USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Southport > Annals of an old parish : historical sketches of Trinity Church, Southport, Connecticut, 1725 to 1848 > Part 9
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CHAPTER XVII.
RECTORSHIP OF THE REV. JAMES SOUVERAINE PURDY: DESTRUCTION OF THE FOURTH CHURCH BY FIRE-CHANGE OF SITE, AND BUILDING OF THE FIFTH CHURCH, 1853-1858, A. D.
REV. JAMES S. PURDY.
At a special meeting held May 10th, 1853, the Rev. James S. Purdy, at the time a tutor in Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., was unanimously called to fill the vacant Rectorship. The invitation was accepted by Mr. Purdy, and he forthwith
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began his ministrations, coming to Southport for the Sundays, until the College commencement took place, when he removed to the village, and assumed full charge of the parish. On Sunday, July 20th, 1853, he was admitted to the Priesthood, by the Bishop of the Diocese, in the parish Church. The same year, he took to himself a wife, the accomplished daughter of the Rev. Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, Professor in the General Theological Seminary, New York. As was to be expected, the parish under the guidance of its new and efficient Rector, moved auspiciously forward. The congre- gations were large; the spiritual interest perceptibly on the increase. The only thing imperatively needed was a larger Church. On January 16th, 1854, at a special meeting of the parish it was voted, "that a committee, consisting of Benjamin Pomeroy, William Bulkley, and Allen Nichols, be appointed and have authority to contract for the enlargement, according to the plan heretofore adopted, adding twenty seats and a vestry room on the east end of the Church. Also voted, that the amount required for said expenses, be first raised by a subscription." While this was impending, a serious and un- looked for event intervened. Extract from the Parish Record : "Saturday, March 11th, 1854. The Church burnt to the ground this P. M., between four and six o'clock. Insured for $3,500, and $800 on the organ."
Once more the calamity of 1779 was repeated, and the parish was again homeless! In a couple of hours, the Sanctuary, endeared to many hearts by the holiest of associations, the outcome of so much sacrifice and zeal on the part of those who worshipped within its sacred walls, had wholly disap- peared. How the building caught fire has ever remained a mystery. But, although the catastrophe was overwhelming, one striking feature connected with it was observable. The parish officials met the emergency with great promptness. Preparations for holding Divine service as usual, were imme- diately begun. The old Academy was put in the best condi-
TRINITY CHURCH Southport, Ct
FIFTH CHURCH EDIFICE, DESTROYED BY TORNADO, 1862.
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tion possible ; and on the morrow, the congregation assembled there. Thus, by the stress of events, it had come back to the spot where its worship, so far as Southport was concerned, had its beginning. It was in 1838, that the Rev. William Shelton had conducted the first religious service ever held in the village, in that same building. Truly, it was a heavy burden that was thus thrust upon it; so felt the sorrowful flock gathered in the old school-house that eventful Sunday morning ; but, then and there, it was resolved that the Church should be "built again, as in former times;" and that the " glory of the latter house should greatly exceed that of the former." A council of the prominent members of the parish was speedily held, and it was unanimously voted, to proceed at once to erect a new Church edifice. As the growth of the village was continuously westward, the consensus of opinion was in favor of a different location from that occupied by the Church recently destroyed, and a change of site was decided upon. A lot on Pequot avenue, the principal avenue of the village was purchased, and the construction of a large and commodious structure was begun. Messrs. Moses Bulkley, Jonathan Godfrey, Augustus Jennings, William Bulkley, and Allen Nichols, composed the committee to supervise its con- struction, and William Nash was chosen for the architect. The corner stone was laid in October, 1854, with appropriate ceremonies, by the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese ; and from that time the work of construction rapidly advanced.
While the old Academy was most conveniently situated, and was also freely placed at the disposal of Trinity's, now Church- less, congregation, it had one conspicuous defect-it was too small. Not half of those who desired to attend service, could be accommodated in it. The building committee was further charged, in view of this state of affairs, to find a more suitable place in which the congregation might assemble. They de- cided upon the Parsonage barn, and that building was at once put in order for public worship, and was so used during
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the summer of 1853. St. Barnabas Chapel, it was popularly called, and a very comfortable temporary place for holding service, those who frequented it, assure us it was. One · marriage ceremony, that of Juliette, daughter of the village physician, Dr. Justus Sherwood, and Marcus B. Roosevelt, took place June 13th, 1853, within its walls, the Rector officiating. In the late autumn, when the atmosphere grew chilly, Divine service was transferred to the Odd Fellows' Hall ; and still later, when winter really set in, to Washington Hall, the upper story of the village school house, then just completed.
