finally decided to raise sufficient funds to put the building in complete repair and to install electric lights, and in December the Rector reported for the committee in charge " that $4,725.14 had been deposited to the credit of the Special Church Fund, and that after all bills for repairs to the Church and rectory had been paid, there would remain a surplus of $1,035.48, to be drawn upon for future repairs." The working force of the Church was augment- ed in January, 1887, by the coming of Miss Frances F. Kellogg, a former resident of Rochester, who had been engaged for some years past in Church work in and near New York. Her services proving acceptable and efficient, she was admitted to the sacred Order of Deaconesses by Bishop Coxe, May 26, 1888, being the first to be " ordered " in this city. In the formation and work of the Rochester HISTORICAL SKETCH 73 Branch of the Evangelical Alliance, which was or- ganized Jan. 2, 1888, a leading part devolved upon the Rector of St. Luke's. He was chairman of the committee on organization and drafted the Consti- tution and By-Laws. Upon his election as Secre- tary of the Alliance, he arranged the detailed plans and prepared the blanks for the religious house to house visitation of the city, which was successfully prosecuted in February, 1888, and also received and tabulated the returns for publication. From these it appeared that 22,447 families and 7,373 in- dividuals not thus included had been visited, and their religious preferences were indicated upon cards and the total recorded in the minute book of the Alliance, and the names classified and handed over to the clergy of the respective religious bodies for identification and " following up." This record book of the proceedings of the Alliance, which con- tains also its Constitution, By-Laws and the signa- tures of all the clergy and lay members of that period, is preserved in the archives of the Rochester Historical Society. Men and women of St. Luke's took an active part in the work as supervisors or visitors, and meetings of the executive committee were usually held in the Guild Room of St. Luke's. The Rev. James A. Skinner, who had been act- ing as lay-reader for the last five months, was or- dered Deacon by Bishop Coxe in St. Luke's, Oct. 22, 1888, and ordained priest, Sept. 21, 1889, con- tinuing in the parish as assistant minister until May 15. 1890. 74 CENTENNIAL ANNALS It had been the custom of the Rector since the establishment of the Guild to secure a preacher of note for the annual public Advent service, and in December of this year the scholarly and eloquent Bishop F. D. Huntington, D. D., of Central New York, honored the parish by his presence as the preacher of the Guild sermon. Offerings at evening service had not been cus- tomary in St. Luke's, but the Vestry in February, 1889, directed an offertory to be instituted at the evening services, the proceeds to be credited to the Special Church Fund. The Centennial of the Inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States was observed in accordance with the recom- mendation of the Bishop by a joint-service of all the city parishes at noon in St. Luke's. The Church was handsomely decorated with flowers and flags, Buck's Festival Te Deum was sung, all the city clergy were present and the Rector of St. Luke's delivered a patriotic address. The Vestry, March 24, 1890, took the following action : This vestry at their first meeting after the lamented death of the late Joseph A. Eastman places on record their high appreciation of his services to the church and the sense of loss which through his demise they have sus- tained. Mr. Eastman had been identified with St. Luke's Church from the time of taking up his residence in this city in 1835 and always manifested the deepest interest in whatever concerned its welfare. He served as vestryman at different periods for eighteen years until increasing HISTORICAL SKETCH 75 infirmities led him to decline re-election, and acted as clerk most efficiently from 1857 to 1861 and from 1879 to 1886. He was a constant attendant upon the services of the church and at the time of his death, at the age of 84 years, was the oldest male communicant. He was ever loyal to the church and to its rector and his genial presence and helpful influence will long be missed in the congregation. Our Church Work was revived in February, 1890. Its valedictory was uttered in December, 1879, when, yielding to the wishes of those who desired that its prestige might contribute to the success of the proposed weekly Diocesan organ, it gracefully submitted to a merging of its identity with The Orbit. But now The Kalendar, The Church Kalen- dar and its successor, The Gospel Messenger, having ceased to exist, it gladdened its old friends by its re- appearance, the Bishop giving his cordial approval. In November, 1893, however, the Rochester editors, so long identified with it, devolved their responsi- bility upon two of the Buffalo brethren with the heartiest good-will " and in the hope that the clergy and laity of the See City will hold the Diocesan Paper in higher appreciation, now that it is pub- lished in their own midst." The Bishop accompa- nied the announcement of the transfer with the signed statement: The Bishop's earnest thanks are due to the Reverend Drs. Anstice and Doty, whose efforts in sustaining the paper heretofore have been far more laborious and re- sponsible than is generally understood. Unpretending in form and aiming only at practical utility, Our Church Work has kept the Deaneries linked together, in inter- course one with another, promoting common endeavors 76 CENTENNIAL ANNALS and tending to a realization of our conjoint duties and privileges in a fellowship of Faith. The handsome brass lecturn which adorns the chancel was first used on Easter Day, 1890. It is a memorial of Vincent Matthews, a pioneer of Rochester in 1821 and for 15 years, prior to his death in 1846, a Vestryman or Warden of this Church. It was the gift of his four grandchildren, of whom the Rochester representative is Mrs. Ar- thur Robinson. On this Easter Day there were 195 communicants at the early Celebration and 335 at the second, and at the Choral Evening Service of the Sunday School there were 1,200 adults and chil- dren in the Church. An earnest effort had been made by Rev. Arthur Sloan, then Rector of St. John's, to carry on some missionary work in North-East Rochester. The Rector of St. Luke's, on his resumption of the office of Dean of the Convocation in 1889, deemed this field worthy of immediate attention, and by general consent assumed direction of the enterprise. He organized the Mission Sept. 23, 1890, securing on the spot an adequate subscription for support of services. The funds for the erection of a chapel 30 X 50, with chancel and vestry room addition, upon the lot selected on the corner of Garson and Webster Aves., were to be solicited from Church people generally on an appeal signed by the Bishop and the Dean. The chapel was completed and for- mally opened Dec. 14, 1890, one-half the cost of HISTORICAL SKETCH ^^ which had been contributed by members of St. Luke's. As a means of further enlisting the co-operation of the young people of the parish " in mutual help- fulness in personal religion and organized effort in the service of God," the Rector in the Winter of 1890 organized an eleventh chapter of the Guild to be known as " The Sons and Daughters of the King." The weekly meetings were to be of a re- ligious character and seven committees were to do and direct the practical work. Occasional social gatherings were to be arranged for on other evenings. The Vestry, April 27, 1891, resolved "that a reception be held and some token presented by the parish to Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Anstice, in commem- oration of the 25th anniversary of his Rectorship and the 2Sth anniversary of their marriage, and that Mr. Brackett and five Vestrymen to be named by him be constituted a committee to make arrange- ments for carrying out the purposes of the fore- going resolution." How well the plans were exe- cuted may be best told from current newspaper reports : A memorable event in the Church history of Rochester was the completion of twenty-five years of labor in St. Luke's Church by the Rev. Dr. Anstice, and the deep interest felt in the event by his own loving and loyal parishioners has been shared by the clergy and people of other parishes and his legion friends in the community at large. On Sunday, from a pulpit tastefully adorned with flowers and plants, he preached his anniversary sermon 78 CENTENNIAL ANNALS from the text, "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee," — which sermon having been reported fully or in part in all our daily papers, here only calls for the remark that the succinct sketch of the parish history and the development of the parochial activities was heard with deepest interest, while his allusions to his per- sonal relations to his people touched many a heart-chord, moistened many an eye, and doubtless will cement and deepen ties which had been close before. The festivities on Wednesday began with a celebra- tion by the junior members of the Sunday-school in the guild building. In the evening the elegant apartments known as Powers Hall and Art Galleries were well filled by some 550 of the parishioners and some invited guests from among the clerical friends of the rector, representing other religious bodies, beside Bishop Coxe and all his city clergy. It was a brilliant assemblage in beautiful surrounding and brimming over with good will. The Rev. Dr. Anstice and his wife received the guests in the front of a tastefully-arranged platform, flanked by two immense cloisonne vases and underneath a canopy edged with four large silver bells. At half-past eight the music ceased and the rector and his wife being seated on the platform. Col. James Brackett called the assembly to order and introduced Hon. Alfred Ely, who stepped for- ward and addressed Dr. Anstice substantially as follows : " I rise to perform one of the most pleasing duties of my life. The most important epochs in the careers of men often pass unmarked. That this may not be the case in the present instance this large assemblage of your friends has gathered to bear witness. Twenty-five years ago you were called to the rectorship of this church. Your predecessors were men of piety and learning, whose words were music in our ears, whose memories are cherished among us. You succeeded to the pulpit which they adorned and have filled it with equal distinction. Your HISTORICAL SKETCH 79 istorate of this church has been marked by active work id remarkable progress. Your care over every interest E the church has never slackened. By pastoral admonition Dur parishioners have been led to constant effort in the idening field of religious endeavor. Missions have been itablished and carefully nurtured by you. Since you have sen here the elders one by one have passed away. The Dung take their places. The flock remains undiminished, )r the church has steadily increased in numbers and influ- ice. All the secular offices of this parish have had your instant oversight. You deserve high praise, and on behalf E your church I present you with these testimonials of our iteem. When these bags of coin are scattered o'er the irth may they continue to bless him who gives and him lat takes." During the closing sentences of this portion of the idress eight bags, each filled with 100 silver dollars, made leir appearance on a table from an adjoining room. The lique form of the gift caused much amusement. At the ime time a silver tea-set was brought forward and, in resenting this, Mr. Ely said: "In acknowledgment of what is justly due to the be- ived lady who has been your helpmeet I have another uty to perform. Before you came here you were wise lOUgh to select a companion, to whom is due in large leasure your success at St. Luke's. The church, in dcnowledgment of the worth of Mrs. Anstice, desires to resent an inadequate testimonial of our affection for her." Dr. Anstice replied briefly, speaking for himself and ife. He said in substance: " My dear parishioners and friends, I feel somewhat azed in the face of this presentation in respect both of le manner and the substance of it. What a splendid suc- ;ss my friend Mr. Ely would have made had he turned is talents into the field of fiction. I cannot recognize lyself in the picture he has painted, and, if I did, I should e wise at once to do as did the party mentioned by St. 80 CENTENNIAL ANNALS James, who, having beheld himself in the glass, straight- way forgot what manner of man he was. I heartily reciprocate the love which has prompted all the kind words and thoughtful acts which you have done and spoken. These challenge greater effort on my part to labor for your good. This gathering is unique and in execution of a happy thought. Never before have all the people of St. Luke's met so delightfully upon a common social platform ; I trust it may be the beginning of truer social union. We have always been free from bickerings and strife, and have enjoyed the blessings of perfect harmony and peace. I realize to-night what it is to be in the hands of one's friends, and it is a very pleasant experience. I thank you for your presence here and for your handsome gifts, both for myself and also for my helpmeet, who adorns and beautifies my life.'' Bishop Coxe was the