USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Middletown > A brief history of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Middletown, Connecticut : with biographical sketches > Part 3
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Another occasion, when the people showed their affection for their rector, came when he was chosen to be the first Suffragan Bishop of the diocese. While they were disconsolate at the thought of losing him as their rector, they took pride in the high honour that had come to him and presented him with his ecclesiastical robes and pectoral cross. The vestry gave him his bishop's ring. Bishop Acheson was very much touched at these expressions of affection and said, "There never will be another congregation for me. I have had only one and that one will always be dear to me. I do
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want the prayers of my people for this new responsibility and I pray for your wisdom in choosing my successor. God bless you all who have thought of this method of expressing your love." On the consecraton of the Rev. Walter H. Gray as the second Suffragan Bishop of Connecticut, because of the warm friendship that had existed between the Bishop and Mr. Gray, the Acheson family was happy to give him Bishop Acheson's cross and ring, thus keeping them in active service in the diocese he loved so dearly.
At the time of Bishop Acheson's death, many affectionate and appreciative tributes were paid him in the public press. One of these by the Rev. J. Chauncey Lindsley, chairman then of the Standing Committee of the diocese, expresses so well what so many felt that it is quoted here in part: "A true bishop he certainly was, and knightly in character, the sixth in the line of distinguished pre- lates of this, the oldest diocese; devoted, unselfish, untiring, thor- ough in his administration of affairs spiritual and temporal, in this large diocese. Yet with it all, he never ceased to be the pastor, tenderly intimate in his numberless friendships, beautifully illustrat- ing the loveliness of the true saying, "The pastoral office is the sanc- tification of friendship.' He had a genius for friendship and he made it constructive. He saw what was best in one, what poten- tially lay there, be the possessor ever so humble, and with strong friendliness encouraged the owner to develop his talent, bring it to light, and use it in a nobler way of living.
"Aged people there are, wearied by the journey on life's high- way, in hospital or home, to whom the bishop's friendliness has been a benediction. And modest rectories there are and homes of mission priests whose occupants will long remember the qualities of the friendliness of their bishop who gave away his entire salary year by year. And others there are, countless in number, debtors to the bishop for counsel, advice, and encouragement who will long and gratefully remember him and say sometimes with a catch in the voice, 'He was my friend.'"
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THE REV. FRANK FLOOD GERMAN
THE REV. FRANK FLOOD GERMAN, D.D.
1867 - 1942
F "RANK Flood German succeeded the Rev. E. C. Acheson as rector of Holy Trinity; he was born in Lodi Center, N. Y. November 24, 1867. His family moved to Geneva, N. Y. when he was four years old and he was educated in the public schools there and in Hobart College, also located in that city. He entered Hobart College in 1886 and was graduated in 1890, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, salutatorian of his class, and with the degree of B.A. cum laude. In 1914 Hobart College conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology.
Dr. German entered Berkeley Divinity School in Middletown, Conn. in 1890 and was graduated in 1893. That year, 1893, was a memorable one for him; for besides his graduation from Berke- ley, he was ordered deacon in our church by Bishop John Williams and in June 1893 he was made assistant rector of our church; and September 12, 1893 he was married to Eliza Mayell Gibbs of Buffalo, N. Y.
He was ordained priest by Bishop Williams in St. Andrew's Church, Meriden, Conn., in 1894. He served as assistant rector of our parish from June 1893 until November 1, 1896 with especial charge of St. Andrew's Mission, during which time the new chapel there was built and occupied. November 1, 1896, Dr. German sever- ed his connections with our parish to become rector of St. Thomas' Church, Mamaroneck, N. Y., where he remained until May 1916. During his rectorship there, the church grew steadily and new buildings were erected to accommodate its increasing activities. His outstanding parish work was with the young people and in the church school. Dr. German was a born teacher and his school in Mamaroneck became widely known in the diocese of New York. He was a member of the New York Sunday School Commission for the greater part of his stay in that diocese. He was secretary
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of the New York Pension Commission until 1916 and he was also secretary of the Diocese of New York at the time he resigned at Mamaroneck to come back to Middletown, May 15, 1916 as rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, to succeed the Rev. E. Campion Acheson who had been elected Suffragan Bishop of Connecticut. Dr. German served as rector here until September 1, 1937. Here, as in Mamaroneck, he did outstanding work with the church school. which grew greatly in numbers. Its systematic courses, its graded literature written by the rector, its coaching of the teachers for their " work, its training of new teachers graduated from the school, com- bined to make it influential not only in Middletown but elsewhere in the diocese. Dr. German assisted in organizing the Council of the Diocese of Connecticut 'and was first chairman of its Depart- ment of Religious Education.
