USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Wethersfield > History of Saint Mark's Church, New Britain, Conn., and of its predecessor Christ Church, Wethersfield and Berlin : from the first Church of England service in America to nineteen hundred and seven > Part 26
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of Saint Mark's Church, New Britain, Conn., and of its predecessor Christ Church, Wethersfield and Berlin : from the first Church of England service in America to nineteen hundred and seven > Part 26
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > New Britain > History of Saint Mark's Church, New Britain, Conn., and of its predecessor Christ Church, Wethersfield and Berlin : from the first Church of England service in America to nineteen hundred and seven > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
Revd. Mr. Jackson in the Chair."
At the said meeting "H. E. Russell, J. B. Parsons & Chas. Parsons were appointed a committee to report (to the next meeting of the parish) the estimated Cost of removing & alter- ing the old Church into a double House suitable to the use of 2 Families & also to report (if it can be ascertained) what we can obtain for the Building as it stands."
The Rev. John M. Guion of New Britain received a call April 13, 1847, to Grace Church, Saybrook, which he accepted. His report to the Convention for 1847 is in part as follows :-
"During the past ecclesiastical year, having had no Parochial charge until Easter, I have rendered such clerical services as have been requested. I have officiated .... two Sundays in St. Matthew's, Plymouth, and seven in New Britain, in the absence of the minister of the Parish, for whom I have also adminis- tered the Holy Communion and whom I have assisted on various other occasions. Here I have baptized three children."
The Rev. A. Jackson for himself reported to the Convention that he "has been engaged during the year in the discharge of the duties of his Professorship in Trinity College. He has offi- ciated constantly on Sundays at St. Mark's Church, New Britain."
His report for the parish, 1847, was as follows :-
"Families about 30, communicants 30, two having been lost by death and one by removal, and three having been gained by removal. The attendance is very much improved, and a new interest seems to be felt in the prosperity of the Church. A very desirable lot has been purchased in a central situation, on which it is designed either to place the present building,
32I
IN NEW BRITAIN.
making extensive repairs and alterations, or to build a new Church. The Minister sees much to encourage his labors in this Parish."
The matter of a new church was again taken up at a parish meeting July 5, 1847, from the record of which we copy as follows :-
"John B. Parsons, & H. E. Russell were duly appointed a committee to visit New Haven for the purpose of Conferring with Mr. 'Stone' (an architect there), upon the plan for a New Church Edifice for the Parish, to obtain his Terms, drawings & complete plans if they are considered suitable & to report the same to the Parish at a Future Meeting.
On Motion of Mr. H. Seymour a Building Committee was nominated & I. E. Smith, Rev. Profr. Jackson, H. E. Russell, J. B. Parsons & J. H. Todd were appointed a Building Committee.
Hon. I. E. Smith presented a subscription paper to the Meet- ing for the purpose of raising the necessary means to defray the Expense of Erecting said Church Building, it not being completed. The sums Subscribed will not be recorded until completed.
On Motion, Meeting adjª. without day.
H. E. Russell, Clerk."
The following subscription list is recorded immediately after the record of the said meeting of July 5 :-
Names :-
I. E. Smith
$600.00
Hiram C. Fenton $ 4.00
H. E. Russell
200.00
Aug. Penfield
10.00
J. B. Parsons
100.00
Wm. H. Smith 5.00
Chas. Parsons 75.00
Wm. Bingham
75.00
Edward Senior 5.00
S. G. Bucknell
40.00
Noble Hill
20.00
Nath1. Dickinson 5.00
J. H. Todd
I 50.00
Geo. Wooley
25.00
Jos. Staples
50.00
Wm. Blacksley
10.00
P. S. Judd
5.00
Mr. Kilbourn
15.00
Geo. Bullock
25.00
Rev. A. Jackson 100.00
L. P. Lee
40.00
Elias Barnes 10.00
John L. Perkins
10.00
A. G. Graham
50.00
Hez. Seymour
20.00
Chris. Senior 5.00
322
THE CHURCH
On Dec. 9, 1847, the parish voted to sell to Judge Smith "the old Church Building at $500. to be removed by him before the 9th of April 1848." At the same meeting Charles Parsons and William Bingham were added to the building committee. In accordance with this vote the building was removed to its present site on Myrtle street and made over into a tenement house. Later it was used as a part of St. Mary's School build- ing as before stated.