next speaker, and he said in substance : " For many years Dr. Anstice has been the dean of the convocation of Rochester, and in this position has been to me a valued assistant. In the administration and organ- ization of churches my reverend friend has always been most active. In all the work of Church extension in Roch- ester he has been distinguished. The growth of the Church in this city has been remarkable, a constant growth, largely to be attributed to the devotion, the self-sacrifice of my reverend brother. To him a large portion of the credit is due. Twenty-five years in the patient prosecution of any life work is a thing to be regarded with emotion. And if it has been crowned with success he may be sure that his people have been devoted to him. Where the pastor and people work together I always see prosperity. As your rector has said, this is a unique occasion. It is a glorious occasion. I wish your rector and his wife many years of continued usefulness to this parish, and many years of happiness to you." The Rev. Dr. W. D. Doty next presented a congratula- HISTORICAL SKETCH 81 tory minute in behalf of the Deanery of Rochester "to voice the feeling of the Deanery in reference to an event as important as it is rare, and to the unflagging zeal and energy of our reverend brother and the excellent organ- izing ability which has been conspicuous in our missionary operations." The Rev. Dr. Nelson Millard, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, made the last address, speaking for the clergy and community in general: "Having been invited by the wardens and vestrymen of St. Luke's Church to bring their honored rector to-night .such greetings as I think the clergy of Rochester in pro- portion as they know him, and our citizens generally, in proportion as they are acquainted with him, would bring, I feel that I do not misrepresent their sentiments, when I speak of him as a man, manly, frank, open-hearted, too generous by nature to use any methods unworthy or mean, with a natural and easy self respect that is far better than any stiff and labored dignity; as an unmistakable leader without being a pope, energetic and forceful without assumption or imperiousness, of plenary influence without being dictatorial, as a friend to be relied on and standing straightest when leaned upon heaviest; as a preacher able, clear, instructive, knowing how to marry perspicuous thought to lucid language and enshrine golden wisdom in fitting words; as a pastor devoted, untiring, affectionate, with unlimited friendship for but no fear of his people, affable without obsequiousness, independent without arro- gance; and withal a marvel of executive facility and rapidity of accomplishment; as a thorough-going Church- man without being a bigot, too broad not to be in sym- pathetic touch with all Christians of every name, too catholic to have his interest cribbed, cabined, and confined within any one ecclesiastical pale; loving his own Church much, but Christ's great cause in the world more. Some such words I think the clergy of our city and its inhabi- tants generally would have me speak of Dr. Anstice at 82 CENTENNIAL ANNALS the end of these twenty-five years. And what years they have been! Nearly four times seven of them, and none of them Pharoah's lean kine, but all fat and well favored in their abundant results. This record of fruitful and faithful service is one of which any minister might be proud, and over which I doubt not the Master has pro- nounced His divine and priceless 'well done'." At the close of the address, an elegant supper was served from an immense round table decorated in pink tints and with a mound of magnificent hydrangeas sur- rounded by roses, thus closing a memorable and unique commemoration. During the Summer of 1891, repairs were effect- ed, amounting to $2,212.16, the whole of which ex- pense was defrayed by the balance on hand in the Church Repair Fund, a church collection and a few personal subscriptions. In May, 1892, the Vestry placed this tribute on their records: In the lamented death of the Hon. Alfred Ely, May 18, 1892, this church has sustained a serious loss. Identi- fied with the congregation at an early period, he was con- firmed and became a communicant in 1839, and at the time of his death his name stood first among the male communicants upon the parish register. He served as a member of the vestry from 1854 to 1859, and from 1883 to the present, and was clerk of the corporation from 1884 until a few years since. He also repeatedly represented the church in the Diocesan Council and took a very active interest in its debates and proceedings. Mr. Ely's devotion to the church was constant and hearty. He was a thought- ful worshiper and an appreciative listener. He was ever loyal to the church and its minister, and painstakingly and cheerfully discharged whatever duty was assigned to him to do. His fidelity and zeal in the promotion of the church's interests, his generous consideration of others, and HISTORICAL SKETCH 83 his personal kindness we gladly recall and commemorate, and here express our sense of the deep loss sustained in his removal from our midst. The branch of the Girls' Friendly Society, which the Rector had organized in St. Luke's, March 13, 1882, it being the first either in the city or diocese, had in January, 1893, completed nearly eleven years of successful work. During this period three other branches had been organized in this city and four elsewhere in the diocese. A meeting was called in St. Luke's Guild room, Jan. 21, 1893, to form these eight parochial branches into a diocesan organiza- tion, which has now grown to 34 active branches in Western New York. Mrs. Robert Mathews, who so self-devotedly, efficiently and successfully managed the St. Luke's branch during the whole 35 years of its existence, so that it has been recog- nized as one of the model branches in the entire Church, has recently retired from that position. May 6, 1917, but remains the honored president of the diocesan organization. In Lent, 1893, a special series of united services were undertaken by the clergy, to extend from the fourth Sunday in Lent to Holy Week, to be held in St. Paul's and St. Luke's Churches. To em- phasize the spirit with which the effort was sought to be undertaken, a pastoral letter, addressed to the Laity of Rochester, was drawn up by the Rector of St. Luke's and signed by all the parish clergj', and published in Our Church Work and in the local papers. The services were largely attended 84 CENTENNIAL ANNALS An epoch in the history of the Livingston Park Seminary was marked at its 35th Commencement in the use of a special " Office " prepared by the Rector and chorally rendered in the Church, in connection with the graduation of the class of '93. Bishop Coxe delivered the address and presented the diplomas. He paid a well-deserved tribute to the founder of the school, the late Mrs. Cathro M. Curtis, and testified to the character of the gradu- ates of the Institution whom he found in different parts of the diocese. The school had been identi- fied with the parish and under the Rector's pastoral care since 1870, and all its boarding pupils attended regularly St. Luke's Church and Sunday School. Prior to this occasion all the exercises of Com- mencement had been held in the Seminary building, but from this time onward, the special service with an address and the awarding of medals and diplo- mas have been held in the Church. Miss Georgia C. Stone had succeeded Mrs. Curtis as the principal and gave seven years of faithful services to the work until June, 1900, when Mrs. Wm. M. Rebasz met the demands of the position with many special qualifications and has achieved therein unqualified and marked success. A valuable addition to the working force of the parish came, Oct. 16, 1893, in the person of Deaconess Ellen Adwen, " Sister Ellen," who quickly commended herself to all her fellow-workers by her readiness to help, her tireless zeal and many- sided adaptability. She filled the place of an assist- HISTORICAL SKETCH 85 ant to the Rector in parochial duties, while the monthly and occasional clerical help needed, was acceptably furnished from this time on by Rev. Albert Wood. A double anniversary was appropriately ob- served, May 13, 1894, this date representing the 70th anniversary of the laying of the corner-stone of the present Church and the 28th of the present Rectorship. The Rev. Dr. W. W. Battershall of St. Peter's Church, Albany, preached the sermon, which he prefaced by a " graceful, earnest and ap- propriate address of congratulation to the congre- gation upon the double anniversary, which so happily marked the day, paying warm and affection- ate tribute to his friend, the Rector of the Church, to whom he referred as a man whom he had always honored for his truth, manliness and integrity." The need of another Church organization in the northwest section of the city being increasingly felt, the Rector personally inaugurated services in Gates School-house No. 3, July 22, 1894, which were con- tinued by lay-readers and occasional clergymen until two lots on Fillmore St. were secured, and as one of his last official acts before leaving the city Dr. Anstice turned over to a committee of the con- gregation consisting of Chauncey Young, Alphonse Collins and Richard Norman the sum of $1,712.83, derived from the sale of the old Good Shepherd property on Grape St., and the sale of a lot on Emerson St. for $300, toward the erection of St. Stephen's Church. Mr. Young had secured mainly 86 CENTENNIAL ANNALS by his own untiring efforts $1,000 more. The cor- ner-stone of the new Church was laid on Whit- sunday by Bishop Walker, June 6, 1897. The Vestry resolved in March, 1896, to raise enough money to enlarge and rearrange the parish house, install a new system of heating and ventila- tion in the Church, improve the electric lighting and effect other improvements, as well as pay off some floating indebtedness, owing in part to a heavy local assessment which had been levied upon the Church incident to the change of street grade for the new lift-bridge. On Easter Day the offerings for these purposes anjounted to $8,075.96, 520 of the communicants on that day being present and receiving the Holy Communion. The total cost of the renewed parish building when completed in the fall, was found to be $7,976. A special service of the Rochester Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution was held in St. Luke's on the 121st anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, on Sunday evening, April 19, 1896, the Rector, being a member and chaplain of the chapter, preaching a patriotic discourse. Some 35 of the Daughters of the American Revolution were also present in a body, both Chapters wearing their insignia. The sad intelligence of the death of our beloved Bishop Coxe, which occurred at Clifton Springs. July 20, 1896, startled the diocese, all unprepared for the afflictive news. A few days previously he had written, " the doctors say I am a man seriously HISTORICAL SKETCH 87 ill, though evidently responding to remedies, thank the Lord." The funeral services were held in Trinity Church, Geneva, in which he had been con- secrated thirty-one and a half years before, and he was laid to rest beneath its shadows in the greensward back of the chancel. Immediately after the services the bishops and clergy present met and appointed a committee, of which Rev. Dr. Anstice was made chairman, to draw up a suitable minute for publication and transmission to the family. Tributes of respect and affection were adopted by the standing committee, the Layman's Missionary League of Buffalo, The Church Club of Rochester and other bodies, while in many churches on the Sunday following his death, the beauty and nobility of his character, the rare qualities of his mind and heart; his zeal and consecration to his life-work, inspired just tributes to his memory. In Rochester, a commemorative service was held in the old mother-church, participated in by all the city clergy and a congregation which overflowed the floor and galleries. A life-size portrait of the Bishop had been placed within the chancel draped and sur- rounded by mourning hangings of purple and white. After the solemn service of scripture reading and prayer, the Rector briefly said: It is fit that we Churchmen of Rochester should gather to-night in this historic mother church, the first in which he officiated here after his consecration and the one in which he first presided at a Diocesan Council, to cast in thought a few loving forget-me-nots upon his grave, the grave within the shadow of the church, as he had all his 88 CENTENNIAL ANNALS life desired to be buried; for fifty years ago he wrote in "Christian Ballads": Bury me there in the green churchyard As my old forefathers rest. Addresses of loving tribute were then given by the Rev. A. S. Crapsey and the Rev. Dr. Doty, and Dr. Anstice read the minute which had been adopted by the bishops and clergy at the close of the funeral, and which he had been appointed to prepare as a warm personal friend of Bishop Coxe. A special Council to elect a successor was called to meet October 6th in Trinity Church, Buffalo, and on the eve of this meeting, a solemn memorial ser- vice was held in St. Paul's Church, at which the Rt. Rev. W. C. Doane, D. D., of Albany, pronounced a memorable eulogy upon Bishop Coxe's character and career. The election resulted in