USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > North Haven > A chronicle of two hundred years of St. John's Church > Part 7
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and the later installation of the doorway also necessitated the removal of one or two of the front pews, and also the cutting back of the steam pipes that lay along the south wall. The cost of moving the console is listed as $299.67.
The records show many contributions, most of which were anonymous, but there is note of $300. given by the Ladies Guild. No book-keeping entries were made to show the replacement of the full $2000. to the I. L. Stiles fund, and the withdrawal of the full amount, but the result is the same. The building did become a memorial, - not only to Mr. Stiles, but also to Mrs. Pierpont and to Mr. Linsley. The total cost as reported on April 1st, 1912, and including bills still unpaid, was $6560.72.
In 1911 The New Haven Water Company installed their pipe lines through the central part of the town. With the rectory connected to the city system, there was no further need for the well and it was voted to have it filled up. The vestry also voted to install a hydrant between the church and the rectory.
The installation of city water marked an important step forward in the life of the community. In order to pro- vide better fire protection for the central public buildings it seemed advisable to install two other hydrants, one on the west side of the "Green" about opposite the Congrega- tional Church and one opposite the Town Hall. It was to become obvious that hydrants without any hose did not af- ford much protection. Shortly after their installation the Congregational Church caught fire, and without adequate hose it was impossible to prevent its complete destruction.
This led to the purchase by the vestry of a consider- able length of fire hose. Repairs were being made on the horse sheds (then in active use), and at the same time a box was constructed on the exterior, running the full length of the north to south wall of the west shed to contain the new fire hose. The new Center Volunteer Fire Company soon purchased some hose, and that owned by the church provided additional protection in emergency for church and town. As the fire company grew in size, and added apparatus it eventually became unnecessary for the church to maintain this equipment.
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In 1909 a small group of young men, under the leader- ship of their rector, The Rev. Mr. Kenyon of Christ Church West Haven, formed an order called the Knights of Gordon. In 1911 the name was changed to Knights of Washington. It was quite a success locally, and plans were devised for its expansion into a Diocesan or perhaps national organi- zation, the individual units to be known as companies. At first it spread quite rapidly, and in a few years there were several companies in other states. The company here at St. John's was the fifth one organized. Designed primarily for older boys and young men, older men were not exclu- ded, and at St. John's the membership included ages from 18 to 60. It was not a large group, but was quite active for from five to six years. Aside from filling a social need, the company tried to help in other ways, one recorded in- stance being to take care of the bill for the telephone which had been installed in the parish house. The theory of the organization was good, and originally it seemed destined to succeed. Internal dissensions hindered its growth, and led to the withdrawal of several of the New Haven area companies, including St. John's. In 1959 there are only two or three widely separated and unrelated companies still in existence.
The Spanish-American War of 1898 had so little ef- fect on church or town that no mention has been made of it. This was not true of World War I. Many of the town boys went into the armed forces, and quite a few of them were members of St. John's. This fact plus the normal restric- tions of war years made considerable difference in the parish life.
We have listed some activities of The Ladies Guild up to 1905, and the increasing importance of this group to the parish life demands that we do likewise for the next ten year period. One interesting thing we should mention is the establishment of a Clintonville branch of the Guild. Due at least in part to transportation difficulties, the many women in the Clintonville area decided to hold their work meetings at neighborhood homes, and there to work on the same projects as the main group in the center. This group became known as the Clintonville Branch, and records of
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their meetings are included in the "Guild" record book.
In 1907 the Guild again recarpeted the church. It paid for painting and papering in the rectory, also paint- ing and repairing the floors. In October a reception was planned, and given in Memorial Hall, for The Rev. Mr. Lew- is and his family. In November, fifty prayer books and fifty hymnals were purchased and given to the church. In December it was voted to pay to the parish treasurer the sum of $275. with a pledge of $25. more to follow.
