USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > North Haven > A chronicle of two hundred years of St. John's Church > Part 4
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An interesting item should be made note of at this. point. In 1721 the General Court had decreed that each town, at their annual town meeting in December of each year, should appoint "two or more "Tythingmen" in each parish or society for divine worship within said town ---. "
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In his "Annals" Mr. Thorpe gives a long list of those ap- pointed for the Congregational Church. There is no rec- ord of any being appointed or elected for the Episcopal Church except for four times as follows: David Blakes- lee, Hervey Stiles in 1847; Bennett Todd, Isaac L. Stiles in 1848; Isaac L. Stiles, Jared Pierpont in 1849; and Da- vid Blakeslee, Willis H. Bradley in 1850. Writing many years later, Mr. Lusk says: "Of these six men thus elec- ted three are now living, but they can give no satisfactory reason why tythingmen were elected in those particular years. "
The Rev. Frederick Sill was the next clergyman to accept charge of St. John's. He officiated at North Haven and Northford. His salary at North Haven was $320. He entered upon his duties November 2d, 1851, and remained about a year, but three things occurring in the period make it one of importance.
First, when Mr. Sill came to North Haven he rented a house on what is now Washington Avenue, and thus became the first clergyman to reside here in an individual resi- dence. The house was on the east side of Washington Ave- nue, - the first house north of the junction of Broadway and Washington Avenue.
Second, during this time "the ladies renovated and beautified the church at a cost of $42.94. "
Third, in 1851 the bell was purchased and installed. By the will of Jared Pierpont, who died May 7th, 1849, $100. was left to St. John's for a bell, - the money to be paid to the church after the death of his wife. After the estate had been settled Mrs. Pierpont gave the $100. to the parish. This by itself was not sufficient. The Congrega- tionalists already had a bell which had been purchased with money raised by general contributions from the resi- dents of the town. Ezra Stiles, therefore, started a gener- al subscription, and by this means sufficient money was raised to complete the purchase. The bell weighs 1030 lbs. and it cost $257. It was necessary to remodel the tower to accomodate the bell, and this work was done by Solomon F. Linsley. The list of contributors will be found in the appendix.
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Mr. Sill was followed by The Rev. Alonzo G. Shears, who officiated from 1852 to 1855. Mr. Shears lived in the house vacated by Mr. Sill, but he soon moved to New Hav- en. In 1852 Bishop John Williams made his first visita- tion to the parish and confirmed fourteen persons. The entire class will be listed in the appendix, but it is inter- esting to note that included in this first class confirmed by Bishop Williams, is Marina Blakeslee, the first child to be baptized in the new church.
In 1853 there is a vote: "That the Society's commit- tee be at liberty to build one or two chimneys on the east end of the Church if they can raise money sufficient to do SO. 11
They must have raised some money for in 1854 we learn that "the women procured a new stove for the church, and made other arrangements for a more comfortable church. " In 1854 the white metal communion plate was silver plated.
The real highlight of 1854 was the receipt of the first large bequest. Ebenezer Pierpont, long an active member of the parish, died on March 4th, 1854 at the age of eighty- three years. At a Parish meeting on April 17th, Rufus Pierpont, executor of the estate of Ebenezer Pierpont, re- ported to the parish that Mr. Pierpont had bequeathed to it property in personal and real estate, - a part of which was in money, which money he would pay within six months to any proper agent appointed by the parish to receive it. David Blakeslee was appointed as agent. The total amount of this bequest was $5000.
Up to this time growth had been slow (there were still only 43 families, 48 communicants, 3 Sunday School teach- ers and 20 scholars). Financial matters, especially the question of operating expenses, had been a serious prob- lem, - (perhaps it always is). But the acquisition of this bequest seems to have provided a turning point in parish affairs.
In January 1855 a meeting instructed a committee to "settle with Mr. Shears up to the time of his leaving the town and Parish. " He was succeeded by The Rev. Seth Davis, who came to North Haven from Woodbury. He was
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here in 1855-56. The first part of his time here, he board- ed with H. H. Stiles.
