USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Christ church, Hartford, Volume I > Part 39
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507
APPENDIX.
The brass lectern, which stands on the platform in the form of an eagle, was made by John Hardman & Co. of Birmingham, Eng- land, and the chancel gas-fixtures were made by the same firm. The prayer desk is of carved oak; the ends'of the seats are richly paneled and are finished with exquisitely carved poppy heads. The pulpit is placed on the north side of the church arch, and is also of oak richly paneled and carved. The altar is a beautiful specimen of workmanship; it is of oak 6% feet long by 2 feet 3 inches wide, the front is divided into three panels by small but- tresses, in the center one is a large maltese cross, in that on the right are the letters, I. H. S., and in the other, C. H. R., the Greek initial letters of our Lord's name " Jesus Christ." Under the slab, on which are carved five crosses, is inscribed in raised letters, " This do in remembrance of me." These pieces of furniture were made and carved by Ellin & Kitson of New York. For the lectern a large Bible has been provided, and for the prayer desk and altar handsomely bound prayer books and hymnals.
A fund had been accumulating for some time for a stained- glass window, which the Parish was desirous of putting up to the memory of a former rector of the Church -the Rev. Dr. Whea- ton. The subject chosen was the Transfiguration of our Blessed Lord, and the stone work of the chancel window was accordingly designed with special reference to it. It is a window of three lights, with perpendicular stone tracery in the head, divided by a transom. The execution of this glass was entrusted to the well- known artists, Messrs. Heaton, Butler & Bayne of London, and they have succeeded in making a most glorious and enduring work of art of which the Church may well be proud. In the center light above the transom is a figure of our Blessed Lord with His hand uplifted in the act of blessing ; on the right is Moses with the stone tablets, and on the left Elias holding a book. The three disciples, Peter, James, and John, with awe-struck faces, fill the lower lights. In the borders surrounding the figures are numberless angels. The color of the whole window is rich and harmonious, and will repay a careful study.
The Reredos, which is the gift of Dr. Gurdon W. Russell, the senior warden of the Church, is of Caen stone; it consists of three bays, with canopied heads, decorated with carved crockets and finials, divided by pinnacled buttresses. In the center bay, which is recessed, is cut in relief a large cross resting on three steps set in a groundwork of carved diaper. Above this, in the head of the arch, is the Sanctus Spiritus in the form of a dove, which is carved in full relief. The side bays are paneled, and the
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
super altar is inscribed with the words HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, cut in relief. The credence table for the holy vessels is of Ohio stone recessed in the north wall of the chancel ; a carved bracket forms the lower shelf, the head is cusped, and in the spandrils above are carved the grapevine and ears of wheat. This is a gift from the Misses Watrous, in memory of their father, Seymour Watrous, and their sister, Rebecca Webster Watrous. The communion rail of oak with wrought brass standards is the gift of Miss Brinley.
A brass tablet is placed on the north wall of the chancel op- posite the door to the robing room, with this inscription :
" In memory of JAMES GOODWIN.
Born March 2, 1803.
Died March 15, 1878."
The exterior of the new buildings is designed to be of a do- mestic style of architecture, of a somewhat later date than that of the church. The walls are built of Portland stone through- out, and all the jambs, mullions, and tracery of windows are of the same material. The faces of the walls are built in random work with square beds and heads with a rock face, and the dress- ings are tooled. The building has been thoroughly protected by copper lightning rods, put up by Denniston & Wallace. In the base- ment is placed the boys' water-closet, which is paved with blue- stone tiles. The cellar floor is of English Portland cement. In the cellar are two furnaces, for heating the chapel and Parish building, and a sink. Each room in the new building has been completely furnished for the use to which it is to be put, and for the security of the Parish records a fire-proof safe, made by Marvin & Co., has been provided. The new platform has been covered with a rich Axminster carpet, and a new carpet laid in the church. The con- tractors for the different works were: Mason, Watson Tryon ; carpenter, John C. Mead, both of this city, and carvers, Ellin & Kitson of New York; the plumbing and gas fitting by James Ahern ; iron work by George S. Lincoln & Co. and John Shepard ; furnaces by Olds & Whipple ; gas fixtures by the Bradley & Hub- bard Manufacturing Company of Meriden, Conn .; carpets and cushions by Talcott & Post ; furniture by Robbins Brothers. The whole work has been done in a thorough manner, and is very creditable to all engaged in it. Mr. Charles W. Sprague has been the very efficient superintendent of the works. The whole of the designs were made and have been carried out under the superin- tendence of Mr. Frederick C. Withers, of 71 Broadway, New York.