The meeting of February 13th, 1908 was well attended, due in part to the efforts of Mr. Walter Potter, to whom was extended a vote of thanks "for his services and use of his team to bring a large load of ladies to the meeting. " It was at this meeting that a vote of thanks was given Mrs. Rufus Pierpont for the gift of the land for the parish house. A strawberry tea and lawn party planned for June 15th had to be held in the court room because of weather conditions. Proceeds $22.60. A project proposed in September "to col- lect a mile of pennies. " This was to be done by use of three foot strips that were made up and passed out, each strip having slots to be filled with pennies.
June 1909; new choir caps for the girls. (Mrs. Pier- pont offered to give the velvet and cut out the hats, if the Guild would make them). October; arranged for the 150th Anniversary Celebration. May 1910; they had the floors at the rectory repaired. In 1911 part of the church was redecorated. In addition to the $200. for the architects bill and $100. cash donation, the records show that the Guild furnished rugs, chairs, gas fixtures, curtains and tables for the parish house.
In November 1911 it was voted to organize a Womens' Auxiliary. This was done within the framework of the Guild. Regular meetings were held under the name of The Guild, and special meetings under the name of The Wom- en's Auxiliary, the minutes of both being recorded in the Guild record book.
November 1912 - Voted to pay bill of $155. for paint- ing outside of rectory and church. December - Voted to pay bill of $71.70 for walk on south side of parish house, and for floor laid in rectory woodshed. 1913 - Painting
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and papering in the rectory.
The meeting on January 8th, 1915 voted to give $200. to the vestry for parish expenses and $200. to apply on the $1000. note. At this same meeting record was made of the Christmas time decoration with greens of graves of twenty-six members of the parish who had died during the past few years. Up to this time the air for the opera- tion of the organ had been supplied by a hand operated pump. In 1915 a fund known as the Organ Motor Fund was started, the object was the eventual purchase and installa- tion of a motor to operate the pump. The organ motor fund grew slowly. After several years it became large enough to pay for the erection of a small addition to the church building, and the installation of the motor.
The preceding list of accomplishments only records the results of all the sales, suppers, teas, entertainments, and other projects that provided the money. It should also be noted that along with the parish work, the minutes of a large majority of the meetings in all these years, make note of work being done on articles to be sent to missions, hospitals and orphanages. The list of the institutions aided would be far too long to include here, but the appeals came from many states throughout the country.
The Guild record book for the period from 1915 to 1926 has not been found. We will, therefore, be unable to give much detail of the activities for this period.
We have mentioned the Clintonville Branch of the Guild. We should also mention that during his ministry in North Haven, Mr. Lewis conducted many services in the Clintonville Chapel, as need arose and opportunity permit- ted. This was particularly true during some of the Lenten seasons, when arrangements were made for a weekly even- ing service. On many occasions the organist and some of the members of St. John's choir, accompanied Mr. Lewis to provide leadership for the musical portion of the service.
During the years prior to 1919 the attendance at the annual parish meeting had decreased to a small number, perhaps seven in 1915-16, to twelve in 1917-18. The seven were the two wardens, clerk, treasurer, and two or three
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vestrymen. The additional five were mostly from young, newly elected members of the parish. At this time, 1919, it was decided to increase the vestry to twelve, and the additional members elected were chosen from those at- tending the parish meeting. Thus a future vestry meeting would be in effect equal to a parish meeting. This did not hold true for long. A change had been made in the Dioces- an Canons and women had become eligible for member- ship in the parish corporation. At this same meeting ten women made application for membership and were elected. One of these ten, Miss Anna L. Goodyear, is actively par- ticipating in the 200th anniversary of the parish in 1959.
In the years 1918-1923 inclusive, death claimed many members of St. John's. We do not have space to list all of them, but four were so outstanding in their leadership in and influence on the life of the parish that mention should be made of them.
Mrs. Harriet (Rufus) Pierpont was active in and an officer of the earliest organization of the parish women. She continued her activity with each succeeding group, and maintained her interest in the parish activities through- out her life.
Mrs. Jennie (Reuben) Harrison was particularly active in the Ladies Guild, and many times served as President.
Herbert P. Smith was a man most interested in the activities of the parish and for many years a member of the vestry and a superintendent of the Sunday School.
