USA > Connecticut > New London County > New London > Annals of St. James's Church, New London : for one hundred and fifty years > Part 8
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We would pass over this period lightly ; but as it covers more than a quarter of the whole existence of the Church, and contains within it many events of the deepest interest and importance to its welfare, it cannot be suffered to pass
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in entire silence. He entered upon his duties here, January I, 1835, in the peculiarly awkward and trying situation of a young man in his native place, to minister to many, to whom, from early childhood, he had been wont to look up with respect. He found the parish in by no means a pros- perous condition.
During the latter years of Dr. Judd's rectorship, it had languished for causes which have been stated, and the min- istry of his immediate predecessor was too short to effect much improvement. He has not much to say of himself, but that he entered upon his duties with a resolute and will- ing mind, and his efforts proved not altogether vain. The congregation adjusted itself to its new relation with a facil- ity and indulgence that could not have been anticipated, and from them soon came forth some who proved efficient fellow- helpers of the truth. Before the year had ended, the want of better accommodation for the Sunday-school, as well as for holding occasional services, began to be felt, and the pro- ject was started of erecting a building for the purpose. This plan was soon after abandoned, and instead of it, it was determined, May 18, 1835, to enlarge the church, and to provide a room for the contemplated purposes in the front part of the church itself, as well as a vestry-room in the rear of the pulpit. This plan was carried into effect, and was temporarily useful till better things came in its stead. Neither pastor nor people knew much of Church architecture, and, indeed, in that day the interest on the subject which now prevails in the Church had not arisen. The building was put into the hands of a New England carpenter, who had no higher conceptions of a church than those which gen- erally prevailed in the Christian bodies of the country. In his hands it underwent as complete a transformation as can well be conceived. Not a vestige of aught that was Churchly in the edifice was left,-indeed, little of it remained but the
5
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stanch old oaken frame, and a part of the outside covering. Its appearance within and without seemed to be a sort of " prophecy going before" of the fate to which it was destined ; yet, in its new guise, it answered a useful pur- pose. It was a place to grow in, and in it men were edu- cated to those higher ideas of a house of God which finally took shape in their present noble sanctuary.
While these extensive alterations in the building were being effected, the use of their church was courteously ten- dered by the Second Congregational Society, and the services of the Church continued to be held there till the work was completed,-a kindly reciprocation of a like favor con- ferred on our part upon them in 1780, during the revolu- tionary war. A similar courtesy was extended from the First Congregational Society in the use of their conference house, and of the church itself for a Christmas service at the time when the church was being enlarged in 1836, which are both gratefully acknowledged. The following year, soon after the congregation was reestablished in its own place of worship, the parish was much gratified by a generous gift of a handsome set of communion vessels of silver, from the Hon. Thomas L. Winthrop, of Boston, late Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, as a token of kindly interest in his native parish and the home of his forefathers, the descendants of the first founder, who were never more than semi-Puritans, and for several generations had been faithful adherents of the Church. This communion service is still in use, and will, it is hoped, continue to be used through successive gen- erations. To this gift of Mr. Winthrop was added that of a christening basin by his sister, Mrs. Mary Parkin.
In the renovation of the old church, the bell was sold, and a larger substituted in its place. It was purchased by a congregation in the adjoining town of Waterford, and still serves the purpose of calling the Jordan Baptist Society
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to its worship. In 1841, it was discovered that, through in- advertence, the provisions of the law in regard to ecclesias- tical societies had been so long disregarded, that the number of persons legally members of the society was much reduced, and that the parish itself, as to its legal existence, was verg- ing on extinction ; while, at the same time, the actual con- gregation was growing by continual accessions. To obviate the difficulty, the parish was reorganized according to the provisions of the law, and has since continued its legal being by a careful observance of the statutory directions of the State.