Dr. German's rectorship in Middletown had hardly more than begun, when the country found itself drawn into the World War I. This political situation affected the church as it did the life of the whole town and our parish took an active part in serving the com- munity and the country. In 1917, when the influenza swept through Middletown and the Middlesex Hospital could take no more pa- tients, our commodious parish, house was put at the service of the community as an Auxiliary Emergency Hospital. Twenty-five beds, furnished by the Red Cross, were installed there and Mrs. Hamilton Rinde, a graduate nurse, was put in charge. She had as her assistants several practical nurses and other women in the city. One patient died here in this improvised hospital. Soups and stews were made in our kitchen and sent out all over the city to homes where one or more of the family was ill with the dread disease and where there was no one to prepare food. At first, although their need was great, many people refused to take the food brought to them, thinking that by accepting it they would be considered objects of charity. The soup was then taken to them in cartons with a Red Cross label on each, and, after that, there was no further hesitancy about accepting it.
Due to overwork, Dr. German's health was so impaired at one time that he was obliged to take an extended vacation, during which, first the Rev. Fleming James and then, for a longer period, the Rev. David R. Johns supplied most satisfactorily.
One of the most outstanding changes in the Parish Church
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during Dr. German's rectorship was the building and installing of the Haskell Memorial Organ. This really superb instrument of worship was built by the Cassavant Brothers of Canada. By the marked ability of William B. Davis, organist of the church, work- ing with the builders, the best of the old organ was incorporated into the new instrument, thus adding much to the musical value and size of the organ without increasing its cost. It was by Mr. Davis' inspiration also, that the solo organ was added to the new instrument while it was being built. This and other needed acces- sories were given by several members of the parish as memorials.
St. Luke's Home, which has always been largely under the care and management of our church, during Dr. German's rectorship was greatly enlarged and several important gifts were added to its endowment funds. The most conspicuous of these was one by Mrs. Charles G. R. Vinal, which made possible the enlarging of the building. This not only increased the capacity of the house for its members but added much to the comfort and convenience of those who served in the home. The Board of Managers under the leadership of Mrs. Albert Mann took care of many alterations and improvements called for by Mrs. Vinal's gift.
Having served in active parish work for forty-four years, and having reached the retirement age, Dr. German resigned his rector- ship here September 1, 1937. He continued, however, to officiate in the parish at marriages and funerals, and' on other special occa- sions until his successor was appointed.
One Sunday afternoon soon after Dr. German's resignation, a reception was held in his honor in the parish house. It was largely attended and E. Kent Hubbard, in the name of the parishioners, presented him with a substantial gift of money and ex- pressed the deep regret of the people at the severing of his connec- tion with the parish and wished him many years of enjoyment of his well-earned leisure. By the unanimous vote of the vestry and with the full approval of the annual Parish Meeting held in Janu- ary 1939, Dr. German was made rector emeritus of the parish. Up to the time of his retirement, he served on the Connecti- cut Pension Fund Commission of the Clergy and until his death was a member of the Department of Social Service of the Diocesan Council. On May 1, 1938 he became a member of the
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staff of the Connecticut State Hospital for the mentally ill, as its first Protestant chaplain. This position he held up to the time of his death. Because of his genuine interest in people, his ready understanding and his sympathy he rendered invaluable service to patients in the hospital. After his resignation from the parish church, although in failing health, he supplied occasionally in vari- ous pulpits in the diocese. During the latter part of 1941, he suf- fered a serious breakdown in his health and spent considerable time in both the New Haven Hospital and the Middlesex Hospital, at which latter institution he died January 3, 1942. During Dr. German's illness, he was the recipient of loving attention and of gifts from many of his former parishioners. The November before his death, on the occasion of his birthday, while he was then in the New Haven Hospital, he received a "shower" of letters, birthday cards, and other gifts. The response to the plan was so generous and so general that Dr. German received a perfect "deluge" of remembrances and was much touched by these evidences of regard and affection.