Frank L. Stiles, in his younger days a member of the choir, and active in other parish activities, in later years was a vestryman and a trustee for some of the Trust Funds. At his death the parish received another $5000 trust fund.
We should note here that during his ministry in North Haven, The Rev. Mr. Lewis was active not only in parish work, but also in most of the public and civic activities of. the town, and particularly in Masonic work. His numerous activities carried beyond the town into Diocese and state. As a result of this he became widely known, and it was only to be expected that larger and wealthier parishes would be seeking his services. On December 3d, 1923 a special par- ish meeting received and accepted the resignation of Mr.
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Lewis, releasing him that he might accept a call to St. Michael's Parish in Naugatuck.
During the 160 years prior to 1923 the parish had of- ten seen an individual year draw to a close with parish affairs in a troubled and uncertain condition. At times the future had appeared very dark, and continued existence had occasionally been almost impossible. In contrast, De- cember 1923 was a very calm period. A slowly growing parish was united and working. There was a small debt, but not enough to be worrisome. The rector was leaving at the end of the year, but many rectors had left in the past, this should present no major problem. On the whole the outlook for St. John's, as the year came to an end, was pleasant and optimistic.
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1924-1959
This final chapter might well be entitled "History in the Making", for we are all participating in it through our daily activities. The story of most of these years is well within the memory of the majority of the parishioners. For this reason it seems to us unnecessary to record in this present book, the detailed account that has been nec- essary in the proceeding chapters.
At the annual meeting on January 14th, 1924, a Board of Trustees was established. A previous attempt was made in 1923, but the procedure was faulty, and required the further action in 1924. Starting with unallocated trust funds, this board was to eventually take over the adminis- tration of all trust funds, replacing the previous system where an individual trustee was appointed over each fund as it came into existence.
The vestry had given consideration to the question of a new rector, and at a meeting on March 17th, presented the name of The Rev. Arthur Griffin of Canaan, Conn. The parish voted to extend a call to Mr. Griffin, but at a meet- ing on April 12th, the parish learned that Mr. Griffin had declined the call. The name of The Rev. Harry W. Perkins was then placed before the meeting. As the ballot taken resulted in a tie, Mr. Perkins was eliminated from further consideration. Discussion resulted in a decision to con- sider the matter of a new rector at an adjourned meeting to be held on April 28th. At this meeting the vestry had no new names to offer. What had appeared (in Decem- ber) to be only a somewhat routine procedure, was now
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becoming a major problem.
A month later Mr. H. F. Potter reported to the vestry that there was a very highly recommended young priest, teaching two days a week at The Berkeley Divinity School in Middletown. This young man was desirous of entering into parochial work, preferably in a parish of such size that he could fulfill the duties of rector, and also continue two days of teaching at Berkeley. St. John's was a parish in this category, and at a meeting on June 5th it was voted to "extend a call to The Rev. Percy Linwood Urban of 420 West Walnut Lane, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvan- ia, to fill the vacancy as rector of the parish, his salary to be $2000. a year and the use of the rectory." Mr. Urban accepted the call, the starting date to be September 1st, 1924. This was to develop into a rectorship lasting over seventeen years.
An important event during Mr. Urban's rectorship was the rebuilding of the chancel and the addition of the sanctuary. This work was accomplished with the help of memorials, either gifts of money for construction or spe- cific items to be installed, such as altar, reredos, choir stalls, etc. When completed it was truly a memorial chan- cel.
Another building addition was made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Edwin S. Mansfield. This applied to the parish house, and resulted in the enlarging and re- modeling of the kitchen. This change provided adequate facilities for taking care of the customary Shrove Tues- day hash and pancake supper, the Lenten suppers, other small suppers and sales, etc. The growth of the commu- nity and parish, and the expanding use of the automobile as a quick and convenient method of transportation, had led to larger attendance at sales and suppers, particular- ly the Christmas sale, which could no longer successfully be handled in the Parish House. It became necessary to hold this event elsewhere, and for many years the Guild rented the larger space available at the Congregational Church. Still later when the sale came to be known as a bazaar or fair, it was returned to Memorial Hall, and then to the Firehouse auditorium.
