USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Christ church, Hartford, Volume I > Part 33
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You will rightly attribute my hesitancy to my own pain- ful consciousness of a very limited experience in both minis- terial and pastoral work, and to a fear lest I shd hereafter be found inadequate to the position assumed, and not to any want of confidence in the Parish, or lack of desire to be thus honorably connected with its members.
I am Gentlemen,
Yrs. very Respectfully, R. MEECH.
Mess. C. H. NORTHAM, Wardens, etc.
C. ADAMS, Esqrs. )
No. 103 Elm, HARTFORD, May, 1867.
Voted, That the Senior Warden be requested to notify the Rev. Mr. Meech that his letter is received and that the Wardens and Vestry accept his proposition to take charge of the Parish agreeably to the terms stated in said letter.
A proposition was made by Mr. Gordon W. Burnham to present a marble bust of the late Bishop Brownell, to the Parish, upon certain conditions, which were not carried out, and the bust was returned to him, according to his request.
425
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Mr. Meech informed the Vestry that Mrs. William Mather offers to present a lot of land in the northern part of the city, that a chapel may be erected thereon. This was a lot from the southwest part of her home lot, and it was
Voted, That the Wardens and Vestry thankfully receive the offer made by Mrs. Mather, and will advise the accept- ance thereof by the Parish.
I868.
Feb. 20, V. The following letter from Mr. Meech was read. To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, Hartford, Conn.
Gentlemen, the time granted me for considering the call of the Parish of Christ Church to become its Rector having now expired, and no intimation of any change of purpose or desire on the part either of yourselves, or the Parish, having been received by me, I hereby declare my acceptance of the said call, and my willingness to become yr Rector from this date.
In accepting I do not disguise from myself that I am assuming a position of much responsibility and difficulty, and for which there may well be a question as to my fitness. But the kind assurance of sympathy and forbearance which I have recd from many individuals in the Parish, the desire of my Bishop, and my own inclination to retain my home among you, encourage me to undertake the duties which the call lays upon me. Above all, I look for help to my Divine Master the great Head of the Church and trust that according to my day so will he make my strength to be.
Praying that the step I now take may be blessed of GOD to the welfare of the Parish, and of the Church at large, and that I may ever retain your esteem and confidence, I remain, Gentlemen
Hartford, Conn.
Yrs very Respectfully ROBT. MEECH.
Feast of the Epiphany, A.D. 1868.
It was Voted, That Rev. Mr. Meech be authorized to obtain
426
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
the services of Rev. Edward Goodridge as his Assistant, at a salary of one thousand dollars per annum.
Record of a Subscription made in 1867.
The undersigned agree to pay to J. W. Beach, Treasurer, the sums affixed to our several names, to raise the sum of six hundred dollars, for the purpose of discharging the floating debt of the Parish.
C. H. Northam,
$100 George Beach, . $50
J. W. Beach,
100 Wm. F. Tuttle, 50
Chester Adams,
50 Daniel Goodwin,
50
S. G. Farnham,
50 Newton Carter,
50
W. Keney, .
50 Geo. E. Hatch,
· 25
James Goodwin,
50
A proposition which had been made by Wm. W. Roberts, June 19, 1866, for the purchase of a strip of land belonging to the Parish, had been considered at various times, without any agreement as to terms. This was in the rear of the Chapel, south of the south line of the lot on which the church stands, continued westward.
April 27, At an adjourned special meeting of the Parish Mr. Adams made a verbal statement, and after some discus- sion, it was-
Voted, That the Wardens be authorized and instructed to sell and convey to William W. Roberts, a piece of land in the rear of the Chapel, south of the south line of the lot on which the Church stands continued westward, and also a privilege in the gangway, upon such terms and conditions as the com- mittee appointed to confer with said Roberts at the last Parish meeting, or a majority of them, shall consider for the best interest of the Parish.
Provided, That the price to be paid by the said Roberts shall not be less than $1,000.
" There was some discussion, but no action taken, with reference to the terms of sale of the land, May 22, 1869." A mention is made of this matter April 20, 1871, when the Wardens with Mr. Davis and the Clerk were instructed to
427
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
make a settlement with William W. Roberts. Nothing further appears upon the records concerning it. By the Treasurer's book it appears that on August 12, 1874, Mr. Roberts paid to him the sum of $1,500 presumably for this land.
1869.