On April 8, 1848, it was "Voted, That S. G. Bucknall as Treasurer of the Society be and is hereby authorized to sign a quit claim deed to G. M. Landers relinquishing any and all claim which St. Mark's Parish have or are supposed to have in the land recently occupied by their Church Building and for which the Society held a conditional quit claim deed from Thomas Lee deceased." The parish were now without any place of public worship of their own and consequently obtained the use of the old Academy, then on the lot where the Strick- land School House is, and used the same until the new church was ready for use.
In the "Calendar" for May 6, 1848, is the following death notice :
"In New Britain on the 27th. ult., in the 82d. year of his age, Solomon Churchill. He was the oldest member of St. Mark's Parish, was amidst much bodily infirmity, a constant and devout attendant on all its services and died in the confidence of a certain faith." It is to be regretted that we have no parish register of marriages, baptisms and burials, until 1849.
At the Convention of 1848, the Rev. Thomas J. Davis of Pennsylvania was again present as a visiting clergyman and probably made a visit to his old parish at New Britain before he returned home. The Bishop's address states that Alexander Capron A.B. a candidate for Holy Orders has been transferred to the diocese of New York.
The reports of the Rev. Mr. Jackson for the parish and for himself to the Convention of 1848 are as follows :-
"St. Mark's Church, New Britain, Rev. A. Jackson, Rector.
Families 34, Communicants 42, Baptisms 8, Deaths 6. The Parish is now engaged in the erection of a handsome gothic Church in a central position capable of seating over 250 persons,
323
+
IN NEW BRITAIN.
which will be ready for consecration in October. Its pros- pects are very encouraging. The population of the village is rapidly increasing. And it is believed that with the Divine blessing, the zealous and judicious labors of a resident Pastor will soon build up a self sustaining and prosperous Parish.
The Rev. A. Jackson. . . has had charge of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, where he has officiated on Sundays and on some of the chief Festivals and Fasts. In addition to these duties he has been since the first of April last, Editor of the Calendar."
The report of the missionary society for the year 1848 shows $50. paid to the Rev. Professor Jackson, which was towards his salary as Rector of St. Mark's Church. For twelve years the missionary society of the Diocese, (then called the Christian Knowledge Society,) had carefully watched over the little band of Churchmen at New Britain and aided them greatly in paying their expenses. It was the desire and aim of the Rev. Prof. Jackson to make this parish self-sustaining. And now with an increase of population in the village, with the number of fam- ilies in the parish more than doubled in the last ten years and the communicants in the Church more than trebled, the time had come into the parish could take care of itself, and hence in June, 1848, St. Mark's Parish in New Britain ceased to be a mission and first became a self-supporting parish, and remained so for three years.
The parish records have nothing about purchasing a site for the church, nothing about the progress of the building, and not a word about laying the Cornerstone. The records herein before given show that John B. Parsons, who helped build the old church, was chairman of the building committee and that his brother Charles was on that committee with him. The land on which the church stands was first bought by Charles Par- sons, April 10, 1847, of Lucina C. Hart and Lucina Hart for four hundred dollars, as shown by the Berlin Land Records, Vol. 24, p. 538, and is described as follows :- "Beginning at the South East corner of the School House lot of District No. I, of said New Britain, on the line of the East and West highway (West Main Street,) thence running East along the line of said highway five rods and two and one half links, thence North-
324
THE CHURCH
erly in a line at right angle with said highway to a point at the intersection of the North line of the premises sold, thence West- erly at right angles with the North and South highway (Wash- ington Street,) on the west of said premises to the said North and South highway at a point nine rods and twenty links North- erly of the south west corner of said school house lot, thence southerly along the said highway one rod and twenty links to the North West corner of said School house lot, thence easterly along the North line of said School house lot to the North East corner of the same and thence along the East line of said school house lot to the place of beginning, containing about fifty rods of land more or less." It was witnessed by L. L. Sperry and Marcellus Clark and received for record May 18, 1848. The school house then stood on the corner of West Main and Washington streets and the land sold was what may be called an L shaped piece on the north and east sides of the school house lot. It did not include the land where the parish house now stands. The land conveyed by this deed was deeded by Ira E. Smith, April 7, 1848, to Lorenzo P. Lee, George Wooley, Noble Hill, Christopher Senior, Sheldon Smith, George Francis and William Blakeslee, Vestry men of St. Mark's Parish, New Britain, and to their successors in office, as appears from the Berlin Land records, Vol. 24, page 314.