509
APPENDIX.
No. 9.
Memorial Windows in the Church.
The memorial windows are all under the gallery ; there are four of them on the north side of the church.
1. Commencing at the northwest, and the first to be put in place, is that to Isaac Toucey and his wife, Catherine. The subject, the THREE MARYS AT THE TOMB, is artistically treated, and the colors are very pleasing, being bright and clear. Makers, Lavers, Barround, & Westlake, London. "Be not affrighted; ye seek Jesus of Nazareth which was crucified; he is risen; he is not here: Behold the place where they laid him."
ENTERED INTO REST.
Isaac Toucer, 30 July, 1869, aged 72 years. Catherine Toucey, 13 August, 1871, aged 69 years.
2. THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE. " They brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord."
George Beach, born November 29, 1788; died May 3, 1860. Harriet Bradley Beach, born June 27, 1792; died July 16, 1826.
Maria Nichols Beach, born May 10, 1799; died November 15, 1845. Makers, Heaton, Butler & Bayne, London.
3. BAPTISM OF CHRIST. "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him."
To the Glory of God, and in loving memory of my husband, Daniel Goodwin. Died July 20, 1876. H., B. & B.
4. ANGELS OF THE NATIVITY. " And there were Shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night."
H., B. & B.
Mr. M. B. Copeland of Middletown, long a friend of Mr. Wilson, was requested to prepare a sketch of this window, and kindly furnished the following. After describing the Memorial which had been placed in St. James Church, Greenfield, Mass., and the service in commemoration, Mr. Copeland says:
[ This occasion, so full of interest, most naturally suggested to many present the fitness of placing an equally significant Memorial in Christ Church, Hartford, where so large a portion of Mr. Wilson's life was spent, and where the best of his life work was done.
Action to this end was immediately taken. A committee was formed of which the Rev. Mr. Nichols, rector of the parish, was Chairman. They took the matter in charge, and their discussions and deliberations resulted in the fixing upon a Memorial Window, as the most desirable form to adopt, and it was decided to give opportunity first of all to the late music-pupils of Mr. Wilson so far as they could be reached, to contribute to the fund to be raised. This was done, and the invitation
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
was responded to with cheerful promptness and generosity on all sides. The amount of these contributions was supplemented by those of a number of personal friends. Designs for the work were solicited. Christ Church Parish had long previously decided that all Memorial Windows to be accepted, must in their character have reference to some incident connected with the life of Christ, and as a typical example of Mr. Wilson's genius was the Christmas Cantata "And there were shep- herds abiding in the fields," the " Angels of the Nativity " was adopted as the subject of the window. An order for the work was given to Messrs. Heaton, Butler & Bayne of London, who designed the beautiful, highly artistic glass that now adorns Christ Church, being the first window on the North side of the Church, appropriately near to the then organ gallery.
In the upper portion of the window appear the angelic host sounding forth the Gloria in Excelsis, and underneath are the shepherds with their flock, the figures all most carefully studied and artistically presented. The work is of a very high order.
The inscription reads :
" To the Glory of God and the Dear Memory of HENRY WILSON.
Born A.D. December 2, 1828, Died January 8, 1878, Organist of this Church, 1855-1877.
THIS WINDOW IS AN OFFERING FROM HIS PUPILS AND FRIENDS."
