USA > Connecticut > New London County > New London > Annals of St. James's Church, New London : for one hundred and fifty years > Part 9
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[L. S.] THOMAS CHURCH BROWNELL.
A great concourse assembled on the occasion, the Con- vention of the Diocese being present, and many people not belonging to the congregation, from the city and surrounding town. The service was imposing and impressive, though without other adjuncts than those appointed by the Church. A long procession of surpliced clergy, led by the aged bishop, and headed by two grand old men, Drs. Burhans and Croswell, as they moved up the centre of the church, and took their seats in the ample chancel, which afforded room for all, was a solemn and beautiful sight. It was, indeed, a memorable occasion, and one never to be forgot- ten by those who participated in it. This minute was made at the time in the register of the parish :
June II. Feast of St. Barnabas.
The new Parish Church was consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese ; the Convention of the Diocese assembled in it. Morning Prayer was read by the Rev. Thomas W. Coit, D.D., and the lessons by the Rev. Gurdon S. Coit, brothers, natives of New London ; the request to Conse- crate by the Rector; the sentence of Consecration by the Rev. Wm Cooper Mead, D.D .; the Litany, by the Rev. Harry Croswell, D.D .; the Communion Service by the Bishop and the Rector, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Croswell, Rev. Frederick J. Goodwin, and Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe. Rev. John Williams, D.D., preached the sermon, from Ist Tim. 3: 9.
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ST. JAMES'S, NEW LONDON.
The clergy assembled in the crypt of the Church, habited, for the most part, in surplices, and passed in procession around the north side of the Church to the west door, where they were received by the Wardens and Vestrymen, and a written request to consecrate the Church was presented by Jonathan Starr, Esq., Senior Warden; thence, up the centre of the Church to the chancel, where seats sufficient for them all were provided. They numbered seventy-eight. " Not unto us, O Lord ! not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory for Thy mercy and for Thy truth's sake."
The original building committee consisted of
The Rev. R. A. Hallam, Wm. W. Billings,
C. A. Lewis, E. V. Stoddard,
F. W. Holt.
In the course of the work, Mr. Lewis resigned, and his place was supplied by the appointment of Mr. Francis Allyn. At this time in the process, and when the want of means was pressing, the old church was sold for the small sum of $3,500, and henceforward the congregation, till the church was completed, was indebted to the kindness of Christian neighbors for a place of worship, the services being held in the Second Congregational Church.
Of those who were specially active and useful in carry- ing this great work onward toward completion, I would fain say a few words, but I refrain from speaking. Of the living, delicacy forbids us to speak; and even of the dead we cannot speak without being in danger of making what might seem, to some, invidious distinctions. A single name we will mention,-Francis Allyn, a man of excellent taste ยท and judgment, feeling a deep interest in the undertaking, and having abundant leisure for the purpose, superintended the work with the minutest and most careful vigilance and toil; and to him, more than to any one else, the church owes the excellence of its workmanship and the perfectness of its execution.
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ST. JAMES'S, NEW LONDON.
We are quite sure none will dissent from this praise.
The church being now completed and occupied, it was suggested that the institution of the rector, who had never been formally recognized in his office by that ceremony, might be a not inappropriate celebration of the consumma- tion of the important work. He not unwillingly assented to the proposal; for though, to some, it might seem, after the long period of fifteen years, an empty and unmeaning performance, it was by no means such to the incumbent; for these fifteen years had been to him only a period of waiting and experiment, during which he had never felt himself permanently established. He had at last made up his mind to stay in his place, unless removed from it by some of those mutations to which human affairs are always liable, and he thought it well that this determination should be sealed by such a public rite as an institution. To the request of the vestry, the bishop readily assented, and came himself and acted as the institutor. The ceremony accord- ingly took place, August 1, 1850. An extract from the reg- ister is subjoined :
The Bishop instituted the Rev. Robert A. Hallam into the Rectorship of the Parish. Morning Prayer was read by the Rev. William S. Child, of R. I., and Rev. Prof. Jackson, of Trinity College. The Rev. Dr. Coit, of Trinity College, preached from Ezek. vii. 20. The Rev. William F. Morgan, of Christ Church, Norwich, read the letter of institution, and the Rev. Edward O. Flagg, of Trinity Church, assisted the Rector in the Holy Communion.
The parish, in the course of a few years, relieved itself of the debt contracted in the erection of the church, and soon found itself in a condition to finish the basement for a chapel and vestry-room, which had been left incomplete. A portion of the space under the church has since been fitted up for the accommodation of the Sunday-school.
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ST. JAMES'S, NEW LONDON.
December 12, 1855. Jonathan Coit, Esq., a wealthy citi- zen, not a Churchman, left by his will, among many munifi- cent bequests, three thousand dollars to St. James's Church, with the design of augmenting the compensation of the rector. This legacy still remains, and is the only endow- ment of the parish.