Jan. 21, V. Mr. Meech made some remarks upon church work in his opinion desirable to be accomplished, especially in the direction of missionary efforts in the northern part of the city ; and upon motion, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Burr, and Mr. Meech were appointed a committee to wait on Mrs. Mather in reference to the Chapel proposed to be built on the land donated by her. Mr. Dickinson reported that Mrs. Mather is willing to waive the restric- tion relative to the material of which the Chapel is to be built. On the 17th of March, Mr. Ellis submitted a plan for a Chapel, and Messrs. Carter, Dickinson, Burr, and Case were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions to raise funds to build a Chapel on the Mather lot.
At this meeting, Mr. Goodridge resigned the position of Assistant Minister, to take effect on the coming Easter.
March 23. Mr. Meech brought to the notice of the Vestry a Resolution of the Lower House of the General Convention of 1868, relative to the sale or leasing of seats in churches ; when it was
Voted, That the seats be assessed for a sufficient sum to cover the ordinary expenses of the Parish. ·
April 12. Mr. Adams and Mr. Farnham reported verbally the result of a conference they had had with Mr. Meech.
The resignation of Mr. Goodridge was accepted, and the following resolutions offered by Mr. Preston were adopted unanimously:
Whereas, The Rev. Edward Goodridge has resigned the position of Assistant Minister of Christ Church, Hartford, and his resignation has been accepted,-although we shall
428
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
deeply feel his loss, we cannot but appreciate his motives ; therefore,
Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Goodridge has filled his posi- tion in the Parish and Sunday School during the past year to the entire satisfaction of the congregation.
Resolved, That he has our heartfelt wishes and prayers that the blessing of God may rest on him and his family, and that his labors in future may be crowned with success.
The condition of the Chapel was now requiring atten- tion ; if the expense of the repairs were estimated at over two thousand dollars, a special meeting of the Parish was to be called.
June 21, V. Voted, That the Wardens be authorized to em- ploy Mr. Charles H. B. Tremaine as Assistant Minister of the Parish, until Easter next, provided it is acceptable to Mr. Meech, at a salary not exceeding the rate of one thousand dollars per annum.
Isaac Toucey was born at Newtown, November 5, 1796, and died July 30, 1869. He married Catharine, daughter of Cyprian Nichols, October 28, 1827. She died August 13, 1871, aged 69 years ; a most estimable lady, possess- ing in a high degree the gentle disposition and amiable manners of both her parents. The name of Mr. Toucey first occurs on our records in a subscription " for warming the Church," in 1814. He commenced the practice of law in Hartford in 1818, and was state's attorney from 1822 to IS35. He once told me that he rarely failed to convict an offender against whom he brought an action, which, while good evidence of his judgment and ingenuity, shows that the juries in those days were conscientious and in favor of executing the law. He was member of Congress from this district for four years; was Governor of the state in 1846; attorney-general under Mr. Polk; member of the Senate of the United States in 1851 for six years, and Secretary of the Navy in the administra- tion of Mr. Buchanan. He was for many years a member
429
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
of the vestry, and was senior warden in 1850, often served upon committees, and was quite interested in Parish mat- ters. He was also a trustee of Trinity College and a liberal benefactor of that institution.
1870.
July 7. The following minute was unanimously adopted :
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God suddenly to re- move our Senior Warden, Chester Adams, who has been identified with the interests of this Parish for many years, and has held the office of Vestryman or Warden since 1853,
We desire in this manner to express, and leave upon record, a testimonial of our high appreciation of his charac- ter as a man and a christian, and to tender our heartfelt sympathy to his bereaved family.
' St. Thomas Parish was organized July 21, 1870, and the following persons signed the agreement of membership, the intent being to afford further religious services in the north part of the city.
L. A. Dickinson,
F. W. Burr,
John Spring,
Thomas Sumner,
Josiah H. Martin,
R. W. Douthwait,
Richard Wright,
John Fairman,
F. C. Thompson, William Pierce,
William F. Whittlesey, A. W. North,
William A. Corey,
G. B. Hubbell,
Alfred Milton,
Geo. S. Burr,
George O. Newton,
Wm. A. Prothero,
Albert Skinner,
John W. Johnson,
Timothy Mather, James S. Barnett,
Alfred Williams, Andrew Brabazon.
This organization was the result of mission services held in the north part of the town. Many of the above persons belonged to Christ Church, which was thus weak- ened by this third and last emigration. There is to be
430
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
found in our records no mention of the establishment of St. Thomas Parish. There was, however, no ill feeling connected with it, and many of our members contributed to the erection of its church.
187I.
April 10, P. Mr. Tremaine was requested to remain another year, and the Wardens were authorized to make ar- rangements for such temporary assistance to Mr. Meech as may be needed in case Mr. Tremaine declined.