Mr. John B. Parsons as chairman of the building committee had charge of the building. The principal carpenter was a Mr. Moulthrop of Wallingford, but Mr. Parsons and others worked with him, the church being built by the day and not by contract. Mr. Levi Blinn says that a shanty was built in front of the church and all the window sash were made in that shanty by hand. The Strickland Brothers of New Britain had charge of the mason work and a colored man named "Lem. Powers" laid the stone work for them. Mr. Parsons' account relating to this building begins Dec. 14, 1847, when he charges one and a half days and expenses going to New Haven. On March 13, 1848, he charges cash paid for slabs for shanty 38 cents. On June 19, 1848, for going to Hartford after raisers and June 23, to cash for 24 bottles of beer $1.00; and so we presume that the frame was raised on June 23, 1848. The beer of that date was root beer, which came in stone bottles holding each one
325
IN NEW BRITAIN.
quart, the retail price being 2 cents per glass. Mr. Parsons' account ends June 30, 1848.
The corner stone was laid on Monday, June 19, 1848. We are indebted to "The Churchman" of New York for the following account, which they copied for us from the old New York Churchman, issue of July 6, 1848 :-
"The corner stone of St. Mark's church, New Britain, was laid with appropriate rites on Monday the 19th. inst. at five o'clock P.M. A procession consisting of the officiating clergy, wardens, vestry and members of the parish, was formed at the Academy which was used while the church was in progress for the celebration of divine service. As the procession approached the site of the new church, the service was begun (according to New York Ritual,) by the Rev. P. S. Chauncey, rector of Christ Church, Hartford. The articles deposited in the box were announced and the corner stone was laid (at the request of the Bishop who was absent on official duty,) by the Rev. A. Jackson, rector of the parish, A prayer was then offered by the Rev. C. R. Fisher of Hartford and formerly minister of the parish, after which the Rev. Mr. Chauncey delivered in the presence of a numerous and very attentive congregation an appropriate and beautiful address. The Gloria in excelsis was then heartily sung by the whole congregation and the remaining collects were offered and the benediction pronounced by the rector of the parish.
"The material of the church is to be wood; the style Gothic, the dimensions 55 feet in length by 34 in width. The Chancel extending 12 feet farther; the entrance is through the tower in front; the total length 75 feet, the site is very central, being at the N. W. angle of the public square."
This was originally published in "The Calendar" of Hartford, issue of June 24, 1848, together with other matter which we quote as follows :-
"There is a small but devoted band of Churchmen, who with the promise of some assistance from abroad have undertaken a great work. If they are enabled to carry it out, there is every reason to believe that a self sustaining and prosperous Parish will soon be established. The village is eminently
326
THE CHURCH
prosperous and rapidly increasing in population. Houses are fast springing up and yet there is at all times a demand far beyond the supply.
"We commend this enterprise to the favorable consideration of our brethren as one which promises to amply repay all that may be expended upon it. If what the few Churchmen of New Britain are attempting to do now had been done ten years ago, that would in all probability have been at this moment one of the strongest parishes of the diocese.
"Subscriptions for this object will be gratefully received by the Editor of the Calendar."
The only person now living in New Britain who has related to us any distinct recollection of the laying of the corner stone, is Mr. Thomas H. Brady, who was then only five years old. The stone for the foundation was quarried at the ledge, corner of Elm and East Main streets. Mr. Brady's father drew the stone to the site of the church with an ox team. It was his delight to have the boy Thomas with him and the bundle of hay that he carried for the cattle to eat was placed on top of each load of stone during the forenoon to make a cushion for the boy to ride on. The laying of the corner stone was a matter of conversation with the workmen, who told the team- ster Brady that the service of the Episcopal Church was just like that of the Catholics, and so he decided to attend. And Thomas distinctly remembers that on one week day morning his father dressed in his Sunday clothes, comprising a silk hat and white shirt with a high standing collar, mounted his ox cart and drove to town to witness the laying of the corner stone of St. Mark's Church.
The lofty spire was built and finished within the church and afterwards it was raised into its elevated position. Young Brady sat "on the green" near where the Soldiers' monument now is, and watched the spire in its journey towards the sky. Its rising up out of the building, is now remembered as one of the strangest sights that Mr. Brady ever saw.
At a parish meeting Sept. 30, 1848, "I. E. Smith, J. H. Todd, H. E. Russell and such others as they may associate with them" were authorized to borrow money for the parish "to the amount of Five Thousand Dollars."
327
IN NEW BRITAIN.
