USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Southport > Annals of an old parish : historical sketches of Trinity Church, Southport, Connecticut, 1725 to 1848 > Part 10
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WILLIAM BULKLEY, VESTRYMAN, 1855-1867.
the parish, and indeed, it would be hardly possible to give an adequate conception of its beauty by a verbal description. Suffice it to say, that considering the cost, about $7,000, and the circumstances of its erection upon the foundation, and of the same dimensions of the old one, it is a decided success,
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY.
and a great improvement upon the former. It shows not only the high order of ecclesiastical taste of the Rector, who designed and drew all the plans, but also the confidence of the people in their Rector, and their zeal and liberality in carrying out his plans. May the Great Head of the Church long spare him to enjoy the fruit of his labors, and grant that he may be equally successful in building up the spiritual temple of the Lord in due and harmonious proportion, and that many souls may be enabled to say, 'we were born to glory nere.'"
The Report of the Building Committee, submitted to the parish, December 29th, 1862, was as follows : " The Building Committee would report to the parish, that in obedience to the resolution passed at the meeting of January 18th, last, they began their work on Monday, the 20th of January. The first thing which was done, was to find timber fitted for the new building. The timbers of the spire, and roof, being long and large, it required much time to find such as were in all respects suitable. After they were found, they were prepared and put upon the ground. The ruins of the former Church were then cleared up, and an examination made of the founda- tion, the floor, and the remaining portion of the tower. After this examination was made, and opinions were received from those who were competent to give them, your committee came to the conclusion that the foundation, the floor, and remaining portion of the tower, were in all respects sufficient to build upon again. In order, however, to make the matter doubly sure, your committee determined to strengthen the tower part by putting in two additional timbers, reaching from the foundation of the tower to the bell deck, and having con- nection with the rafters. After an examination of Churches and spires recently built, your committee concluded that the roof should be made steeper by five feet, and be framed and supported on an entirely different principle ; further, that the spire should be framed and covered in a different way from
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY.
the former one. As the building now stands, the roof and all its weight, is independent of the sides of the Church. The only weight that now rests upon the floor, is that of the seats, and the congregation when it occupies them. It was also determined to carry out the corners of the Church, so as to make it square, and have the whole building under one roof. Your committee have had before them from the beginning to the end of this work, the idea of strength, both in materials used, and mode in which they were put together; and they believe that the plan on which the present Church is built, is not only the stronger, but is at the same time, one which is the most proper and fit for the Temple of God. The work has been done in a workmanlike manner. There has been no part to which your committee took exception, or had any objection to make. In offering this Church for the acceptance of the parish, your committee feel confident that they are presenting a building, which is in all respects, sound, substantial, and strong. Your committee would take this opportunity to thank those members of the parish, who brought timber from the woods to the Church site; to those who assisted in clearing away the ruins ; and to all, who during the progress of the work, have assisted them in any way." This report was unanimously accepted, and the thanks of the parish, for the generous and devoted services of the committee, were ordered to be entered upon the minutes. The strain attendant upon the erection of the new Church edifice, being happily over, the parish settled down once more to its accustomed routine of worship and work.
Trinity Church, on March 11th, 1864, sustained a great loss, by the death of Mr. Hull Sherwood, who had served it as vestry- man and warden, and as delegate to the Diocesan Convention, without intermission, for forty-five years. Mr. Sherwood was a Churchman from conviction. Early in life he became thoroughly informed concerning the worship and doctrine and polity of the Church, and it was his constant delight to join in the one, and to
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY.
uphold and defend the others. On December 28th, 1866, the Hon. Benjamin Pomeroy, for many years a generous benefactor and valued vestryman, died while on a visit to the Island of Santa Cruz, whither he had gone for the improvement of his health. On March 18th, of the following year, Mr. Andrew
MOSES BULKLEY, VESTRYMAN, 1847-1868.
Bulkley, another vestryman, whose interest in the welfare of the parish never flagged, was called to his eternal home. On May 11th, 1868, Mr. William Bulkley, also a vestryman, was removed by death. On November 16th, following, Mr. Moses Bulkley, beloved by the entire community, likewise a vestry-
*
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY.
man and a stanch supporter of the parish, was summoned from this earthly scene. These men were a great loss; indeed, the passing away of such veritable pillars of Trinity Church marked the beginning of the decimation which, in the course of a few more years, was to completely transform it.
