USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > A narrative and documentary history of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church (formerly St. James) of Waterbury, Connecticut > Part 5
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He spoke no evil of any man to his fellow men, but with the wrong-doer himself he never held back or hesitated when he thought good could be done. Crossing the Green one day, he met a workman whom he knew, partially intoxicated. He told the man he was sorry to see him in that state and pointed out to him the injury he was inflicting on himself; among other things he warned him that he was destroying his strength and power to labor for his family. This touched the man's pride, and he replied, "I can whip you, Dr. Clark, and if you will step back on the Green I will do it." "No," said Dr. Clark; "when you are sober you are a much stronger man than I am, but if you go on drinking, or even now, if you had a glass or two more, I shouldn't be afraid of you." This argument seemed to reach him, and the result was that he went directly with the clergyman to the
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THE NEW ERA.
secretary of the local temperance society, and there signed the pledge.
It is probably safe to say that no man in this town was so well known or so universally esteemed. Although St. John's was only one of eight or ten churches in the town, yet, on the afternoon of his funeral, business was suspended as by common consent, and the whole population poured forth to do honor to his memory. It was such a spontaneous tribute to a life of goodness as gives one renewed confidence in his fellow men.
Dr. Clark was a man of warm domestic attachments, to whom a home meant much. Although thrice married during his pas- torate, he lived a widower for more than twenty-seven years. On April 28, 1839, he married Mary Thankful, youngest daughter of James Scovill, Esq., and granddaughter of the Rev. James Scovil. She died May 2, 1842. On September 12, 1847, he mar- · ried Mary DeForest, daughter of Gad Taylor of New York. She died July 13, 1848, and on November 16, 1870, he married Anna Galpin, daughter of William R. Hitchcock, long an officer of St. John's parish. She survives him. He left but one child, a daugh- ter of his first wife, now Mrs. Ambrose I. Upson. During the long years of his widowerhood his house and home were under the care of his maiden sister, Miss Samantha Clark, who came to him after the death of his second wife and devoted the remainder of her life to the care of her brother. She died at Westhampton, her old home in May, 1886. In 1849, the parsonage on Leaven- worth Street was bought for Dr. Clark and he lived there until his death, January 26, 1877.
At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestry, held in the church January 27th, 1877, it was reported that the funeral services of the late Rector, Rev. Jacob Lyman Clark, D. D., were appointed to take place in the church Monday, Jan. 29th, 1877, at two o'clock, P. M., at which time it was expected that the Bishop would be present and preach a memorial discourse. The following named clergy having been selected by the family acted as pall bearers.
Rev. A. T. Twing, Rev. S. D. Dennison, D. D., Rev, E. E. Beardsley, D. D., Rev. N. S. Richardson, D. D., Rev. W. E. Vibbert, Rev. J. L. Bennett, D. D., Rev. F. J. Hawley, D. D., Rev. J. L. Scott; and the following members of the parish., Messrs. S. M. Buckingham, I. E. Newton, F. J. Kingsbury, H. V. Welton, C. B. Merriman and E. A. Pierpont.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
By consent of the family it was decided that the Wardens and Vestry should convey the remains of the deceased to the chancel Monday noon, there to be viewed by all those who might wish to avail themselves of the privilege.
The following named proposals relating to the preparations for the funeral were suggested and adopted.
First. That N. Dikeman have charge of draping the chancel.
Second. That N. J. Welton engage carriages and select ushers to aid at the church.
Third. That C. B. Merriman provide a lunch at the Scovill House for the clergy.
Fourth. That Henry Merriman assist at the house during the day.
Rev. J. F. Bingham reported having issued postal cards to the clergy of the Diocese and others announcing the time of the funeral.
Adjourned to Sunday evening Jan. 28, 1877.
A true copy of the minutes. Attest J. W. Smith, Clerk.
At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestry of St. John's, Waterbury, the following resolutions were adopted:
Jan. 29, 1877.
Whereas: It has pleased Our Heavenly Father in the exercise of that infinite wisdom which doeth all things well to take from a life of toil and trial to a Heaven of peace and rest His faithful servant the Reverend Jacob Lyman Clark, D. D., for almost forty years the revered and beloved rector of this parish.