Professor Jackson's work as missionary here had been so successful and was so far advanced that he could now leave the parish in other hands and consequently the parish voted Nov. 26, 1848, "that we invite the Revd. Alex'r. Capron to become our Minister until next Easter Monday, and that we pay him at the rate of four Hundred Dollars per annum."
Mr. Capron's letter of acceptance is in the parish files and is here given in full :-
"Hartford, Nov. 27, 1848.
Mr. H. E. Russell,
Dear Sir :-
I am happy to acknowledge your note of yesterday, inviting me, on behalf of your parish, to become your Minister until Easter Monday, next.
Allow me to return my sincere thanks to yourself, dear Sir, & through you, to the Wardens, Vestry &c. of St. Mark's, for your kind invitation. The conditions are satisfactory & it shall be my effort, to discharge the duties of your parish, so far as my office permits, to the best of my ability. May it please our Heavenly Father, so to direct & further us by His Council & Aid, that the connexion shall prove conducive to the mutual, & everlasting welfare of all concerned through the merits of His dear Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
Your Obliged friend & Servt.
To
Alex Capron." Mr. Henry E. Russell.
The "Calendar" for Dec. 16, 1848, has the following notice :- "Consecration.
St. Mark's Church, New Britain will be consecrated to the service of Almighty God on Saturday, Dec. 23; Services to commence at II o'clock A. M. The Clergy are invited to attend in Surplices." The hour was afterwards changed to IO o'clock instead of II, in order to "suit the arrangement of ' the cars both ways" "and have the service concluded in time for the accommodation train to Hartford at I P. M."
328
THE CHURCH
The first record in parish book No. 2 is the request to consecrate followed by the certificate of consecration, as follows :-
"To the Right Reverend Thomas Church Brownell, D.D. L.L.D. Bishop of the Diocese of Connt.
Rt. Reverend and Dear Sir :-
The people of the Parish of Saint Mark's, New Britain, having been moved, as they must, by a christian zeal for the Glory of God and the building up of the Kingdom of His dear Son, to erect a House to be devoted to His worship, and to the decent reverent Celebration of the Sacred Mysteries of our most Holy Faith, respectfully request that you do now consecrate this House, which they have built, and set it apart forever from all unhallowed, worldly and common uses, to be henceforth perpetually devoted and dedicated to the Services and Glory of the Most HIGH GOD.
Signed A. Jackson, Rector.
Hezk. Seymour, - Wardens.
S. G. Bucknall,
Noble Hill,
Wm. Bingham,
Geo. Francis,
Vestrymen.
L. P. Lee, Geo. Woolley, J. B. Parsons, C. Senior,
New Britain, Dec. 23, 1848."
"Whereas, sundry good people of the Parish of St. Mark's, New Britain, have erected a House for the Publick Worship of God, according to the Doctrine and Ritual of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and have requested that the same may be consecrated agreeably to the usages of the said church.
329
IN NEW BRITAIN.
Now, therefore be it known, that I, Thomas Church Brownell, by Divine permission, Bishop of The Diocese of Connecticut, with the prescribed Rites and Solemnities, did this day duly con- secrate the said House, by the name of St. Mark's Church, and setting it apart henceforth from all unhallowed, worldly and common uses, the same did dedicate to the service of Almighty God, for reading his Holy Word, for celebrating his Holy Sacraments, for offering to his Glorious Majesty the sacrifices of Prayer and Thanksgiving, for blessing the people in His Name, and for the performance of all other Holy Offices, according to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of the Pro- testant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and for the sole use of a congregation, in Communion with the said Church, and in union with the Diocese of Connecticut. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my Episcopal Seal, this Twenty third day of December, in the year of our Lord, One thousand, eight hundred and forty eight, and in the thirtieth year of my Consecration.
L.S. Signed, Thomas Church Brownell."
Although Professor and Mrs. Jackson resided at Hartford, the latter was deeply interested in the welfare of the parish as is evidenced by the fact that she presented the Church with a large and beautiful copy of the Book of Common Prayer, which was probably used for the first time on the day of the consecration. It is inscribed "St. Mark's, New Britain, Pre- sented by Emily Ellsworth Jackson, Dec. 23, 1848, being the day of the Consecration."
The following account of the consecration is taken from the "Calendar," issue of Jan. 6, 1849 :-
"CONSECRATION.