The Rev. Mr. Emery, having completed a most successful Rectorship of twelve years, startled, as well as grieved the parish on the 1st of May, 1870, by tendering his resignation. The proposition was entirely of his own volition. The congregation was greatly attached to him; his ministra- tions were perfectly satisfactory ; the only reason given was a call to another field of labor, wherein he felt he could do a larger work. On May 9th, a special meeting was called, at which the parish voted unanimously to refuse con- sent to the Rector's resignation. On July 9th, having learned that the severance of the pastoral relation was still desired by Mr. Emery, the parish met, and reluctantly granted permission for him to retire. A series of eulogistic resolutions, testify- ing to the high degree of esteem in which he was held, " not only by his own parishioners, but by the whole community," were also passed. From Southport, Mr. Emery went to Calvary Church, Stonington, Conn., where he remained until 1872; in that year, he became Rector of St. Paul's Church, Newburgh, where he officiates, beloved and honored, at the present time.
CHAPTER XIX.
RECTORSHIP OF THE REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS-ERECTION OF THE CHAPEL 1870-1876, A. D.
REV. EDWARD L. WELLS.
At a special meeting of the parish, held August 23rd, 1870, the Rev. Edward L. Wells, was called to the vacant Rectorship, by the unanimous vote of the forty-six voters who were present.
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS.
He entered upon his duties, Sunday, September 15th. Mr. Wells came from St. Stephen's Church, Pittsfield, Mass., where his ministry had been characterized by great spiritual and financial success. Endowed with a strong magnetic personality ; with oratorical powers of exceptional brilliancy ; with an intense enthusiasm for his Master's work, he began at once to quicken Trinity Church into a new and larger life. Congregations
THE CHAPEL, AND THE PARISH SCHOOL, 1874.
remarkable for their size, came to listen to his preaching ; contributions were made to religious and charitable objects, both within and without the parish, on a scale hitherto unknown in its history. Those familiar with the past of Trinity Church, are wont to say that Mr. Wells' Rectorship occurred at a period when it was, from a financial point of view, at the zenith of its existence. 3 Death, even then,
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS.
had begun its inroads, but still, "there were giants, in those days," that is, men of mark, possessed of indomitable will, of great executive ability, who by dint of their irrepressi- ble energy and wise foresight, had accumulated large fortunes. Their ships had sailed, without mishap, to foreign ports, and had brought back rich argosies. Their home investments had turned out to be exceedingly profitable. And there was a goodly number of these successful men. Whoever looked into the parish Church, at service time on Sunday, would see the pews all occupied, and at the head, occupying the seat of honor, a middle aged, or elderly parishioner, whose very appearance indicated that, at least, temporal prosperity had resulted from his struggle with the world. No wonder, then, that the offerings of the congregation, under such circumstances, were large! The men who had ample wealth, and who were, all of them, devoted to the Church and its interests, were not lack- ing! This is quite true ; but something also must be allowed for the marvellous power exerted upon them by him, who was their spiritual leader. Under his wholesome influence-the figures prove it-pocket-books that had been shut tightly, opened as freely as do the closed leaves of the flower, in response to the warm rays of the morning sun. Certainly, the offerings of Trinity Church, during Mr. Wells' Rectorship, compared with the eras preceding, and those succeeding it, were some- thing phenomenal.
The Easter offerings for 1871 and 1872 were $625.51, and $697.00, respectively. In 1873, the missions of the Diocese received $4,854.00 ; Foreign and Domestic missions, $1,656.71. In 1874, contributions forDiocesan missions, were $2,068.00; Foreign and Domestic missions, $1,553.30. The Berkley Divinity School was gladdened with a gift of $2,000.00. Such large sums have never been given since.
For his wisdom, as well as zeal, in another direction, Mr. Wells deserves the highest commendation. He was an ardent believer in the usefulness of Parish Schools. His theory, and
FRANCIS D. PERRY, VESTRYMAN, 1885.
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS.
experience has proven over and over again that it is the only right one, was that secular should go hand in hand with religious training. Although important, reading, writing and arithmetic, are not the all in all of life. Our children need to be taught to fear God and keep His commandments also. In 1872, consent was given by the parish, for the erection of a building close by the Church, on the Church property, which "should be devoted to a Parish School, and for such other purposes as may be necessary."
