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 28
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 28
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 28
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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
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in straightened circumstances and we presume there was talk of once more applying to the missionary society for aid. It was Mr. Russell's desire that his salary should be placed so low that no aid should be received from that society and this was the reason why his salary at first was made lower than that of his predecessor.
Mr. Russell's report to the Convention of 1856 says, "On Easter Monday an increase of $300.00 was added to the Rec- tor's salary for the ensuing year. I would greatfully acknowl- edge the extreme kindness and constant attention of the good people of my parish, by which I have been enabled to 'live of the altar.'
"We are now suffering sadly for want of room in the Church, all the slips being rented and more applied for.
"During the year I have attended to my appointed duties at Trinity College and the Berkeley Divinity School as heretofore."
At the annual meeting of the parish, April 13, 1857, it was "Voted, that one half of each collection and one half of the Offertory be appropriated to the liquidation of the Church debt, and that in addition, a special collection for that purpose be taken up on the last Sunday in each month."
A meeting of the Hartford County Convocation was held in St. Mark's, New Britain, on April 19, 1857. There were pres- ent of the clergy Rev. Messrs. Adams, Fitch, Gregory, Hall, Jarvis, McClory, Mines, Robinson, Russell, and Washburn. The Convocation sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Jarvis from St. Matt. ix. 37, and at the evening service the Rev. Mr. Washburn preached, and addresses were made by the Rev. Messrs. Hall and Russell. The meeting was informed that the "Church Missionary operations in the County were in a most promising condition." The report of this meeting in the "Calendar" of April 30, 1857, gives a detailed account of this work, all of it outside of New Britain.
At the Convention held at New Haven, June 9, 1857, Morn- ing Prayer was read by the Rev. B. H. Paddock and concluded by the Rev. F. T. Russell, Rector of St. Mark's Church, New Britain. This is the first instance noted in the Journals of Convention in which the minister or delegates from St. Mark's Church have been prominent in the Convention. The Assistant Bishop's address states that the Rev. Alexander Capron had
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received Dimissory Letters to the Diocese of Wisconsin. The report of the parish to this Convention was wholly statistical. Among the contributions was a gift to the Rector of $250.
According to Elihu Burritt's diary the Rev. Mr. Russell delivered an address to the Normal Scholars at the Methodist Church, Oct. 4, 1857. On Sunday, May 9, 1858, Mr. Burritt says that "Mr. Russell gave a good sermon on the duty of confirmation. His voice is truly noble and clear and beauti- fully disciplined. A considerable number are to be confirmed."
The Rev. Mr. Russell's report of the parish to the Conven- tion of 1858 was in part as follows :-
"The financial difficulties of the past season, while they have affected somewhat the material prosperity of the parish, have been blessed to us, I believe, in spiritual benefit and increasing interest in unfading riches. When our artizans were thrown out of work in the fall, daily prayers were established for a few weeks, which were well attended, as were the Lenten services. We looked forward to a winter of severe suffering among the poor, whose daily food was the reward of their daily labor, but a merciful Providence has been far better to us than our fears, and we gratefully record no cases of actual suffering; and though our Alms and Offerings for the benefit of the poor have not been great, nor such as can appear in figures, we are happy in the belief that they have been accepted and blest in their use.
"As usual, we have suffered much during the past year from removals, so that while there have been twenty added to our list of Communicants, we have lost eighteen by removal and death, making an actual increase of only two over the number reported last year. Within five years past, I find that we have lost as many families and communicants as would make another parish of just our present number.
"The girls of the parish have paid for the introduction of gas fixtures into the Church.
"In addition to parish work, I have been engaged in the duties of my department at Berkeley Divinity School.
"Two young men of the parish are now pursuing liberal studies with a view to the sacred ministry."
There is nothing of special interest in the Journal of Conven- tion for 1859, nor in the parish records, until July 1, when
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a meeting of the vestry unanimously "voted to call a special meeting of the Parish, to take into consideration the expediency of enlarging the church."
A special meeting was held July 5, 1859, Rev. F. T. Russell, Rector, in the chair, when it was "Voted, That in the opinion of the Parish, it is both necessary and expedient to enlarge the church, by the addition of 27 feet in length, thereby adding 40 slips, and the Vestry be and they are hereby authorized to proceed with the same at the earliest moment."
"Voted, That the Vestry be and they are hereby authorized to devise such means, by the sale of Slips and conveyance of the right of occupancy of the same, or to borrow such sum or sums of money, as in their opinion may be necessary to make the proposed enlargement, not exceeding two thousand dollars."