The parishioners were already talking about the need for a "parsonage. " On April 28th, 1855 a special meeting was called to consider this question. At this meeting it was voted: "That a building for a parsonage be erected at a cost not to exceed $1300." A committee of three, Henry H. Stiles, Evelyn Blakeslee, and Jared Pierpont, was elec- ted to superintend the building of the parsonage. Later this committee was instructed to build a fence around the parsonage, and of course a well had to be dug. The loca- tion decided on was just north of the church on land al- ready owned by the parish, - and the building erected was what comprises the main part of the present rectory. The money was not available in the treasury, but had to be raised. From the financial record of the project, it appears that some money had to be borrowed on notes to keep the work going. The record shows total receipts (including money borrowed) $1654.86. Expenditures for building, well and fence totalled $1177.90, interest on notes $16.65, amount of notes repaid $460. ; - making the overall ex- penditure $1654.55 for a net profit of thirty-one cents. Thus the actual building was well under the cost limit es- tablished for the committee. As a special note we might add that Mr. Lusk states that the ladies furnished the blinds. The financial records show that the "Ladies Socie- ty" contributed $30. , and we must assume that the two go together. Upon completion of the "parsonage", Mr. Davis took up his residence there.
In this year the parish also voted: "To appropriate $50. towards the erection of a fence around the old ceme- tery.
We have mentioned that the organ of 1835 served un- til 1856. Ezra Stiles, who was the first organist, was con- tinued in the position until 1861, when he declined. How- ever in 1858, Mr. Stiles being ill, Jane L. Stiles (later Be- vins) substituted for him; - in 1859 Sarah C. Colt (later Stillman), and in 1860-61 Jane Stiles again. In 1856 Ezra Stiles felt the time had come to acquire a new instrument. He suggested to Edwin L. Mansfield, Isaac L. Stiles and
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Henry H. Stiles that a melodeon be purchased. They agreed to the proposition, and for the sum of $200, a melodeon with a double bank of keys and a piano case was purchased, This instrument was placed in the gallery alcove in front of the old organ.
There are a few items of interest that occurred be- tween 1835 and 1856 which we have been unable to con- nect with any definite dates. For instance more complete accompanying for the music than the organ was able to produce. A violin, played by Stephen Gilbert was added. This became a first violin when Willis Bradley started playing second violin. Then Isaac L. Stiles added a bass viol.
From the beginning of the parish there had been no facilities for lighting the church, and no evening services except on Christmas eve. This service was traditional from the beginning of the parish until it was discontinued at some uncertain date, possibly 1864. The light for this service was furnished by candles. Mr. Lusk says the cost in 1830 was $1.00, but gradually increased until in after years the illumination was very fine. This improved il- lumination was due in large measure to the installation of an ingeniously contrived "candle chandelier. " Miss Leila Stiles remembers being told by her mother that this chandelier was conceived and constructed by Dennis Mansfield, one of the town's blacksmiths.
In 1857-58 The Rev. Joseph Scott officiated at St. John's. To him goes the honor of being called as the first full time rector. His salary was $500. and the use of the rectory. He was greatly loved by the people, and there was every promise of real progress for the parish. How- ever in 1858 he was stricken with a very serious illness and forced to resign. He died in 1859.
In April 1857 a committee of three was appointed to make repairs on the church. Apparently this vote was too loosely worded for on August 24th at a special meet- ing called to consider the question, it was voted: "That the committee ----- be empowered to make such repairs on the church as they may deem proper." A fourth mem- ber was also added to the committee.
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Following Mr. Scott in 1858 was the Rev. Cuthbert C. Barclay, who came here from Syracuse, N. Y. Mr. Lusk says of him: "He was an Englishman and his wife was wealthy. In many ways he was quite a remarkable man, an unusual man for a quiet country parish. They had ser- vants to take care of the rectory, while they spent much of their time in New York City. " He remained here until 1860, and the Parish seems to have benefited from his rec- torship.
He suggested the building of a recess chancel, and a vestry room; also the addition of suitable chancel furni- ture. At some time in 1858, the exact date not recorded, a special parish meeting was held "to consider the ex- pediency of adding a recess chancel and vestry room. " This meeting resolved: "That we deem it expedient to add a chancel and vestry room to this church, and that the same shall be built as soon as possible." The meeting further resolved: "That Henry H. Stiles, Samuel Sackett, and Henry S. Loper be a committee to superintend and take entire charge of the erection of said recess chancel and vestry room. "
For some reason the same record as above (in slight- ly different phraseology), and also without exact date, ap- pears again in the records at some time between April 24th and November 16th, 1859. From what records are available it would seem that the major part of the con- struction occurred in 1859 and that some of the furnish- ings were not ready until some time in 1860.