Oct. 28. Voted, That the Rector be requested to hold the week day services in the Chapel, instead of in the Church.
Voted, That the ringing of the bell be dispensed with for the ordinary week day services.
This led to a remonstrance from the rector, and after further discussion and considerable delay the vote con- cerning the ringing of the bell " was rescinded " February 7, 1874, and very properly too.
1872.
April I, P. Voted, That in the opinion of this meeting, it is not expedient that the expenses of the Parish should ex- ceed its income.
At this time the condition of the Parish was not at all satisfactory ; a number of the old and wealthy members had died ; some had united in establishing the parishes of Trinity and St. Thomas; the debt was annually in- creasing, and for reasons which ought not to have existed there was not a cordial support of the rector. In such cases his work is very much hindered, and however well performed, his ministrations fall far short of their true value. By the above vote it is shown that the Parish was . beginning to realize its true condition, but it did not have the courage to curtail its expenses. It went on in the same reckless way for a short time longer, until absolute necessity rendered a change necessary.
431
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
April 27. A communication from James Goodwin offer- ing to subscribe one fifth part of $25,000 to be raised for re- building the Chapel and painting the Church, was read and referred to the Wardens.
I873.
April 14, P. Voted, That the music for the coming year be limited to the sum of two thousand dollars.
1874.
April 6. The following communication from the Rector was received :
To the members of the Parish of Christ Church.
My dear friends, The Bishop of the Diocese has given me his official counsel and judgment that I ought to resign my rectorship among you. I hereby comply with the same, and return to you the trust received from you nearly seven years since. Faithfully y' brother in Christ,
ROBT. MEECH.
Easter Even, 1874.
The resignation of the rectorship by Rev. Mr. Meech was accepted, and thereupon it was
Unanimously Resolved, That in accepting the resignation of the Reverend Robert Meech, we desire to express our con- viction that while Rector of this Parish he has faithfully and conscientiously endeavored to do his whole duty ; and that he has our best wishes for his future welfare and happiness.
April 20. On motion Charles H. Northam, Gurdon W. Russell, George Beach, Charles Benton, Wm. F. Tuttle, and David T. Lanman, were appointed a committee to consider the financial condition of the Parish, and to report at a future meeting.
April 20, P. It having come to the knowledge of this Parish, that a union of several parishes in this city has been proposed, therefore,
Resolved, That Gurdon W. Russell, Flavins A. Brown, and George Beach, be appointed a committee from this Parish, to
432
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
confer with any other committees appointed for the above purpose, and report to a future meeting.
May 4. The report of the committee on finance was read by Col. Northam, and is as follows :
The committee to whom was referred the financial condi- tion of the Parish, beg leave to report, -
That from a statement furnished them, they find the present indebtedness of the Parish to be $18,290, seven thousand of which is funded, leaving a balance of floating debt of about $11,300. There is due from Mr. Roberts $1,000 and interest, for land upon which his Opera House now stands, which may or may not be available.
To continue as we are, carrying this floating debt, would result in great embarrassment to the officers of the Parislı, and affect injuriously its prestige and prospects.
To fund the whole debt of that loan, would entail upon the Parish a large annual tax for interest, and continue to add to its embarrassment, and discourage new accessions besides entailing upon our successors of a future generation, a debt which properly belongs to the present to pay.
The committee therefore, in view of the whole subject, unanimously recommend, that the Parish continue the present funded debt of $7,000, for the present, and that an effort be made to obtain by subscription among the members of the Parish, a sum sufficient to pay the floating debt, say about $11,000. The committee believe that by a united and gener- ous effort this can be accomplished.
Pr. order, C. H. NORTHAM, Chairman.
The item here called " funded debt " was the sum bor- rowed from the " Niles Fund."
There was included in this indebtedness of the Parish, with interest, about $2,500, to the rector, and perhaps some other items of expenses remaining unpaid for the last year. By great exertions the whole debt was paid in 1876 by comparatively few persons. This matter is alluded to in the "Report of a committee on the funds of the
433
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Parish," p. 120, where it is said, " It was reserved to a later day, when an indebtedness of nearly the same sum had been incurred, and when the Parish was much reduced in numbers, to pay off all the obligations resting upon it, and to make it what it had never, or certainly for many years had been, entirely free from debt."
Resolved, That Messrs. Charles H. Northam, George Beach, Flavius A. Brown, Gurdon W. Russell, David T. Lan- man, William L. Matson, and Lorenzo B. Goodman be ap- pointed to obtain subscriptions to discharge the floating debt of the Parish.