In accordance with this vote the building was cut through the middle, the rear part of it moved back and the new part filled in between the two. There were four windows on each side of the building and two more were added on the east side making the six windows now present on that side. Before the work commenced Mr. E. L. Goodwin made a little sketch in water colors of the church as it then was and this is the only known picture of the church as it was prior to 1860. A map of New Britain was published by Richard Clark, Philadelphia, in 1851, and in the margin is a picture of what purports to be St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Five windows are shown on the east side instead of only four, from which we infer that a contemplated enlargement of the church building was known as early as 1851, and that the publisher attempted to illustrate the church as he supposed it would appear in the near future. By the courtesy of Mrs. Goodwin we have been able to herewith present an enlargement of the Goodwin sketch. The steeple was much too large for the church and no doubt it was a great improvement in the appearance of the building to have "a church built to its steeple." The bell was originally hung in a little tower at the rear of the church because it was thought that the steeple was too frail to support a heavy bell, but after- wards it was hung in the steeple.
At a parish meeting, Oct. 3, 1859, it was unanimously "Voted That a Chapel be built, according to the plan furnished by the
ST. MARK'S CHURCH, 1859.
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Architect, and that the Vestry be authorized to proceed with the building of the same."
At a meeting of the vestry, immediately after the above parish meeting it was voted "That H. E. Russell, Virgil Cornish and Dr. S. W. Hart and the Rector, be a committee to superintend and carry out the erection of a Chapel, in accordance with the plan furnished by the architect Mr. Hallett."
We learn from the address of the Assistant Bishop to the Convention of 1860, that the improvements in the main build- ing and the present chapel were so nearly completed on Jan. 3, 1860, that he "reopened St. Mark's Church, New Britain, the capacity of which has been nearly doubled."
This is supplemented by the Rev. Mr. Russell's report of the Parish as follows :-
"During the past year the numbers of our parish have 'provoked one another unto good works' with a generosity indicative of an increasing appreciation of the privileges to be secured in the Church.
"Our Church has been enlarged more than one third in length by the addition of forty slips, the greater part of which are already rented, and the building is otherwise improved. The remainder of the old debt has been cancelled. One mem- ber of the Parish who has evinced his accustomed liberality, has presented a new organ to the Parish valued at eleven hundred dollars making the total sum given for objects within the Parish more than five thousand dollars, and leaving less than a tenth part unpaid."
There is no mention of this organ in the records until the vestry meeting of April 1, 1861, when Mr. H. E. Russell and Dr. S. W. Hart were appointed a committee "to insure the church building and organ," and but for the Rector's report and an item in the "Calendar," we would have known nothing of the new organ. We are informed that the member who thus "evinced his accustomed liberality," was Henry E. Russell. The organ which was in the old church on East Main street, had done duty in the new church until this time, when it was placed in the Church of Our Saviour, Plainville. A little later Mr. H. E. Russell presented the parish with a smaller organ
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for use in the Chapel. This is now in St. Gabriel's Church, East Berlin.
In connection with these improvements, a large and hand- somely bound Bible was presented to the parish in 1860, by Mrs. L. H. Sigourney. The Bible was designed especially for use in the new chapel and is still used at all services that are held in the chapel. Mrs. Sigourney was particularly interested in the parish through her daughter, Mrs. Mary Huntley Sigour- ney Russell, the wife of the Rector.
A further notice of the recent improvement is found in the "Calendar" of Jan. 21, 1860, as follows :-
"On Tuesday, Jan. 3, St. Mark's Church was reopened with appropriate services by Bishop Williams. Several of the Clergy of the Diocese were present and took part in the solemnities of the occasion.
"The church has been enlarged by the addition of forty slips, adding a third to its original length. The depth of the church, including the chancel, is now eighty feet, while the width is the same as before, thirty-six feet. It was a great improvement on the former building and in better harmony with the design of the architect, Mr. Stone of New Haven. The beautiful tracery of the roof is by the increased length rendered promi- nent to the eye and the oak graining gives a more cheerful aspect to the whole interior.
"On the west side of the church a chapel, thirty-six feet in length, has been added, a part of which is devoted to an organ chamber or chapel, which opens into the church by an arch sixteen feet high and thirteen feet wide.
"The new organ, the princely gift of one who is known to all who are familiar with the history of St. Mark's Church, is a superior instrument from the factory of Johnson, in Wethers- field.
"The members of this parish have done nobly in the efforts to discharge the remainder of their former indebtedness, and to make the above improvements without leaving a heavy debt. The amount subscribed the present year for these purposes is more than five thousand dollars, a large sum for a small parish. May the Lord return this liberality in tenfold blessings into their bosoms.
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"It is a singular fact that the important incidents in the parish date by periods of eleven years. In 1837 the first church was built and consecrated; in 1848 the second church was conse- crated and in 1859 it was enlarged by the addition of one hundred and sixty sitting's. Now is it too much to expect that in eleven years from the present time the fourth term shall be marked by the erection of a stone church? Time will decide."