the choice of the Rt. Rev. Wm. D. Walker, D. D., LL. D., D. C. L., Missionary Bishop of North Dakota, who had already rendered much acceptable service in the diocese in assisting Bishop Coxe in his visitations. The ceremony of his Enthronization, beautiful and impressive, was held in St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, December 23d. At the close of the ceremony proper, the address of welcome was given to the Bishop, standing between his two chaplains, by the Rector of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, ranking presbyter in the diocese in length of continuous service, closing with the words " So thus we bid you welcome, here and now, an earnest, cordial, loyal, enthusiastic welcome to our churches, to our HISTORICAL SKETCH 89 homes and to our hearts." In his response the Bishop said: The words of warm, heartfelt welcome that my rev- erend brother has just spoken thrill my soul. They give me courage in the start of my work. Whatever the cares, the troubles that will come to me as your bishop, whatever the anxieties, the difficulties that may come as the years flow by, the way of your bishop will be smoother by this beautiful ceremonial, by these loving words, these loyal pledges. They shall be to him as a living mounment of your love and loyalty. Bishop Walker's first visit to Rochester was on the feast of the Epiphany, and the clergy and people united to give him a hearty welcome in St. Luke's Church. On the evening of the 7th a brilliant social reception was given in Powers' Hall, the addresses of greeting being made by the Rev. Dr. Anstice, President of the Clericus, and Mr. E. C. Denton, President of the Church Club, to which the Bishop feelingly responded. The Rector presented his resignation to the Vestry Jan. 23, 1897, to take effect May 1st. Some weeks before, two strangers had appeared in Church, who proved to be the Wardens of St. Mat- thias' Church, Philadelphia, bent on securing some encouragement that the Rector might accept a call. The proposition was so absolutely unexpected and so providential that he could do no less than give the matter careful consideration. Then the call came, and after thorough survey of the situation and the constructive work which needed to be done in the new field, he felt he should regard it as a / 90 CENTENNIAL ANNALS call of God, and painful as it would be to sever old relationships, he must obey the providential leadings. On Sunday morning, therefore, preaching from Samuel's words, " Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth," he told the story of his struggle to decide. It was a tearful, sad occasion. The local papers all voiced regrets and said the kindest and appreciative things. The Archdeaconry and the Clericus passed eulogistic resolutions, and Our Church Work said editorially " The departure of Dr. Anstice will be sorely felt, not only by St. Luke's, but by the entire Diocese. In our Councils and in all important Church functions. Dr. Anstice generally appeared as our representative presbyter." The Rev. E. H. Edson supplied the Rector's " lack of service " during the Lenten season, re- maining in the parish until June, and on the first Sunday after Easter the Rector preached his fare- well sermon in which, summing up his ministry, he said: With this evening's service my completed ministry of thirty-one years among you will have become a matter of history. Its statistics may be briefly stated. The symbol of the covenant has been administered to 1,S7S persons at the font; 1,127 have ratified their baptismal vows in confirmation; 1,016 have had their marriage sol- emnized; over the mortal remains of 1,122 the burial ser- vice has been said. At the beginning of my rectorship there were 451 communicants, of whom only 64 remain. I have received as new communicants, 1,830. The total number therefore on the list has been 2,281. The present number is 151 men and 533 women, making a total of 684. The offerings have aggregated $456,311. HISTORICAL SKETCH 91 I am profoundly grateful for God's blessing on our mutual work — for what has been accomplished in the varied forms of Christian effort in which we have been privileged to be engaged, for what has been achieved through grace in individual lives in the up-building of a holy character. The sacred tie which has so long and happily bound us together cannot be severed without pain. But for us all, God's will obeyed is always best. Follow me with your loving interest and helpful prayers, as I shall always bear you and this dear old church in tenderest remembrance, and I invoke for you God's richest blessings — parochial fruitfulness and individual growth in grace. At the evening service Bishop Walker confirmed 53 persons, presented to him by the Rector. In his address the Bishop referred to the termination of the long Rectorship of Dr. Anstice, and said, in part : " It is to me a great delight to see this large class, the farewell offering to God from him who for so many years has been the faithful, de- voted leader of this people. It is a sorrowful night to me, because I say good-bye to him. And it is a sorrow which is not mine and yours alone, but that of many a clergyman and layman throughout this diocese. The prosperity that has crowned his efforts here, may it be his while life shall last." The Vestry of St. Luke's Church, in accepting the resignation of the Rector, directed the follow- ing to be entered on its records: Dr. Anstice was called to this church in 1866, and has devoted his entire ministerial life to its interests and work. His resignation closes a long, successful and distinguished pastorate. As a result of his exceedingly efficient labors the church, during all that period has enjoyed constant and 92 CENTENNIAL ANNALS unalloyed harmony, and has greatly prospered in all its interests. The attachment of the people of this church for their rector was never stronger than now, and it would have been very grateful to them if he could have remained with them for many years to come, but they recognize that his call to a larger and more important field of work was one which he could not but obey, and are profoundly thankful that the church has been so long favored with his ministry. In leaving them he takes with him the assurance that he will always retain a large place in their hearts. A call to the Rectorship was extended, April 9, 1897, to the Rev. Rob Roy McGregor Converse, D. D., Chaplain of Hobart College, to which he responded proposing some modification of the terms proposed. Thereupon the Vestry voted that " the terms of the call be modified so as to accord with the wishes of Dr. Converse, as expressed in his letter of April I7th," On May 19th his letter of acceptance was received to enter upon his duties May 28, 1897. During the Summer extensive alterations were made in the rectory, the basement fitted up with a new furnace and laundry, the dining room en- larged, a large study built in the rear of the original building with sleeping accommodations on the sec- ond floor and the entire rectory put in repair and decorated. To meet this expense and fund a small floating indebtedness $5,000 was borrowed on notes, the entire property of the Church having now for some twelve years been free from any mortgage encumbrance. The Reverend HENRY ANSTICE. D.D. May 13, 1866— May 1, 1897. The Reverend ROB ROY McG. CONVERSE, D.D., D.C.L., LL.D. May 28, 1897-Sept. 20, 1915. The Reverend SAMUEL TYLER, June 1, 1916- HISTORICAL SKETCH 93 The extensive changes and repairs at the rec- torj' having been completed, the Rector removed his family from Geneva and they took up their res- idence therein. In the evening of October 1st, a notable and most enjoyable reception was tendered to the Rector and Mrs. Converse by the people, who were present in large numbers and who extended to them most cordial greetings and the heartiest of welcomes. The Vestry having authorized the Rector to engage an assistant, he was so fortunate as to be able to secure the services of the Rev. Hugh L. Burleson of Waupeca, Wis., who entered upon his duties in May, 1898. On Easter Sunday, 1898, Mrs. Caroline L. Ely donated to the Church a $10,000 U. S. Reg. 4% Bond as a nucleus of an Endowment Fund, and in February, 1899, it was resolved " to make an effort to secure an Endowment for the Church to be used strictly as an endowment." Haywood Hawks was its first Treasurer. The following minute was placed upon the rec- ords Nov. 17, 1898: Whereas, God in His providence, has called from our midst our beloved brother, Oilman H. Perkins, therefore Resolved, That in his death, we, the rector and vestry of St. Luke's Church mourn the loss of a friend and brother whose life illustrated in the most eminent degree the strength and beauty of a Christian character. His absolute integrity, fidelity and justice in every relation in life ; his sound judgment, breadth of sympathy and gener- ous helpfulness in all benevolent enterprises; his wisdom 94 CENTENNIAL ANNALS as an adviser; his geniality and invariable kindliness as a man, deserved and secured for him, not only the universal respect, but the affection as well of the community in which he lived. Resolved, That as a communicant, vestryman and war- den of this church during more than forty years of active life his example was at once a pattern and an inspiration for all who seek to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour," by loyalty, devotion, liberality and enlightened zeal. For those of us who knew him so long and enjoyed so intimately the charm of his personality and the wisdom of his counsels in the common fellowship of Christian labor, the loss is immeasurable. A notable event in the history of the parish was the appearance in January, 1899, of St. Luke's News. It had been heralded by an introductory Christmas issue, in which was given the reason for its coming into being and a declaration of its pur- poses. It aimed at being simply " a record of the life and work of St. Luke's parish," and it was most cordially welcomed by the congregation. A most enjoyable parish reception was held, January 4th, under the auspices of the Parish Aid Chapter of the Guild, which was designed to be the precursor, as an annual institution, of many which were to follow as the years rolled on. The project of an adequate endowment, the in- come from which should supplement the current revenue of the Church, had come to be of para- mount importance. The Rector diligently kept the matter before the people and the Vestry issued an earnest appeal accompanied by subscription blanks, returnable before May 11th, that the amount secured HISTORICAL SKETCH 95 might be announced at the Jubilee Service which it had been arranged should be held on Ascension Day, May 11th, commemorating the Seventy-fifth Anni- versary of the laying of the comer-stone of the Church. The Bishop addressed to the Rector a sympathetic letter of cordial commendation of the project, and the daily press gave much attention to the coming Diamond Jubilee and the proposed en- dowment. The first Guild Chapter to make defi- nite plans to lend a helping hand was the Mothers' Meeting, followed closely by the primary depart- ment of the Sunday School, and the people gen- erally felt inuch interest in the scheme, though few were sanguine enough to hope for more at this time than substantial progress toward the goal proposed, which was $75,000 within five years. Ascension Day dawned most auspiciously. " The breath of Springtime buds and blossoms was in the air." The venerable sanctuary was made beautiful with flowers and palms. There was an early Cele- bration at which the Bishop was the Celebrant. At the later morning service, the Rector presented a class of 45 for confirmation and there was a second Celebration. The evening hour found the church thronged with parishioners both old and new and sympathetic friends from everywhere. The Rector introduced the speakers; the first was Bishop Walker, and he said: This is a gathering of clans to-night of the Episcopal churches all over the city, who come to rejoice with the people of St. Luke's. It is a joyous time to us all. Wei- 96 CENTENNIAL ANNALS come, Churchmen and Churchwomen and clergy. As we gather here how our hearts thrill as we think of those who for years and years have come to these pews to worship, and how the sorrowful and the exultant alike have found peace within these sacred walls. We come to a church to- night with seventy-five years full of eventful history. They speak to us of wonderful advance in every way in this country. We think of the past and then we turn to the future. Every man who loves the church will say "may St. Luke's stay in this place and do its work as long as grass grows and water runs." This will depend upon the spirit with which the people of to-day give of their sub- stance toward this endowment, for which the rector has asked. When men pour out their gifts that God's work may go on, then money indeed is holy. For this I ask you to pour out your gifts, that the work may live. I wish to see this parish equipped for every holy work. May that work grow and increase so that the old parish shall be a center of blessing to many people. God bless St. Luke's, its rector and his co-workers. Dr. Converse then introduced as the next speaker his predecessor, the Rev. Dr. Anstice of Philadel- phia, who said: This jubilee occasion calls for retrospect and outlook. We follow patriarchal custom and abundant