For several years after this date, the parish furnished little material to add to our history. It was a period of quiet and peaceful growth. The parish was at unity with itself. New men -- men of energy and of good sense-arose to take part in its affairs. Additions were frequently made to it of those who, if they were not influenced by any deep conviction of its Divine claims, were drawn by a perception of the practical advantages of the Episcopal system, and a discovery of the fitness and beauty of its forms. The par- ish was becoming strong, more conscious of its own strength, and more generally estimated as a power in society.
March 4, 1842. Died, Ichabod Pease, aged eighty-six ; a man of color-in many respects, a remarkable man- whose modest worth, quiet dignity, and consistent goodness, secured for him the unfeigned respect of all men, of what- ever complexion or form of faith. Though a slave in early life, and never minding high things, he was, in the true sense, a Christian gentleman. At his death, the most eminent citizens sought the privilege of acting as bearers at his funeral. He was carried to the church, and the rector preached from the text, " The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor " (Prov. xii. 16). The sermon was printed, and his good example has been long remembered.
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In the autumn of 1846, New London was startled by a terrible occurrence in its neighborhood, which filled the community with consternation and sorrow. The steamer " Atlantic," on the evening of November 26th, the day pre- ceding Thanksgiving, just starting on her way to New York, was overtaken by a violent storm, and driven upon the west end of Fisher's Island, where she stranded and went to pieces. Many lives were lost. Seven persons, five of whom were members of an English family, one a surgeon of the navy, one a lieutenant in the army, were brought to New London, and buried with the services of the Church.
In this same year, the personal considerations which had chiefly induced the rector to accept the situation, ceased to operate; and it became a grave and perplexing question with him whether he should adhere to his original purpose of resigning on the ceasing of those considerations, or lay it aside. The general principles which had influenced his judgment remained unaltered, but the circumstances had greatly changed. The period had far exceeded his expecta- tions,-the awkwardness of his beginning had passed away. New ties had been formed, and had had time to become strong. The people, so far as he knew, were content, and he had reason to think that he had been useful. To break the bond that united him to the parish, under such circum- stances, was difficult, and might be regarded by many as capricious and unreasonable. Still, he longed* to be gone. He was a prophet in his own country, and he could not get rid of the impression that his situation was one of disad- vantage, and that he might be more and do more somewhere else. On the whole, he determined to bring the question to a practical test, which, he believed, would set him free; but it did not. The old church, since its transformation, had filled up. There was no room for more growth. There was a decided tendency to an increase of numbers, both by
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the growth of the population and of the popularity of the parish. The time had come when, in the judgment of the rector, the parish needed a larger and better church. He had communicated his feelings on the subject of remaining to the leading members of the parish, who decidedly dis- sented from his views, and urged his continuance. He then suggested the erection of a new church, as, in his view, necessary to the permanent prosperity of the parish, which he should receive as an indication of feeling on their part, and a guide to action on his own. The proposal was received with a degree of favor that altogether surprised him. A few gentlemen held an informal meeting to consult upon the subject. As a result, it appeared that a sufficient amount could be obtained to warrant further action. Sep- tember 7, 1846, a parish meeting was held, and the following resolutions were passed, viz. :
WHEREAS, the interests of this parish require a more extensive accom- modation for a Church than is offered by the present building and location, therefore,
Resolved : that this Parish will build a New Church.
Resolved : that a Committee of five persons be appointed to carry into effect the object of this meeting, and that said Committee be fully em- powered to select and purchase a lot for said building; take a deed of the same in the name of said Parish; determine upon the size, plan, and con- struction of said church, and bind the Parish in relation thereto for the payment of the same, and to do any act which this Parish may legally do in relation thereunto, as effectually and legally as if done by a Parish meeting.
Under this resolution, the rector and Mr. Chas. A. Lewis were appointed a sub-committee, to make requisite inquiries, and obtain the information which should furnish the ground for subsequent action. The sub-committee, in fulfilment of the duty assigned them, visited a considerable number of churches, and made inquiries in various quarters ;
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and, as the result of their mission, recommended the erec- tion of a stone church, capable of accommodating at least five hundred people, and the employment of Richard Up- john, Esq., as architect. Mr. Upjohn had come to this country a few years before, and had already made himself a name in the erection of the Church of the Ascension and Trinity Church, New York, and Christ Church, Brooklyn.