St. Mark's Church, New Britain, was consecrated to the service of Almighty God on the 23d. ult. by the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of the Diocese. The request to consecrate was read by the Rev. Mr. Capron, and the sentence of consecration by the Rev. Mr. Jackson. Morning Prayer was read by the Rev. Dr. Williams, President of Trinity College, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Chauncey. The Bishop officiated in the Ante-com-
330
THE CHURCH
munion service, the Rev. Mr. Jackson reading the Gospel and the Rev. Mr. Fisher the Epistle. The sermon was by the Rev. Mr. Coxe from Ps. 1xxxiv, 3, 'Yea the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest,' etc. It was an earnest and affectionate discourse, well suited to the occasion and the circumstances of the parish. After the Sermon, the Bishop administered the holy rite of confirmation to nine persons.
"The prospects of this parish are at present very encouraging, though it has seen some dark days. By a most energetic and praiseworthy effort, it has exchanged the former unsightly and badly located house of worship for one convenient in situation, and beautiful in appearance. The new Church contains 60 pews on the floor of the nave, and more than 50 of these were rented at once, for a sum more than sufficient to pay the Rector's salary. The village is rapidly increasing in popula- tion, so that a few more years must see this a strong, and well established parish. The Rev. Professor Jackson has labored here as a Missionary since Easter 1846, and now resigns the parish into the hands of the Rev. Alexander Capron of the Diocese of New York, with heartfelt prayers for its peace and prosperity.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH.
"The building is of wood with a tower and spire at the south- ern end of the nave and a chancel of very fair proportions at the North. No aisles, but the nave is covered with a very high pitched open roof which is imposing and church like. The church is lighted with simple lancet windows on the sides and a two light northern window over the altar. A pleasing effect is produced by the coloring of the walls which are not, as is usual, lined off in imitation of stone work, but are colored a warm gray which harmoniously unites the colors of the black walnut seats and oaken roof.
"Although there is a great discrepancy between the character of the roof and that of the windows and the detail generally, the design to say the least is church-like, and under the cir- cumstances reflects credit on the little flock that were for the first time that day assembled to worship within its walls. The aim of the congregation is so commendable that it is with
33I
IN NEW BRITAIN.
pleasure we can speak of the admirable execution of the work, having been assured by competent judges that the carpentry, and more especially the carving of the interior is excellent and reflects great credit upon the workmen employed, whilst the liberality of the parishioners who have contributed largely and ungrudgingly has been shown by the step they took in the first instance of securing the professional services of the best architect that they knew of in the neighborhood. Any failure therefore in the design is attributable to him and not to the congregation who have done their best to render to God a fitting dwelling.
"The church can scarcely be said to be finished at present, the Font, Altar, Organ case, and North window which is to be fitted with stained glass of a character which we can prophesy will be somewhat superior to anything generally seen, have to be provided, and these will be what they should be, as an architect amongst us who has already greatly assisted the congregation of St. Mark's by his advice and aid, has undertaken their superintendence, and at no very distant period we hope in these respects at least, the church will not be open to the criticism and remarks of either the over accurate or the illnatured.
"As it is, it is unpretending, and free from many of the faults that are generally to be found in our modern churches, whilst in the ecclesiastical arrangement, though in the simplest man- ner, of the chancel and pulpit and reading desk, there is very much that is highly commendable.
"The architect from whom the design and drawings were obtained, is Mr. Stone of New Haven, and they were executed by Mr. Moulthrop of Wallingford, of whose workmanship, we have already made favorable mention, and we will here take the opportunity to express for the congregation the thanks we feel towards Mr. Wheeler, the Architect, who however unfor- tunately came too lately among us in this instance, but who has given us most ready and valuable assistance, and who will superintend the completion of those things which fortunately will still remain for his skill to exercise itself upon."
At the annual meeting of the parish, April 9, 1849, Mr. Capron's salary of Four Hundred and fifty dollars was voted.
332
THE CHURCH
This was an increase of fifty dollars over the year before. At a parish meeting held May 21, 1849, the treasurer was author- ized to borrow "the sum of Twenty Eight Hundred dollars to pay the building debt of the Parish."
At the June Convention 1849, Mr. Capron was reported as the "Minister of St. Mark's, New Britain," and the Rev. John M. Guion as "residing at New Britain."
The Bishop's address reports the admission of Mr. Capron into the Diocese, from the Diocese of New York, and his acceptance of the charge of St. Mark's Parish. It notes the confirmation of nine persons at New Britain and says "On the 23rd. of December last I consecrated St. Mark's Church in the Parish of New Britain. It was erected under the auspices of the Rev. Professor Jackson of Trinity College, is capacious in its dimensions, and is distinguished for the good taste of its architectural arrangements."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.