The parish was also honored at the Convention of 1860 by having its Rector placed on the committee to nominate the Board of directors for the Christian Knowledge Society.
Mr. Russell was also the secretary of the Hartford County Convocation, which office he held until March 8, 1864, when he resigned, preparatory to removing from the Diocese. A meet- ing of the Convocation assembled in St. Mark's Church, New Britain, Tuesday evening, March 12, 1861. The Rev. Mr. Washburn preached a sermon on 2 Chron. xx. 15. Many important and interesting facts were elicited "concerning the Church's work against the three fold forces of false doctrines, heresy and schism."
On Wednesday morning the Holy Communion was cele- brated and a sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Short of Broad Brook. The report of this meeting in the "Calendar" is signed "R" and concludes as follows :-
"Another of these profitable seasons has passed with its pleasant memories and its spiritual profit. To clergymen and people alike they leave impressions not soon to be forgotten, and labors for the Church after such councils and social inter- changes, are undertaken with a more cheerful heart and a stronger hand. 'Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity.'"
At the annual meeting of the parish April 1, 1861, a vote of thanks was passed to "Dr. Hart for his valuable present of a book-case for the use of the Library." Also to "Mr. Emanuel Russell for his liberality in insuring the church edifice against fire." At the Hartford County Convocation at Hartford, April 3, 1861, Morning Prayer was said by the Rev. F. T. Russell of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, and Mr. Russell "presented the subject of the present state of religion in the Sandwich Islands in a forcible and interesting speech."
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From the Journal of Convention for 1861, we find that the Rector of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, had succeeded the Rev. E. Livingston Wells as Rector of the Church of our Saviour, Plainville, with the Rev. P. Voorhees Finch for Assist- ant at Plainville. Mr. Russell was one of the directors of the Christian Knowledge Society from 1861 to 1863, and was then tendered a re-election but declined. The improvement in the church property and the hard times caused by the war appear to have financially crippled the parish to such an extent that the Rector voluntarily offered to have his salary reduced. A special meeting of the vestry was held Oct. 19, 1861, to consider this proposition and they appointed A. T. Post, S. W. Hart and N. Bailey, a committee to consider the matter and report. The report was presented at a special meeting of the vestry held Oct. 23, 1861, and is as follows :-
"The Committee appointed on the resolution, To examine and see, whether the Rector's proposition to reduce his salary should be entertained or not, and also what disposition should be made of the unsold seats, respectfully report."
"That they have attended to the duties assigned them, and that they are of the unanimous opinion, that we ought not to accept the generous proposition, made by the Rector, believing that 'the labourer is worthy of his hire,' and that the Church is fully able to raise the amount necessary to defray all the pres- ent expenses-The Committee respectfully recommends, that there be an evening service, at which time a plate collection shall be taken up to meet any deficiency in the income of the Church, caused by the long suspension of business, occasioned by the rebellion, as it is believed, many persons, who attend that Service, would cheerfully give a small amount for the object-"
The committee further recommended, that all the unsold seats, in the Church, be offered for the balance of the pew- renting year to any person or persons, who may desire to attend the Church, at any price in their power to give, and that some one person be appointed to take the exclusive charge of renting the Slips, and to whom all persons in future be referred-
"Having thus briefly presented the results of our labors, as appointed by the aforesaid resolution, thereby completing our duties, respectfully submit this our report in full."
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Another meeting of the Convocation of Hartford County was held March II, 1862, at St. Mark's Church, New Britain, and although that day opened with a driving snow storm the number of the brethren in attendance was quite large. The report of this meeting in the "Calendar" is signed F. T. R. and is as follows :-
"The exercises of the Church were extremely interesting both in the morning and evening. The Rev. Mr. Olmstead preached to the Clergy and the Rev. Mr. Fisher to the laity. There were present of the Clergy, Rev. Messrs. Clark, Fisher, Finch, Jackson, Olmstead, Russell, Seeley, Short, and the Rev. Thos. S. Judd of New York. All the members of the Convoca- tion took part in the service.
"The business meeting drew out some interesting facts con- cerning the missionary operations in the County, and the literary exercises were profitable. Among other topics dis- cussed, was the possible effect upon the clerical order of the provisions of the new Conscription bill.
"An appropriation was asked to aid West Hartford parish, in securing a resident Rector.
"Would that a large number of those parents in the Church who send their children away from Church influences could have heard the impressive discourse of the Rev. Mr. Olmstead. How can the young members of the Church grow up in loyalty to her teachings when they are dismissed from her care and nurture? And what hope have we of well instructed Church- men, a generation hence, who have been deprived of the best educational influences of the Church they should reverence and love? If it is argued in reply that Church institutions are not what they should be, will it tend to better them if patronage is withdrawn?"