The completion of the window was the occasion of a memorial service held in Christ Church on New Year's day, 1884. The church was filled to overflowing. The Rev. Mr. Nichols conducted the service, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Huntington of St. James Church, Hartford, and the Rev. Mr. Finch of St. James Church, Greenfield, Mass. The address of the rector was very impressive and admirably suited to the occasion. The musical portion of the service was most feelingly rendered by the well- known " Christ Church Quartette" so intimately associated with Mr. Wilson and his musie. His anthems, chants, and hymns sung by them at this time, they had sung many times under his inspiring leadership ; most of them, indeed, were written by him for their voices.
The Rev. Dr. Burton of the Park Congregational Church, a particu- larly dear and long-time friend of Mr. Wilson, and a member of the Memorial Committee, read in behalf of the Committee, an exquisitely worded expression of their great satisfaction at the cordiality with which they had been supported in their work, by the pupils and friends of Mr. Wilson, expressing also thankfulness that it had been their privilege to take part in a work so satisfactory and so sanctified by tender recollections. A deep sense of appreciation and of obligation was expressed for the valuable services of the Choir who had by their singing so materially contributed to the enrichment and the hallowed character of the service.
MELVIN B. COPELAND.]
APPENDIX. 5II
. THE MEETING OF NATHANIEL. On the south side of the Church, commencing at the east. "BEHOLD AN ISRAELITE IN- DEED IN WHOM IS NO GUILE."
To the Glory of God, and in memory of my beloved husband, Flavius A. Brown, born August 31, 1806 ; died February 1, 1880. H., B. & B.
6. THE RESURRECTION. "Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and the King of Glory shall come in."
In loving memory of my husband, Charles Harvey Northam, born December 21, 1797; died November 12, 1881.
7. THE WALK TO EMMAUS. "Abide with us for the day is far spent."
Cornelia Russ, John D. Russ, M.D., and Harriet Russ, his wife, Johannah E. Russ.
CHARLES BOOTH, N. Y.
8. ADORATION OF THE MAGI. "The Gentiles shall come to Thy light and kings to the brightness of Thy rising."
To the Glory of God, and in loving memory of our father and mother.
John Adams Taintor, born April 22, 1800; died November 15, 1 862.
Adelia Croade, his wife, born June 24, 1804; died December 12, 1881.
And of their daughter,
Louisa Taintor Kneeland, born July 28, 1832, died May 4, 1891.
After the removal of a portion of the gallery, this window was filled in with stained glass to the top, by Miss Taintor.
On the north wall of the church are two Memorial Tablets, an ornamented one of marble, to Mrs. Lydia Huntley Sigourney, placed near the seat she was accustomed to occupy; the inscrip- tion is as follows :
+ IN LOVING MEMORY of
LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY 1791 1865
"SHE OPENED HER MOUTH WITH WISDOM AND IN HER TONGUE WAS THE LAW OF KINDNESS." Prov : xxxi : 26 :
"SHE: SANG : ALONE: ERE: WOMANHOOD: HAD: KNOWN: THE: GIFT: OF : SONG: WHICH: FILLS: THE: AIR: TO: DAY : TENDER: AND : SWEET: A MUSIC : ALL: HER: OWN: MAY : FITLY : LINGER : WHERE: SHE : KNELT: TO : PRAY:" JOHN G. WHITTIER.
+
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
The other is a large cross of brass, placed upon a polished slab of Irish green marble, with this inscription :
+ TO THE GLORY OF GOD and in loving memory of SAMUEL BARWICK BERESFORD 1806-1873 AND MARY STUART, HIS WIFE 1806 - 1891. NUMBERED WITH THY SAINTS IN GLORY EVERLASTING.
+
In the year 1891 a window was erected by James J. Goodwin and Francis Goodwin in memory of their father, James Goodwin, their mother, Lucy Morgan Goodwin, and their sisters, Sarah Morgan Brownell and Mary Goodwin.
