USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Christ church, Hartford, Volume I > Part 29
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Nov 22. The following communication received from the Rector was read:
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
HARTFORD, NOV. 17, 1849.
To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, Hartford.
Gentlemen, I beg most respectfully to give you notice of my intention to resign the Rectorship of Christ Church at Easter next. Allow me to add, that if you desire to call another Rector before that date, I shall cheerfully accede to your views. With great regard and esteem, I am, Gentle- men, your friend and servant.
P. S. CHAUNCEY.
HARTFORD, NOV. 20, 1849.
Dudley Buck, Esq".
My dear Sir, The Communication which I addressed to the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church on Saturday last, would have been more formal and explicit, had I supposed that there was any danger of a misapprehension of my views. And to guard against this view I beg to state to you, that my reason for resigning the Rectorship is the state of my health.
Very truly yours, P. S. CHAUNCEY.
1850.
Jany. 8. The Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Parish, to confer with the Rector, reported, that they had had several conferences with him, and the result was, that he (the Rector) had no further communication to make.
A Resolution was offered by Dr. George Sumner and passed (the members voting by ballot) as follows, 31 yeas, 13 nays, 4 blanks.
Resolved, That the Rector of this Parish be requested to withdraw his communication to the Wardens and Vestry, bearing date November 17, 1849.
Feb. 5, P. The committee appointed at a previous meet- ing to inform the Rector of a vote of the Parish, "requesting him to withdraw his communication to the Wardens and Vestry, bearing date Nov. 17th, 1849," presented the following communications, which were read to the meeting:
.
372
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
HARTFORD, 30th Jan. 1850. To Rev. P. S. Chauncey.
Dr Sir, At a meeting of the Parish of Christ Church, convened at the Chapel on the 22d instant, a communication from the Rector to the Wardens and Vestry was read, in which you announce your intention to resign the Rectorship of the Parish at the ensuing Easter.
By a large vote, the Parish requested you to withdraw that communication, and the many friends who have wit- nessed your untiring efforts and successful labors, to advance the cause of pure and undefiled religion, will be delighted to hear that those efforts and those labors are to be hereafter exerted for their present happiness and for their everlasting peace. We the undersigned having been chosen a committee to confer with you on this subject, will be happy to transmit to the next Parish meeting any communication which you may wish to make, or to adopt any other course which shall be satisfactory to yourself. With sentiments of affection and highest respect for your personal character,
We are truly your friends, GEORGE SUMNER, JUNIUS S. MORGAN, HEZEKIAH HUNTINGTON.
To Dr. Sumner, J. S. Morgan, and H. Huntington, Esqrs §
Gentlemen. I am in the receipt of your communication of the 30th Ultimo in regard to the action of the Parish of Christ Church, on the subject of my resignation of the Rectorship.
I am exceedingly gratified by the large vote requesting me to withdraw that resignation, but after mature deliberation beg respectfully to state to the Parish, thro' you, my decision to adhere to my purpose, and sever my connection with the Parish at Easter, next. I transmit herewith a com- munication addressed to the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, containing my formal resignation of the Rectorship.
I avail myself, Gentlemen, of this occasion to express my warmest thanks for the very kind and courteous manner in
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
which you have discharged the trust committed to you, and of my unchanging regard and affection.
Very faithfully yours, P. S. CHAUNCEY, Rector of Christ Church, Hartford.
HARTFORD, Feb. 4, 1850.
HARTFORD, Feb. 4, 1850.
To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, Hartford.
Gentlemen, In a communication dated November 17th, 1849, and addressed to you, I announced my intention to re- sign the Rectorship of Christ Church at Easter next. As it is proper that you should be in possession of a more formal document, I beg to say that I now resign the Rectorship to take effect on Easter day.
It is needless to dwell here upon the pain which this severing of sacred and cherished ties has caused me; but I am sure you will allow me to express my heartfelt wishes for your prosperity and happiness as a Parish, and as individuals, as also my warmest prayer that the Great Head of the Church will send you a Pastor "after his own heart," in whose ministry you will all find great delight, and by whose labours you may be fitted for the enjoyments of a brighter world. Commending you and those whom you represent, to the guidance and blessing of Heaven, I am, Gentlemen,
Your servant for Christ's sake, P. S. CHAUNCEY, Rector, etc.
The following Preamble and Resolutions were then pre- sented by Samuel H. Huntington, Esqr., and passed unani- mously.
