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 27
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 27
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 27
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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
The fact that the new church building was "distinguished for the good taste of its architectural arrangements" as stated by the Bishop, is evidenced by the History of Trinity Church, Branford, Conn., published by The Rev. Melville K. Bailey, 1882, which says of the Church built there in 1850 :-
" The design of the present edifice indicates such excellent taste that it is an interesting question to whom it is due. It is said that Messrs. Isaac H. Palmer and Eli F. Rogers con- sulted with the Rev. Dr. Harry Croswell in regard to it. They drove to New Haven together to see him, and he recommended that they take St. Mark's Church, New Britain, as a model. In accordance with this advice the architect, S. M. Stone of New Haven, was instructed to provide a similar plan."
The report of the parish by its minister, the Rev. Alexander Capron, deacon, in the Journal for 1849 is as follows :-
"Families-removed 2, added 24, present number 58. Single persons holding seats 15, Communicants-deceased 2, removed 5, added 24, in all 66. Baptisms-infants 7, adults 3. Con- firmed 9, Marriages, 2. Burials, 7. Sunday School-scholars 40, Catechists, 10. Collections-for parish library and paro- chial purposes $9.61. Domestic & Foreign Missions $8.15, Offertory $9. Seabury Monument $5.25. Total $32.61.
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"The Rev. Professor Jackson continued in charge of this parish until Nov. 19, 1848. Through his energy and truly Christian liberality of the few Churchmen belonging to this Parish, a handsome Gothic Church was erected during the last summer and autumn, at a cost of $6,300.
"It is proper to observe that the class of 9 persons reported as confirmed received instruction for that holy rite from the former Rector, Rev. Prof. Jackson.
"It is due also to the liberality of the donors to state that a beautiful Chancel window has been presented to the Parish by Mr. Gervase Wheeler, architect; and a handsome stone Font by Mr. Henry E. Russell. It is due to the ladies of the Parish to state that through their industry the Church has been handsomely carpeted.
"Under the blessing of God, the labors of the former Rector and the persevering efforts of the parishioners have accom- plished much for the Church in this place. The prospects of the Parish are at present most encouraging. And too much can hardly be said in commendation of the unanimity, earnest- ness, and liberality, of the little band of Churchmen who have testified their willingness to 'honor the Lord with their sub- stance', by adding a beautiful ornament to their flourishing village, and giving to its inhabitants a goodly temple wherein they may worship God, in the solemn and primitive forms of the Church."
This is supplemented by Professor Jackson's report as fol- lows :---
"He also continued in charge of St. Mark's church, New Britain, until the 19th. of Nov. 1848, making in all about two years and seven months of labor in this interesting missionary field. From the first it was his constant object to bring the Parish into a state in which it could sustain a resi- dent Rector. And this by God's blessing has been happily effected. A handsome Gothic Church capable of containing over 300 persons, was completed and consecrated on the 23rd. of Dec. 1848. The seats were all taken at once and there is every reason to believe that under the zealous labors of the resident Pastor the parish will soon attain to a stable pros- perity. The Missionary takes great pleasure in here testi-
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fying that he has never seen more united zeal, and more devoted liberality towards the cause and Church of Christ, than in this little struggling Parish. And he shall ever look back with the most grateful recollections to his brief connexion with it."
Professor Jackson was editor of the "Calendar" from April I, 1848 to April 1, 1853, and probably this accounts for the frequent references in that paper to St. Mark's Church. In the issue of June 9, 1849, is a notice of the death at Berlin of Mr. Theodore Ellsworth on May 5, 1849, age 77, and of the death, at New Britain, of Mrs. Abigail, wife of Charles Par- sons, May 18, 1849, age 32, to which is added the following: " Mr. Ellsworth and Mrs. Parsons were both well known to us as devout communicants of St. Mark's Church, New Brit- ain." Mr. Ellsworth was identified with Christ Church, Worthington, from the first, was one of the vestrymen of St. Mark's in 1844, and a communicant until his death. During this time he had witnessed the erection of three houses of worship for the Churchmen of this vicinity and he was a devout worshipper in all of them.
We find by the parish register that "Hannah Steele " was buried at Newington, by the Rev. Mr. Guion, March 25, 1849. There is no further data concerning this burial. Doctor David Steele, one of the seven founders of Christ Church, Worthing- ton, left a widow Hannah, who received a pension under the law of 1838. He presume that the Hannah Steele buried by Mr. Guion was the widow of Doctor Steele and that she too had seen three church buildings erected and had worshipped in them all.