scripture precedent in celebrating anniversaries and in erecting way- marks as memorials to commemorate an epoch or event. But we should always do it in the spirit of the prophet Samuel, who called the stone which he set up, "the stone of help,'' to serve as a reminder of God's mercies to His people in all the way by which the Lord their God had led them. Verily one generation goeth and another cometh. The fathers — where are they, the hoary heads and venerable forms which graced these pews? They rest from their labors and their works do follow them. Of all who wit- HISTORICAL SKETCH 97 nessed the event we celebrate to-day, one only regular communicant survives, Mrs. William Pitkin, the daughter of the dty's founder and the first warden of this church; and the wife of one who was connected with the vestry for forty-three years, and who as warden delivered the keys to each successive rector at the Institution service. Within these walls the voice of every rector has been heard. Of the six who preceded me, all but one living when I came a generation ago, one only has not passed away. And of the vestry which called me to the rectorship not one remains. St. Luke's has had a noble past, fragrant with mem- ories of richest blessing to souls which have been here new- born and edified, to the community in which this church's charities have been so widely exercised, and to the Church in this city by recognition of her stewardship as a true mother to bear spiritual children and guide and nourish them till able to support themselves. And she has been a blessing because in recognition of her stewardship she has gone out of self to do for others, and because God "who maketh men to be of one mind in an house" has bestowed upon this parish the blessing of peace. There never has been a jarring note of discord which has not blended into completer harmony. But now what of the outlook? It is good to have respectable antecedents and an honorable past. It is good that others have labored and that you have entered into their labors, but let it be to prosecute them to greater efficiency and success. This church is admirably organized and officered. It has a noble band of trained and zealous workers. It has ample facilities for the work in hand. But the joints must not stiffen, the hands must not hang down. Aggressiveness and growth are the law of church life. To insure the permanence and efficiency of the work, the wise and prudent scheme of the endowment has been now devised. The nucleus about which it will gather is the munificent gift of one whose attachment to the church 98 CENTENNIAL ANNALS of her girlhood has prompted her to liberal things in its behalf. A substantial addition will be made to it to-night, and it will grow. Be of good courage; be loyal to the church ; have faith ; stand by your rector in his plans, give him your sympathy, your help, your love. I seem to hear to-night the voice which spake to Moses, bidding me say with all my loving interest, which can never fade, in this dear church to which the flower of my life was freely given, "Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward." Addresses followed by the Rev. Murray Bart- lett o£ St. Paul's, the Rev. Warren C. Hubbard of Trinity, the Rev. Dr. W. D. Doty of Christ Church, and the Rev. Amos Skeele of the Epiph- any, the first four living children of St. Luke's. Dr. Converse then read a paper prepared by the Rev. C. O. Dantzer, upon the connection of St. Luke's Church with the religious work among the deaf- mutes, and the closing address was made by the Archdeacon of Rochester, the Rev. Dr. Washburn, who said: The last in such a series of addresses must needs be brief. Yet, at least two thoughts should find expression from my lips. I bring you here the grateful greetings of many a mission and in their stead wish you every blessing. St. Luke's has labored not alone to found one and anothei parochial mission in the passing years, but has stretched forth a helping hand to diocesan missions as well. The faithful church folk here have o'er-leaped parochialism and ungrudgingly aided the encircling villages in their efforts to secure the blessed ministries of the gospel. I could enumerate a goodly list of just such congregations: God bless you, is the message which from all such is sent to you to-night. And, secondly, there is a word of encour- agement and reminder which I am moved to add. This HISTORICAL SKETCH 99 offering you are about to make — it is to perpetuate the glorious work of the downtown church. A most notable feature of our present day civilization is the growth of cities. And in a very real sense the destiny of this country depends upon the character of our metropolitan life. And again, that character is to be moulded from the heart out- wards. It is then the downtown church which must leaven the core of the nation. It is for such a vital and tre- mendous mission that you now propose to equip this parish. I urge then liberal gifts. Go forward, then, with liberal hands and courageous hearts to your beckoning tasks. And may the smile of heaven ever rest upon you, one and all. The offerings were then received and at the close of the service a brief reception was held in the parish house. The amount, acknowledged by the Treasurer, in money and pledges was $14,635.62, which added to the original $10,000 made a total on the Treasurer's books of $24,635.62. This amount was gradually augmented from many sources, including a $2,000 legacy in October, 1913, from Mrs. Harriet F. Newcomb, one of $600 from Miss Minnie A. Bellows in May, 1914, and one in December of the same year of $1,000 from Miss Jane E. Rochester, so that in December, 1916, the Treasurer reported that the Endowment Fund amounted to $37,319.44. The Diamond Jubilee celebration was prefaced on the eve of Ascension Day by a largely attended meeting of the Church Club, held in St. Luke's largest Guild Room by invitation of the Rector, at which Mr. E. C. Denton, President of the Qub, called on the Rev. Dr. Anstice to speak on " The 100 CENTENNIAL ANNALS Relation o£ St. Luke's to the Growth of the Church in This City," and on the Rev. Dr. Nelson Millard to speak of " St. Luke's Nearest Ecclesiastical Neighbor," who emphasized the cordial relations which had existed and which he hoped always would exist between the people of the First Pres- byterian Church and St. Luke's, and of the warm friendship between the former Rector, the present Rector and himself. The closing address was by Mr. Selden S. Brown of Scottsville on " The Pro- gress of the American Church." Refreshments were served by the ever-ready and efficient Parish Aid Chapter of the Guild, under the headship of Mrs. C. P. Ford. As this meeting of the Church Club precluded the Jubilee, so a public service in the Church fol- lowed it, under the auspices of the local assembly of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, at which the Rev. C. F. J. Wrigley of St. Mary's, Buffalo, preached. After the service an extended Conference was held in the larger Guild Room, at which Dr. Anstice presented greetings from the Philadelphia Assem- bly, and Mr. M. K. Servis of the Buffalo Assembly told of the work in that city. Other speakers were the Rev. W. F. Faber of Lockport, who was on his way to attend the State Convention of the Brother- hood at Syracuse, Archdeacon Washburn, Rev. Messrs. Burleson and Wrigley and Messrs. Denton and Baker. The Treasurer of the Sunday School, Mr. Geo. H. Plummer, reported that its Lenten and Easter HISTORICAL SKETCH 101 offering was $175, standing first among the schools of Rochester and second in the diocese. Trinity Church, Geneva, having a better record by $2. He further said: In New York State, out of 376 schools we are number six, and out of 3,016 schools contributing in the United States we stand in the 34th place. While reading over the names of those who stand ahead of us in the ranks, we noted with delight that the Sunday School of St. Matthias' Church, Philadelphia, where Dr. Anstice is rector, stands as third in the United States, being credited with $507.94. We are glad we have done so well and shall try for a better record next year. The funeral of Mr. Haywood Hawks, Treasurer of the Diocese and of St. Luke's Endowment Fund, was conducted May 26th by the Bishop and other clergy, and the Vestry adopted the following minute : In the death of Mr. Haywood Hawks, for many years a faithful communicant of the parish and energetic assist- ant in the Sunday School, we recognize the loss of a Christian brother of sterling integrity of character, ex- ceptional ability and judgment in all business relations, and a warmth and geniality of disposition that made all men his friends. His character and career point a moral for all, both old and young. The truth is old indeed, but needs ever fresh illustration that high principles, energy, steadfastness and a kindly and generous regard for others, assure — as nothing else can assure — success, influence and the affectionate esteem of our fellows. Mr. E. H. Vredenburg was elected Treasurer of the Endowment Fund in his place, July 5, 1899. The following minute was placed upon the rec- ords Jan. 28, 1900: 102 CENTENNIAL ANNALS Edward A. Frost departed this life on the 24th day of January, 1900. Mr. Frost had been a zealous, faithful and useful member of this church for many years and one of its vestrymen during the years of 1865, 1867 and 1868 and also from 1888 continuously to the time of his death. His entire life of sixty-eight years was spent in the city of Rochester. He was a public spirited, active and influential citizen; an able and faithful public servant in various important civil offices to which he was elected, and a man of high character, having the respect and esteem of all who knew him. An important change was voted, April 8, 1900, to be recommended to the Easter parish meeting, viz.: that the annual parish election be hereafter held, instead of on Easter Monday, on the first Monday after the first Sunday in Advent, that the number of Vestrymen be nine instead of eight, and that one Warden for a term of two years, and three Vestrymen for a term of three years, be elected at each election to fill the vacancies caused by the re- tirement of an equal number. The recommenda- tion having been favorably acted upon by the parish meeting, April 16th, it became the law of the parish. The Rev. Dr. Converse penned this appreciation of his departing assistant in October, 1900: The Rev. H. L. Burleson, who has labored with us so ably, faithfully and with such universal acceptance during the past two years, takes his departure at the end of this month, for his new field of work as Dean of the Cathedral church at Fargo, N. D. Our appreciation of his personal qualities and past helpfulness is most profound. His energy, ability, invariable kindliness — and to use an ex- pression of a former bishop — "fertility of good devices" HISTORICAL SKETCH 103 in helping on all manner of good work in Sunday school and parish have won for him an exceptional place in the memory, affection and universal esteem of this church. As the bishop's right hand man and in the prominent and responsible position he will occupy, his abilities and devo- tion as preacher and organizer and parish priest will find, we have no doubt, an ample and fruitful field for their exercise. The prayers, affectionate interest and best wishes of this parish — one and all — go with him to his new sphere of labor. In the following February the Rev. Geo. R. Brush from St. Mary's, Salamanca, came to take Mr. Burleson's place. The following tribute to Hon. and Col. James Brackett was placed upon the Vestry records, March, 1904: Whereas, James Brackett, a devout communicant and warden of this church has entered into rest, after a long and eventful life spent in faithful service to God and man, therefore, resolved; that we, the rector, wardens and vestrymen of St. Luke's Church give public expression to the sense of deep affliction and loss we personally, and the parish which we represent, have sustained in his death. Mr. Brackett was a familiar and stately figure in this com- munity for more than sixty years and prominently identi- fied throughout that long period with the many commercial and financial interests of the city. He was conspicuous likewise in the way of personal services, wise advice and generous benefactions to its many charitable and philan- thropic enterprises. High-minded, conscientious and firm in all the varied affairs of his prolonged and busy career, he was at the same time genial in bearing, warm in his sympathy, abiding in his friendships and the very soul of honor in all engagements and responsibilities, the least as )4 CENTENNIAL ANNALS sU as the greatest. He graced with unfailing dignity and scharged with devout faithfulness the duties of the office [lich he bore so long in his church. His aflfection and yalty for St. Luke's has set a noble pattern for us all, id its inspiration will be felt for many years to come. It is worthy of note that the ever-ready liberality t the congregation responded to the Rector's ap- :al for $1,500 at the Easter Offertory, 1904, for Irish purposes with contributions amounting to ',300. Early in 1905, an agitation for the removal of le Church from the old site deeply stirred the mgregation. The facts which made it possible ere the opportunity of purchasing the eligible lymouth Church property for $15,000, and a valid