Whereas, The Rector of this Parish, the Rev. P. S. Chauncey, did on the 17th of November last, announce to the Wardens and Vestry, that he felt compelled by the state of his health to notify them of his intention to resign the Rectorship of the Parish at Easter next, and Whereas at a subsequent meeting of the Parish, a vote was passed request- ing him to withdraw said notice of his intention, thereby ex- pressing to him the wish of the Parish that he should con-
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
tintte in the Rectorship, in answer to which vote a communi- cation has at the present meeting of the Parish been received from him, stating a conviction on his part of the necessity of adhering to his intention, as expressed in his note of the 17th of November, and in pursuance thereof, tendering his formal resignation to take effect at the ensuing Easter, - therefore,
Resolved, That the same be and hereby is accepted.
Resolved, That in accepting said resignation a connexion is severed that has been distinguished on the part of our Rector, by an amenity of deportment in his daily intercourse with his people that has won our sincerest esteem -by a soundness of principle and integrity of character which command our unfeigned respect, - and by a most laborious fidelity in the discharge of his parochial duties, which entitles him to our most affectionate gratitude.
Resolved, That wherever in the good Providence of God his future lot may be cast, we most cordially assure him, and his family, of our constant and most fervent prayers, for his and their health and happiness, and that the Divine Blessing may most abundantly rest upon him and them.
Resolved, That the Treasurer be authorized and directed to pay to Mr. Chauncey his accustomed salary up to the first of August next.
Resolved, That the Treasurer be and he is hereby author- ized to pay the Rev. P. S. Chauncey the sum of Fifty dollars, being the amount paid by him for an assessment against Christ Church Parish for the erection of a monument to the memory of the late Rt. Rev. Bishop Seabury at St. James' Church, New London.
It is not necessary to add but little to what has been said of Mr. Chauncey in the report of the committee or the Funds of the Parish. He was a graduate of Colum- bia College, and of the General Theological Seminary, and was Rector of Christ Church, Rye, N. Y., " where he officiated with admirable fidelity for nearly fourteen years." His parishioners upon his leaving them said :
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
" that in his removal from our midst, we shall lose a valu- able Citizen, an accomplished Gentleman, and a sincere Christian."
After resigning the Rectorship of Christ Church he was in 1851 called to St. James' Church, Hamilton Square, N. Y., "the duties of which he discharged with the same disinterested devotion that had characterized his whole previous ministry, for a period of nearly sixteen years, until the day of his death."
The Rev. Dr. Montgomery in a memorial sermon says this of him :
"Brought up in a high social position, with all the in- stincts and good breeding of a gentleman, Chauncey was the very impersonation of integrity and honor. In his society you recognized at once that you were in the presence of a Christian companion who would never cause you to repent of the most unreserved confidence, and who would respect your feelings as if they were his own."
And again,-
"As a Teacher from the sacred rostrum, Dr. Chauncey instructed his people faithfully in the doctrines of grace. He proclaimed in the pulpit, and from house to house, the simple and precious truth as it is in Jesus, and held up with unswerving fidelity the cross of an atoning Saviour. I ven- ture to assert that if all his sermons were examined in every minutest part, they would all yield their consentaneotts testi- mony to the fulness and integrity of the cardinal verities of the Scripture -everywhere would be the shadow of the cross of our Incarnate God."
Feb. 21, V. A proposition from Mr. R. G. Page of New York, made to Mr. L. T. Downs the Organist, of this Parish, to sing in Christ Church on the Sabbath, and other days of Public Worship, and teach singing in the Parish to such per- sons as may wish to learn, at a salary of Four hundred dol- lars per annum, was presented for the consideration of the meeting. Whereupon, it was
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
V. Voted, That immediate efforts be made to secure the services of Mr. Page, and that Messrs. Charles H. Sigourney and A. Watkinson be, and they are hereby, appointed a Com- mittee to raise by subscription the sum of Four hundred dollars, for the above purpose.
March 5, V. Voted, That the Wardens be, and they are hereby, authorized to invite the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel S. Wheaton, Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Coit, and Rev. Dr. John Williams to officiate and perform the duties of Christ Church Parish, until some person is elected to supply the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Rev. P. S. Chauncey.