The new Church, the fifth erected by the parish since its organization, was ready for use, early in 1856, and on the 31st of January, was consecrated by the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese. A clergyman, Rev. J. H Short, allied by marriage to the parish, who was present on the occasion, has preserved for us the following interesting account of the ceremony :
"The day was one of the most beautiful of the whole month. At half-past ten, a congregation of nearly a thousand persons had collected within the walls of the Church, to witness and participate in the services.
The Assistant Bishop met the Clergy and Wardens and Vestrymen of the parish, at the house of Capt. Jonathan Godfrey. At eleven o'clock the procession was formed, and proceeded in reverse order to the door of the Church. The Bishop then entered, followed by the Clergy and officials of the parish. The 24th Psalm was repeated alternately by the Bishop and Clergy, as they were going up the aisle to the chancel. There were present of the Clergy, besides the Bishop, the Rev. Drs. Mead, Coit, Todd, Hallam, and the Rev. Dr. Johnson, Professor in the General Theological Semi- nary ; the Rev. Dr. Goodwin, President of Trinity College ; and the Rev. Prof. Jackson ; the Rev. Messrs. Purdy, Purves, Stimson, Fisher, Adams, Robertson, Judd, Godfrey, Lewis, Stearns, Cander, Bronson, Short, Potter, Bostwick, Yarring- ton, Williams, and Deacons Russell, French and Williams.
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. JAMES S. PURDY.
The Instrument of Donation was read by the Rector, and the Sentence of Consecration by the Rev. Dr. Johnson. The Bishop then proceeded with the Consecration Service. The Rev. Dr. Coit, of Bridgeport, began Morning Prayer ; the Rev. Mr. Purves, of Westport, read the Lessons; and the Rev. Mr. Stimson of Wilton concluded. The Bishop then proceeded with the Communion Service; the Rev. Dr. Mead
RIGHT REV. JOHN WILLIAMS, D. D., D. C. L., FOURTH BISHOP OF CONNECTICUT, ÆT. 40 YEARS, 1856.
of Norwalk, reading the Epistle and Gospel for the occasion. The sermon was by the Bishop. A feeling of deep solemnity seemed to pervade the entire congregation through all the Service. The music was excellent. All who could, sang, and both Clergy and laity appreciated highly this feature of the Services. The same voices that were mingled in the Confession, Versi-
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cles and Creed, were also joined together in the words of Thanksgiving and Praise. It has now been nearly two years since the Church in this parish was burned to the ground. In the interval the Rector and parish have been as a parish without a home. They have sought a shelter, at one time in a school-room, then, in a barn, then, in an Odd Fellows' Lodge, then, in a public hall. Now, at last, they have found, in the language of their Bishop, a Holy Home ; such a home as I know every member of the parish must appreciate. This two years must have been a time of severe trial to the Rector, who had but just commenced his labors in this, his first parish. But he has not been found wanting in energy, assiduity, and zeal, for the welfare and honor of his parish- ioners. And the parish, I may say, judging from the noble edifice they have erected, have not been wanting in zeal for the honor of God, or in love for their Rector. The building is of wood, but one which will ever bear evidence of the liberality and good taste of those who have erected it.
There is nothing light or fantastic in its ornaments or decorations, neither is the religious light too dim. The whole effect is animating, solemn, and impressive. May the entire Services of the Consecration long be remembered by the congregation. May they, with their worthy Rector, long live together to enjoy the comforts and consolations of this, their holiest earthly Home."
This new edifice was equipped with what at the time, was considered a very fine organ. It came from the factory of Messrs. E. & G. C. Hook, of Boston, and cost $1,200.00. In addition to the sum of $875.00 received for insurance upon the organ destroyed by fire in the old Church, the Vestry ap- portioned $200.00 from the parish treasury ; and Edwin Bulk- ley contributed $32.50; Lewis D. Bulkley, $37.50; Chas. Rock- well, $20.00; William B. Leonard, $20.58, and Benjamin Pomeroy, $14.42, which sums made up the deficiency. In connection with the erection of the fifth Church edifice, we
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, FAIRFIELD VILLAGE. ORGANIZED, 1856.