fer of $20,000 for the purchase of St. Luke's, he arguments for and against removal were assid- jusly urged. The Rector and Vestry favored the ■oject from the outset, but a strong and persistent inority of the congregation strenuously advocated le retention of the old site. A statement of the ise was issued by the Vestry, parish meetings were :ld, and discussions had both in public and pri- ite from every point of view, with the result that le desirability of moving was affirmed by a major- f vote of the congregation and of the Vestry, and le Standing Committee of the diocese and the ishop gave their official consent. But the question of the possibility of giving a rod title to St. Luke's property was urgently •essed, and without ability to give such title, the HISTORICAL SKETCH 105 proposed double transaction evidently could not be effected. The title had been perfected, as was sup- posed, when, as noted earlier in these Annals, Thos. C. Montgomery, Esq., in 1865, with much painstaking labor, secured releases from the heirs of the orig- inal donors of the land, Messrs. Rochester, Fitz- hugh and Carroll. But a new legal opinion held that the " reversionary interests " could not be val- idly extinguished by the heirs of that generation because they " could not be determined until the actual happening of the event which should termin- ate the interest of the Church in the property." Quincy Van Voorhis, Esq., was then retained by the Vestry " to take steps to end the controversy as to the Church's title," and he accordingly per- formed a large amount of legal labor. But finally in July, 1907, the Vestry voted that no further action be taken as no defect was admitted. Mean- while the project had been abandoned, largely on the ground that more parishioners would be lost than gained by abandoning the old site with the associations which cluster about it. The " Pledge System " so happily inaugurated under the efficient management of Mr. Francis G. Ferrin as its Treasurer, in February, 1905, was re- ported to the Vestry December 8th, as having yield- ed pledges to the amount of $2,877.90, of which $2,370.90 had been collected. To follow up the good work, a parish meeting was held January 18th to consider the Church's financial interests as pre- sented by Mr. H. B. Hathaway, Warden, and to 106 CENTENNIAL ANNALS emphasize the importance and value of working the Pledge System. Addresses were made by John M. Williams, F. G. Ferrin and Chas. T. Chapin. During this year, 1906, five iron rods were placed across the Church to ensure against any pos- sible bulging of the walls, the floor was strength- ened, there was considerable decorative painting and a hardwood floor was laid in the parish building. On December 14th the following resolution was placed upon the Vestry records: Resolved : That in the death of Mr. James E. Wolcott, a life-long member of St. Luke's, the vestry has lost a faithful and valued official, and the parish an exemplary communicant and generous supporter. Modest, kindly, firm and high-minded, the soul of honor and of courtesy in all his relationships and responsibilities, he illustrated in an eminent degree the qualities and the virtues of a Christian gentleman. The tenth anniversary of Dr. Converse's Rec- torship was made memorable by the throng which assembled to do him honor and express their esteem and aflFection for him. The story may be best told in the language of the June issue of St. Luke's News: The parish celebration in honor of Dr. Converse and Mrs. Converse on the evening of Tuesday, May 28th, was successful beyond our fondest dreams. The evening was delightful, and the parish house was crowded. It was in a very real sense a "parish reunion," the memory of which will linger long with all of us. Spring blossoms and palms were used in profusion for the decoration of the Sunday School room, this work being HISTORICAL SKETCH 107 in charge of a committee headed by Mrs. William C. Barry. The people of the parish began to come before the hour set for the reception, and by the time Dr. and Mrs. Converse arrived, there was a throng to welcome them. It did us all good to see the heartiness with which all present entered into the spirit of the occasion. Congratu- lations and best wishes were showered upon Dr. and Mrs. Converse by all present. Shortly before nine, Dr. E. H. Howard, of the vestry, rapped for order, and with well chosen words introduced Mr. Clinton Rogers, who spoke as follows: " When, after a most able and efficient rectorship of thirty-one years. Dr. Anstice ten years ago last month offered his resignation to the vestry of St. Luke's, we were all at sea as to where to look for the right man to take his place. There was a man we thought of, a brilliant pulpit orator, a man of charming personality and trans- parent nobility of character, of dignified presence and of an agreeable and ready wit withal. But this best of all men for us was very satisfactorily placed in a college not very far from here. We knew he had left a large and influential church to take this collegiate chair, that he liked his work, and that the college, trustees, faculty and students were perfectly satisfied with him. How could we hope to get this wonderful and delightful man? So, for a few weeks we went rector hunting in other direc- tions. We consulted with Bishop Potter and Bishop Lawrence, as well as Bishop Walker, and went to hear several ministers in their pulpits. And then, at an informal meeting of the vestry one Sunday morning after service, we did suggest asking the man I have been describing, the Rev. Dr. Converse of Hobart College. Among those present when Dr. Converse's name was suggested were our late wardens, Messrs. Oilman H. Perkins and James Brackett, also Dr. Anstice, who said on hearing the sug- gestion, "The very man, if you can get him." And then and there Mr. William H. Smith and I were appointed 108 CENTENNIAL ANNALS delegates to go to Geneva and extend a call to Dr. Con- verse. We had consulted Dr. Potter, then president of Hobart College, and from him received some encourage- ment to ask Dr. Converse. Though Dr. Potter said they would very much regret losing the doctor, he thought he might accept if St. Luke's called him. " It surely does not seem ten years ago, my dear Doctor, that Mr. Smith and I wrent on that agreeable errand to Geneva. I well remember how pleasantly we were received. You told us that your work in Geneva was very congenial to you and that you had not thought of making any change, but you also said that you would consider it a greater honor to be rector of St. Luke's than of most any church you knew of. When we took our leave we had the assurance that you would seriously con- sider our call and give us an answer soon. In due time the answer we desired came, and I trust, dear sir, that you have never regretted it. You have endeared yourself to us in countless ways. You have been a constant example to us in magnanimity, in unworldliness and pur- ity of motive and high-minded Christian courtesy, showing in yourself all through the week what you preach on Sun- day. You have helped us in our joys and in our sorrows. You have done us good and our city has felt your benefi- cent influence. That St. Luke's has continuously flourished under your rectorate might be easily proved by a brief history of the church during these ten years, but St. Luke's is to have her own anniversary in 1917. It will be time enough for her history then. We are proud of our rector and of our rector's wife, a charming lady beloved by the parish and throughout the city. " The words of praise and admiration which have been flowing in during the days since this anniversary has been thought of testify afresh to the enthusiastically loyal devotion of your parish. I am glad that it is my privilege to express, though in so inadequate a way, our appreciation of all you have done to us and our great love and esteem HISTORICAL SKETCH 109 for you. As a slight token of our regard, and, as it were, to punctuate this tenth anniversary of your coming among us, we beg you to accept this small gift from a grateful people ; to be used for yourself, not for the church nor for the world at large, as your generous nature might incline you to do, but toward (a little way toward) a trip abroad if you will. That is the suggestion of some of your parishioners in connection with the little gift which it is my privilege to present from us all. May the Lord spare you and most of those who are assembled here to cele- brate together in 1917 the twentieth anniversary of your rectorate, and, at the same time, the hundredth of dear old St. Luke's." Mr. Rogers, amid applause, then handed to Dr. Con- verse a purse, which well authenticated rumor says con- tained bank notes to the sum of about $700. At the same time he presented to Mrs. Converse a magnificent bouquet of roses. Although taken completely by surprise. Dr. Converse expressed with much feeling his pleasure and appreciation and that of Mrs. Converse. He gave a resume of the work accomplished in the parish during the ten years. Dr. Converse stated that in the ten years just passed there have been 308 baptisms, 245 confirmed, 164 marriages and 306 burials. There are 512 families or parts of fam- ilies in St. Luke's and 652 communicants. The Sunday school has 26 teachers and 275 scholars, of which number 50 are in the Bible classes. The extra-parochial offerings for the past year have been $2,674.26, of which $497.10 has been for the Church Home, in addition to which is the Trinity Sunday offering of $116. Rev. Dr. C. C. Albertson, of the Central Presbyterian Church, brought the greetings of those outside the parish. He spoke of the great admiration which the clergy of the city have for the rector of St. Luke's, and voiced the hope that other church organizations would feel led to do for 110 CENTENNIAL ANNALS their pastors what St. Luke's had done in appreciation oi Dr. Converse. This closed the speech-making after which ice cream and cake were served. Thus was brought to an end a charming and memorable occasion. An interesting feature of the anniversary was the presentation to the parish of a fine portrait of Dr. Con- verse, which has been hung in the vestry room in the distinguished group already there. It is the work oi Miss Rebecca Lynn Webster of the parish. During the Summer of 1909, the Church was rewired and new electric lamps installed. Of Mr. Thomas Hawks, who died Jan. 28, 1910, the Vestry put on record that " He was a man of acknowledged ability in business and financial affairs, of highest integrity in all the relations of life, and gifted with singular kindliness of dispo- sition." In December of this year, the Vestry arranged to secure a house to house visitation throughout the parish to urge the co-operation of every member in the use of the Duplex Envelopes for Missions and for parish purposes. This canvass was most efficiently conducted and with happiest results. During the Summer of 1911, the Church was re-carpeted and re-cushioned, adding largely to its attractiveness and comfort. In December the following minute was placed upon the Vestry records : In the death of Henry Bailey Hathaway, which oc- curred at his home, No. 66 South Washington street, December 17th, this parish laments the loss of one who, as vestryman or warden for upwards of forty years, was HISTORICAL SKETCH 111 ever loyal to her interests and faithful in the discharge of his official duties. Honored for many years by election to public offices of trust and distinction, he met every re- quirement with fidelity and good judgment. As member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Western New York, as President of the Flour City National Bank, as President of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, of which he was one of the original organizers, as President of the Board of Governors of the Homeopathic Hospital, a position he held at the time of his death, his public ser- vice was noteworthy. His interests were varied, his sympathies broad, his circle of friendships extended; he will, in consequence, be sincerely mourned in the busi- ness world of this community as well as in the parish of St. Luke's. The succession of assistant ministers since the departure of Rev. G. R. Brush in March, 1905, was Rev. F. J. K. Alexander from March, 1906 to Feb- ruary, 1907 ; Rev. W. S. McCoy from March, 1907, to December, 1911 ; Rev. F. E. Bissell from Febru- ary IS to May 1, 1912; Rev. Ray Wootton from September, 1912, to April, 1914; and now Rev. Harry Idle from January 15, 1915, who happily has " remained unto this present." During August of this year, the concrete plat- form and steps were laid in front of the Church. To chronicle the death of the only Rector of St. Luke's who died in office, becomes now the sad duty of the chronicler. After a brief illness Dr. Converse died suddenly at the rectory in the morn- ing of Sept. 19, 1915. A brief sketch of his life is given among the biographical notices of the Rec- tors. His funeral was conducted in the Church, 112 CENTENNIAL ANNALS September 21st, Bishop Walker officiating, and as- sisted by the Rev. W. A. R. Goodwin of St. Paul's, the Rev. Edward P. Hart of St. Mark's and the Rev. Harry Idle, Curate of St. Luke's, some twenty of the vested clergy occupying seats in the transepts. The active bearers were C. Schuyler Davis, John M. Williams, Thomas W. Shannon, Dr. Edward C. Nugent, Dr. Seelye W. Little