It is seldom that any parish is served as ably and faithfully as was Christ Church by these gentlemen for the space of a year. Dr. Wheaton being the elder and former rector of the parish, took upon himself the more immediate supervision of its affairs, but all of them preached in succession as suited themselves, and it is needless to add to the great satisfaction of all.
March 25, V. Voted, That the resignation of Mrs. Bolles be accepted and in consequence of her past services in the Choir, that the thanks of the Vestry be presented to her by Mr. Z. Preston, and that she be presented with the use of pew No. 16, for herself and family the ensuing year.
At a Parish meeting held April 1, a communication was received from Rev. Mr. Chauncey relating to the sum of $550, which had been voted him at a meeting in February. The communication may be found in the report of the Committee on the Funds of the Parish, p. 121.
April 30, P. Voted, That the Wardens and Vestry be and they are hereby authorized and requested to make enquiries at their discretion, to ascertain the expense of erecting a Cast Iron Fence around the Church; of painting the interior of the same, and the expense of Gas fixtures, for the purpose of lighting the Church and Chapel with Gas.
Also, to devise ways and means to pay for the same, and
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
report such information as they may obtain to the adjourned meeting of the Parish.
July 27. The following communication was received from Sam1 H. Huntington, Supt. of the Sunday School.
HARTFORD, July 12, 1850. To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church.
Gentlemen, It is now nearly three years since the Parish has done anything in aid of the Sunday School Library. The selection of books in the present library is a very poor one, and the number not very great. I have made some small additions within the last few months, but more are very much wanted; the interest felt by the children in the Sunday School depends very much upon the Library. It is desirable therefore, that there should be a collection to increase the Library, and if you see fit to direct that one should be made, I hope that suitable notice may be given, that it may be as large as possible. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
S. H. HUNTINGTON, Superintendent.
Aug' 10. The following communication, signed by forty- four persons, was presented and read to the meeting as follows : the Parish was becoming impatient.
To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church Parish, Hartford.
The undersigned respectfully request that a Parish meet- ing of Christ Church Parish may be called at as early a date as possible, for the purpose of taking into consideration the making of certain repairs upon the Church building, the inclosing said building with an Iron Fence,- and also to take such steps as the meeting may deem proper for the purpose of procuring a Rector for said Parish.
HARTFORD, Aug. 6, 1850.
Samuel Tudor M. A. Tuttle E. B. Hull Henry K. Morgan Denison Morgan
H. Kilbourn
Chester Adams Phillip Ripley Henry Corning Jr. Normand Lyman Jr.
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Perry Smith
Normand Lyman
Dudley Buck
James Bolter
Thomas J. Fales
L. B. Goodman
A. M. Gordon
Henry Perkins
Charles Benton
L[uther] Smith
Charles Chapman
M. S. Roberts
George H. Clark
S. B. Beresford
William Conner
Daniel Goodwin
John B. Eldredge
Isaac F. Smyth
Benning Mann
John R. Tracy
A. C. Goodman
Wm Isham
O. P. Dorman
Henry Britton
James B. McNary
J. W. Bull
T. J. Work
J. S. Morgan
William Conner Jr.
Allyn S. Stillman
Edward H. Broadhead
Benjm Rogers
H. Brainard
J. B. Powell
Augt. 10, P. Voted, That the sum of Fifteen hundred dollars per year be paid to the Rev. Drs. Wheaton, Williams, and Coit, the officiating Clergymen of Christ Church Parish, to be divided among them in such proportion as they shall deem proper.
August 16, P. Resolved, That the Committee appointed by the Wardens and Vestry to contract for the building a Cast Iron Fence around the Church, be instructed to cause a fence of the pattern drawn by Mr. Althouse and exhibited to this meeting by Mr. Sigourney, to be built and set on a good and sufficient coping to be placed on a level from the southeast corner of the Parish lot to the North West buttress of the Church, following the street line on Main and Church streets, to the passway west of the Church, -provided the same shall be done without increasing the debt of the Parish.
Voted, That all votes passed at any meeting previous to the passage of the above Resolution, respecting the building a Cast Iron Fence around the Church be rescinded.
Oct. 17. The following Petition from sundry members of the Parish was presented for the consideration of the meeting. To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church,
We the undersigned having been instrumental by our individual contributions in engaging the services of Mr.