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find on the pages of the Parish Record, this acknowledg- ment, showing the interest taken in it by a former towns- man : "Resolved, that the thanks of this Society are emi- nently due, and are hereby cordially tendered to Joseph E. Sheffield, of New Haven, for his liberal and unsolicited dona- tion of $500.00 towards rebuilding the Church in his native village."
After the destruction of the "Old Church on the Hill," and during the somewhat long interval that elapsed before all the questions connected with the change of site, and the material, whether wood or stone, with which the new structure should be constructed, it is not to be wondered at, that the residents in the village of Fairfield, a mile distant, should long for a parish Church of their own. Although the Church-people residing there were extremely few in number, it was resolved by them that a Church should be builded. By the perse- vering efforts of Mr. Henry R. Knapp, a devoted upholder of the Church of his adoption, and a few zealous friends, the site on which the foundation of a proposed jail had been started, was secured, and plans for the structure having been adopted, the corner stone was laid in September, 1855, by the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese. The completed edifice was consecrated May 20th, 1856, by the same Prelate, by the name of St. Paul's Church. As was to be expected, this memorable service was participated in by a goodly number of the Clergy and laity. The Request to Consecrate was read by the Rev. Mr. Leffingwell, the rector of the parish. The Sentence of Consecration was read by the Rev. Mr. Purdy. Morning Prayer was begun by the Rev. Mr. Reid. The Lessons were read by the Rev. Mr. Dix, of New York. The Creed and the concluding Prayers were read by the Rev. Dr. G. S. Coit. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Hallam. The Assistant Bishop read the Communion Office. The Epistle was read by the Rev. Dr. Mead, who with the Rev. Mr. Purdy, assisted the Bishop in the distribution of the
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elements. There were also present, the Rev. Messrs. Baldwin, Tomlinson, Candor, Judd, Purves, Stimson, Geo. Warner Nichols, Olmstead, Williams, Townsend, and Davies, of the Connecticut Diocese, and the Rev. Messrs. Clapp, and Samuel Nichols, of that of New York. St. Paul's parish has been ably administered, and highly prosperous from the start. As the initial services, that eventually led to its organization were begun by Mr. Cornwall, and were afterwards continued by Mr. Purdy, it hardly needs to be said, that Trinity, the old mother-parish, gave the new enterprise a hearty God speed. The Rectors have been the Rev. Messrs. C. S. Leffingwell, Levi B. Stimson, Frederick S. Hyde, James K. Lombard, and William Strother Jones. The Rev. Allen E. Beeman is the present Rector.
Mr. Purdy's ministrations at Southport, continued to be most acceptable. In 1857, by a unanimous vote of the parish, his salary was raised. Doubtless he would have remained con- tented in the promising field in which he was laboring, had not a call to a cure at Hyde Park, a growing village on the Hudson river, in the Diocese of New York, which was extended to him, appeared of such a nature that he felt he must accept it. Accordingly, to the surprise and regret of every one con- nected with the parish, his resignation was tendered, at a meeting held April 26th, 1858.
Copy of Rev. J. S. Purdy's letter, as published in the Church Calendar, May 8th, 1858.
To the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, Southport :
Gentlemen :- The object of this communication, is to certify you of my resignation of this parish. My desire is that the resignation shall take effect on the third of May. In thus relinquishing my charge, I do most gladly testify to your appreciation of a Pastor's labors among you, for your own and for the Church's good. Your kindness and affection toward me from first to last, have been unvarying. For the constant good-will you have ever manifested in my behalf, and for the
1
JUSTUS SHERWOOD, M. D., VESTRYMAN, 1859.
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many favors I have received at your hands, accept my heartiest thanks. May God's choicest blessings descend upon you all, and be assured that for your continued prosperity, you will ever have my earnest prayers. Yours affectionately, in the fellowship of Christ's Holy Church,
James S. Purdy.
When first presented, on motion of Capt. Jonathan Godfrey, it was decided unanimously, that Mr. Purdy's resignation be not accepted, and that Messrs. Godfrey and Beers, be a committee to inform him of the action of the meeting. The result was, that after earnest solicitation on the part of Mr. Purdy, the vote previously taken was reconsidered and per- mission was given him to retire as requested, which he did on the 3rd of May. On parting, the parish showed the keen sense of its loss in a series of appreciative resolutions. Among them were these words, which show the regard in which Mr. Purdy was held. " Permit us as we part, to testify with one voice to your inestimable worth as a Christian Pastor. We have found you, during the five years you have been with us, faithful and untiring in the discharge of your duties Through many vicissitudes ; the loss of our Church edifice by fire, and the consequent stress of rebuilding, you have sustained and guided us. May the blessing of our Father in Heaven attend you, and crown with even greater success, your labors in the new field upon which you are about to enter."