Resolved: That while we deeply mourn the loss, the greatness of which we are yet in the first moments unable to measure, we desire humbly to express our devout gratitude to the great Head of the Church that we have been so long permitted to enjoy the ministrations and to profit by the labors and the example of this eminent mnister of Christ, whose record like that of his 'Mas- ter' is that he went about doing good.
That while the obligations which we owe to him cannot be set forth in a few brief phrases, we nevertheless desire to place upon record our grateful acknowledgments that under God this parish is what it is through his manifold labors.
That he has spared himself no labor for our sakes, but that summer's heat and winter's cold have been to him as naught when duty called.
That in times of adversity he has not looked back nor faltered, nor in our days of prosperity has he suffered us to be led into vanity, but by patient continuance in all well doing he ever sought for glory and immortality, eternal life.
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THE NEW ERA.
That his life has been an open book known and read of all men, for good.
That his name has been in all the churches a synonym of all that is faithful in labor, wise in counsel, just, true, that maketh for peace and righteousness and is of good report.
That his ear was ever open to the cry of the oppressed and his hand was swift to minister to the needy; from no man was his face turned. He ever distributed to the necessities of the saints and was given to hospitality. He was the guide and friend of youth, the counsellor and comforter of age. He has fought a good fight; he has finished his course; he has kept the faith.
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things unto men.
Resolved: That we shall most honor his memory by heeding his counsels and faithfully striving to follow his example.
Resolved: that we tender to his bereaved family such consolation as our sincere sympathy in their affliction may afford.
Resolved: That these resolutions be entered on our records and that copies be furnished for publication in the Church Journal, The Churchman and the newspapers of this city.
Attest,
E. D. Steele, Clerk pro teni.
At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestry of St. John's Parish held in the church Sunday, Feb. 4th, 1877, it was
Voted: That the salary and house rent of the late Dr. Clark be continued to his family until Easter, 1877.
Voted: That a committee of four do procure such historical sketches as they may be able to obtain, and report the same to the Rev. J. F. Bingham, D. D., that it may be compiled in pamphlet form together wth the Bishop's memorial discourse and other matters of interest to the parish, this com- mittee having power to publish the same.
The following named were appointed:
REV. J. F. BINGHAM, D. D. REV. MR. RUSSELL
F. J. KINGSBURY
N. DIKEMAN.
Voted: That Rev. Doctor Bingham and S. M. Buckingham procure assistance for Doctor Bingham until Easter, 1877, at a cost not exceeding $100.
Adjourned. A true copy of the minutes. Attest, J. W. SMITH, Clerk.
At a meeting of the parish held April 14, 1884, the committee to provide a suitable memorial of the late Rev. Dr. Clark, appointed Easter Monday,
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HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
April 2, 1877, reported that soon after their appointment they caused a granite monument with a suitable inscription thereon to be placed at the grave of Dr. Clark in the Riverside Cemetery at a cost of $550, which was defrayed by subscriptions of the late parishioners of Dr. Clark now belonging to the parishes of St. John's and Trinity; that on the 12th of the present month a tablet of brass mounted on marble and placed in the nave on the south (since changed to north) side of the chancel arch was unveiled with appropriate services. The cost of the tablet was $325, which was defrayed by subscriptions from the Sunday School and members of St. John's Parish.
Soon after Dr. Clark came to the parish, signs of growth began to appear, owing doubtless in part to the increase of population, but also, in part to his energetic methods. On May 19, 1838, it was voted to finish off the gallery of the church into slips. On January 12, 1839, it was voted to make an addition on each side of the church, provided the money could be raised by subscription. The addition was made, consisting of a wing, one story high, and about twelve feet wide, on each side, giving two additional rows of pews, and two aisles, the entire length of the church. The front of the church was also built out on a line with the front of the steeple. The appearance of the edifice, with these wings, was not architecturally elegant, and they were spoken of as "cow- sheds" and "bowling-alleys" by the irreverent; nevertheless, they served a good purpose for a number of years.