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Paige, as the leader of the Choir of Christ Church, beg leave to represent to you, that our expectation was that he, Mr. Paige, should be placed in the sole charge of said Choir, and that both at the rehearsals, and during the services in the Church, the Choir and the Organist should be wholly under his direction and that of no one else. We wish it to be understood that the principal and indeed the only induce- ment which influenced us, was the acknowledged taste and experience of Mr. Paige in sacred music, of which we hoped the Choir of Christ Church might have the benefit ; and hav- ing no means of making known our wishes in this matter but through you, and supposing they are coincident with your own, we ask your concurrence in carrying out the object as stated above.
Zephanialı Preston,
Chester Adams,
H. Huntington,
Eben' Flower,
C. H. Northam,
Dudley Buck,
William Conner,
Wm. Isham.
H. Brainard,
There was also a communication from Mr. R. G. Paige, addressed to Mr. Z. Preston, read to the meeting, stating that there were some difficulties existing between himself and Mr. Downs the Organist. Whereupon it was voted as fol- lows, That Messrs. Z. Preston, C. H. Sigourney, and H. Hunt- ington be a Committee to confer with the parties above named, and if possible adjust the differences existing be- tween them, and report their doings to a future meeting of the Vestry.
Nov. 7, V. The Committee to whom the subject of a communication from Mr. Paige, and a Petition from sundry members of the Parish, were referred, respectfully report,
That in their opinion the Parish would be unwilling to release Mr. Paige from his present contract, thereby disap- pointing the expectations of a large majority of the parish ; and particularly those who were instrumental in obtaining his services, and they recommend the adoption of the follow- ing resolutions:
Resolved, That in the opinion of the Wardens and Vestry,
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
the Vocal leader of a Choir, when a Scientific Musician (as in the present case) should have the sole charge and direction of all the performances by the Choir, and that while the Organist is responsible for his performance on the instru- ment, they hope that in all his accompaniments, he will en- deavor to aid the performance by seconding the views and wishes of the Vocal leader.
Resolved, That the Clerk be requested to furnish Mr. R. G. Paige, and Mr. L. T. Downs, each a copy of the foregoing Resolutions.
ZEPHANIAH PRESTON, H. HUNTINGTON, Committee.
C. H. SIGOURNEY,
Episcopal City Mission.
Dec. 12, V. Voted, That a contribution be taken up in the Church, on the last Sunday of December 1850, and the last Sunday of June 1851, for the benefit of the Episcopal City Mission.
This Mission was undertaken by the Parishes of Christ Church and St. John's, and Rev. Charles R. Fisher was appointed by the Bishop as Missionary. It was under the management of three persons from each Parish, consist- ing of Gurdon W. Russell, Thomas T. Fisher, and Thomas J. Fales from Christ, and M. W. Wilson, William Faxon, and Nathan M. Waterman from St. John's. The object was to provide further religious instruction to those living east of Main street. The matter was consid- ered at a meeting of both Parishes, fully attended in the Chapel, and was most cordially supported. The old Con- ference Room, in Temple street, belonging to Deacon Aaron Colton, of which previous mention has been made, was decently fitted up for the services, and was well filled, especially in the evening. The different clergy in the city rendered valuable assistance to the Missionary, and the Mission evidently was accomplishing the objects for which it was intended.
Thomas M. Black.
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
After a while a Parish was formed, named St. Paul's, and a Church was built on Market street at a cost of ten thousand dollars. Unfortunately, it was too near Christ Church to be eminently successful, and soon ceased to be prosperous. Mr. Fisher, however, was especially fitted for his position, and was exceedingly useful, not in this particular region alone, but all over the city; the poor and afflicted found in him a friend to counsel, to assist, and console. After his death the Parish dwindled, and was dissolved, and the Church was closed. As it did not seem to have sufficient friends to preserve it and keep it open for religious observances, it was sold, by permission of the Diocesan Convention, to the German Lutherans, who still use it for public worship, and it can be used for no other purpose.
Dec. 31. At a Parish meeting called especially for this purpose it was unanimously
Voted, That the Rev. Thomas M. Clark of Boston, Mass., having the approbation of the Bishop, be requested to accept the Rectorship of this Parish.
1851.
Jan. 31, P. The following communication from the Rev. Thomas M. Clark of Boston, Mass., was read and ordered to be entered upon the records of this Parish.
Bosroy, Jany. 25, 1851.