Mr. Wells easily raised $5,000.00 for this admirable object, and the Chapel, as it is now known, was soon built and paid for. At one period, about thirty young people of both sexes, were under daily instruction within its walls. Mr. Nathan Belden, Mrs. Hattie Bulkley, and the Rev. Isaac C. Sturgis were most satisfactory teachers, and contributed largely to the success of the school.
During Mr. Wells' Rectorship, the losses sustained by death were numerous, and were deeply felt by the whole parish. Prominent among those taken away were Miss Mary Bradley, of Greenfield Hill, October 22nd, 1870, and her sister Griselda, September 21st, 1871; these two, the one, eighty-four, and the other, eighty-eight years of age, had been connected with Trinity parish from their childhood. "Faithful found among the faithless many," they journeyed from Greenfield Hill to the House of God, to join in its worship, every Lord's Day, whether the weather was propitious, or whether it was not. O si sic omnes ! Others deceased were, Mr. Lot Bulkley, November 4th, 1874; Capt. Charles Bulkley, October 3rd, 1875; and Mr. Benjamin Pomeroy, 2nd, December 15th, the same year. In 1876, Mr. Wells received a call to St. John's Church, New Milford, Conn. At a meeting of the parish held November 8th, 1876, after duly considering the Rector's request for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, and understanding from him that it would be insisted upon, it was voted: "That we accept the Rector's resignation, at his
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS.
earnest solicitation, and tender him our prayers and sympa- thies, in whatever sphere his future efforts may be employed." Mr. Wells' Rectorship thus brought to a close, in results achieved, is one of the most remarkable in the long history of Trinity parish. In the six years that he presided over its affairs he was instrumental in not only building the Chapel, but also in raising, exclusive of the amounts requisite for the Rector's salary, and other necessary Church expenses, for
CHARLES BULKLEY, VESTRYMAN, 1847-1875.
outside purposes, $37,025.19 ; for home purposes, $12,143.12, total $49,168.31. Add to this, the cost of the Chapel building, $5,000.00, and the grand total is $54,168.31. To this day his memory is fondly treasured by large numbers of his former flock. He served with, continued success as Rector of St. John's Church, New Milford, Conn., until August 7th, 1881,
RIGHT REV. CHAUNCEY B. BREWSTER, D. D., BISHOP COADJUTOR.
هـ
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDWARD LIVINGSTON WELLS.
when he "fell on sleep," and entered into the Paradise of God. It is a pleasure to record that his son and namesake, was admitted to Holy Orders, in the same Church and at the same altar, in Southport, where his father so successfully ministered for nearly seven years, on Sunday, the 30th of January, 1898, by the Right Rev. Chauncey B. Brewster, D. D., the Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese. This is the second instance of the kind in the history of the parish. The Rev. William Shelton, it will be remembered, was ordained by Bishop Brownell, after the Rev. Philo Shelton's death, in the Church at Mill Plain.
CHAPTER XX.
RECTORSHIP OF THE REV. TALIAFERRO P. CASKEY, 1877-1879, A. D.
THE REV. TALIAFERRO P. CASKEY. FROM THE CHURCHMAN.
Shortly after Mr. Wells' departure to New Milford, the Rev. Taliaferro P. Caskey, officiated in Trinity Church, and at a special meeting of the parish, held August 6th, 1877, it was voted, "that he be tendered a unanimous call to the Rector- ship." One feature of the proceedings was, at least, unique. It was further voted, "that the salary of the Rector be twelve hundred dollars a year, until such time as the cordial relations of the members be manifested by their usual sub-
MR. FRANCIS JELLIFF. VESTRYMAN AND WARDEN, 1854-1896.
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. TALIAFERRO P. CASKEY.