and Robert Averill. The honorary bearers were Clinton Rogers, E. Franklin Brewster, Josiah Anstice, C. Walter Smith, Gilman N. Perkins, Rev. Dr. William R. Taylor, Charles F. Pond, James G. Cutler, Rev. Dr. A. H. Strong, Dr. Rush Rhees, Prof. Charles D. Vail and Alanson B. Houghton. The service was the simple Burial Office of the Church. The interment was at Mount Hope Cemetery. There was no eulogy pronounced at the funeral, but a glowing tribute to Dr. Converse's life and character was paid by Bishop Walker at the me- morial service held September 26th, at which also were read the resolutions of the Clericus and those of the Archdeaconry of Rochester. His loss was deeply felt in the community. Appreciative ed- itorials were published in the daily papers. Varied and numerous tributes to his memory were paid by many bodies, among which may be named the Ves- tries of St. Paul's, Christ Church and the Epiphany, the Presbytery of Rochester and the Session of the First Presbyterian Church, the Buffalo Clericus and the Faculty of Hobart College, the Trustees of the Church Home, the George H. Thomas Post of the HISTORICAL SKETCH 113 G. A. R., the Browning Club, and the Men's Club and the Men's Bible Class of St. Luke's. The fol- lowing is the memorial in full adopted by the Roch- ester Ministerial Association: The Rochester Ministerial Association would place on record the sorrow of its members in the death of their late associate, the Rev. Rob Roy Converse, D. D., Rector of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church, and their affectionate appreciation of his worth. His distinguished appearance was the true mark of a distinction of spirit which we all felt. The grace and charm of his manner, which made even casual acquaint- ances feel that he was their friend, was the unaffected expression of a heart always overflowing with kindness. A voice of unusual depth and sweetness added power to whatever he said. The extraordinary scope of his read- ing, grasped by a tenacious memory and reduced to order by a thoughtful mind, placed him, for breadth and excfel- lence of culture in a class quite by himself among his brethren in the city pastorate. The affection and respect with which he was regarded, not only by the members of his congregation, but by a great host beside, and the deep and general mourning caused by his death, are the best testimony to the genuineness of his piety and to the worth of his service as a Christian minister. To his bereaved family and congregation this asso- ciation begs to offer its heartfelt sympathy. W. R. Taylor, W. A. R. Goodwin, Committee. The minute placed upon its records by the Vestry of St. Luke's may fitly close these tributes of affection and esteem: It is eighteen years and more since Dr. Rob Roy Con- verse assumed the rectorship of r. St. Luke's parish. He 114 CENTENNIAL ANNALS came to us in the fullness of his manhood, his nature sweet with sympathy for all, his character formed by trials and victories won, his strong intelligence disciplined by pro- found study, his mind stored with learning, and his heart animated by a simple faith and a great love for his fellow men. On us he lavished his affections and ever sought by word and deed to reveal to our understanding the true ideals of life and to our hearts the message of his Master. He had at his command a rare gift of expression, a wealth of information and an understanding of human weakness that enabled him to reach the depths of those with whom he came in contact. As our rector he ministered unto us in our sorrows and perplexities with unfailing kindness and faithfulness. As a gentleman he was never wanting in courtesy and kindliness. As a scholar he won high recognition. And as a man he won our friendship and admiration. We mourn his loss and are sensible of the debt we owe him. The Rev. Harry Idle, as Curate under Dr. Con- verse, had so commended himself by his zeal and efficiency to the Vestry and congregation that he was at once placed in temporary charge of the parish with an increased salary. He had awakened much interest among the younger members of the parish, had gathered a large men's Bible class which he personally conducted, and had attracted a clearly marked increase in the Sunday evening congrega- tion. In casting about for a successor to Dr. Converse the Vestry's serious consideration early centered in the Rev. Samuel Tyler of the Church of the Ad- vent, Walnut Hills, Cincinnati. Two of the clergy who had previously served St. Luke's and were acquainted with its needs, united in strongly rec- HISTORICAL SKETCH 115 ommending his election. In spite of their misgiv- ings as to whether he would leave his well equipped and prosperous parish, an invitation was extended and he visited Rochester, thoroughly investigated the conditions, met many of the people, and preached February 13th. Before he left the city he was made to realize how earnestly the people wanted him and longed for his acceptance of the call. When the news that Mr. Tyler had been called to Rochester reached Cincinnati, immediate pres- sure was brought to bear upon him not to leave that city in which he had made such an enviable four- teen-year record. Not only did the pressure come from within the parish he had served so faithfully, but from the clergy of all names and members of the Social Workers' Club, of which he was the president. Not only had he broadened out the sphere of influence of the Church of which he was the Rector, but he had borne a leading part in phil- anthropic and social endeavor in the city and dio- cese. He had been president of the local Evan- gelical Alliance and of its successor. The Federa- tion of Churches. As one of the denominational clergy phrased the general feeling, " It would be a calamity to lose a clergyman whose work is con- ducted always on such broad social lines." That St. Luke's Church was a downtown church, however, did not discourage him. He felt it could be made the centre of a most important work, and he relied upon the assurances which he received on every hand that the Church would loy- 116 CENTENNIAL ANNALS ally stand by him in the work he outlined and to which he would devote himself. So he accepted the call, March 19th, to enter on his duties June 1st. The following letter addressed to the Vestry of St. Luke's under date June 2, 1916, was received, signed by all the members of the Vestry of the Church of the Advent, Cincinnati: Gentlemen : We, the members of the Vestry of the Church of the Advent, Cincinnati, Ohio, wish to extend our congratula- tions to the Vestry of St Luke's Church upon your good fortune in securing the Rev. Samuel Tyler for your Rector. As a tribute to Mr. Tyler's self-sacrificing service our wish is that his success in this new field will be as great as in the parish of the Church of Advent. Assuring you that the loss of the Church of the Advent is the gain of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, we are, Sincerely yours. The Vestry at once proceeded to put the rectory in perfect order at an expense of $985.12 for the occupancy of the Rector and his family, who arrived in the city at the end of May. In his first sermon as Rector, June 4, 1916, Mr. Tyler stressed the mission of the Church first to the individual, then to society, and in summing up he said: Believing as I do in the community-wide interest of the Christian church, an individual church situated in the midst of a community as is St. Luke's, makes an especial appeal to me. A downtown church, so called, has peculiar difficulties — ^there can be no doubt about that — but we are bound to believe that when in such a position as St. Luke's, it has also peculiar advantages — ^the advantage, for in- HISTORICAL SKETCH 117 Stance, of being able to witness for this wide-reaching, inclusive religion of which we have been speaking, in the very citadel of the cit^s life, in the very heart of the varied interests and activities of men. In regard to the other branches of the Church in this community and my relation to them, I shall hope to make this relation one of sympathy and active co-operation in the common work of the Master in Rochester. One of the great evils in the present religious situation, as I see it, is the waste and weakness resulting from the hopelessly divided condition of the Christian church, and any help which I can give to overcoming this waste and weakness I shall give most gladly. An informal reception to the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler was tendered, June 22d, in the parish house, at which the Vestry and the Rev. Harry Idle, who had most acceptably served the parish in the in- terim, introduced the guests, and the cordiality of the welcome to the new Rector and his wife left nothing to be desired. In August the Vestry directed that the choir be brought down from the organ loft, be vested and located on the north side of the chancel. The change, which went into effect October 1st, largely increased interest in the choir itself and added life and excellence to the musical part of the services. Meanwhile during the Summer the organ had been rebuilt at a stipulated price of $3,300. In October the Vestry took steps to arrange for an " Every Member Canvass " of the congregation, and January 4th unanimously passed a resolution " That beginning with Feb. 1, 1917, the pews in St. Luke's Church shall be free and an effort be 118 CENTENNIAL ANNALS made to get the pew-owners to surrender their title of ownership." When Rev. Mr. Tyler accepted the call, it was understood with the Vestry that the pews would be made free as soon as practicable. The occasion of the " Every Member Canvass," conducted on Sun- day, January 14th, seemed a propitious time to present the matter of the change from rented pews to the congregation. Accordingly the canvass was made and the voluntary subscriptions of the parish- ioners asked on the basis of the new system. The results were most gratifying. The people loyally supported the new policy of the Rector and Vestry, even though in some cases it meant the giving up of the associations of a lifetime, and a budget 50fo in advance of the budget of the preceding year was pledged. The itemized results as reported were for Parish Expenses, $10,575 ; for Missions and Benev- olences, $1,400. The financial system of the Church was practically reorganized. The use of the duplex envelope system was extended, and the weekly offer- ing for some special object was done away with — all special Sunday offerings (excepting Easter) being cared for through the envelope system. To make practical his plans for Social Service, the Rector, with the concurrence of the Vestry, asked four men to serve as a Social Service Com- mittee, whose duty it should be to make a careful study of the social responsibility of the Church as it is presented to St. Luke's parish, and to advise with the Rector as to a Social Service Programme HISTORICAL SKETCH 119 for the parish. C. Schuyler Davis was appointed chairman of the committee, the other members be- ing P. Howard Converse, Beekman C. Little and Frederick T. Pierson. In connection with develop- ing the social work of the parish, an important event of the year was the formation of a com- mittee of some 17 members of the parish, both men and women, under the name of the Committee on Family Rehabilitation. Through the kindness of the Social Service Department of the Third Presby- terian Church, Mr. Henry T. Noyes, who had had large experience in connection with similar work in the Third Church, presided over the work of the committee. He was aided by Miss Elsie V. Jones, the Social Service Secretary of the Third Church. A careful study was made of several families in need of assistance of various kinds, and through " friendly visitors," taken from the membership of the committee, the needed aid was, as far as possible, given. Such social work as that represented by the Committee on Family Rehabilitation is funda- mental in character, and the formation of this com- mittee was designed to be the beginning of regular work conducted by St. Luke's along this line. Another new departure was the employment of a Parish Secretary (who should be the Rector's stenographer) , and the establishment of an office in the parish house, in which will center many of the details of parish administration, especially in con- nection with the parish records. Miss Mary E. Rogers, who had grown up in the parish, was ap- 120 CENTENNIAL ANNALS pointed the first Secretary and is doing efficient work. It had been planned by the Vestry to ask the Easter offerings for re-decorating the Church and parish house in anticipation of the Centennial Cele- bration, but at the urgent suggestion of the Rec- tor, those offerings were devoted to the War Suf- ferers in foreign lands, and the people generously responded with $1,178.52. A contract was later made for the proposed re- decoration to cost $982. On July 1st, denominated by President Wilson as Patriotic Sunday, a very handsome silk flag of the United States, with a bronze standard, was ded- icated for use in the Church in memory of the last Rector. It was the gift of Mrs. Converse. That a Centennial Celebration of the Incorpo- ration of St. Luke's Church should be duly observed was determined by the Vestry in November, 1916, and a committee was appointed to make preliminary arrangements. Further action was taken later, the Rev. Dr. Anstice was requested to prepare a