On February 23, 1846, it was voted that it was "expedient to build a new church, if the funds can be raised by subscription." A building committee was appointed, but nothing more appears on the record until March 8, 1847, when a committee was appointed to sell the old building. But in the meantime much had been done. It had been decided that the new church be of stone, and a new site was selected and purchased, a short distance from the old one and directly west of it. The dimensions of the whole edifice, including the chapel, were 154 by 76 feet, and the spire was 186 feet in height. The interior was richly finished in black walnut, and the chancel window bore a colossal figure of St. John, with a book resting upon his lap and a pen in his hand, with the emblematic eagle by his side. At the date of its erection, the church was certainly surpassed by few, if any, in the State. It was the result of great liberality and of much self-denial on the
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مجــ مسرمن
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, 1839.
THE NEW ERA.
part of the society, and its completion was an occasion of just pride. It was consecrated by Bishop Brownell, January 12, 1848 .* Its cost was $35,060.43.
The old church was sold to the Roman Catholic parish and removed to East Main street. It was used first for a church and afterwards for a school until 1888 when it was taken down to make room for the block built by the parish of the Immaculate Conception. Its timbers showed no signs of decay, and it might have stood for another century.
On January 18, 1857, a violent snow storm occurred, accom- panied by a heavy gale of wind, and the steeple of St. John's church was blown down, crushing a portion of the south tower in its fall. The steeple was a mass of broken sticks, but the bell, which weighed 3800 pounds, fell on them in such a way that it was uninjured.t
The destruction of this steeple was a heavy loss to the parish. It was rebuilt in 1859 of wood as before, but in a very solid and substantial manner, at a cost of over $5000.
In the early morning of December 24, 1868, the church was totally destroyed by fire. The other religious societies immedi- ately proffered a partial use of their buildings, and the Christmas services were held in the Second Congregational church and a parish meeting in the Methodist church. Sunday evening ser- vices were held for some time in the First Congregational church, and the Sunday morning service and the Sunday school in Mili- tary hall, the third story of the store on Exchange Place and Bank Street. Immediate measures were taken for the erection
*At the time that the site for the new church was purchased it was a flag swamp, through which ran a brook. In very high floods the water backed up into this lot from the river by way of the "Cove." The tradition is that in the early settlement of the town quite a stream from the river found its way through that hollow and ran across the green and into "Great brook" below. The West District School house was nearly opposite this lot and the children picked flag pods in summer and skated in winter on this swampy ground with much satisfaction. Just at the corner was a place to water horses and wash wagons, and Esquire Ezra Bronson had at some time had tubs set there for making lye, and the place was still known as "'Squire Ezra's potash." Cyrus Clark's law office stood about where the drive way is on the South side of the church. Later this was moved back into the lot a little south of the brook, some additions were made to it and it was used at various times as a manufactory of buttons, window springs, starch, hats, and perhaps other articles.
tIn this gale the spire of the Second Congregational Church was also blown down crushing part of an adjoining house. .
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HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
of a temporary chapel on ground furnished by S. M. Buckingham, senior warden, at the corner of West Main and State Streets, and the first service was held there March 29, 1869. It was a com- fortable building, measuring 100 feet by 40, with seats for 629 persons. It cost about $6500. and was the home of the parish for nearly four years.
While the temporary chapel was being prepared another com- mittee took in hand the subject of a new church, and subscription papers were at once circulated. About $35,000 were received for insurance, but it was clear that this would not go far towards a new church. Between the building of the two churches, our Civil War had taken place, and, at the date now referred to, values had not yet assumed their normal proportions. The style of living, the demands of the public, the whole structure of society in short, had been changed. The new church, relatively, was not much in advance of the old one, but it probably cost four times as much.
The first vote was to raise $100,000, but it was soon found that this would not do what was wanted, and the amount was increased to $125,000. The following summary shows the cost and value of the building and the land:
Contract (and extras) for mason and joiner work,
$117,855
Windows,
3,532
Heating apparatus and plumbing,
6,536
Gas fixtures,
1,500
Architect's fees,
4,969
Decoration,
2,700
Oiling,
550
Carpets, cushions, altar furniture and sundries,
7,083
$144,725
Special gifts (estimated):
Two organs,
$12,000
Chimes, clock and bust
10,000
Stained windows,
5,000
27,000
$171,725
The value of the ground and of the foundations, which were very heavy (the old foundations having been added to but not
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, 1848.
THE NEW ERA.
disturbed), makes the total value about $200,000. To this can now be added the rectory and lot, valued at $25,000, and the parish house* and the State Street lot, the value of which is about $27,000.