scriptions ; then the sum of fifteen hundred dollars should be recognized as the salary of the Rector." Mr. Caskey soon established "cordial relations " all around, for at the next annual parish meeting, his salary was raised to the con- templated sum of fifteen hundred dollars per year. In 1878, a class of twenty-six was confirmed ; and the contributions for Diocesan and Domestic missions amounted to $2,072.56. On December 4th, Justus Sherwood, M. D., the village phys- ician, who had served the parish as vestryman for many years, died, aged seventy-three years. The resolutions inscribed in the Parish Record, speak of him as "one whose unobtru- sive excellence of character was generally acknowledged ; who labored faithfully in his profession ; and whose kindness of heart and cheerfulness of disposition, indicated the true Christian." In the spring of 1879, Mr. Caskey took unto himself a fair helpmeet from among the maidens of his flock, Miss Phobe Lacy, and went on a bridal tour to Europe. His absence from the parish was expected to be of brief duration, but, the rectorship of St. John's Church, at Dresden, Saxony, being vacant at that time, he was induced to resign his American charge. After a brief visit to the home-land, in the fall of the same year, he settled down indefinitely in a foreign clime. All who are conversant with the progress, for many years past, of the American Church abroad, know that the great work done by Mr. Caskey, in the Saxon capital, is no small feature of it. When the writer had temporary charge of the American congregation in Dresden, during August and September, 1876, it met for worship on Sunday mornings only, in a hall, which during the week was utilized by the bankers and brokers, for their sales and exchanges. Now, St. John's Church, Parish House, and Rectory, all of stone, and of exquisite architecture, built through Mr. Caskey's exertions, and under his immediate supervision, testify to his rare abilities, and unconquerable zeal. At the present time, Mr. Caskey is still the beloved Rector of the parish at Dresden.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE RECTORSHIP OF THE REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS, 1879-1890, A. D.
THE REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS.
When the Rev. Mr. Caskey went abroad, in the spring of 1879, he engaged as his "locum tenens," the Rev. Charles G. Adams. The substitute thus provided, proved so thoroughly acceptable that, when later on, the Rector determined to resign his charge, and remain in Dresden, the congregation, with one accord, decided to make his stay among them perma-
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RECTORSHIP OF REY. CHARLES G. ADAMS.
nent. At a special parish meeting, held the 17th of November, 1879, Mr. Adams was unanimously called to the Rectorship of Trinity Church. During the period that he held it, death wrought great changes in the parish. Mr. Allen Nichols, for many years vestryman and treasurer, died May 22nd, 1879. Capt. Jonathan Godfrey, who for fifty years was vestryman, senior and junior warden, benefactor, and main-stay of the parish, succumbed August 3rd, 1882, to a creeping paralysis, the result of a fall from his carriage, caused by a runaway, the year previous. This devoted, unselfish, generous friend of Trinity parish, first appears on the Parish Record in 1831, when he was elected a vestryman. From that time onwards, in season and out of season, the welfare, the advancement of the parish were the objects to which he consecrated his life. The present Rector laments profoundly, that his coming to Trinity Church, was not in the time of Capt. Jonathan Godfrey. He knows it would have cheered his heart to have worked hand in hand with one so thoroughly in earnest in all good works. Another irreparable loss was Mr. Francis D. Perry, who died November 16th, 1884. Of all those who have proved generous contributors to Trinity parish, this fine type of a Christian gentlemen, sans peur et sans reproche, and his estimable wife, who was removed from among us at a later date, stand foremost. Henry Sturges, who served many years as vestryman, the grandson of Rev. Philo Shelton, ever zealous in behalf of the Church of his affections, always generous in his gifts to promote its welfare, passed away, January 4th, 1885. Augustus Jennings, for forty-two years, at different times, vestryman, clerk, superintendent of the Sunday School, and delegate to the Diocesan Convention, one most prominent in the councils of the parish, and its earnest supporter, deceased, June 10th, 1886. On December 28th, 1888, another valued parishioner, David Banks, entered into rest. He was vestryman, 1836-44; junior warden, 1844-64 ; senior warden, 1864-88, making altogether, an unbroken
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS.
service of 52 years, and thus constituting a record with few parallels. On September 8th, 1890, Charles Rockwell, also one of the vestry, urbane, large-hearted, beloved throughout the County of Fairfield, and even beyond its borders, in the comfort of a religious, holy Hope, passed from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant. These were all repre-
JONATHAN GODFREY. VESTRYMAN AND WARDEN, 1831-1882.
sentative men, and their loss would have been felt deeply in any congregation in the land. How much more, then, in this small community, where increase from persons moving in, and making it their permanent home, is a matter of the rarest occurrence. The marvel is, that having undergone such a thorough depletion of its strongest supporters, Trinity Church still continues in as vigorous condition as it is !
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS.