His influence had awakened new interest in the style and character of churches, and he may be not inaptly called the father of church architecture in the United States. A subscription paper was now circulated, and the amount of about $20,000 obtained, which was then regarded as a very liberal sum, and amply sufficient to accomplish the contemplated design. Mr. Upjohn was directed to pre- pare a design, and, accordingly, furnished a plan of a simple early English church, not ornate, but graceful and pleasing. A lot for the purpose was purchased of Wm. W. Billings, him- self a liberal contributor to the good work, at the corner of Huntington and Federal streets. From the position of the lot, and a desire to conform to the ancient custom of placing the chancel at the eastern end, the principal entrance was to be on Huntington street ; but, for ornamental effect, as well as for convenience, it was thought desirable to have an entranee also on the north side, from Federal street ; hence, the cruci- form shape was adopted. There was to be a spire of stone on the northwest corner, one hundred and sixty feet in height. All things seemed now to be in readiness for the commencement of the work, when it was suggested that, by widening the church slightly, room would be obtained for a passage, on either side of the church, by the wall, which would render the division of the space more commodious and convenient. At the same time, a desire for a somewhat more ornate style was expressed by some. The plans were, accordingly, returned to Mr. Upjohn, and altered by him in
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the particulars suggested. 'The new plan was finally adopted and carried into effect. The architect confidently expressed the opinion that the edifice would be completed for a sum not exceeding $25,000; but it was found that no builder would contract to build it for that sum. Mr. Upjohn at last obtained a builder from abroad, who contracted to do the work for $27,000. The material to be employed was a red freestone, from New Jersey, which has proved a very durable and satisfactory material. . These preliminaries being arranged, the corne-rstone of the edifice was laid, November 3, 1847, by the Right Rev. Dr. Henshaw, Bishop of Rhode Island, acting in behalf of Bishop Brownell, who was prevented from being present by his age and infirmity. The day was remarkably fine and propitious, and so un- commonly warm as to be almost sultry and uncomfortable. We cannot do better, perhaps, than copy the minute made at the time in the parish register :
At three o'cl'k, P.M., he [Bp. Henshaw] laid the corner-stone of a new Parish Church on the corner of Huntington and Federal streets, at the northwest corner of the chancel, at its junction with the north tran- sept, inside the base course and above the Chapel. There was enclosed in it a leaden box, containing the following deposit : A Bible, a Prayer Book, the Journal of the last convention of Connecticut, Bp. Brownell's charge in 1843, a sermon of the Rector's, containing a historical sketch of the Parish, the Calendar, a Church paper printed in Hartford, for Oct. 30, a copy of the Advocate and Democrat, weekly papers, the Morning Star, a tri-weekly, and the Morning News, a daily paper, all published in New London ; a Church Almanac for 1847, a map of the city, according to the survey of 1846, and a specimen of American coin for the present year. Laus Deo.
The work now seemed to be going on prosperously, and a speedy and successful termination was foretold. In the minds of some, however, and among them the rector, there were misgivings, arising from doubts whether an edifice of
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such a character could possibly be completed by the funds provided; and these vaticinations ere long met with a ful- filment. The contractor announced that the money pro- vided by the parish was entirely consumed, and, as he was himself destitute of means to fulfil his contract, asked to be relieved from it. The parish, seeing no hope of relief, com- plied with his request; and so the work was brought to a stand. The walls were at about half their height, and the building, in this deplorable and apparently dispirited con- dition, stood still for months, affording an opportunity for such as had "evil will at Zion," to say, "There! there ! So would we have it. These men began to build, but they were not able to finish." Yet it ought in justice to be said that the prevailing feeling was one of sympathy, rather than of exultation. The pause, however, soon brought the convic- tion that no interposition of Providence was to be expected, without an endeavor to extricate ourselves, and that Her- cules would not come to our relief till we put our shoulder to the wheel. A new subscription was set on foot, and resulted in a contribution that abundantly evinced the liberality and earnestness of the people. The work was now resumed, and went steadily forward to its completion.