Another great loss fell upon the Church, Sept. 6, 1849, in the death of the Hon. Ira E. Smith, aged 63. The following obituary notice appeared in the "Calendar" for Sept. 15 :-
" Judge Smith was a prominent citizen of New Britain, his native place, where he had followed the profession of law for many years and held various offices of honor and trust by the suffrage of his fellow citizens. He has always been one of the most zealous and liberal supporters of St. Mark's Church in that village. He took a deep interest and bore an active part in the erection of the new Church to which he contributed
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largely and for which he had it in heart to do much more, when he was suddenly summoned away. Ever since we have known him; now some three years, he has been a devout and faithful communicant of the Church and as such, we doubt not he has fallen asleep in Christ."
Mr. Smith at the time of his decease was treasurer of the parish, and on Sept. 28, 1849, the vacancy in that office was filled by the election of Mr. Ashbel Dickinson.
The "Calendar" of Feb. 2, 1850, has a notice of a meeting of the clergy of Hartford County at St. Mark's Parish, New Britain, on Tuesday afternoon and evening, Feb. 25, 1850.
Mr. Capron came to this parish in deacon's orders. On Dec. 18, 1849, the Standing Committee met at New Haven and recommended him for a priest. The first Episcopal ordina- tion ever held in New Britain took place at St. Mark's Church, on Feb. 24, 1850. (Feb. 26, according to the Bishop's address.) The following account is from the Calendar for March 2, 1850 :---
"Ordination and Confirmation.
"The Bishop of the Diocese visited the parish of New Britain last Sunday and in the morning admitted the Rector of St. Mark's the Rev. Alexander Capron to the Holy order of Priest. Morning service was read by the Rev. Dr. Coit of Trinity Col- lege. The sermon from John xxi, 17, was by the Rev. Profes- sor Jackson of Trinity College. The Ante-Communion was said by the Rev. Dr. Hawks of New York. The candidate was presented by the Rev. J. M. Guion. The Bishop was assisted in the Communion by the Rev. Dr. Coit and Rev. Dr. Hawks.
"In the afternoon, the Bishop administered the Holy Rite of Confirmation to four persons, Rev. Mr. Guion reading the Service and the Rev. Dr. Coit preaching from Romans II-25. The day was singularly mild and beautiful for the season. The Congregation was large and appeared to be deeply inter- ested in the Service."
The Bishop's address to the Convention of 1850 mentions this ordination as on Feb. 26, 1850, and also reports the confirma- tion of six persons on July 15, 1849, but makes no mention of
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the four persons confirmed on the day that Mr. Capron was ordained. The parish register gives the date of this confirma- tion as on Feb. 24, 1850. The "Calendar" says it was Sunday and the 24th fell on Sunday in 1850.
The statistics in the parish reports are so voluminous that we omit giving them yearly after this date, but refer to them later. A part of Mr. Capron's report to the Convention of 1850 is as follows :-
"By the blessing of God upon us during the past year, the Parish has steadily increased and has enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity. An effort which, it is believed, will be successful, is now being made to cancel the remaining indebtedness incurred by the erection of the new Church.
"It is with pleasure that I improve this opportunity of making my acknowledgement to my Rev. friend and brother, the Rev. J. M. Guion, not only for his services in preaching and adminis- tering the Holy Eucharist on each Communion Sunday, with two or three exceptions, during the whole of my Diaconate, but especially for the kind interest he has manifested in my own efforts and the welfare of the Parish."
The Rev. John M. Guion probably resided in New Britain longer than any other Episcopal minister ever has. He came here in December, 1838, located at the lower end of Kensington street, and did not remove until about 1853. The Bishop's address in 1854 states that he had been transferred to the Diocese of Maryland. He took charge of the Church at Say- brook on Easter 1847, but probably did not remove his family and no doubt he was here the greater part of the time. On May 6, 1849, he entered upon his duties as Principal of the High School in New Britain. This school was then under the control of the State Normal School. In 1852 or 1853 he kept a private school in the basement of the old Baptist Church, and had about thirty scholars. Two of this number were Messrs. Dwight A. Parsons and James T. Lee. Mr. Guion thus had a practically continuous residence in this town for about fifteen years, and during the whole of that time was ever ready and willing to render any services that he could to St. Mark's Church or to any of its parishioners, with the consent of the Rector in charge.
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At the adjourned annual meeting of the parish, held April 26, 1851, the parish "Voted to pay Revd. Alexr. Capron $500.00 salary for the year ensuing." This was an increase of $50. The Sexton's salary was also raised from $25. to $35. per annum at the same meeting.