We do not hear much about this addition, nor are there any distinguishing features to identify it, for it was absorbed in another addition ten years later. Nevertheless it was a very important move in the life of the parish, for it marked a big step away from the Congregational influence toward the old Episcopal. This recess chancel was only ten feet deep, and cost $534. With the stained glass chan- cel window it added great beauty to the church. The win- dow itself cost $100. and was given by The Rev. C. C. Bar - clay as a memorial to his mother.
The old high pulpit and the communion table disap- peared. In their place was a low pulpit on the south side
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of the chancel, and a prayer desk, facing the people, on the north side. The chancel rail was in a semi-circular line. The new altar was designed by Mr. Barclay, and construc- ted by Frederick Barnes, I, a cabinet maker living in the North Hill section of the town. A note by Mrs. Mary A. B. Doolittle states that "The Rev. Mr. Barclay's wife ordered the wooden altar, intending to give it to the church, but the Barclays moved to New York City and the people of the church paid the bill. " Two new chairs were installed, one designated as the Bishop's, the other as the Priest's. These two chairs cost $40. Altar and chairs were in use until the Sanctuary was added in 1928. For many years the old altar was used for religious services in the par- ish house and also as a side altar in the church.
The year 1859 was significant for other reasons also. The Rev. Mr. Barclay gave particular attention to the ob- servance of Lent and Easter. It happened that Easter of this year fell on April 24th, just one hundred years after the establishment of St. John's as an organized parish. In observance of anniversary, Mr. Barclay preached a special anniversary sermon, which was published and thus preserved. On the 27th, Mr. Lusk tells us, "the New Haven County Convocation assembled in St. John's Church to cel- ebrate the centennial. " Those present included The Rev. Dr. Hallam of New London, Rev. Dr. Clarke of Waterbury, Rev. John Brainard of Birmingham, Rev. Dr. Beardsley of New Haven, Rev. H. Zell of West Haven, Rev. L. T. Bennett of Guilford, Rev. John Townsend of Wallingford, Rev. G. H. Deshon of Meriden, Rev. Henry Townsend of New Haven, and Rev. Wm. E. Vibbert of Fair Haven. In the afternoon a sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Townsend of Wal- lingford. In the evening a sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Bennett, and an address was made by Dr. Clarke. On the following morning there were full services with the Holy Communion, and the Rev. Dr. Hallam preached a special sermon. In the evening the Rev. Mr. Zell preached a sermon. There was still no system for lighting the church, the lighting for these two evening services was obtained by use of a temporary arrangement of lamps. With these several services due recognition was given to
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the one hundredth anniversary.
During the anniversary year the parish received two interesting bequests. On April 28th Lydia Pierpont, wi- dow of Ebenezer, executed a trust deed whereby the par- ish was to receive $1000. on her death. In 1861 suit was brought against the parish by the man who was conserva- tor over Lydia Pierpont, to have this trust cancelled. The parish appointed two men to defend the suit, and when the case was tried, the verdict was in favor of the parish.
On the night of April 28th is recorded the death of Mrs. Betsy Gilbert. Mrs. Gilbert, formerly Betsy Todd, was the sister of Mrs. Jared Pierpont. She had married James Gilbert of Hamden. He had died several years prior to 1859. In her will she made a bequest of $200. to St. John's.
At a special meeting on November 16th, 1859 the fol- lowing vote was passed: "That persons belonging to the Parish who are desirous of erecting sheds or stalls for their accomodation, be permitted to do so on the eastern portion of the Parsonage garden. "
Mr. Barclay was here for the annual parish meeting in 1860 but left a little later in the year. He was succeed- ed by the Rev. Enoch Huntington, who remained until late 1862 or early 1863.
Mr. Huntington served during the early years of the Civil War. Men were beginning to go from the town into the military service of their country; - and some were being returned, their service ended. Mr. Thorpe says, "Mr. Huntington was one of the most genial of gentlemen and preachers, and was beloved by the whole community. He was a strong Union man, and when by the hard fortune of war any North Haven lad was brought home to be laid in his native soil, no more loyal soul than he was ready to do the poor bit of clay honor. " In support of this there is an entry in the Parish Register under date of March 5th, 1863 noting the funerals of six soldiers, and an ac- companying note by Mr. Huntington that "These funerals were attended by me with a visiting clergyman, the Con- gregational Church having no pastor. " We can be sure that the "visiting clergyman" was a Congregationalist for
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someone else has added that the six were "Congregation- alists and buried by a Congregational clergyman. " In time of war, or any other period of great emotional stress, many people who have felt self-sufficient find the need of some- thing more and begin to turn to a church and God. This is evident at this period in the parish history, for when Mr. Huntington left, the number of families had increased to sixty and the communicants to eighty-four.