The remains of Bishop Seabury, at the time of his death, were deposited in the public burying-ground. It seemed a proper thing, especially as he had been rector of the parish as well as bishop of the diocese, that they should now be transferred to the church, and a suitable monument to his memory be placed over them. The idea found favor, both in the parish and in the diocese at large. The Con- vention of the Diocese, held June 8, 1847, passed the follow- ing vote : " That a Committee of three be appointed to col- lect, through private donations, a sum sufficient for the erection of a monument, of suitable stability and beauty, to the memory of the first Bishop of this Diocese, to be placed,
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with the consent of the Vestry, within the walls of the new Church of his former Parish, St. James's, New London."
The Rev. Wm. F. Morgan, the Rev. Wm. Jarvis, and Richard Adams, Esq., were appointed as this committee. The following persons-the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, the Rev. Dr. Hallam, the Rev. A. C. Coxe, the Rev. Dr. Burgess, and the Rev. Dr. Mead-were appointed a committee to carry the design into effect. The parish, on its part, though heavily taxed for the erection of the church, met the call hand- somely and liberally. The work of preparing a design of the monument, and attending to its execution, was entrusted to Mr. Upjohn. In the summer of 1849, the church was so far advanced as to be ready to receive the monument, which was to be built into the eastern wall of the chancel, and, on the twelfth day of September, the ceremony of removing the bishop's remains, and placing them in their final resting- place, was performed with appropriate solemnities. The minute made at the time in the register book of the parish is here subjoined :
The remains of Bp. Seabury were removed from the Second Burying ground, and deposited beneath the chancel of the new Church, in a grave lined with brick and covered with flagging stones, directly under the monument in the Church, and before the north window on the east side of the Chapel, below the floor. His bones were found perfect, but no part of the coffin, except a portion of the lid, surrounded by brass nails in the form of a heart, containing within it, in brass nails also, these letters and figures :
S. S. Æ. 67. 1796.
The remains were placed in a new coffin, which was borne from the ground to the Church, on a bier covered with a pall, by the Rev. Messrs. J. Williams, D.D., A. C. Coxe, T. H. Vail, H. F. Roberts, T. C. Pitkin, J. M. Willey, C. E. Bennett, and E. O. Flagg. The Rector, attended by the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, met the remains at the Church. The Rector read the 5*
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first two sentences of the Burial service, and Dr. Jarvis the anthem, the persons present responding. The Rector read, for the lesson, Wisdom, 5th chap. to the 17th verse. Dr. Jarvis pronounced the sentence, " Blessed are the dead," &c., and the Rector read the last prayer but one in the Burial service, the Prayer for all persons in the " Visitation of the sick," the Collect for " All Saints," the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostolic Benediction. The coffin was then lowered into the grave, after which the psalm, "Deus Exurgat," and the Nicene Creed were repeated, led by the Rector, and Dr. Jarvis said the closing Benediction. The place of deposit was a brick grave underneath the floor, covered by heavy flagstones carefully mortared together. There may they rest, in the language of Dr. Jarvis' epitaph in the chancel, "Ut in loco quietis ultimo usque ad magni diei judicium."