The position selected was on the west wall of the church, south of the Chancel Arch. In order to give the effect of a transept, the gallery was removed from the western bay of the south aisle, and the window, which was formerly short, was lengthened to correspond with those on the south side, but as there was light only over the upper part, the lower half of the window was filled with painted tiles. The jambs, mullions, and tracery are in Portland stone.
The subject illustrated in the window is Faith, Hope, and Charity, and a rendering of the XXXI chapter of Proverbs, suitable to the memory of a good woman, wife, and mother. "Her children arise up and call her blessed." In the tracery is a glory or halo with clouds of Cherubim and Seraphim. The design was made by one of the best English artists in painted glass, and executed by Heaton, Butler & Bayne of London. The architectural work was designed by Mr. Frederick C. Withers of New York.
No. 10.
[The money collected for a memorial to Miss Mary Goodwin was used in placing a reredos over the altar in the chapel. It is over 7 feet long and 4 feet high, and is divided into three panels - a large central panel and two narrow panels - one on each side. These panels are filled with stone mosaic pictures illustrat- ing the good works of Dorcas. The art of mosaic, which is the
APPENDIX. 513
art of putting together small cubes or tessere-as the pieces of hard stones, marbles, and glass are called - is of very ancient date, and was known to the Egyptians and the Assyrians. The book of Esther tells us that beds of gold and silver in the palace of Shushan stood " upon a pavement of red and blue and white marble." In Pompeii are to be found all varieties of stone mo- saic, known to either Greek or Roman. The central panel of the reredos represents Dorcas giving clothes and food to the poor, and the side panels bear the legend, " This woman was full of good works," which is on a scroll twined around a branch of lilies," and alms deeds which she did " on a scroll twined around a branch of passion flowers." These mosaic panels are framed in polished Irish-green marble. Cut in the marble underneath the pictures is the inscription -
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MARY GOODWIN, BORN 9 APRIL, 1846. DIED 28 OCTOBER, 1880.
The entire reredos was made from designs by George Keller, architect, by Messrs. Burke & Co., of Chicago and London. The cartoons for the pictures were made by an English artist, Mr. Alexander Booker of London.
A brass cross upon the altar in memory of Charles T. Russ, a much-loved superintendent of the Sunday-school, has been placed there from contributions of the teachers and scholars, and this inscription.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHARLES TRUMBULL RUSS. Born January 16, A.D. 1853. Died May 2, A.D. 1881. From the Sunday School. "GOD IS LOVE." G. K.]
Other gifts in the chapel are two windows from Mrs. Lucy M. Goodwin, made by H., B. & Bayne, the one with the subject, " The Three Marys at the Tomb," and the other with the text, "I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
A new organ was placed in the church in 1889, at a cost of $6,700. This was secured by numerous subscriptions, a gentle- man of the parish having offered to double the amount thus ob- tained.
33
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
No. 11.
Dr. Hoadly in his Annals of the Parish, refers to the services performed by Rev. Roger Viets in Hartford between 1764 and 1775. His brother, Mr. George E. Hoadley, has furnished me with a copy of the same, which is here printed. He was a missionary of the S. P. G., and was rector of St. Andrew's Church in Sims- bury, and officiated in many places in that neighborhood. He resided near the church, in that part of the town called Scotland, where he had gathered a large congregation ; it was so near to Hartford that it was undoubtedly visited by many of those who wished their children to be baptized, or were desirous to be joined in marriage. This record of services by him will be read with interest by many, and no apology is needed for placing it in this history.
Baptized by Rev. Roger Viets .- Residence, Hartford.
At Hartford, Jan. 16, 1764, a child of Timothy Phelps, named William.
St. Andrews, Aug. 26, 1764, a male child of James Mookley of Hartford,
named William ; a male child of William Smith of Hartford, named John.
Hartford, Jan. 27, 1765, private, a female child of Nancy, servant of Mr. Knox, named Sarah ; ill.