In 1863 the Rev. Arthur Mason came and remained un- til about the end of 1866. Mr. Mason had a salary of $500., but in 1864 the parish voted to increase it by $100. He seems to have been a well educated young man of consid- erable ability. His ministry was during the latter part of the Civil War, and the early years of the reconstruction period, a period of great stress and tension. Mr. Lusk speaks of it in the following terms: "a period requiring wisdom, devotion, and courtesy, all of which characterized his ministry to an eminent degree. " He was well liked and during his ministry the parish continued to make advances. In 1864 two confirmation services were held at which a to- tal of fifteen people were confirmed. The benevolent of- ferings increased to $70. in 1865, and the pew rentals to $529.50. During this period the rectory was enlarged. We find that on August 16th, 1863 it was voted: "That Samuel A. Sackett be empowered to build an addition to the rectory as in his judgement he may deem proper. " On December 28th, it was voted: "That the committee borrow of the Trus- tee (Capt. David Blakeslee) money sufficient to meet the expense incurred by building the addition to the rectory." (The term "committee" as used here and in several other places in the records of these years, seems to be a hang- over from the days of the Prudential Committee, and ac- tually refers to the vestry. ) Mr. Sackett's bill was $281.46. The Ladies Sewing Society gave $40. , leaving a balance of $241.46 to be paid by the parish. Mr. Mason gave the par- ish the stone Baptismal Font, still in use, and the first child baptized after it was installed was his daughter Alice. Mr. Mason was very friendly with Ezra Stiles whose son, Ar- thur Mason, was named for him.
The Rev. Stephen P. Simpson was here for only a little
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over a year, 1866-67. To show the outstanding character- istic of his short ministry here, we quote the following: "Mr. Simpson was somewhat 'advanced' in his churchman- ship and inclined to be ritualistic which was something new in this conservative parish and attracted considerable attention but did no harm. Up to this time the gown con- tinued to be worn by the officiating clergyman when preach- ing, but Mr. Simpson emphasized the distinction between the use of the gown and the surplice. This was giving the pre-eminance to the surplice that soon caused the surplice to supplant the gown with its many associations from the organization of the parish in 1759." The parish continued to grow. In 1867 there were sixty-two families, 93 com- municants, and between March 4th, 1866 and April 17th, 1867, twenty persons were baptized. In 1867 the benevolent offerings had increased to $84.50, and the pew rent to $560.
It was in 1866 that we find the first regular vote to pay the organist. The amount was $50. per year, and the organist was Miss Mary Jeanette Johnson, later Mrs. Her- bert P. Smith. (Note: The parish year still ran from Eas- ter Monday to the next Easter Monday, and continued on this basis until 1904).
The Rev. Joseph Edmund Wildman came to St. John's on June 9th, 1867, at a salary of $800. , four days after he was admitted to the Diaconate by Bishop Williams. On March 7th, 1868 he was ordained priest by Bishop Williams in St. John's Church, the first, and only, occasion of the kind in the history of the parish. On this same date eleven per- sons were confirmed. Mr. Wildman resigned June 29th, 1869. The most outstanding feature of Mr. Wildman's short ministry here was the idea of enlarging the church. On March 9th, 1869 a special meeting voted to enlarge and re- pair the church at a cost not to exceed $2000. , and H. H. Stiles, S. A. Sackett, and Bennett Todd were appointed the committee to superintend the enlarging and repairing of the church. From the records that are available, it is ap- parent that there were several unrecorded meetings where votes were passed, and other votes were rescinded. On such was the rescinding of the cost limit of $2000. Word was received that the organ at St. Thomas' Church in New Haven
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was to be sold, and it was decided to buy it. This necessi- tated some change in the building plan. It was decided to install new seats "trimmed with black walnut rails, scrolls, etc. to conform to the more modern style of architecture. " From the last of June to the 1st of October the parish was without a rector, but the remodeling had started, and the work and planning continued until finally results were achieved along the following lines:
"The recess chancel of 1859 was removed and the main building extended twenty-four feet east, the south wall being built out four by fifteen feet beyond the main wall of the church. The recess chancel was built 15 x 18 ft. with a high arch, there being a lower arch on each side. A vestry room, opening into the chancel, was built on the north side, and an organ room with organ and choir fron- tage toward the nave, on the south side; the arch-way on the north side facing the nave, being the library. In the new part of the nave were two stoves and chimneys, one on the north side and one on the south side. " This really meant that the recess chancel of 1859 became part of the nave, and the new recess chancel came from a further ad- dition.