In the fall of 1849, the treasury was again found to be empty. The avails of the second contribution were con- sumed, and the church, in some important particulars, was yet unfinished, and the steeple not even begun The ques- tion now was whether the steeple should be built, or left until a future time. A general feeling of exhaustion pro- duced an inclination in very many to adopt the former course; but the rector, and others who sympathized with his views, recommended the latter, and this plan finally prevailed. A third subscription was commenced; and, although it seemed like attempting to extract moisture out of a sponge that had been squeezed until it was dry, yet, to the surprise of all, it proved successful. A sufficient sum was obtained to warrant going on with the work. The matter now proceeded without interruption. The pro- tracted struggle of three years was crowned with complete success, and at last they "brought forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." The fear, misgivings, and despondency of the long interval of waiting and striving was swallowed up in the happiness of consummation. A bell, of the weight of 3,300 lbs., was procured, and suspended in the steeple. The amounts of
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the three subscriptions, respectively, were as follows: The first, $21,349; the second, $5,800; and the third, $8,203; making, in all, a sum total of $35,352, an amount which, considering the size and ability of the parish, was highly creditable to its zeal and liberality, and which, in view of the altered standard of values, is nearly, if not quite, equal to double that amount at the present day. The basement was left unfinished, and a debt of about $7,000 remained behind. All now was ready for the consecration of the church, and it was arranged that the Annual Convention of the Diocese should be held at New London, and that the ceremony of consecration should take place in connection with its opening services. The occasion was one, indeed, of much interest, not only for the parish, but to the diocese at large; for New London was the cradle of its episcopacy, and, underneath the new building, lay the remains of its first bishop. His monument had been provided by contri- butions from various parts of the diocese under the author- ity of the Convention, and the church itself, for beauty and correctness of architecture, was in advance of almost any . other in Connecticut; and, indeed, after the lapse of more than twenty years, it has not lost much of its distinction. The consecration took place on St. Barnabas' Day, June II, 1850. We insert the instrument of donation given by the parish, and Bishop Brownell's letter of consecration.
To the Right Rev. Thos ' Church Brownell, D.D., Bishop of Connecticut. REV. FATHER IN GOD :
Whereas, the parishioners of St. James's Church, in the City of New London, have taken in hand"to"erect in said City an edifice to take the place of their former Church, now, by reason of age and the growth of the congregation, insufficient for their wants; and whereas, by the favor of Almighty God, this their pious undertaking, is now brought to a happy completion ; now, therefore, we, the Rector, Church Wardens, and Ves- trymen of said Parish, respectfully request you to take said edifice under
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your canonical charge and oversight, and this day set it apart in solemn manner for the holy purposes had in view in its erection. And we, the said Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen, do hereby devote said edifice to the service of Almighty God, in conformity to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America : and for ourselves and our successors in office, do promise and engage to sacredly guard it, when so consecrated and set apart, from all profanation by unhallowed, worldly, and common uses, and keep it holy to the honor of God, for reading and preaching His Holy Word, for offering to HIim the sacrifice of Prayer and Praise, for celebrating His Holy Sacraments, and for the performance of all other sacred rites and offices of His Church.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, in the City of New London, this IIth day of June, in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Fifty.
ROB. A. HALLAM, Rector.
JONATHAN STOW, FRANCIS ALLYN, } Wardens.
WM W. BILLINGS,
JOHN BRANDEGEE,
JOSEPH C. SISTARE,
ARCHIBALD MERCER,
GEORGE R. LEWIS,
Vestrymen.
STANLEY G. TROTT,
JAMES MORGAN,
ENOCH V. STODDARD,
JOHN P. C. MATHER, J
WHEREAS, sundry good people of the Parish of St. James's Church, . New London, have erected a building for the public worship of God according to the ritual and offices of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and have requested that the same may be consecrated agreeably to the usages of said Church,
Now, therefore, be it known that I, Thomas Church Brownell, by Divine permission Bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut, did, this day, duly consecrate the said building by the name of St. James's Church ; and, separating it henceforth from all unhallowed, worldly, and common uses, the same did dedicate to the service of Alinighty God; for reading His
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Holy Word ; for celebrating His Holy Sacraments ; for offering to His glorious Majesty the sacrifices of Prayer and Thanksgiving; for blessing His people in His name, and for the performance of all other holy offices according to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and for the sole use of a congregation in communion with said Church, and in union with the Diocese of Connecticut.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Episcopal Seal, at New London, this Eleventh Day of June, in the year of Our Lord, One Thousand Eight hundred and Fifty, and in the Thirty- first year of my Consecration.
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