Hartford, Sept. 8, 1765, a male child of Nehemiah Clarke, named Oliver Mendey.
Hartford, Nov. 24, 1765, a female child of Hezekiah Collier named Martha.
66
Margaret.
16 Katharine.
male
William.
Daniel. 66
- female David Bull
Katy.
Sally.
" male 66 William Gardner James.
Hartford Feb. 11, 1766, private, a male child of Margaret Curtis, named John Phillips ; ill.
Hartford, March 2, 1766, a male child of Thomas Burr, named James.
Hartford, April 13, 1766, a male child of William Smith, named William.
Hartford, May 18, 1766, a male child of Eleazer Pomroy, named Samuel William.
Hartford, July 13, 1766, Dorothy Martin, an adult.
Hartford, July 17, 1766, a female child of John Walker, named Martha.
Scotland, June 14, 1767, a male child of James Mookley of Hartford, named John.
Hartford, March 10, 1768, private, a female child of Timothy Phelps, named Saralı.
515
APPENDIX.
Hartford, March 10, 1768, private, a female child of Rebecca Cadwell, named Mary ? Il1.
Scotland, July 10, 1768, a male child of William Smith of Hartford, named George.
Hartford, Jan. 25, 1771, private, a male child of Timothy Phelps, named Enos.
Hartford, July 24, 1774, a female child of Neil McLean, named Hannah. male Hugh.
Hartford, Oct. 12, 1774, private, in sickness, an adult named Mary An- drus.
Scotland, June 25, 1775, a female child of -, Hartford, named Mary.
male William Smith of Hartford, named Robert.
Hartford, July 10, 1800, a male child of George Lee, named George Jan- nings.
Hartford, July 14, 1800, a male child of Theodore Wadsworth, named Theodore.
Hartford, July 14, 1800, a male child of Theo. Wadsworth, named Harry.
' David Colville, ١٠ David.
Timothy.
" female "
66
Susanna.
١١
6 4 Lucy.
66 66
66 Ruth.
Mary Hurlburt Blinn, an adult.
Abigail Merrils,
Rodney Wadsworth,
a male child of Jas. Wadsworth named Ariel Brace.
16
William.
" female " "
Katy.
4 6 Anna Cadwell. Hannah Johnson, an adult.
Arena Pease,
Sally Johnson,
a male child of Shadrach Johnson named William.
.€ Joseph.
" female "
" Bathsheba.
Hannah.
66
Maria.
Baptisms, etc., Copied from the Register in Digby, N. S., 1895.
" WINDSOR IN CONNECTICUT, 3rd July, 1800 A male child of Azariah Phelps named Linus.
James.
١١ Rachel.
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
SIMSBURY IN CONNECTICUT 5th July, 1800 A female child of Joel Cornish named Violet.
Truman Stevens named Serena Almira.
GRANBY IN CONNECTICUT, 6th July, 1800
A male child of Timothy Alderman named Reuben.
John Kingsbury named Lyman.
Hezekiah Skinner named Milo.
46 Ralph Griswold named Zophar.
SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT, 8th July, 1800.
A male child of Freeman Graham named Warren.
٠٠
Harvey.
Married by Rev. Roger Viets.
At Levi Jones' Hartford, Dec. 16, 1764, Julius Jones to Elizabeth Dick- inson, both of Hartford.
Hartford, Jan. 31, 1767, Niel McLean to Peggy Kelly, both of Hartford. Scotland, July 21, 1784, Zephaniah Webster to Huldah Drake, both of Hartford.
Scotland, July 29, 1784, William Burr and widow Lydia Olcott, both of Hartford.
Scotland, Sept. 10, 1784, John Hibbard and Ann Wright, both of Hart- ford.
Scotland, Jan. 25, 1785, Peleg Hill of Saybrook and Mary Sloane of Hartford.
Scotland, Mch. 6th, 1787, Clark Gibbs and Mary Olmsted, both of Hart- ford.