As the project got under way, many things not origi- nally contemplated were added. Some of these things re- quired additional financing, and thus several different sub- scription papers were circulated. The organ was one of these projects, and its history should be mentioned. Origi- nally it was built by Henry Erben of New York for St. Paul's Church in New Haven. It was a fine, expensive organ, sweet toned and excellently made. It had an elaborate case that was 20ft. high, 10 ft. wide and 10 ft. deep. It had two man- uals and nineteen stops. Later it was bought by St. Thom- as' Church, which in the late 1860s decided to replace it with a new organ. The company which was to furnish the new organ agreed to take the old one and sent a represen- tative to North Haven in an attempt to sell the instrument to St. John's "at a great bargain. " He succeeded in his mission and St. John's purchased it for $700. It should al- so be noted here that Miss Johnson received special les- sons on the organ while it was still in St. Thomas' Church,
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and was the first to play it at St. John's. She continued as organist until the autumn of 1870, when she was succeeded by Frederick H. Stiles, with whose playing the first quar- tet choir came into existence. This was composed of Isaac L. Stiles, bass; H. H. Stiles, tenor; Ida Potwin, contralto; and Mary Gilbert, soprano. After a time Frank L. Stiles took the place of Isaac Stiles, and Isaac Mansfield that of H. H. Stiles. Still later Ida Bassett replaced Ida Potwin.
For the first time chandeliers were installed for light- ing the church. The pulpit disappeared, and only a lectern and prayer desk were used. The lectern (which Mr. Lusk says "Mr. Todd designed and had made") was placed on the north side and the prayer desk on the south side fac- ing the people. The ladies purchased and put in all the windows, except the memorial, stained glass chancel win- dow which was retained in the new chancel. They also pro- vided cushions for the seats and new carpet for the floor. A Bible and an Altar Service Book and Prayer Book were presented the Parish by Mrs. Lucius Gilbert of New Haven, and a set of collection plates was given by Mr. Whittlesey, also of New Haven. The church was also repainted and decorated throughout. Mr. Lusk says: "The total cost to the parish, including the organ, was $5,068.12, with the la- dies 'Parish Aid Society' raising and expending $820. in addition. " During the alterations, services were held in Academy Hall. The work was completed and the church reconsecrated by Bishop Williams on October 29th, 1869.
On October 1st, 1869 The Rev. Ephraim L. Whitcombe became Rector of St. John's. His resignation became ef- fective on February 1st, 1877, a term of seven years and four months, the longest term thus far in the history of the Parish of any rector except the part time ministry of The Rev. Samuel Andrews. His ministry here was not spectac- ular, but steady and full of accomplishment. He was ex- tremely well liked, not only by his parishioners, but by the whole community. A few statistics will best point out his success here. In 1870 there were 72 families, 106 commun- icants, 10 Sunday School teachers, 67 scholars. This in- creased to 81 families, 135 communicants, 10 teachers, 80 scholars. During his rectorship there were 40 confir med
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and 35 baptized. The offerings for missions went from $92. Diocesan and $101.72 Domestic to $92. Diocesan and $181.25 Domestic.
Mr. Whitecome's wife died in 1873. In 1875 he mar- ried a second time, and chose for his bride Miss C. E. Bish- op, one of the members of the parish.
In 1871 a mansard roof was put on the rectory at a cost of $350. This was another piece of work accomplished by the ladies "Parish Aid Society. " With the new facili- ties for lighting the church, it was possible to introduce the plan of a Sunday evening service on the first Sunday of each month. The operating expenses increased, due to high- er salaries (rector from $800. to $900. ; organist from $50. to $100. ) Also the care of the kerosene lamps demand- ed more time from the sexton, so the cost for the care of the church and the ringing of the bell increased. For the first time we find note of the rector being given a two weeks' vacation. Another bequest was received, this from Jared Pierpont who died in August 1872. Repairs were necessary in church and rectory. Also it became evident that something was wrong in either materials, workman- ship, or installation of the chandeliers included in the work of 1869, for one of them fell. Two new ones were purchased from Bradley & Hubbard of Meriden, and these gave satis- factory service for many years.
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