The "Calendar" for May 17, 1851, mentions the confirmation of fourteen persons at St. Mark's Church, New Britain, on Sunday, May 4, and adds-"It was noticed as an interesting circumstance that a considerable portion of the candidates were heads of families. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Coit who also attended the Bishop in his recent visitations at New Haven and Waterbury."
The last person to sign the original papers of organization of St. Mark's Parish on Aug. 28, 1836, was Philip S. Judd. In the "Calendar" of May 17, 1851, we find the following death notice-"After a short illness in New Britain, on Friday May 2, Mr. Philip S. Judd, in the fiftieth year of his age. Mr. Judd has long been a resident in New Britain and regarded by all who knew him as an upright man, a good neighbor and a good citizen. He left a wife and four young children."
The Rev. John Williams, D.D., was elected assistant Bishop at the Convention of 1851. He was no stranger to New Britain, and it is pleasing to note that four of St. Mark's ministers signed the testimonial of the Assistant Bishop-elect, viz: Alex. Capron, John M. Guion, Charles R. Fisher and A. Jackson. It was also signed by J. H. Todd and Stephen G. Bucknall of St. Mark's Church, New Britain.
Mr. Capron's parish report to the Convention of 1851 is in part as follows :- "To cancel the debt for the erection of the Church, we have raised in our own parish during the year, between twenty-seven and twenty-eight hundred dollars ; so that during the year we have raised in our own parish about $3000 for various purposes. The prosperity of the parish has been uninterrupted during the past year, and its increase though not rapid, has been steady, its prospects at present, with the blessing of the great Head of the Church, are most encouraging."
The "Calendar" for Aug. 20, 1851, under the heading, "Hart- ford County," says-"The Convocation of the County held its quarter meeting pursuant to notice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, in
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the Parish of St. Mark's Church, New Britain. There were present of the Clergy the Rev. Messrs. Bates, Chapin, Fitch, Fisher, Guion, Jackson and the Rector of the parish.
"The first service was held at 3 P. M., the Rev. Messrs. Fisher and Fitch officiating in the Service and the Rev. Mr. Chapin preached an excellent Sermon from St. James, 1-27, 'Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions and to keep himself unspotted from the world.'
"The Service in the evening was conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Bates and Nichols, and a Sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Fitch from St. Matthew, 6-10, 'Thy Kingdom come.' The subject being general missions of the Church, their origin, progress, and present condition was appropriate for the occa- sion, and listened to with pleasure by a considerable congre- gation.
"The Sermon was followed by an address, extempore, from the Rev. Mr. Chapin, on the subject of missions. The Rev. speaker dwelt especially upon the benefit the Church in this Diocese had derived from missionary effort.
"The fact was asserted by the speaker that there are even in our own country many thousands of persons who attend no place of public worship, and that there is not probably accom- modation in all the places of public worship in the country for more than three fourths of the people. These facts, aside from any other consideration are calculated to arouse every church- man to a sense of the obligation resting upon each, to do all in his power, to promote the object, had in view by Convocation, viz: the extension of the Church in this county. If there is not yet such an interest manifested by the several parishes of the county, as we would desire, it is because Churchmen are not informed of the state of things immediately about them. We hope, therefore, that an interest in this good cause will grow up in all the parishes in proportion to the frequency of our County meetings. C. A."
At the annual parish meeting, April 22, 1852, the Sexton's salary was raised from $35. to $40.
In the Journal of Convention for 1850, we find the name of Francis T. Russell as a Candidate for holy orders, he having
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been recommended by the Standing Committee at Hartford, Feb. 17, 1852.
By Mr. Capron's report of the parish to the Convention of 1852, we find that the parish had paid for "a Bell and other Church purposes over $1100.00." He also says "The growth of our parish though not rapid is steady and healthy. Our congregations are large, prejudices unfavorable to the Church are wearing off; and with the blessing of the Great Head of the Church it is believed the hopes of the most sanguine will yet be realized." For three years the parish appears to have been self-sustaining, but the report of the Christian Knowledge Society to the Convention of 1852 shows that St. Mark's Rector, Mr. Capron, was paid $5.00 June II, 1851, while $60.00 more was paid to him in two instalments of $35 and $25, before Aug. 30, 1852. This is the last record we find of St. Mark's Parish receiving aid from the missionary society.