One important step in advance, amounting almost to a revolution, so far as old-time methods were concerned, marked Mr. Adams' Rectorship. From the year the parish was organ- ized, the custom of renting the pews and sittings annually to the highest bidders, prevailed. Theincongruity, not to say sacrilege, involved in turning the House of God, even once a year, into a mart, where the quirks of the auctioneer were heard, did not seem to occur to those who sanctioned the practice. No doubt, many assented to it thoughtlessly, for the reason that all the New England Churches were wedded to the same cus- tom. At length, a more sensible view began to be taken. If the spiritual comfort derived from the ministrations of the Sanctuary is worth anything, it is worth contracting and paying for in a quiet, business-like way. At the annual parish meeting, held April 6th, 1885, Mr. Francis Jelliff made the following timely remarks: "Mr. Chairman and Gentle- men: The plan of selling the seats at auction, in a Church consecrated to the worship of Almighty God, as has been practiced by us, seems to be irreverent and wicked ; and some better means of disposing of them should be adopted at once. I therefore offer the following resolution : Resolved, that a committee of four members of the Vestry be appointed to devise and adopt a plan that will do away with the annual auctioneering ; and that when such plan shall be agreed upon, they shall put it in printed form ; and that they shall, as soon as it is advisable, submit it to every pew-holder, for his, or her adoption ; and if such plan shall seem to give general satisfaction, it shall go into effect at the next annual meeting, and continue so until rescinded." This resolution was passed unanimously, and the assent of the congregation to the plan submitted by the committee, being quite general, it went into effect at the time indicated, and no one, it is safe to say, would now go back to the old way.
One of Mr. Adams' successful achievements, was the establishment of a monthly paper, entitled, the "Church
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS.
Record." It was the first attempt in this country, to put forth a publication which should serve as a medium of com- munication between the different Rectors and their parishes. All of the New England Dioceses, with the exception of Massachusetts, promptly made it their official organ. At one
DAVID BANKS. VESTRYMAN AND WARDEN, 1836-1888.
time its circulation ran into the tens of thousands. It was his devotion to this important work, that ultimately led Mr. Adams to resign the Rectorship of the parish. He found that when an "avocation," becomes a " vocation," it makes such demands on one's time and energies, that other interests, if there be any, invariably have to suffer.
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. CHARLES G. ADAMS.
After a Rectorship of eleven years, in the course of which he endeared himself by his eminent abilities to great numbers of his parishioners, and as well, to the community at large, Mr. Adams retired May 5th, 1890, and sometime later accepted the charge of St. Mark's Memorial Chapel, New York City. After serving acceptably in that charge for some years, he went west, and is at the present time, Rector of St. Phillip's Church, Cincinnati, Ohio.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE RECTORSHIP OF THE REV. EDMUND GUILBERT, 1891-
THE REV. EDMUND GUILBERT.
The resignation of the Rev. Charles G. Adams was accepted in the fall of 1890, and early in 1891, the Rev. Edmund Guilbert, who had been for the past twelve years, Rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit, New York City, was unani- mously called to fill the vacant Rectorship. The new Rector,
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. EDMUND GUILBERT.
the thirteenth in succession from the first incumbent, the Rev. Henry Caner, who filled the position from 1727 to 1747, A. D., brought with him to his rural charge, a large experience gained in an important city parish, and straightway gained the confidence and affection of his congregation. Whatever slight differences may have existed, were speedily forgotten ; and a united people hastened to show that the welfare of the parish, was the object that lay nearest their hearts. The first indication of the zeal that was awakened, was a desire, both spontaneous and general, to have the interior of the Church edifice rehabilitated. Since its consecration in 1862, no effort had been made to repair the ravages of time, and as was to be expected, the Church within, looked decidedly the worse for wear. A committee on interior decoration was appointed, the sum of $3,000.00 raised, and the Church was beautified to a degree that surprised and delighted every beholder. A number of memorial gifts, including a new chancel carpet, and railing, a credence-table, candelabra, altar vases, and embroidered altar-cloths for the different Church seasons, oaken sedilia, prayer desks, also added materially in imparting a more devotional, as well as asthetical aspect to the Sanctuary.
Ever since the sale of the former Rectory to the New York and New Haven Railroad Company, the Rector of the parish had been without a settled home. It was felt by many of the congregation, that the time had come to provide once more for this imperative need. With this purpose in view, a parish meeting was held October 6th, 1891, at which the Vestry was formally authorized to purchase a suitable lot, and erect thereon a comfortable parsonage. This structure was com- pleted, and occupied, August 1st, 1892, and in it the Rector and his family, were delightfully housed for the space of one year when an event occurred which compelled them although with reluctance, to make another change. On the 23rd of April, 1893, Mrs. Francis D. Perry, a beloved member of the parish, the relict of Mr. Francis D. Perry, whose demise is noted in
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