Rev. Mr. Purdy was also well known by the writer of these Annals. He recollects distinctly his fine personal appearance, and his great charm of manner. In a letter very recently re- ceived, his brother-in-law, the Rev. William Allen Johnson, Professor of Church History, in the Berkley Divinity School, Middletown, Conn., says of him : "For Rev. Mr. Purdy I had a very great regard. He was a wise scholar ; a very well read theologian ; an able preacher ; and always a successful pastor. He was untiring in catechising his Sunday school, and in his pastoral duties. The last Confirmation in the little village of
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Hyde Park, numbered, I think, sixteen ; and the Rev. Dr. Cady, ( who succeeded him ) said he had never known, in his experience, such devotion on the part of the plain village people to a Pastor." Mr. Purdy died, lamented by a large circle of friends, at Saratoga, New York, March 21st, 1883.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
RECTORSHIP OF THE REV. RUFUS EMERY: DESTRUCTION OF THE FIFTH CHURCH BY A TORNADO: BUILDING OF THE SIXTH CHURCH, 1858-1871, A. D.
THE REV. RUFUS EMERY.
After the Rev. Mr. Purdy left for his new cure, Trinity parish was without a Rector for two months. At a meeting
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held July 12th, 1858, the Rev. Rufus Emery, was given a unanimous call, and forthwith began his pastoral duties. The new Rector was a recent graduate of Berkley Divinity School, and this was his first charge. At once he won the hearts of his flock by his ardent devotion to his Master's work. Under his leadership the parish gained added strength, and a zeal manifested itself, that gave promise of greater progress than had ever before been attained. Thus the years passed, without aught sensational occurring, until January 1st, 1862. During the closing hours of that day, a cyclonic storm from the northwest began to make itself felt; the wind blew fiercely ; the oldest inhabitant could remember no elemental disturbance that surpassed it in vehenence. Trees and shrubbery were stripped or uprooted; many houses and barns were unroofed; scores of vessels that had neglected to seek shelter were wrecked along the coast .* While the tempest was at its height, the tall, graceful spire of the Church, yielded to the force of the blast, and breaking off at the belfry, fell upon the roof, and crashing through into the interior, wrought utter havoc and ruin therein. Those who remember the catastrophe, relate that the bell, uninjured and exposed to the storm, rang at intervals through the dark hours, sounding, as it were, a requiem over the sad scene that the coming dawn was to reveal. The destruction of the Church proved to be complete. The east wall lay prone upon the ground ; The west wall would also have fallen quite as far but for the interposition of a venerable oak, which served as a prop to hold it up. Singular to relate, the organ was un- harmed, as was the altar within the chancel; and the great
* The weather on New Year's morning was very fine, with a light wind from southwest, the barometer standing 29 and 7-10 ; indicating a blow, which about 12.30 P. M. commenced from southwest, and during the evening shifted to west north- west, and has been blowing furiously since from that quarter. Much damage has been done to shipping in exposed situations. A tremendous gale is reported on the Sound. In Boston and its vicinity, many chimneys were blown down, and buildings unroofed. The storm is the most severe known for years. New York Times, Jan. 3rd, 1862.
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY.
window of stained glass above it; nothing else, though, escaped, and it was evident that the entire structure would have to be rebuilt. This was a heavy blow, for the parish was just recovering from the financial exhaustion consequent upon the original construction of the edifice. It rose, how-
HULL SHERWOOD, VESTRYMAN AND WARDEN, 1819-1864.