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About 1926 a new organization came into being. The Girls Friendly Society at St. John's replaced the discon- tinued Junior Auxiliary. The Guild records make note of the assistance given by this new group of young girls and teen-agers at the time of the Christmas sale, and at sup- pers. The parish records make note of its help in other fields and many remember well that the long continued success was due to the personality and love of Mrs. Per- cy L. Urban.
On May 27th, 1929 a group of eighteen of the younger women of the parish met to discuss the possibility of form- ing an organization to meet in the evening. Several of the women were working during the day and could not attend regular Guild meetings, and others were from the young- er married group who also found afternoon meetings dif- ficult. A committee discussed the plan with the rector, and after conferences that included the rector, the Guild, and the committee, it was agreed that the organization should be established. Meetings were held in June, but it was not until the meeting on July 8th that the name "Even- ing Auxiliary" was adopted. The Guild remained the main working group with the new organization assisting. The younger women took over the fancy work table at the Christmas sale, helped at other things, and ran occasional suppers or sales of their own. With these two groups the women could choose the one where they could be most ac- tive. Some retained membership in both organizations. It was to be several years before the Guild, weakened in active membership by death and the passage of time, be- came the secondary organization with the Evening Auxil- iary becoming the chief working group.
It is interesting to note that the Guild records no long- er have reference to work being done for the hospitals and missions. What references are made speak only of money contributions.
During the period from September 1924 to March 1932, death claimed many of the parish, some had a great influence on, or active leadership in the parish life. It seems most proper to mention:
Mary Jeannette Smith, active in the Ladies Guild, and
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organist.
Mary Dickerman Stiles, a large contributor to the Memorial Chancel and the donor of the Stiles Hospital Fund.
Mary A. B. Doolittle, an active worker in and gen- erous contributor to the parish.
Hubert F. Potter, Vestryman for many years, Jun- ior Warden 1895 to 1900, Senior Warden from 1900 till his death in 1931.
Hobart Blakeslee, Vestryman for many years, Jun- ior Warden from 1901 till his death in 1925.
Edwin H. Pardee, many years service as Vestryman, Clerk and Junior Warden. One of our largest trust funds was established by him.
Anson B. Clinton, Organist, Vestryman, Clerk, Junior Warden.
Frederick H. Stiles, Organist.
We have said little about the music for most of the period from 1870 on. In October 1870 Mr. Stiles, at the age of eighteen, became the organist at St. John's. He played until April 1874 when he transferred to another church and Mr. Clinton became the organist at St. John's. For ten of the sixty-two years (1870-1932) we have found no definite record, but for forty-four of the remaining fif- ty-two years, one or the other of these two men was the organist at St. John's. In addition Mr. Clinton served for many years on the music committee, a committee not fa- vored by many clergy, but which nevertheless did much to help maintain the musical reputation of the parish for many years. During these sixty-two years the choir took various forms, - quartet, double quartet, mixed chorus, boy choir and mixed volunteer choir. In several years the volunteer choir was augmented by a paid quartet of soloists, and fre- quently the organist expended more for the soloists than the entire amount appropriated by the parish for music. Under the influence of these two men the ability of the choir and the quality of the music far exceeded that found in most churches of comparative size, and equaled that found in many larger churches.
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The music for the Christmas and Easter services was quite elaborate. Frequently a complete cantata was presented for the evening service. They carried on in a most effective manner the traditions already established by Titus Frost, Zophar Jacobs, and Ezra Stiles.
These men were both members of St. John's, and con- tinually strove for higher standards of music for the church. They did more than that, for, working in close cooperation, they were the dominating influence on the musical life of the community. In addition to St. John's, there were many years when one or the other was organist at the Congre- gational Church. During these sixty-two years many pub- lic musical events took place (concerts, minstrel shows, light operas, etc. ) for the benefit of church or some civic organization, or as part of a public celebration. Few of these events were produced without the active participa- tion of one or both of these men. Their passing was a loss for both church and community.