cen- tennial history of the parish, and the Rector author- ized to designate special committees. It was decided, however, to begin the actual Celebration on St. Luke's Day, as a date more convenient, for the members of the parish and all interested, than in midsummer, but to have these " Centennial Annals " go to press in advance of that date, the little book completing the history of the centen- nium to July 14, 1917. St. Luke's has had an highly honorable past and its record is now history. During the first half of its century, its ministers had, one and all, upheld the " Evangelic Truth and Apostolic Order," and in their faithful ministries been blessed by ample fruitage from the good seed sown. They in their generation, by the standard and the methods of those times, wrought well and wisely in the edifi- cation of the Church. With the dawning of the second half of the centennium we celebrate, there was a marked tran- sition from the old order to a new. With the radical renovation of the old-time structure came enlarged conceptions of Christian privilege and duty and renewed spiritual life. New forces were at work. Within the first three years, two hundred and six of the people came forward to receive the Rite of Confirmation. There was a disposition to be organ- ized for Christian work of divers kinds and willing- ness to be taught how to do it and be led. The spirit of co-operation was developed and activities on many lines were multiplied. The Sunday School took on new life and interest, with a growing attendance of the children and young people. Lent was indeed a time of spiritual refreshing to the large numbers who delighted in frequent and hearty services. The missionary spirit, in its sympathies 122 CENTENNIAL ANNALS and contributions, found fuller expression in the city field and to the farthest outreach of the mis- sionary horizon. And much of all this blessed im- petus gained in the former years of this latter semi- centennium, has left its impress on the work and spirit of the parish. In entering on the second century of its exist- ence, under conditions differing from those obtain- ing at an earlier day, a distinct mission opens up before it with wide usefulness in sight, as with new methods and a new leader well equipped with high ideals and ripe experience, bent on achieving here in this community some larger realization of the Church's mission to the world in the social uplift of humanity, this venerable parish, with its charac- teristic loyalty and responsiveness to leadership, will make itself a mighty power for good. God grant it for the sake of Him who taught His Church to follow His example and His precept as He said " The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." OF IHB FRANCIS HIGGINS CUMING First Rector of St. Luke's, was born in New Haven, Conn., Oct. 28, 1799; pursued his preparatory and theological studies under the Rev. Dr. John C. Rudd, at Elizabeth, N. J. ; was ordained Deacon by Bishop Croes, in St. John's, Elizabeth, in 1819, and advanced to the Priesthood by Bishop Hobart in St. Luke's, Rochester, in February, 1821. His earlier ministry was exercised at Binghamton, N, Y., whence he removed to Rochester, Dec. 1, 1820, re- maining here eight years and four months, until April 1, 1829. He was then successively Rector of Christ Church, Reading, and St. Mark's, Le Roy, being one year in each place. Removing to New York, he became Secretary, Agent and Editor of the General Protestant-Episcopal Sunday School Union, which he resigned in 1836 to assume the Rectorship of the newly-organized Calvary Church in that city. His degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred by Columbia College. He became Rector of St. Andrew's, Ann Arbor, in October, 1839, and after a four years' ministry accepted charge of St. Mark's Church, Grand Rapids, where he labored 124 CENTENNIAL ANNALS for eighteen years, resigning Sept. 13, 1861. Before resigning his charge, however, he became Chaplain of the 3rd Reg. Mich. Infantry, May 13, 1861; which duty he discharged until March 19, 1862, when, broken in health, he returned to his family and died Aug. 26, 1862. HENRY JOHN WHITEHOUSE Was born in New York City, Aug. 19, 1803, grad- uated from Columbia College in 1821, and from the General Theological Seminary in 1824; was or- dained Deacon by Bishop John Croes, of New Jersey, in 1824, and Priest by Bishop William White, of Pennsylvania, in 1827. For two years thereafter, he was Rector of Christ Church, Read- ing, Pa., from which place he came to Rochester, Dec. 6, 1829. At the commencement of Geneva College in 1834, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. His highly prosperous Rector- ship in St. Luke's, of fourteen years and five months, was terminated May 5, 1844, when he as- sumed the charge of St. Thomas' Church, New York, which position he retained until elected As- sistant Bishop of Illinois, to which high office he was consecrated in St. George's Church, Nov. 20, 1851, (a solemnity witnessed by the lad who as his successor in St. Luke's is the present Rector). On the death of Bishop Chase he became Diocesan of BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES 125 Illinois, Sept. 20, 1852. He attended the Lambeth Conference in 1867, and was highly honored as the preacher at its opening service. The University of Oxford bestowed upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and the University of Cambridge that of Doctor of Laws. His death occurred on the 10th of August, 1874. THOMAS CLAPP PITKIN Was born at Farmington, Conn., in 1816; gradu- ated at Yale College in 1836, and from the General Theological Seminary in 1839; was ordained Dea- con in the same year by Bishop Brownell, and Priest, in 1840, by Bishop Kemper. His first clerical duty was as a Missionary in Lawrenceburgh, Ind. After one year's service, he accepted the Rectorship of Christ Church, Louisville, Ky., where he resided three years, until he removed to Rochester, in July, 1844. On his resignation of St. Luke's, in July, 1847, he became associated with the Rev. Dr. Cros- well, in the Rectorship of Trinity Church, New Haven, Conn. Upon the election of the Rev. Dr. H. Potter to the Bishopric of New York, in No- vember, 1854, Dr. Pitkin succeeded him as Rector of St. Peter's, Albany, which position he held about eight years. He was made Doctor of Divinity by Hamilton College, and later received the same de- gree from Trinity College, Hartford. Returning home in 1862, from a journey in the East, he en- 126 CENTENNIAL ANNALS tered upon temporary duty in St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, which finally grew into a permanent rela- tion lasting five or six years. His next position was that of Rector of St. Paul's, Detroit, which church he held between nine and ten years. Since that time he has resided in Detroit, doing clerical duty con- stantly, but having no parochial charge, until his death in that city, May 11, 1887. HENRY WASHINGTON LEE Was born in Hampden, Conn., July 29, 1815. His boyhood was passed in Springfield, Mass., where his father. Col. Roswell Lee, was superintendent of the U. S. Armory. His later education was acquired at the Westfield Academy, and at the age of eighteen he taught school in New Bedford. After ordination by Bishop Griswold, in 1838, he became Rector of Christ Church, Springfield, which he resigned to accept St. Luke's, Rochester, where he remained seven years from January, 1848, to January, 1855. His election and consecration as Bishop of Iowa took place before he resigned his labors in Roches- ter, for he was consecrated Bishop among his lov- ing parishioners on the 18th of October, 1854. In his new field, he laid foundations deep and broad and the prosperity of Iowa is largely due to his wise provisions for the future. Griswold College, which he founded in 1860, the Episcopal endow- BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES 127 ment and residence, the beautiful Grace Cathedral, are lasting monuments to the wisdom, self-sacrifice and zeal of Iowa's first Bishop. He was a member of the Lambeth Conference and received the degree of LL. D. from Cambridge University. His epis- copate of twenty years ended by his decease in Davenport, Sept. 26, 1874. BENJAMIN WATSON Was born in Philadelphia, October 14, 1817 ; grad- uated from Trinity College, Hartford, in 1838, and from the General Theological Seminary in 1841 ; was ordained Deacon in June of the same year by Bishop H. U. Onderdonk in St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, and Priest in February, 1842, in Grace Church in the same city, of which latter Church he had temporary charge during six months of his earlier ministry. He was married January 26, 1842. His first Rectorship was that of Zion Church, New- port, R. I., dating from June, 1842; which parish he resigned to accept a call to St. Luke's, Rochester, and entered upon the duties of his new position April 20, 1855. After a Rectorship of four years and three months, ending August 7, 1859, he ac- x_J - 11 .!._ i1-_ /~*1 1_ -r a1__ Ax A. T>L:1 128 CENTENNIAL ANNALS ceived the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Chicago, in 1863, became a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese in 1870, from 1890 was its President, and for many years was Dean of the North-West Convocation. He was one of the original Board of Overseers of the Philadelphia Divinity School, and the next to the last surviving member of that board. His lamented death occurred August 9, 1899. ROBERT BETHELL CLAXTON Was bom in Philadelphia, November 6, 1814. At the age of thirteen, his father, who had been a pros- perous merchant, having suffered reverses, Robert entered the publishing house of Eliakim Little, in which establishment, and later, in another book- store, he spent six years. He was confirmed in St. Paul's Church under the ministry of Rev. Dr. Tyng in 1833, and resolved to devote himself at once to sacred studies. He entered the Sophomore class in Yale College, August, 1835, having supported him- self meanwhile by assisting Rev. Dr. P. Van Pelt, then Secretary of the Dom. and For. Miss. Soc, and graduated in 1838. In May of the same year, he had been admitted a Candidate for Orders in the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and in September entered the middle class of the Alexandria Semin- ary, from which he graduated in 1840 ; was ordained BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES 129 Deacon, July 19th, by Bishop H. U. Onderdonk, and Priest in the subsequent December. He ac- cepted duty in St. Stephen's Church, Wilkesbarre, Pa., September 4, 1840; which position he resigned in 1846, in view of his wife's ill-health, and removed to Westchester, Pa., and later to Madison, Indiana, where he gathered a considerable congregation and erected a Church edifice. His honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity, was received from the Univer- sity of Indiana. In December, 1852, he was elected Rector of St. Paul's, Cleveland, Ohio, and min- istered in that Church from May, 1853, to May, 1859. He became Rector of St. Luke's, December 1, 1859, and after an incumbency of five years and ten months, removed to his native city in October, 1865, to discharge the duties of Professor of Homi- letics and Pastoral Care in the Philadelphia Divinity School. In the Fall of 1873, he resigned his profes- sorial chair and accepted the Rectorship of St. Andrew's Church, West Philadelphia, which posi- tion he filled with marked success until his death, May 24, 1882. HENRY ANSTICE Was born in New York City, October 7, 1841, and 1 j^:_-j 1 ^i_ _ T> T T\/r:i 1-* "lA :„ .