During his long rectorship in Middletown, Dr. German took an active interest in the life of the community, especially in social service work. His rectorship was marked by a closer cooperation between the Protestant churches in the city, which relation he did much to bring about. He was connected with several social and fraternal organizations. He was a member of the local Conversational Club ; St. John's Lodge, A.F. and A.M .; and Central Lodge I.O.O.F. He was past grand chaplain of the M. W. Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut, A.F. and A.M. and, at the time of his death, was associate grand chaplain of the Seventh Masonic Temple.
Mrs. Frank F. German died August 2, 1928 after a long ill- ness. Of the different branches of church work in which Mrs. German was interested, she was particularly active in the church school and in the Altar Guild. She was for many years a teacher in the school, until obliged by ill health to give up her class. She was also, for many years, directress of the Altar Guild. Shortly after her death, some of her friends in the parish contributed a sum of several hundred dollars to repair the costly and beautiful altar hangings which were badly in need of restoration. This work
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was a memorial to Mrs. German in recognition of her interest and loving service in the Altar Guild.
Dr. German left one son, Spence Mayell German and two grandsons, Robert Spence and David Frank German.
Of Dr. German's work as rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity for twenty-one years, it is impossible to give any adequate account. During that time he baptized, instructed in the Sunday School, and prepared for confirmation whole families of children, later officiating at the marriage of many of them. Especially was he close to his parishioners in times of their trouble or bereavement, his sincere sympathy and understanding bringing comfort and help to them in their need.
While the church grew in material things under his leader- ship, the lasting monument to his work is in the lives of the hun- dreds and hundreds of men, women, and children whom he in- fluenced and inspired to better ways of Christian living.
"Think upon him, O God, for good
According to all that he hath done for this people."
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THE REV. CLYDE DANIEL WILSON
1907 -
THE present rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Clyde Daniel Wilson, began his work in the parish December 1, 1937. Mr. Wilson was born in Escanaba, Michigan, November 21, 1907.
In 1927, he entered Berkeley Divinity School where he re- mained until his graduation from there in 1931. While a student at Berkeley, he also took special courses at Wesleyan University. It was during his theological course, in 1928, that the Berkeley School was moved to New Haven. After his graduation from Berkeley, Mr. Wilson entered Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and, after two years' work there, received the regular aca- demic degree of Bachelor of Arts. In May of this year his alma mater will confer on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
He was ordered deacon, June 11, 1931 in the chapel of the Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, by the Rt. Rev. George Craig Stewart, Bishop of Chicago. Barely six months later, December 21, 1931, in All Saints' Church, Ravenswood, Chicago, he was ordained to the priesthood. He then began his active, pastoral career by taking charge of St. Paul's Church, De Kalb, Illinois, where he remained for two years.
Having been offered the Henry Watson Fellowship at Berke- ley, he accepted it, resigned his position at De Kalb, and returned to New Haven, doing graduate work under the Fellowship and re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Divinity from Berkeley in June 1934. During his educational career, Mr. Wilson also took courses at the University of Chicago, the General Theological Seminary in New York, Yale Divinity School, and Yale Graduate School. Two months after receiving his degree from Berkeley, August 1, 1934, he went to Greenwich, Connecticut to be an assistant to the Rev. A. J. M. Wilson, rector of Christ Church.
In 1934 Mr. Wilson was married to Dorothy M. Neal of Mt.
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THE REV. CLYDE DANIEL WILSON
Vernon, Iowa. Mrs. Wilson is a graduate of the Iowa State Teachers' College and, before her marriage, was a teacher in the Mt. Vernon public school system. They have three children: Barbara Alice, Michael Hoover, and Clyde Daniel, Jr.