Dr. Russell made a verbal report as to a project of union of parishes; and upon motion the committee was continued.
Oct. 5, V. The wardens were advised to place the Parish temporarily under the charge of Rev. Professor John T. Huntington.
1875.
March 29, P. The report of the committee appointed at a Parish meeting, May 4, 1874, was read, accepted, and or- dered on file.
Said report is as follows:
The committee appointed at a Parish meeting in May last on the finances of the Parish beg leave to report: That in pursuance of a vote of the Parish, subscriptions were ob- tained from individual members of the Parish amounting to 11,021 dollars, and under direction and on the order of the Warden 7,588.89 dollars have been paid in liquidation of debts. The committee believe the balance of said subscrip- tion will be soon collected.
C. H. NORTHAM, Chairman.
Voted, That Charles H. Northam be appointed as trustee to receive all the unexpended funds derived from the sub- scription for liquidating the floating debt of the Parish, which funds shall be held for the purpose of paying the mortgage debt, now amounting to $7,000, and that he also receive and properly invest these funds and such other as
28
434
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
may come into his possession, which shall be known as the Sinking Fund of the Parish.
Voted, That a sum not to exceed one thousand dollars be appropriated for music for the year ensuing, to be distributed among the organist and choir in such manner as shall be satisfactory to them and the committee on music.
A retrenchment had now commenced, the amount for several years previous having been two thousand dollars per annum.
Subscription for the payment of the Floating Debt.
The undersigned agree to pay the sums affixed to their names, for the purpose of liquidating the Floating Debt of the Parish of Christ Church.
These subscriptions not to be binding until the sum of Eleven Thousand Dollars be subscribed. One half of the subscription shall be due, and paid on the fifteenth of June, and the remainder on the fifteenth of October next.
The amount remaining due and unpaid, is to be settled by a note, satisfactory to the Treasurer of the Parish.
HARTFORD, May 8, 1874.
Charles H. Northam,
Two Thousand
Dollars.
George Beach,
Two Thousand
William F. Tuttle,
Two Thousand
George Beach,
. Five Hundred
C. H. Northam,
Nine Hundred Thirty-five
Charles Benton,
Five Hundred
Gurdon W. Russell,
Five Hundred .
Newton Carter,
Five Hundred .
Walter Keney,
Five Hundred .
Gurdon W. Russell,
Two Hundred ,
Daniel Goodwin,
Two Hundred ،،
L. B. Goodman,
. One Hundred
William F. Tuttle, D. S. Dewey, .
One Hundred
Thomas Skinner,
One Hundred
L. B. Goodman,
One Hundred
F. W. Brown, .
One Hundred
W. L. Matson,
One Hundred
.
One Hundred
435
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Charles J. Hoadly,
. Fifty
Dollars.
H. C. Fuller, .
. Fifty
D. T. Lanman,
. Fifty
Charles Benton,
Forty
W. L. Matson,
Forty .
D. T. Lanman,
.
Twenty Five
O. D. Woodruff,
Twenty Five
W. C. Hutchins,
Twenty Five
Charles E. Dustin,
Twenty Five .
F. A. Robbins,
Twenty Five .
George C. Jarvis,
Twenty Five .
S. W. Wilcox,
. Twenty Five
Clarence Terry,
Twenty Five
George W. Hubbard,
. Fifteen
Saml. F. Cadwell,
. Fifteen
John F. Tracy,
Fifteen
Cash, .
Six
F. J. Knox,
.
Five
$11,021
Another Subscription.
For the purpose of paying the final indebtedness of the Parish of Christ Church, now amounting to between Four Thousand and Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars, the subscribers agree to pay the several sums affixed to their names, to Charles H. Northam, Treasurer of the Sinking Fund, on or before the first day of April next. No sub- scription to be binding unless the sum of Four Thousand Dollars is subscribed before that date.
HARTFORD, Dec. 18, 1875.
C. H. Northam,
Five Hundred Dollars.
Wm. F. Tuttle,
. Five Hundred
Gurdon W. Russell,
. Five Hundred
Walter Keney,
.
Five Hundred
Charles Benton,
. Four Hundred
The full amount was not subscribed by the time specified ; the above named persons however, agreed that their sub- scriptions should be secured to pay the indebtedness, and so the committee continued their solicitations.
436
CIIRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Easter Offerings,
Four Hundred Dolls. Seventy Five cts.
L. B. Goodman,
One Hundred
F. A. Brown, . .
Fifty
J. H. Sprague,
Twenty Five
16
Daniel S. Dewey, .