Married by Rev. Ambrose Todd.
Sept. 13, 1798, Edmon Stanly and Sally Jeffery, Hartford.
Buried by Rev. Roger Viets.
Hartford, June 9, 1766, William Gardner.
July 17, 1766, Martha Walker.
Conformists, Dec., 1764.
Hezekiah Collier of Hartford.
William Adams 66 66
William Jepson 66
Gideon Bunce
Mr. Viets was one of the many loyalists who removed to Nova Scotia after the war of the Revolution. He settled at Digby, where was founded Trinity Church, and here he officiated until his death in 1811. He was an energetic and useful man, whose services were valued in an extensive region of that Province.
517
APPENDIX.
During a visit to Digby last summer an examination of the parish records was made with the hope and expectation of finding some- thing of value and interest relating to the early history of the church in Connecticut. That fate which has been common to many historical documents also made his papers useful in lighting a fire.
He returned to Connecticut on a visit to his friends in the sum- mer of 1800 and was heartily greeted by them. The record of his services while here, which was copied from the register in Digby, by G. E. H., shows that he was retained in kindly remem- brance.
No. 12.
The following letters, copied from the letter book of Mr. Viets at Digby, will be read with interest.
NEW LONDON, Nov. 6th, 1786. To the Reverend Mr. Viets- and to the Church Wardens of the church lately under his care,
GENTS
Trusting to your candour and Regard to the Interest of the Re- ligion we profess, we take the Liberty of addressing you on the subject of the Church now building in this City. In the attack made by a de- tachment of the British Army under Gen. Arnold in the year 1781, It was our very great misfortune to lose our church in the general Conflag- ration of the Town. Had our property been saved the loss of our Church would scarcely have been felt; but the Houses, furniture and the greater part of the Property of most of us, shared in the destruction. Having however in some degree recovered from the difficulties to which we were reduced, and being anxious to enjoy again the publick Service and Sacraments of our holy Religion, we have in the Course of the two last summers been exerting ourselves to build another Church, and have by GOD's blessing accomplished the covering and flooring of it, but our members being few and our circumstances reduced, we unhappily find ourselves unable to proceed so as to make it fit for the Service of God Almighty, and must for some considerable Time at least, soon lose the benefit of what we have done unless we can find some Assistance among our humane and benevolent Brethren in the State. We therefore earnestly request, you will be pleased to permit and encourage a Collec- tion to be made in your Churches for our City, on such sundays as you think proper, and we assure you, we shall not only entertain a gratful sense of your kindness, but shall be ready to assist in our turn any dis- tressed Congregation that shall suffer under the same or equal disasters. We are very sensible the Congregations of Norwalk and Fairfield have
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
undergone the same disaster with ourselves, but we trust their Sympathy will induce them to give this mark of Compassion for their fellow suffer- ers - Whatever may be collected for this good purpose, by being con- veyed to the Rev. Mr. Jarvis of Middletown, will be forwarded and thankfully received, by Revd Sir and Gentlemen your affectionate hum- ble servants,
JONATHAN STARR Jun' ROSWELL SALTONSTALL Church Wardens.
I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and just representation, and do heartily recommend it to the particular attention of all the Epis- copal Congregations in the State.
S. Bp. Connect.
NEW LONDON, NOV. 8th, 1786.
REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,
I congratulate you on your return to your family from your late voy- age,* and on the favourable prospects that were presented to you in Nova Scotia. I hope they will all be perfectly realized.
Though your connection with the Congregations formerly under your care is dissolved, yet I have taken the liberty to enclose to you the application of the congregation of St. James Church in this City, to the church Wardens of your late congregation, requesting your favorable [answer] to it.
The offers of Brothers Jarvis and Hubbard determined me to come into the measure, and I should be glad to see it repeated on such emer- gencies as will justify it. My best Regards attend on Mrs. Viets, accept my best wishes, and believe me to be effectually and sincere
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