ever, to the occasion. At a meeting held, January 18th, on motion of Mr. Benjamin Pomeroy, it was unanimously voted : " That this parish proceed to rebuild the Church, substantially upon the same plan as before, and that it be built by the day, the work to begin as soon as the sum of six thousand dollars shall be raised." Rev. Mr. Emery was made chairman of the Building Committee, and the requisite amount having been subscribed, the new Church was begun, and was ready for
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Consecration before the close of the year. The same clergy- man, the Rev. David H. Short, who was present at the Conse- cration four years previously, was also a participant in this, and has left us an account so full and graphic, that it is given at length : "It may be remembered that the first day of the year 1862 closed in a tremendous tornado. During that night, Trinity Church, Southport, was laid in ruins, and a more complete wreck can scarcely be imagined. The tall spire fell lengthwise of the nave, crushing the roof, bursting out both sides of the building, and breaking over the chancel, about twenty feet of the top was thrown some fifty feet be- yond and plunged through the roof of the horse-sheds. But no description can adequately portray the scene of desolation, and much less can it express the anguish of heart felt by the band of zealous Churchmen belonging to the parish. Only a few years before, they had been deprived of their Church by fire, and now another element had made scarcely less devasta- tion. But it is not to describe the wreck that I write. It is to endeavor to give some faint idea of an entirely different and more joyous scene.
"By the united zeal, energy and liberality of the people of the ancient, but oft-tried parish, another and more beautiful Temple has arisen on the foundation of the former Church ; and Thursday, the 11th of December, was the day appointed for its Consecration to the worship of the Holy and Undivided Trinity. The day, as if Divine Providence did smile upon the pious undertaking, was almost cloudless, and bland beyond compare for wintry days. The morning sun rose bright and clear, and many a heart rejoiced that once again devout Christian people could assemble to worship God, could kneel- to offer up their heart's devotions, could listen to the words of eternal life, the preached Gospel, and could receive the bread of God free from distraction of mind, in a place separated from all common, secular and unhallowed uses. At the hour appointed, 11 o'clock, the Church was filled, and the
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. RUFUS EMERY. 1
Assistant Bishop, preceded by the Wardens and Vestrymen of the parish, and accompanied by a large number of the Clergy, robed in surplices, formed in procession at the residence of Jonathan Godfrey, Esq., and marched to the Church. On entering, the Bishop commenced the recitation of the appro- priate Psalm, which caused many a heart to thrill with joyful
ANDREW BULKLEY, VESTRYMAN, 1859-1867.
emotion, and the response of the Clergy was full and sonorous, making the lofty arch resound. Seated in the chancel, the Bishop on the right of the altar, was supported by the Rev. S. R. Johnson, S. T. D., of the General Theological Seminary, New York, the Rector of the parish, the Rev. Messrs. Tom-
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linson and Cooke, and on the left by the Rev. Drs. Mead and J. L. Clark, and the Rev. Messrs. Short, S. M. Emery, and French. The Instrument of Donation was read by the Rector, after which the Bishop proceeded with the Service of Conse- cration ; the Sentence of Consecration was read by the Rev. S. M. Emery. This service concluded, Morning Prayer was said by the Rev. Mr. Stimson, to the end of the appropriate Psalms; the Rev. Mr. Willey read the Lessons; the Rev. Mr. Deshon concluded Morning Prayer. The Ante-Com- munion was begun by the Bishop, the Rev. Dr. Mead reading the Epistle, and the Rev. Dr. Johnson the Gospel. The sermon was by the Bishop, in his usual clear and forcible style. After sermon the Offertory was read by the Rev. Dr. Johnson; the Rev. Dr. Clark officiated in the Communion to the Absolution, which was pronounced by the Bishop, who then proceeded with the Consecration and distribution of the sacred elements, being assisted in the latter by the Rev. Drs. Mead, Johnson and Clark. The Rev. Mr. Short said the Post-Communion, to the Gloria in Excelsis, which was chanted by the choir and the congregation, accompanied by the full-toned organ. Here it is proper to remark that all the music was judiciously selected, and exe- cuted in excellent style and good taste. Instead of selecting music which would exhibit wonderful powers of execution rather than devotion in the worship of God, the chants were plain, only varied by the Grand Te Deum of Jackson: the metre tunes, as they ought always to be, on such occasions, were familiar, and well adapted to the worship of God by the whole congregation, and the great body of worshippers mani- fested their appreciation by joining with hearty voice, making the lofty arch resound with a full chorus. The Bishop con- cluded the services, pronouncing the Benediction. Thus closed one of the most interesting services of the kind which I remember to have attended. Besides the Clergy already mentioned, there were present, the Rev. W. H. Williams,
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Chaplain of the army, the Rev. Messrs. J. R. Williams, G. D. Johnson, J. Godfrey, and the Rev. Messrs. E. F. Bishop, Benjamin, and Brathwaite, deacons.
" I have spun out this communication to so great length, that little room is left for a description of the Church, or for the mention of some other matters of interest in relation to
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