The "Calendar" for June 26, 1852, says, "The Convocation of Hartford County held a meeting on Tuesday the 15th. June, in the parish of St. Mark's, New Britain. There were present of the Clergy, the Rev. Dr. Clark, the Rev. Prof. Jackson, Rev. Messrs. Huntington, Bates, Putnam, Fitch, Tuttle, Fisher, McClory, Chapin and Benedict, and Rev. Mr. Reed of Litch- field County.
"Divine Service was celebrated in the church in the afternoon and evening, and though the heat of the day was extreme the congregations in the afternoon and evening were larger in proportion to the parish than we have ever seen on any similar occasion. The people of St. Mark's have done themselves credit in the interest shown in the Jubilee Services, for the celebration of which the meeting was appointed at this time. The absence of the Rev. Mr. Coxe who was expected to preach the Jubilee sermon caused no little disappointment. Under the circumstances the Rev. Mr. Huntington preached a sermon in the afternoon from St. Matt. xiv, 30-31. After which remarks were made by the Rev. Prof. Jackson on the closing of the Jubilee Services in England, and the interest which has been manifested throughout the Church in this country during the past year, in the celebration of this Third Jubilee of the Vener- able Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
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"In the Evening, according to appointment, the Convention Sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Clark, from Acts ix, 31, and most earnestly did the speaker press upon Churchmen the duty of increased earnestness in carrying out the purposes for which the Church was established by her Divine Author and Head."
In September, 1852, the Rev. Alexander Capron of New Britain was the Secretary of the Hartford County Convention.
The following notice appeared in the Calendar, issue of Dec. II, 1852 :-
"FAIR AT NEW BRITAIN.
"We are requested to give notice, which we do with great pleasure, that the ladies of St. Mark's parish intend holding a Fair at Humphrey's Hall in the village of New Britain, on Wednesday and Thursday the 29th and 30th. inst.
Donations will be thankfully received and may be left at the Book Store of F. A. Brown Esqr. (Hartford,) or forwarded to the ladies of the parish to be left at the Humphrey House, New Britain.
The Churchmen of New Britain have done so nobly in sus- taining and establishing the Church in their midst that they are deserving of every encouragement."
At a parish meeting in January, 1853, for the sale of slips, sales were made to forty-six persons, to the amount of Five hundred and ninety-eight dollars leaving unsold 14 slips appraised at $81. The names of the buyers and amount paid by each are recorded in the "Minutes of St. Mark's Parish." This is the first time since 1838 that such a record appears in the parish books. A similar record was made for the year 1854. In 1838 the seats were sold on Easter Monday, and we presume this was the custom up to 1853. In 1855 the time for selling the seats was changed from January to Easter Monday, but there is no record of the sale until 1857, after which the sales are recorded each year for a time, the last record being for the year 1868 when there were one hundred and six pew holders and the sales amounted to $2058.00. In the files of the parish we find that twenty persons subscribed $212.25 for the support of preaching for the year 1846, and fifteen persons subscribed
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$190.25 for the same object for the year 1847. The largest subscription was that of Ira E. Smith for $50.00. In 1853 the highest price for a pew was $34, paid by H. E. Russell. It will thus be seen that in fifteen years, from 1853 to 1868, the number of pew holders was more than doubled while the amount of sales had increased more than threefold.
At the annual meeting of the parish, Easter Monday, March 28, 1853, the Rector's salary was raised from $500, to $700, per annum. Nothing of special interest to New Britain appears in the Journal of Convention for 1853.
The diary of the Hon. Elihu Burritt indicates that it was his custom when in New Britain on Sunday, to attend the Congre- gational church in the morning and some other church later in the day. On Sunday, Nov. 26, 1853, he writes: "In the after- noon attended service at the Episcopal meeting house which was also pretty well filled. Mr. Capron preached a good solid discourse." On Christmas Sunday, Dec. 25, 1853, he writes, "In the evening attended the Episcopal Church which was crowded excessively by an audience of whom I could recognize but a few familiar faces, so changed is the population of New Britain. The singing was good and Mr. Capron preached a good sermon."
Another quarterly meeting of the Convocation of Hartford County was held at St. Mark's on the 10th. and IIth. of January, 1854, and is reported in the "Calendar" of Jan. 2Ist. There were present of the clergy the Rev. Messrs. Benedict, Coxe, Douglas, Fitch, Huntington, Fisher and J. L. Scott, and the Rev. Mr. Horton of New London County.