In 1855, a deacon, just admitted to Orders, came to reside with the rector, and to aid him in the duties of his office ; and this additional service proved so useful, that the office of an assistant was continued through the succession of ten others, till the increasing infirmity of the rector ren- dered a more permanent arrangement necessary.
In 1854, George R. Lewis, by his will, bequeathed the sum of $1,500 toward the erection of a new rectory, on a lot in the rear of the church, on condition that a sum deemed by his executors to be sufficient for the purpose be raised within two years of his decease. The condition was com- plied with, and the land purchased of W. W. Billings. The old rectory being purchased by the rector, his residence remained unchanged. A building committee was appointed, but as there was no urgent necessity for haste, and the amount obtained was thought by many to be insufficient to erect such a building as seemed desirable, the building committee resigned, and the whole subject slept for some years, while the fund was gradually increasing. At length, in 1859, the subject was revived, and a new building com- mittee appointed, by whom the design was accomplished at the expense of $10,000, and an appropriate, substantial, and handsome house was erected, to take the place of the old Propagation Society's parsonage, which had been the home of successive rectors for more than one hundred years.
In 1867, the church was enlarged by an extension on the south side of the chancel and the east side of the south transept, filling up the angle between them, constructed of
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ST. JAMES'S, NEW LONDON.
stone, and conformed to the general style of the church. It is two stories in height, and, by this addition, a vestry-room was obtained on a level with the church, and a room under- neath for the accommodation of an infant-school.
In 1867, an incident of rare occurrence and considerable interest took place. The frigate "Sabine," with a large num- ber of naval apprentices on board, was lying in the harbor. The Rev. Wm. A. Hitchcock, a clergyman of the Church, was chaplain on board, and, under his earnest labors, an unwonted degree of religious feeling was awakened. A good number of the apprentices desired confirmation. The occasion excited unusual interest, and a considerable num- ber of citizens attended the bishop in his visitation to the ship, where he confirmed twenty-five. One of the candi- dates, a great-grandson of Bishop Seabury, and bearing his name, Samuel Seabury, was allowed to come on shore to re- ceive the rite, which was administered to him in the church.
It remains only to say that, in the winter of 1871, the parish was greatly shocked by the sudden and awful death of the Rev. Morelle Fowler, with all his family, by an accident on the Hudson River Railroad. Mr. Fowler had been a useful and valuable assistant of the rector, and his wife was born and reared here. The sudden and awful calamity was universally and deeply felt. The remains were brought to New London for interment, and none who witnessed the affecting scene of the funeral in St. James's, will ever lose the impression. A suitable tablet has been placed in the chancel to commemorate the mournful event.
The summer following, the rector, having become satis- fied of his permanent inability to discharge the duties of his office, asked for the appointment of an assistant, and the Rev. Robert M. Duff was appointed associate minister, under whose care it is trusted that the parish will lose none of its accustomed prosperity.
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ST. JAMES'S, NEW LONDON.
Thus, we have reached the end of our history. Cover- ing the long period of one hundred and fifty years, it can hardly be supposed to be absolutely free from error. It has been the writer's aim to state the facts, so far as he could ascertain them, fairly and dispassionately. The parish has become venerable for years, and, in all stages of its history, has abundant occasion to record the fidelity and goodness of the Church's head. In speaking of his own lengthened ministry, he has aimed to avoid any appearance of egotism or boastfulness. Not to acknowledge the great growth and improvement which have characterized the period, would savor of ingratitude and affectation ; but any one who sur- veys candidly so long a period of service, must discover in it such errors of judgment and such defects of motive, so much that is feeble or wrong or mistaken, as will secure him against being proud. During his term of service, the material of the congregation has almost entirely changed. Those who were active in its beginning have rested from their labors. A generation has passed away. The present congregation, to an extent somewhat remarkable, it seems to him, is made up of persons educated under other forms of religion; but the assimilative process has gone on gently and imperceptibly, without jar or disturbance, as though it were the inheritor of an hereditary faith. In quietness and confidence has been its strength, and so the "sons of stran- gers have built up its walls," and many of those who once looked upon her with aversion or distrust, have found in her a home of present peace and heavenly hope. The writer's only boast is, that he has sought to serve her with diligence and good-will, not of constraint, but willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; and if any shall seek a word of praise for him hereafter, let it be that "he fed them with a faithful and true heart, and ruled them pru- dently with all his power."
APPENDIX.
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APPENDIX.
List of Persons Ordained in St. James's Church.
Reuben Ives, Priest. Chauncy Prindle, Priest. Edward Blakslee, Deacon. David Foote, Deacon. Adam Boyd, Deacon. Tillotson Bronson, Priest.