The founding of the second parish, although not accomplished until some years later, was substantially decided upon in con- nection with the building of the new church. What is to be said in regard to it will be found in the chapter on Trinity Parish.
In this connection it seems appropriate to insert the following letter from a member of the parish, addressed to the Building Committee.
"It would seem as if the proper course for St. John's Parish to take in regard to a new church depended very materially upon the answer which is to be given to a question that has as yet received no very careful consideration by the Parish.
This question is, Is it desirable to have a second parish in Waterbury?
Some members of the parish have expressed themselves as of the opinion that a second parish is not only desirable but absolutely essential to the growth of the Church. There may be others who do not entertain the same opinion, but so far as I have heard any opinion expressed it has seemed to lean towards a new parish.
Whatever the real opinion of the parish may be is it not highly important that the opinion should be ascertained and the whole subject carefully weighed and definitely decided upon before proceeding on a course of action so im- portant as building a new church-involving an outlay of considerably more than $100,000 and fixing the condition of the parish for some years to come.
So far as I understand the matter at present we seem to be admitting that a new parish is desirable while we are at the same time managing affairs as if there were to be none. For,
First. Is it not as certain as anything well can be that if we raise and expend from $100,000 to $130,000 in a new church it will be many years, at
*At the Spring meeting of this parish in 1890, the following vote was passed:
Voted, That the rector of the parish and the board of managers of the church home and charity foundation fund, be, and are hereby authorized to erect a church home building on the lands of the parish in the rear of the lot west of the church, substantially in accord- ance with the plans herewith submitted, said building to be erected under the provisions and for the purposes set forth in the gift to the parish by the heirs of the late Samuel W. Hall, as appears on records of the parish; the expense of said building to be paid from said fund.
The corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies, July 30, 1890. A copper box, with church records, municipal documents, coins, etc., was placed in it. The building is 411x66 feet besides the wing occupied by the sexton. There are three floors, one of which is a hall with a stage and dressing rooms. One floor is used by the Young Men's Guild, and has a billiard table. Most of the minor meetings of the parish organizations, choir rehearsals, etc., are held in this building.
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5
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
least one generation, before we can hope to build another church which will compare so favorably with the first one as to attract a new audience or draw the necessary support from the paying members of the older parish.
Second. If we do not think it wise immediately to have a second parish we ought to build a new church with that fact fully in view and so lay our plans as to meet all the requirements of the case. The first of these is that the new church should be considerably larger than, or at least contain con- siderably more seat room than, the old one. When that church was built the population of Waterbury was less than five thousand. It is now more than fifteen thousand, but the seat room for churchmen is no greater in the town now than it was then-except the chapel at Waterville which in no way sup- plies the increased demand.
This lack of growth is by no means creditable to the church here, but we cannot grow without room and for the last fifteen years there have been no spare seats. If therefore we are to grow, and not to grow is disgraceful and wrong, and if we are to have but one parish, we must have a larger church. I know the objections to a larger church are many and weighty, but what else can we do-if we cease to grow we begin to die.
On the other hand if we are to have a new parish our new church should be built smaller than the old one, and relatively at a less expense, that is, at a less expense than one of the same size as the old one would cost now.
Our new church should be built, then, for six hundred to eight hundred sittings; it should have no side galleries; it could or should therefore be built much lower than the plans now under discussion, would require a lower spire and could be made in all respects more elegant and complete.
It would be far easier to heat and better to speak in. For a church of that size the present foundations would be ample for chancel, chapel and all necessary conveniences.
Suppose now we raise $100,000, and build a church which we can complete and furnish for $80,000-say for church $65,000-organ and furniture $15,000. Then take the remaining $20,000, put it with the $30,000 insurance money, put it on interest for five years and we have nearly enough to build a second church.
When our first church is fairly completed, say in three or four years, initiatory steps should be taken for the second. This should be as large as the first and in all respects equal to it, and with experience gained in building the first the second ought to be superior to it, and would be.
These two would give say sixteen hundred sittings, representing an increase of not less than six hundred to seven hundred church goers over the . present number and giving us two active, healthy and friendly parishes. And these two with a generous and Christian rivalry in good works ought to in five years more to give us the material for a third equally numerous and vigorous.
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0
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH AFTER THE HIGH WIND, JANUARY 19, 1857.
THE NEW ERA.