Mess. Z. Preston and )
C. H. Northam,
Gentlemen,
I have had the honor to receive through you, an invi- tation to the Rectorship of Christ Church, Hartford. After giving to the subject the careful and deliberate consideration which its importance demands, I have concluded to accept this invitation, and hope to enter upon my duties with you on the first of March, next. May the Divine blessing rest upon the solemn relation which is thus established, and
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
strength be given me for the faithful discharge of the obli- gations which it involves.
Your friend and servant in Christ,
THOMAS M. CLARK.
A salary of twenty-five hundred dollars per annum was voted to Mr. Clark, and all expenses in removing from Brookline to Hartford were to be defrayed by the Parish.
April 21, P. Resolved, That this Church will long cherish a grateful remembrance of the distinguished ability, zeal, and faithfulness with which the Rev. N. S. Wheaton, D.D., the Rev. Thomas W. Coit, D.D., and the Rev. John Williams, D.D., have ministered in this Parish.
Voted, That the Wardens and Vestry be and they are hereby authorized to make such alterations in the Slips at the East end of the Church as they may deem expedient.
June 29, V. Voted, That the House of Convocation have the use of the Church on the day preceding the next annual Commencement of Trinity College, and that 'permission be also granted to the Faculty and Students of Trinity College to use the Church, Organ, and Chapel for the next annual Commencement exercises, agreeable to the request of the President and Graduating Class, subject to the direction of D. Morgan and Z. Preston, Wardens of the Parish.
A communication from Mr. R. G. Paige tendering his resignation as organist and chorister was read and declined by a unanimous vote. On the 23d of August he again tendered his resignation, which was accepted. On the 13th of September, the committee on procuring an organist reported ; the report was accepted and ordered to be entered on the records ; it is as follows:
The committee appointed by the Vestry to procure an Organist to supply the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Paige, respectfully report that they have made an arrangement with Mr. L. T. Downs to take charge of the Organ and Choir on and after the first of October next, at the
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
usual salary of five hundred dollars per annum; Mr. Downs agreeing to furnish such a Choir as he may be able to obtain, without charge to the Parish. And he also agrees that if after a suitable time for forming a Choir, and practicing with them, he should be unable to render the music satisfactory to the Rector, Wardens and Vestry, and the parish generally, he will vacate the situation on receiving a reasonable notice.
The services of Mr. Wm. Wander, as tenor singer, were secured for one hundred and fifty dollars per annum, and the salary of the organ-blower was increased to twenty dollars. The very decided diversity of opinions and the disturbances concerning the music, and an iron fence, were now quieted. The new Rector had informed him- self about the dissensions which had existed for nearly a year, and soon brought them to a happy conclusion. Another subject, however, remained for consideration, that of the finances of the parish.
1852.
Sept. 29, \'. Voted, That Denison Morgan, Zephanialı Preston, and Chas. H. Sigourney be a Committee to purchase such movable seats as they may think expedient for the use of the Church.
Voted, That the Rector be requested to notify a meeting of the gentlemen of the Parish on some Tuesday evening during the month of October ensuing, to consider the indebtedness of this Parish and to take such measures as they may think advisable for the partial or entire liquidation of the Parish debt.
Oct. 7, 17. Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to re- move from this world the Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D.D., Bishop of Illinois, and formerly Rector of this Church.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the family of the deceased, with the Diocese over which he so faithfully presided, and with the Church at large, to which for many years he devoted his best energies, through self denials and peculiar privations, in the heavy loss which they have all sustained, by the death of this venerable man.
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Resolved, That we cherish with grateful hearts the re- membrance of his valuable services to this Parish, in the earlier years of its existence, which then received an impress from his vigorous hand, that will not soon be effaced, and a direction towards sound Churchmanship and evangelical Christianity, which we trust will be perpetuated forever.
Resolved, That suitable tokens of mourning in memory of our deceased Father, be placed in the Church, and the Rector be requested to take such notice of this solemn Providence as the occasion demands.
Dec. 4, V. Voted, That the Sexton have liberty to ring the Bell at 12 M. and at 9 o'clock, P. M., in accordance with a vote of the town.
1853.
March 28, P. Voted, That the Wardens and Vestry be a Committee to propose some plan for the payment of the Parish debt -to build a Fence-Paint the interior of the Church, and make such other improvements and repairs as they may deem necessary, and report the same to an ad- journed meeting of the Parish, to be held on Tuesday the 5th day of April, next, at 7 o'clock P. M.
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