Robert Fowle, Deacon. Joseph Warren, Deacon. Wm. Green, Deacon. Bethuel Chittenden, Priest. Evan Rogers, Priest. Isaac W. Hallam, Priest.
Chas. A. Spooner, Priest. Giles H. Deshon, Priest. Alfred B. Goodrich, Deacon. John N. Marvin, Priest. George W. Chevers, Priest. James E. Coley, Priest. Sam'l Hall, Priest. Henry T. Gregory, Priest. Thos. W. Punnett, Priest. Delancey G. Rice, Priest. James Rankine, Priest.
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APPENDIX.
John B. Linn, Priest.
Wm. H. Cook, Priest.
Peter L. Shepard, Priest.
Edward H. True, Priest. Alex. G. Cummins, Deacon.
Morelle Fowler, Priest. Jesse E. Heald, Deacon.
Henry W. Nelson, Jr., Priest.
Wm. A. DesBrisay, Priest.
Edward Goodridge, Priest. J. Sturgis Pearce, Priest. Lorenzo Sears, Priest.
Henry M. Sherman, Priest.
Chas. G. Gilliat, Priest.
Samuel Upjohn, Priest.
John Binney, Priest.
Geo. M. Stanley, Priest.
Richard K. Ashley, Deacon.
List of Deacons assistant to the Rector.
John B. Linn.
Henry W. Nelson, Jr.
Arthur Mason.
Chas. G. Gilliat.
James E. Coley.
Thomas W. Punnett.
Samuel Upjohn. John Binney.
Morelle Fowler.
George M. Stanley.
Wm. R. Harris.
Natives of New London who have received Holy Orders.
William Green. Robert A. Hallam, D.D.
Samuel Seabury, D.D.
Giles H. Deshon, D.D.
Thomas W. Coit, D.D.
Gurdon S. Coit, D.D.
Allen C. Morgan.
John J. Brandegee, D.D. John C. Middleton. E. Huntington Saunders.
Charles H. Lester.
APPENDIX. 119
Candidates.
James Stoddard. A. Judson Arnold. John H. Francis, Postulant.
List of Wardens from 1732, when the first choice was made.
1732. Thomas Mumford, John Braddick.
1733, 1734, 1735. John Braddick, John Shackmaple.
1736, 1737. John Shackmaple, Matthew Stewart.
1738. Matthew Stewart, Samuel Edgecomb.
I739. Samuel Edgecomb, Giles Goddard.
1740. Giles Goddard, Guy Palmes.
1741. Guy Palmes, Nathaniel Green.
1742. Nathaniel Green, Edward Palmes.
1743, 1744. Edward Palmes, Merritt Smith.
1745. Merritt Smith, Thomas Mumford.
1746, 1747, 1748, 1749, 1750, 1751. Thomas Mumford, Samuel Edgecomb.
1752, 1753. Thomas Manwarring, Nicholas Lechmere.
1754. Samuel Edgecomb, Guy Palmes.
1755. Samuel Edgecomb, Edward Palmes.
1756. Samuel Edgecomb, Jonathan Starr.
1757. Jonathan Starr, James Mumford.
1758, 1759, 1760. James Mumford, Thomas Mumford. 1761, 1762. Samuel Edgecomb, Jonathan Starr. 1763, 1764. Jonathan Starr, Thomas Fosdick. 1765. Ebenezer Goddard, Jonathan Starr. 1766, 1767. Ebenezer Goddard, Samuel Bill. 1768. William Stewart, George Mumford. 1769. William Stewart, Jonathan Starr, Jr. 1770, 1771. Jonathan Starr, Jr., Thomas Allen.
1772. Thomas Allen, John Deshon.
1773, 1774: Thomas Allen, David Mumford.
1775. Thomas Allen, John Deshon.
1776, 1777, 1778. No choice.
1779, 1780. Thomas Allen, John Hertel. 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784, 1785. William Stewart, Jonathan Starr, Jr.
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APPENDIX.
1786, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802. Jonathan Starr, Jr., Roswell Sal- tonstall.
1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810. Jonathan Starr, Jr., Samuel Wheat.
18II, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816. Jonathan Starr, 3d, Edward Hallam.
1817, 1818. Jonathan Starr, 3d, Isaac Thompson.
1819, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829. Jared Starr, Isaac Thompson.
1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838. Edward Hal- lam, Jonathan Starr, 3d.
1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852. Jonathan Starr, 3d, Francis Allyn.
1853, 1854, 1855, 1856. Francis Allyn, Enoch V. Stoddard.
1857, 1858. Enoch V. Stoddard, Stanley G. Trott.
1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863. Enoch V. Stoddard, Chas. A. Lewis.
1864, 1865, 1866, 1867. Enoch V. Stoddard, Isaac C. Tate.
1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873. Isaac C. Tate, Hiram Willey.
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