^u 130 CENTENNIAL ANNALS 1859, and graduated August 6, 1862; became a candidate for Orders in the Diocese of New York October 30, and after a year's study at Andover Theological Seminary, pending the more complete organization of the Philadelphia Divinity School, entered the latter institution September 17, 1863, and after having served a term " at the front " in the service of the Christian Commission and acted as Chaplain of Camp William Penn at Chelten Hills on Sundays during the Winter of 1864-5, graduated therefrom June 22, 1865 ; was ordained Deacon in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, New York City, July 2, and Priest in St. Paul's Church, Flat- bush, November 21, of the same year, by the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter; assumed temporary charge of St. Barnabas' Church, Irvington-on-Hudson, September 10, 1865 ; received a call to the Church of the Advent, San Francisco, in March, 1866, which he declined, to accept the Rectorship of St. Luke's, Rochester, and entered upon the duties of that position May 13, 1866; was married on the 30th of the same month, in St. Barnabas' Church, Irvington, by the Bishop of New York ; on the 30th of June, 1875, received the honorary degree of Doc- tor of Divinity from the University of Rochester; was Financial and Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Board of Western New York, 1870-79 ; Dean of Rochester, 1882-85 and 1889-95; Secre- tary of the Missionary Council from its first organ- ization in Philadelphia to its discontinuance by the General Convention in 1904. In the Spring of 1897 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES 131 he became Rector of St. Matthias' Church, Phila- delphia; Dean of the North- West Convbcation of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, January, 1901 to Oc- tober, 1903; resigned St. Matthias' October 1, 1903, and has since devoted himself to the duties of his several positions in the general Church. He is still Secretary of the General Convention (since 1904), having previously served as Assistant Sec- retary of the House of Deputies since 1877; mem- ber of Board of Missions since 1892; Financial Secretary of the Clergymen's Retiring Fund Society since April, 1902, having been a Director since 1888 and now also its Treasurer; Trustee of the Amer- ican Church Building Fund Commission since No- vember, 1900, and now also its Vice-President; Overseer of the Philadelphia Divinity School since June, 1899; Trustee of the Clifton Springs Sani- tarium since July, 1904, and President of the Board for the last five years. ROB ROY McGregor converse Was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 16, 1844. At the age of sixteen, he enlisted, September 4, 1861, in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserve Infan- try, and served throughout the war. He was 132 CENTENNIAL ANNALS months before exchanged, and was honorably dis- charged, with the rank of corporal, June 28, 1865. After the war he entered Washington and Jeiferson College and graduated with class of 1867, standing first in his class. Shortly after graduation he taught mathematics and astronomy in his. Alma Mater, and was subsequently awarded the degree of M. A. Becoming interested in mining engineer- ing, he took the prescribed course in the Columbia School of Mines and then engaged actively for a time in this profession — chiefly in the development of placer mines in Wyoming. The love of outdoor life thus acquired never left him, and in later years he made periodic trips through many of the great areas of big game hunting on this continent. Turning to the ministry in later years, he was ordained Deacon in 1878, and Priest in 1879, by Bishop John Williams of Connecticut; was Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, Waterbury, Conn., 1879-83; Rector of Christ Church, Corning, N. Y.,, 1883-88; Chaplain of Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., 1888-97, where he also held the Professorship of Philosophy, Psychology and Metaphysics, and became Rector of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, in September, 1897. The degree of D. D. was received by him from Griswold College in 1889; that of D. C. L. in 1897, and LL. D. in 1912, both from Hobart College. He was Chaplain in the Third Infantry, N. G., N. Y., for many years until retired, 1909 ; Chaplain George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R. ; member National Society of Andersonville Surviv- BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES 133 ors, also its Vice-President; first President of Rochester Society of Archaeological Institute of America. A collection of his sermons, philosophical papers and patriotic addresses, under the title " The Heritage of the Commonwealth and Other Papers," have been gathered into permanent book form since his lamented death, which occurred September 20, 1915. SAMUEL TYLER Was born in Minneapolis, Minn., March 11, 1871. When he was ten years old his parents, who were New Englanders, moved to Newton, Mass., a sub- urb of Boston. Entered Yale University, graduat- ing in class of 1895 with degree of B. A. Gradu- ated with degree of B. D. from Episcopal Theo- logical School, Cambridge, Mass., 1898. From 1898 to 1901 he was Assistant Minister in St. George's Church, New York City, and was strongly impressed by the Dr. Rainsford's teaching of the social responsibility of the Church. From 1901 to 1915 he was Rector of the Church of the Advent, Cincinnati, Ohio, and was deeply interested also in community problems and was chairman of the Diocesan Committee on Social Service. Served as Deputy from Southern Ohio in the General Con- THE REV. FRANCIS H. CUMING, D. D. Eight years and four months. From Dec. 1, 1820, to April 1, 1829. THE RT. REV. HENRY J. WHITEHOUSE, D. D., LL. D. Fourteen years and five months. From Dec. 6, 1829, to May 5, 1844. THE REV. THOMAS C. PITKIN, D. D. Three years. From July 14, 1844, to July 12, 1847. THE RT. REV. HENRY W. LEE, D. D., LL. D. Seven years. From Jan. 1, 1848, to Jan. 1, 1855. THE REV. BENJAMIN WATSON, D. D. Four years and three months. From April 29, 1855, to Aug. 7, 1859. THE REV. R. BETHELL CLAXTON, D. D. Five years and ten months. From Dec. 1, 1859, to Sept. 24, 1865. THE REV. HENRY ANSTICE, D. D. Thirty-one years. From May 13, 1866, to May 1, 1897. THE REV. ROB ROY McG. CONVERSE, D. D., D. C. L., LL. D. Eighteen years. From May 28, 1897, to Sept. 20, 1915. THE REV. SAMUEL TYLER. From June 1, 1916. AaatBtant MmwUtB Under Rev. Dr. Whitehouse. Rev. James A. Bolles, Sept. 15, '33-Sept. 14, '34 Rev. N. F. Bruce, M. D., Nov. 6, '36-Nov. 1, '37 Under Rev. Dr. Pitkin. Rev. John N. Norton, April 26, '46-Nov. 22, '46 Interim. Rev. T. F. Wardwell, Aug. 29, '47-Jan. 1, '48 Under Rev. Dr. Lee. Rev. Edward Meyer, Rev. W. H. Barris, Rev. Geo. H. McKnight, Rev. Geo. N. Cheney, Rev. Bethel Judd, D. D., Rev. Geo. W. Watson, Rev. Theodore A. Hopkins. Interim. Rev. T. A. Hopkins, Jan. 1, '55-May 1, '55 Under Rev. Dr. Watson. Rev. Robert W. Lewis, Rev. Charles E. Cheney. Interim. Rev. W. B. Otis, Aug. 7, '59-Oct. 2, '59 136 CENTENNIAL ANNALS Rev. DeWitt C. Loop, March 1, '62-Sept. 1, '64 Rev. Fred. M. Gray, Nov. 1, '64-Feb. 1, '6S Rev. Horatio Gray, April 2, '65-July 2, '65 Interim. Rev. W. J. Clark, Oct. 1, '65-April 18, '66 Under Rev. Dr. Anstice. Rev. M. R. St. J. Dillon, Sept. 2, '66-Sept. 22, '67 Rev. Jacob Miller, July 7, '67-March 29, '69 Rev. D. H. Lovejoy, M. D. Sept. 29, '67-Sept. 20, '68 Rev. W. W. Raymond, Feb. 7, '69-May 22, '70 Rev. George S. Baker, Aug. 14, '70-Oct. 26, '75 Rev. William Long, Dec. 1, '72-April 29, '77 Rev. J. J. Landers, Jan. 24, '75-Sept. 5, 75 Rev. C. M. Nickerson, Nov. 1, '75-Sept. 13, 76 Rev. B. Holley, Jr., Dec. 21, '79-April 1, '81 Rev. Edward P. Hart, Dec. 27, '84-June, '88 Rev. James A. Skinner, Oct. 22, '88-May, '90 Rev. Geo. T. LeBoutillier, Oct. 1, '90-Oct. '92 Under Rev. Dr. Converse. Rev. H. L. Burleson, May, '98-Nov., 1900 Rev. Geo. R. Brush, Feb., '01-March, '05 Rev. F. J. K. Alexander, March, '06-Feb., '07 Rev. W. S. McCoy, March, '07-Dec. 22, '11 Rev. F. E. Bissell, Feb. 15, '12-May 1, '12 Rev. Ray Wootton, Sept., '12-April 20, '14 Rev. Harry Idle, Jan. 15, '15- WzLvhmB Nathaniel Rochester, 1817-19 Samuel J. Andrews, 1817-'19 & '21 George G. Sill, 1820 William Atkinson, 1820-'27 John Mastick, 1822-'26 William Pitkin, 1827-'6S Silas O. Smith, 1828-'33 Vincent Mathews, 1834-'46 N. T. Rochester, 1847-'58 & 1866-'68 William Brewster, 1859-72 Gilman H. Perkins, 1869-'98 E. Darwin Smith, 1873-'83 James Brackett, 1884-1903 Clinton Rogers, 1899- Henry B. Hathaway, 1904-'ll E. H. Howard, M. D., 1912-'14 Josiah Anstice, 1915- l^atrgm^n Roswell Babbit, 1817-'22 Silas O. Smith (W.), 1817-'27, '36, '40-'42 & '48 John Mastick (W.), 1817-'21 Lewis Jenkins, 1817-'19 John C. Rochester, 1817-19 Elisha Johnson, 1817-20 & '27 William Atkinson (W.), 1817-'19 Oliver Culver, 1817-'19 Augustine G. Dauby, 1820 Jared N. Stebbins, 1820-'21 & '27 S. Melancton Smith, 1820-'22 James H. Gregory, 1820-'22 Caleb L. Clark, 1821, '23, '24 John Swift, 1821 William W. Mumford, 1821-'22 & '24-'26 Jonathan Child, 1822, '24, '47 & '50-'53 William Pitkin (W.), 1822-'26 Solomon Cleveland, 1822, '24-'25 & '27 Elisha Taylor, 1822 Elisha B. Strong, 1823 John B. Elwood, M. D., 1823 Thomas H. Rochester, 1823-'26, '32, '33 & '43 William P. Sherman, 1823 Thomas Kempshall, 1823 Burrage Smith, 1824, '25 Giles Boulton, 1825-27 Frederick Whittlesey, 1826-'41, '44, '46, '47 VESTRYMEN 139 Thomas Eggleston, 1828 Nathaniel T. Rochester (W.), 1828-'31 & '35-'38 John T. Talman, 1828-33 & '42-'45 Henry Scrantom, 1828, '29, '45 & '49 Benjamin Seabury, 1828-31 Joseph Field, 1829-'35 & '59-'6S Simeon Ford, 1830 Vincent Matthews (W.), 1831-33 Walter White, 1832, '33 Matthew Mead, 1834-'41 & '45 Robert L. McCollum, 1834 Seth C. Jones, 1834-'45 John Haywood, 1834, '46, '48, '50, '51 John Alien, 1835-42 & '45 William Brewster (W.), 1836-'38, '46, '47 & '50 David Hoyt, 1837-'44, '47 & '49 John Hawks, 1839-43 Moses Dyer, 1839 Graham H. Chapin, 1842 Henry E. Rochester, 1843, '44 Jonathan King, 1843 & '53, '54 Darius Cole, 1843 William Kidd, 1844, '49-50 & '55-62 S. H. Packard, 1844 Rufus Keeler, 1845, '46 & '49-'51 E. Darwin Smith (W.), 1846, '47 & '69-72 Trhpnf-7<»r 'Watts 'IRAA-'A.R 140 CENTENNIAL ANNALS Edward Whalen, 1848-'S4 & '61, '62 N. B. Northrop, 1849 William Churchill, 1850, '51 & '62, '63 Joseph A. Eastman, '51, '55-'61, '63, '64 & '79-'86 Aaron Erickson, 1851 & '62, '63 Azariah Boody, 1852, '53 Amon Bronson, 1852 & '61-69 Joseph L. Lucas, 1852, '56 & '58-'6l Edward M. Smith, 1852 Chauncey Tucker, 1852 John Fairbanks, 1852, '53 Asa Sprague, 1853, '54 John Crombie, 1853, '54 Alfred Ely, 1854-'59 & '83-'92 John E. Tompkins, 1854 Mortimer F. Reynolds, 1855, '77 & '79-'81 Francis Gorton, 1855, '56 Abram Karnes, 1855 & '63, '64 Frederick A. Whittlesey, 1855-'62 & '74 Roswell Hart, 1856-'61 & '71-'83 John H. Rochester, 1857, '58 Martin S. Newton, 1857 & '67 Oilman H. Perkins (W.), 1858-'61 & '66-'68 Edmund Lyon, 1862-65 Nelson G. Hawley, 1862-66 Paul W. Garfield, 1863-'64 Ebenezer E. Sill, 1865-75 Thomas Hawks, 1865-66 Edward A. Frost, 1865 & '67, '68, '89-99 John P. Humphrey, 1866 R. Hart Rochester, 1866 VESTRYMEN 141 George G. Hunger, Henry L. Churchill, Thomas Button, Henry B. Hathaway (W.), James R. Chamberlin, 1869, Charles H. Chapin, William Eastwood, James Brackett (W.), Isaac H. Ruliffson, Edward W. Williams, Thomas Raines, Charles F. Smith, George P. Wolcott, Clinton Rogers (W.), Mortimer C. Mordoff, Lorenzo Kelly, Byron Holley, A. J. Johnson, E. Frank Brewster, Quincy Van Voorhis, Josiah Anstice (W.), William H. Smith, Eugene H. Howard, M. D. W. J. Mandeville, James E. Wolcott, Edw. H. Vredenburgh, C. Walter Smith. 1867, '68 1867-'69 1868, '69 1868 & '75-'83, '91-'03 '70 & '73-'75, '89-1904 1869-'73 1869-'78 & '81-'88 1870-'78 & '82, 83 1870 1870-'84 1871 1871-'77 1876-'80 1878-'98 1878, '79 1881-'83 1884-'87 1884-'88 1885-1907, '15- 1887-'04 1888-'14 1892-'04 (W.), 1899-1911 190a-'01 Dec. 1900-'05 1902-'03 1903-'04 '06- 142 CENTENNIAL ANNALS Thomas W. Shannon, Thomas Hawks, Harry C. Gorton, George C. Gordon, Edw. B. Angell, M. D., C. W. Oster, George H. Hawks, Paul Howard Converse, George F. Ames, 1905- 1908-'09 1908-'15 1910 1911- 1912-'14 1912- 1916- 1916 Roswell Babbit, 1817-'20 N. T. Rochester, 1821-'32 & '35-'43 Henry E. Rochester, Nov., 1832, '33 & '44 E. Darwin Smith, 1834 Thomas C. Montgomery, 1845-54 Fred A. Whittlesey, 1855, '56, '62 & '74 Joseph A. Eastman, 1857, '61 & '79-83 Paul W. Garfield, 1863-'65 Edward A. Frost, 1865 to Sept. R. Hart Rochester, Sept., 1865 John P. Humphrey, 1866 to Feb., '67 Allen Ayrault, Feb., 1867, to April, '67 Henry L. Churchill, 1867, '68 William Eastwood, 1869, '70 Thomas Raines, 1871 Charles F. Smith, 1872, '73 Edward P. Hart, 1875, '76 Edw. W. Williams, 1877, '78 Alfred Ely, 1884-'88 Quincy Van Voorhis, 1889-1904 Thomas W. Shannon, 1905- ©rpasurrra Roswell Babbit, N. T. Rochester, Wm. Pitkin, F. Whittlesey, Clarendon Morse, James M. Fish, Henry Scrantom, Erasmus D. Smith, Andrew J. Brackett, Edward Whalen, Abram Karnes, E. R. Hammatt, John H. Rochester, Franklin R. Plummer, James R. Chamberlin, John H. Gregory, George F. Ames, George C. Hopkins, 1817-'22 1823-Oct., '32 Oct., '32-'36 1836-'39 Jan., 184Q-'43 1844 1845-'48 June, 184S Jan., 1849-'S4 1855-May, '62 May, 1862-'64 186S-'74 1875-Feb., '97 Feb., 1897-May, '98 June,, 1898-Dec., 1900 Dec, 1900-Feb., '17 Feb., 1917-May 22, '17 May 29, 1917- ( Endowment Fund) Haywood Hawks, May, 1898-May, '99 Edw. H. Vredenburgh, Francis G. Ferrin, Harry C. Gorton, C. Walter Smith, July, 1899-Dec., 1902 July, 1903-May, '12 May, 1912-Oct., '12 Oct., 1912- ( Pledge System) Francis G. Ferrin, Feb., 1905-Dec., '07 John Lobbett, Dec, 1907- (§vg,unxBtB Daniel Clark, William Staunton, Mr. Randall, Mr. Warner, Israel P. Dana, Marion S. McGregor, R. F. C. Ellis, Herve D. Wilkins, R. F. C. Ellis, W. M. Rebasz, Jr., F. Kenyon Jones, W. M. Rebasz, Jr., Edward H. Walker, W. M. Rebasz, Jr., John Warner, Miss Edith Ewell, Mrs. Eugene H. Paul, Mrs. C. L. Garner, 182S-May, '27 1827-May, '33 May, 1833-'34 1834-'35 1835-April, '39 April, 1839-Aug., '56 Aug., 1856-Dec., '70 Dec, 1870-Dec., '71 Jan., 1872-March, '74 March, 1874- July, '76 Aug., 1876-March, '78 March, 1878-April, '79 April, 1879-'88 June, 1888-March, '05 March, 1905-Sept., '06 Nov., 1906-'07 June, 1907-Jan., '09 Jan., 1909- ^txtana Jacob Howe, Hamlet Scrantom, Thomas Watson, William Myers, Thomas McLean, John Sullivan, Thomas Whitehouse, James Ratcliffe, Albert D. Neely, John Kislingbury, John J. Rawlings, George Cripps, William Niblack, Humphrey C. Hart, George A. Foye, 1821-May, '26 1826-May, '33 May, 1833-'34 1834-June, '43 June, 1843-'45 1845-Dec., '59 Dec, 1859-Dec., '64 Dec, 1864-Jan., '68 April, 1868-Oct., '71 Dec, 1871-Dec., '77 Dec, 1877-'87 Aug., 1887-March, '98 March, 1898-Nov., 1900 Nov., 1900-May, '17 June, 1917- NOTE — The dates after the names of Wardens, Ves- trymen, Clerks and Treasurers, indicate the years in which they were elected; those after Treasurers of the En- dowment Fund and of the Pledge System, Organists and Sextons, their term of service. BX5980.R6"S14""'™""' '■"■"^ *^*wllllillflllllMSiiPrii« Church, olin 3 1924 029 458 779 i