Last December Mr. Wilson completed his fifth year as rector here. During these five years many changes have been made in the services and in the material equipment of the parish. The service on the first Sunday of each month has become a Family Service; the Church School, with the exception of the Primary Department, being omitted on that day in order to allow the parents and children to worship together. On other Sundays, the pupils and teachers attend the morning service but are dismissed before the sermon to go to their classes. The Primary Department, consisting of the first three grades, meets by itself every Sunday in its own room with its own altar and other furnishings. Besides their class in- tructions, the children have their own service conducted by the Rev. Mr. Heermans or, in his absence, by one of the teachers.
In 1939 after a lapse of ten years, the boy choir was re- installed and, with the adult members, contributes a great deal to- wards a dignified and churchly service.
The material accomplishments during the past five years have been numerous and important. Through the interest and generos- ity of the Acheson family, the interior of the church has been com- pletely renovated and redecorated as a memorial to Bishop Ache- son ; in his memory, also, two sanctuary lanterns have been installed by his family. The entire lighting system of the church has been improved by the installation of eighteen other beautiful memorial lanterns.
The pulpit has been changed by the removal of the brass superstructure and its replacement by a beautiful wooden enclosure, the gift of Mrs. James C. Fox in memory of her mother. The parish house has been redecorated and, in part, refurnished by Mrs. Eleanor Sanborn Wilcox in memory of Mr. Wilcox's sister, Elizabeth Wilcox Ingersoll.
An interesting improvement which has been made is the restor- ation of an old memorial to the Rev. James de Koven, who was born in Middletown September 19, 1831 and who later became a missionary to the West and president of Racine College at Racine, Wisconsin. This memorial consisted of two gas fixtures, each with
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seven lights on tall standards. They stood, originally, one on either side of the altar. With the introduction of electricity, they became obsolete and were relegated to the basement. Recently, Mr. Lloyd F. Hoops resurrected them and very cleverly converted them into seven branched candelabra and restored them to their original post- tion in the sanctuary. The candles used in them are given by various parishioners as memorials to departed loved ones.
Extensive improvements in the parish house kitchen were made in 1939; new equipment including a gas range, a steam table, a coffee urn, and other modern conveniences were installed. During 1939 also, a badly needed new heating plant was installed in the church at a cost of $2,375.00. An oil heating plant has also been put in the rectory; the kitchen modernized, and other needed im- provements made there.
Of special note during Mr. Wilson's rectorship is the Teaching Mission which was held here for one week January 18-25, 1942. The missioner was the Rev. Don Frank Fenn, D.D., rector of the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Baltimore, Maryland. After his return to Baltimore, Dr. Fenn sent a personal communication to all those who attended his closing service. In it he spoke of the very keen sense of responsibility he had had in undertaking the mission saying, "because I knew that the people who attended would either be better or worse for such attendance." To those who did attend the meetings, they were a period of deep conviction of sin, of responsibility, and of a renewed resolution to go forward in the spiritual life.
Some there are who think no one of Mr. Wilson's many accomplishments in the parish exceeds in importance the holding of this memorable Teaching Mission. .
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WILLIAM BUTLER DAVIS, Mus.B. 1871 - 1936
O UTSIDE of the clergy, probably no former member of our church ever made a greater contribution to its services than did William Butler Davis who, for thirty-three years, was organist and choir master of the Church of the Holy Trinity, and who, dur- ing that time brought the boy choir to such a high standard that its members were considered fortunate, indeed, to be under his train- ing. While serving the church in this capacity, he wrote a great deal of church music which included the musical setting for several well known hymns, responses, etc. His wide and accurate know- ledge of the Church service and his familiarity with its rites and ceremonies were recognized by the clergy who often appealed to him on points under discussion.
Mr. Davis was born in Middletown, September 27, 1871, the son of D. Newland Davis and Harriet Butler Davis. He prepared for college at Wilson's Preparatory School for boys, located on High Street. He was graduated from Wesleyan University in June, 1894, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy and, in 1928, Trinity College, Hartford, honored him with the degree of Bachelor of Music. While a student at Wesleyan he was organist and choirmaster at St. Andrew's Church, Meriden, leaving there after his graduation to take a similar position in our church, which position he held for thirty-three years, resigning December 1, 1927.