Service was held on Tuesday evening in the church and missionary addresses by the Rev. Messrs. Douglas, Hunting- ton and Benedict, and a collection made for the aid of Missions in Hartford County. On Wednesday morning service was again held in the church and the Convocation sermon was delivered by Rev. J. L. Scott, editor of the "Calendar," from I Cor. xiv, 10, "There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification."
The services were pretty well attended and the contribution of twenty dollars for Missions in the county was fully up to the proportion of the ability of the parish as compared with neighboring parishes.
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The Rev. Mr. Capron's report to the Convention for the year 1854 was in part as follows :- "The Ladies' Sewing Society have raised for parochial purposes some $50, during the year. An effort is now making to raise $1,000, for other purposes of the Parish, which when accomplished, will leave the Parish free from debt. Though not rapidly increasing in numbers, we are as a Parish, growing in efficiency and constancy."
Mr. Francis T. Russell, before mentioned as a candidate for holy orders, was recommended by the Standing Committee Feb. 27, 1855, for deacon's orders and was ordained by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Church Brownell, D.D., at Christ Church, Hart- ford, March 25, 1855. Appended to the record of the annual meeting of St. Mark's Parish for 1855 is the following memorandum :-
"At the annual meeting of the Parish, Easter Monday, April 9th. 1855, the Rev. Francis T. Russell of Hartford was unani- mously elected Rector of the Parish, and took charge and first officiated as such on the fourth Sunday after Easter, 1855." (May 6.)
The Bishop's address to the Convention of 1855 says that "The Rev. Alexander Capron has resigned the Rectorship of St. Mark's, New Britain, and taken charge of the Mission at Central Village. (Plainfield.) The Rev. Francis T. Russell is the Minister of St. Mark's, New Britain."
The Rev. Mr. Capron's report to the Convention of 1855 says that "he resigned the Rectorship of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, on Easter Monday."
The report of St. Mark's Parish to the Convention of 1855 was made by the Rev. Mr. Russell, and says, "The late Rector of the parish having resigned his charge on Easter Sunday, the following statements include his report as well as my own. During the past year the whole amount of our Church debt, $1,500 has been cancelled by liberal subscriptions.
"I was ordained Deacon on the fifth Sunday in Lent, (March 25, 1855,) and officiated in various places, chiefly in Christ Church, Hartford, until the time of my connection with this parish the fourth Sunday after Easter. Before and since my ordination I have attended to the duties of my Professorship,
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at the Berkeley Divinity School and Instructorship at Trinity College."
The second ordination at St. Mark's Church of New Britain was on June 27, 1855, when the Rev. John Clarkson DuBois, deacon, and missionary to St. Croix, West Indies, was ordained priest by the Right Rev. John Williams, D.D., Assistant Bishop.
At a special meeting of the vestry, Dec. 18, 1855, Noble Hills was appointed collector and allowed a commission of five per cent. on all collections. Wm. G. Coe, Norris Bailey and N. Dickinson were appointed a committee "to superintend the expenditures of the Church." It was "Voted That in future the Vestry meet once a month." .
On Feb. 12, 1856, the Standing Committee recommended the Rev. Francis T. Russell, deacon, to the Bishop, to be advanced to the priesthood. In accordance therewith he was ordained at a special ordination held in St. Mark's Church, March 12, 1856, by the Assistant Bishop, the Right Rev. John Williams, D.D. The "Calendar" of March 15, 1856, says :-
"The Rev. C. R. Fisher began Morning Service, the Rev. J. H. Waterbury of Bolivia, Ills. read the Lessons and the Rev. E. A. Washburn preached from St. Mark xvi, 17, 18 and 20. The candidate was then presented by the Rev. Mr. Abercrombie of Christ Church, Hartford, and the services proceeded, in which the Rev. Mr. Deshon read the Epistle and the Rev. Mr. Willey the Gospel. All the above named clergymen joined in the imposition of hands as did also the Rev. President Goodwin and the Rev. H. Fitch. The Bishop administered the Com- munion to the clergy; Rev. Messrs. Willey and Deshon to a large body of the laity. The Rev. Mr. Cook, Deacon, was also present, besides several Berkeley Divinity students and a very large and attentive congregation."
At the annual meeting of the parish, March 24, 1856, it was "Voted, that the salary of the Rector for the. ensuing year be $800, commencing on the Ist. day of April, 1856." This was $100 more than Mr. Capron's salary when Mr. Russell came here, and Mr. Russell's report to the Convention of 1856 shows that it was an increase to him of $300. and therefore his salary at first was only $500.00 per annum. The parish in 1855 were
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