It is the opinion of sound judges that had our old church been two-thirds its size we should long since have had two active prosperous parishes."
Memorandum. The foregoing was submitted to the building committee and other leading members of the parish. Its views were approved and the consequence was the size of the church was reduced from the original plan more than one hundred sittings; but the expense of the reduced plan was greater than it was supposed the other would be, so that it is extremely doubtful if another parish can be established in ten years.
September, 1871.
The church was consecrated by Bishop Williams on St. John's day, June 24, 1873. As already indicated it is unusually rich in memorial windows and other memorials, gifts for the most part of members of the parish. The most valuable of these is the great organ, built by Hook & Hastings at a cost of $10,000. It was the gift of Abram Ives. Next is the marble bust of Bishop Brownell, by Ives, the sculptor, surmounted by a richly carved Gothic canopy of Caen stone, the whole structure being about twenty-five feet in height. It bears the following inscriptions:
The Right Reverend Thomas Church Brownell, D. D., S. T. D. Born in Westport, Mass., October XIX, MDCCLXXIX. Consecrated third Bishop of Connecticut, October XXVII, MDCCCXIX. Founder and first President of Trinity College. Presiding Bishop in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. Died in Hartford, Jan. XIII, MDCCCLXV, in the LXXXVI year of his age and the XLVI year of his episcopate.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
Erected by Gordon W. Burnham, A. D., MDCCCLXXI.
In memory of Gordon W. Burnham, who was born in Hampton, Conn., . Mar. 20, 1803, and died in N. Y. city Mar. 18, 1885. He was at one time a vestryman of St. John's Church, and with his wife Louisa, a daughter of the Rt. Rev. T. C. Brownell, D. D., S. T. D., bestowed liberal gifts upon the church.
"Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek to do thee good."
This canopy was first erected over the altar, but was subse- quently removed to the south wall of the chancel arch. The expense of this change was borne by Mr. Burnham's sons, and the inscription to his memory was added by direction of the parish at that time.
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5
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
Under the north gallery is a black marble tablet with this inscription in gilt letters:
In memory of the Rev. James Scovil, born in Waterbury, Jan. 27, 1732, graduated at Yale College, 1757. Ordained by Zachary Pearce, Lord Bishop of Rochester, at St. Peter's (Westminster Abbey), England, April 1, 1759. Missionary of the Ven. S. P. G. to this parish (then St. James), and its first resident rector, 1759-1788. Died at Kingston, N. B., Dec. 19, 1808.
Also of James Scovill, Esquire, his son. For many years an officer of this parish. Born March 19, 1764, Died November 26, 1825.
This tablet is placed here by their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 1885.
The Bible and Prayer Book which were presented to the Rev. James Scovil by Ven. S. P. G. at the time of his ordination in Westminster Abbey in 1759, and were used in this church about 60 years and then by a vote of the parish presented to an Epis- copal Church in Waterbury, Ohio, were returned here and repose in an oaken case, with a suitable inscription, the gift of Mrs. Frederick J. Kingsbury, a great-granddaughter of Mr. Scovil.
The chimes, consisting of ten bells, were the gift of G. W. Burnham, and the clock was the gift of Mrs. Burnham.
St. John's chimes were received in December, 1871. The parish meet- ing accepting it, etc., Dec. 31. The paper says the bells arrived the 19th. They are from E. A. & G. R. Meneely of West Troy, N. Y.
E, 2520 lbs. This chime of ten bells was presented to St. John's Protes- tant Episcopal Church of Waterbury, Connecticut, by Gordon W. Burnham of New York, A. D. MDCCCLXXI. Rev. Jacob L. Clark, D.D., rector. Rev. Frances T. Russell, associate rector. S. M. Buckingham and I. E. New- ton, Wardens. Vestrymen, S. W. Hale, T. I. Driggs, W. Lamb, George Pritch- ard, B. P. Chatfield, J. W. Smith, J. S. Elton, H. V. Welton, R. E. Hitchcock, N. Dikeman, F. J. Kingsbury, C. B. Merriman, George F. Perry, N. J. Welton. N. Dikeman, Treasurer, R. E. Hitchcock, clerk. Henry Dudley, Architect. B. P. and H. K. Chatfield, Contractors. "My mouth shall show forth thy praise.''
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