For several years while serving our church, he was also instructor in Church Music at Berkeley Divinity School and organ- ist and choir master there. At the same time, for twenty-eight years, he taught music in the Middletown High School and con- ducted its glee clubs and choruses. Mr. Davis was coach of the Wesleyan Glee Club, for several years, and wrote the music for some of its best known songs, including the most famous one, "Come raise the song", generally considered Wesleyan's alma mater song, the words of which were written by one of Mr. Davis' class- mates, F. L. Knowles. All Wesleyan men will ever remember the
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beautiful setting and words of the chorus :
"O ivied' walls ! O storied halls ! O shrine of long ago! The altar fires our fathers lit, Shall still more brightly glow."
"Home is where the heart is" from the operetta "The Girl and the Graduate", written by Mr. Davis in collaboration with K. M. Goode, Wesleyan '04, and "Here's a health to Wesleyan", are among other of his contributions to Wesleyan music.
His contributions to Church music were even more important. He wrote the music for several Christmas hymns, among them : "Like silver lamps in a distant shrine", "In the bleak mid-winter", and "O little town of Bethlehem". Some other well-known hymns which he set to his own music are the Easter hymn, "Welcome, happy morning !", "He who would valiant be", "Peace, perfect peace in this dark world of sin", "Forward be our watchword", and "O happy band of pilgrims". As Mr. Davis copyrighted few, if any, of his compositions, they have been widely used. Their sim- plicity and dignity appeal to all lovers of good music. He had a fine baritone voice and the occasions when he sang solos were always greatly enjoyed.
Mr. Davis' thorough knowledge and love of music and his seriousness in his work commanded the respect of all who came under his instructions, and his genial and unselfish nature endeared him to the thousands of men, women, and children who knew him.
He died at the Middlesex Hospital, November 18, 1936, mourned by a host of friends. He left two brothers, N. Evan Davis and Alexander Keith Davis, and one sister, Mrs. Arthur E. Young.
At a candle light Christmas service held in Wesleyan Memorial Chapel soon after his death, "Come raise the song", and "In the bleak midwinter" were sung in his memory by the choir. Also in his memory a bronze plaque with his portrait and an appropriate inscription has been placed in the stone coping at the entrance to North College by some of his Wesleyan friends. When our church was redecorated recently and new lighting installed, Mr. Davis' former choir men and boys presented, in his memory, the two beautiful lanterns placed over the choir stalls.
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JOSEPH WILLIAM CROSLEY
1878 -
IT seems fitting to include in these biographical sketches some account of a former lay member who once served the church as assistant organist and who since has done much to increase the volume of Church music in general, as well as to render a fine piece of patriotic service, Joseph William Crosley, director of music, organist, and choir master at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.
Mr. Crosley, a native of Middletown, was born March 5, 1878. He was baptized by Dr. McConnell and confirmed by Bishop Williams. He early developed great musical ability and for many years was a member of our boy choir and the leading soprano soloist. Later, he assisted Mr. Davis by taking charge of choir rehearsals and by playing accompaniments for him. It was Mr. Davis who early recognized Mr. Crosley's talents and influenced him to take up the study of the organ under John Spencer Camp of Hartford and other well known teachers, refusing to instruct him himself.
Mr. Crosley remained as assistant organist till 1899 when he received a call to become organist and choir master at St. Paul's Church, Augusta, Georgia, which position he held for ten years. After leaving Augusta, he held successively and successfully similar positions in St. James' Church, Danbury, Connecticut, and St. Paul's in Burlington, Vermont. While serving the latter church, he was also director of music and instructor in that subject at the University of Vermont.
At the outbreak of World War I, Mr. Crosley obtained a leave of absence from Burlington and, because of his knowledge of navi- gation, entered the war as a naval reserve with the rank of lieuten- ant, junior grade. He was later appointed to a position in the censor's office in New York City, where for part of every twenty-
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four hours he was in charge of all cablegrams sent from there to foreign countries.
In 1919, following his war service, he was appointed to his present position at Annapolis, the first person to hold the office there of director of music, organist, and choir master. He has charge of the glee club and of mass singing as well as of the choir. His choir, which is voluntary, consists of men selected with great care from all the classes. They sing at all regular services and on special occasions. The order of service used at the Academy is a modified form of the Episcopal service and always closes with the singing of the first stanza of the hymn, "Eternal father! strong to save," the closing lines of which are the prayer,
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