Twenty Five
Parish by vote,
Seven Hun. Fifty“
Interest State Savings Bank, Twenty Thirty-nine cts.
G. W. R. to bal.,
Seven Eighty-eight cts.
$4,160.02
Paid 1874,
11,021.00
$15,181.02
June 27. Memorandum, That on Sunday, June 27, 1875, Gurdon W. Russell, M.D., presented to the Parish a solid silver Alms Basin, gilded within, weighing about forty ounces, having the following inscription around the rim, viz .: "Of Thine own have we given Thee, O Lord"; and under the rim, "Christ Church, Hartford, Connecticut, 1875. The gift of G. W. R."
1876.
Jan. 22, V. Voted, That the Wardens, Mr. Tuttle, Dr. Russell, and Mr. Davis, be a committee to recommend a clergyman to the Parish as a Rector, and to report to the Vestry.
April 17, P. The Report of the Trustee of the Sinking Fund was read, and a statement was made by Dr. Russell relative to subscriptions which had recently been made to discharge the Parish indebtedness.
Voted, That the Treasurer of the Parish pay the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars to the Trustee of the Sinking Fund, towards extinguishing the debt of the Parish.
Voted, That this Parish, having made provisions for liquidating its indebtedness, most heartily rejoices in being free from this great burden, and desires to place upon record their opinion of the impolicy of creating a future debt, and also that it is our Christian duty so to economize our expenditures that they shall not be in excess of our annual income.
Fune 10, V. A vote of thanks to Dr. Gurdon W. Russell,
Hany Wilson .
437
IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
was passed for an elegant Alms Chest, by him presented to the Parish, and leave was granted that said Chest be suitably affixed to the inner wall of the Church in a proper place.
1877.
March 26, P. The committee appointed by the Vestry, January 224, 1876, to recommend a clergyman to the Parish as Rector, made through Dr. Russell a verbal report, and presented the names of Rev. B. Judkins, of Windsor, and Rev. W. F. Nichols, of West Hartford, for the consideration of the Parish.
The report of the committee was taken into considera- tion by the meeting, and after two informal ballotings, a formal vote was taken, when it appeared that with the exception of one blank the Rev. William F. Nichols was unanimously elected.
Voted, That with the consent and approbation of the Bishop of this Diocese, the Rev. William F. Nichols be invited to accept the Rectorship of this Parish.
Voted, That hereafter the music of the Church be regn- lated in accordance with Section II, Canon 23, Title I, of the Digest.
April 2. Mr. Henry Wilson, the organist, had on the 17th of March resigned the position which he had so long and acceptably held, whereupon it was by the Parish
Resolved, That this Parish hereby tender to Mr. Henry Wilson, on the occasion of his resignation of the position of Organist in this Church, their grateful thanks for the able manner in which, for twenty-two years, he has fulfilled the duties of the place.
Recognizing how mitch of the pleasure derived by the congregation of this Church from its services, has during this long period been due to his exertions, we wish to express to him our desire, that in the new field on which he is entering, his relations may be as pleasant with the parish, and as well appreciated as they have been here.
438
CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
We further wish to record our thanks to all the members of the choir now leaving us, and especially to Messrs. Wander, and Gundlach, who have all these years so faithfully assisted Mr. Wilson.
About Henry Wilson.
Christ Church never had so finely an organized or skillful a choir as that which was formed under the super- intendence of Mr. Wilson. To say that it became " famous" is but to state the general opinion of all. It was not that it excelled in the minute technique of the profession alone, appreciated only perhaps, by those equally skilled in music, but it was appreciated and ap- proved by all those who were desirous of a reverent wor- ship, and believed that the best talent was none too good in singing the praises and glory of our Redeemer. Mr. Wilson especially excelled in expressing the holy spirit of song, and carried his listeners with him in heart, if not in voice, through all the services in which the choir was engaged. The quartette was composed of Mr. Wil- liam Wander, Mr. Louis Gundlach, Mrs. Lucy Rogers, and Mrs. George L. Wilson; they were aided by a chorus of different persons, among them Mr. Maercklein, who were all of them very valuable assistants. The cost of this was considerable, for the Parish voted annually the sum of two thousand dollars for its support, but this was supplemented by subscriptions of nearly half of this amount.
There came a time, however, in the history of the Parish when this could no longer be borne. The forma- tion of other parishes, the deaths of some of the princi- pal members, and the removal of others, had so reduced the number that the expense could no longer be incurred ; and so the dissolution of the choir became necessary, to the regret of all.
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