The 1930s were the years of the great financial de- pression in the country.
This general financial crisis had an effect on St. John's, as it had on all organizations. There were days when coal bills could not be paid, when there were nofunds to pay the rector's salary, and times when the threat of closing the doors of St. John's became very real. In spite of the "hard times, " sufficient money came into St. John's treasury to permit the continuance of the regular program, and allowed for a little expansion. This continuance was due largely to the benefactions of certain individuals who expressed their gratitude for personal prosperity during the times of hardship with generous offerings.
In 1933 a Young Peoples Fellowship group was formed under the supervision of two of the married couples of the parish. This developed into a very active group. In 1935 or 1936 this work received additional assistance, through the help of some of the Berkeley students. This aid was made possible due to the fact that in 1928 Berkeley Divin- ity School was transferred from Middletown to New Haven. As time passed, the closer geographical connection was in some degree responsible for the increasing demands
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of the School on our rector's time, but it also made pos- sible an increasing spirit of cooperation between the two units. This cooperation has grown until it occupies an important place in the life of St. John's.
In 1934 the parish celebrated its 175th anniversary. There were special services, participated in by the bish- op, former clergy, and former members of the choir. There was also an exhibition of historical parish documents and pictures, and miscellaneous articles at some time connec- ted with the parish life; a reception, a pageant, and the raising of an anniversary fund.
In 1939 a social organization was formed in the par- ish that was known as the 1939ers. The figure was adop- ted as the name not only because of the date, but also be- cause 19 and 39 were the age limits of the group. Other notable events of 1939 included the resignation of Mr. William P. Leete as treasurer, after thirty-five years' service, and his election to the position of Warden which he continued to hold until his death; the arising of the question of organ repair; and the problem of heating. A drive was started to raise funds for the last two items. The organ project developed in 1940 into a contract to change the organ action from pneumatic to electric with necessary repairs being made at the same time. The heat- ing question was more involved and resulted in a survey and plans by a heating engineer. Authorization for the signing of a contract for this work was not voted until the annual meeting in 1941.
In 1941 the increasing demands on the rector's time by Berkeley reached the point where they were request- ing his full time services. In August 1941, after due con- sideration, the rector presented his resignation to the parish, to become effective September 30th. The resigna- tion was most regretfully accepted, and a committee pre- sented to a special parish meeting the name of The Rev. Philip P. Kierstead. The meeting unanimously voted to extend a call to The Rev. Mr. Kierstead to become rector of St. John's at a salary of $2000. and the use of the rec- tory.
It was reported to the annual meeting in January 1942
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that Mr. Kierstead had accepted the call to St. John's. A committee was appointed to see that the rectory was re- decorated and put in good condition prior to his arrival.
To insure continuity of some phases of the parish life, we are making note of the following:
The Ladies Guild lost many active members, some by death, others moved elsewhere, and a few were forced into retirement by advancing years. As a result of this the Evening Auxiliary, now known as the Evening Guild, gradually became the main working group. By the later 1930s it was the Evening Guild that was planning and run- ning the Christmas sale, and much of the other activity, with the Afternoon Guild assisting.
In the musical life a change was necessitated by the death of Mr. Stiles in 1932. A short time later Mr. David A. North became the organist, and remained for five or six years. After a vacation of two years, Mr. North again accepted the position in 1941, and remained for fifteen years. The association of choir and director was an en- viable one and Mr. North's resignation was received with great regret.
In 1939 and 1940 there was some discussion of plans to bring the vestry to a more active participation in the parish work. Mr. Urban left before these plans could be established. The same result was accomplished in 1943 when the parish voted to adopt a rotating system for the vestry, whereby four new members were elected each year, to replace four who were retiring. This kept a con- stant vestry of twelve members. In 1946 women were elected to the vestry for the first time in the history of the parish. The first two were Miss Anna L. Goodyear and Miss Florence Blakeslee. Since that date women have been represented.
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