At the Convention of 1862, St. Mark's Rector, Mr. Russell, was elected supplemental deputy to the General Convention. He had relinquished the charge of the Church of Our Saviour at Plainville, and with an assistant, had taken charge of the Church of the Redeemer, Southington. This position he held in 1863.
At an adjourned parish meeting April 22, 1862, "Mr. Henry E. Russell offered to give $300. towards the deficiency in the past year's current expenses, if the parish would raise the
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balance," which offer was accepted, but the committee appointed for that purpose were a long time collecting money enough to pay the balance.
At the annual meeting April 6, 1863, the following vote was passed :-
"That the Vestrymen be authorized to purchase at a fair price for St. Mark's Society of Messrs. Russell and Erwin, a strip of land adjoining the East side of the Church building of eight or ten or twelve feet wide of the same depth as the said Society's lot, and in payment, to sell at a fair price and convey by a proper deed of conveyance to Mr. C. B. Erwin the narrow strip of land belonging to the said Society, on the North West side of the Church building and now used as a passway by the said Society-said land so sold to be of the same width as the lot of C. B. Erwin's lying immediately South of and adjoining said passway-and the balance to be paid within ninety days after the bargain is made-or to sell and convey by a proper deed of conveyance to C. B. Erwin the narrow strip of land belonging to said society on the North West side of the Church building and now used by said Society as a passway-said land to be of the same width as the lot of C. B. Erwin's lying immediately South of and adjoining said passway, for and in consideration of a passway twelve feet wide and as long as the said Society's lot on the East side of the said Church to be used as a passway in common, forever, by said Russell and Erwin or other agents, heirs and assigns, and St. Mark's Society or their agent, heirs and assigns. And the Clerk be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to execute proper deeds of conveyances therefor."
St. Mark's Parish, New Britain, was again honored by the Convention in 1863, when its Rector, the Rev. Francis T. Russell, was made secretary of the Convention.
Mr. Russell's report of the parish to the Convention, 1863, says, "Through the liberal subscription of a communicant of the parish, the income of the parish the past year exceeded by a few dollars the expenses; the first year I have had the privi- lege of presenting such a report."
The vestry met in the chapel at the request of the Rector, July 16, 1863, who reported-"that he had been elected Profes-
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sor of Oratory in Trinity College at Hartford, Conn., and requested that he may be allowed to accept it, that the duties of the office would take one day a week during term time, as the duties of the Divinity School did, making two days a week in which he would be absent from home. If the permission was withheld, would it not be better to elect a new Rector in his place. He having been called to a similar Professorship in Geneva College where the Salary was to be more than St. Mark's Parish were able to give. As he felt compelled to seek more Salary to maintain his family." Permission to accept the Professorship in Trinity College was given the Rector. A little more than six months later, Dec. 27, 1863, the Rector tendered his resignation. At an adjourned meeting of the vestry, Jan. 3, 1864, this resignation was read and also an address of the Bishop of this Diocese in reference to the salary of the clergy.
"On motion of Mr. Bronson, it was voted to accept the resignation of our Rector, F. T. Russell, and on motion of Mr. V. Cornish; H. E. Russell, W. L. Humason, Dr. S. W. Hart, M. Bronson and A. T. Post, were appointed a committee to draft suitable resolutions to present to the Rector." At a vestry meeting Jan. 15, 1864, the following resolutions were accepted and ordered to be published in the "Calendar," and a copy signed by the wardens and vestrymen to be sent to Mr. Russell .-
"Whereas,-The Rev. Francis T. Russell has tendered his resignation as Rector of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, Ct., to take a Professorship in Hobart College, and having been advised by his Bishop and his Brethren of the Clergy to accept this more extended field of usefulness to the Church.
"Resolved: That this Vestry have received with deep regret the resignation of their beloved Pastor the Rev. Francis T. Russell.
"Resolved: That in accepting his resignation, this Vestry beg leave to offer to Prof. Russell their grateful acknowledgements, for the faithful manner in which he has performed his duties as Rector, and, for his untiring devotion to the Spiritual welfare of his flock, during the nine years, he has gone in and out, among this people, and they regret that circumstances compel
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him to break the tie of Pastor and people, which has so long held them in Kindly intercourse.
"Resolved: That the Rev. Prof. Russell carries with him the respect and affection of this Vestry and Parish and their united prayers for his temporal and eternal well being."
The record says that "Rev. Mr. Russell's letter, tendering his resignation, is placed on file," but we have been unable to find it.
At the annual meeting Easter Monday, 1864, there was "a general talk about a Rector" after which the meeting adjourned.
The Assistant Bishop's address to the Convention of 1864 says that "The Rev. Francis T. Russell has resigned the Rec- torship of St. Mark's, New Britain," and Mr. Russell's own report to that Convention says that he "resigned at Easter the Rectorship of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, and the Professorship of Oratory in Trinity College and accepted the Horace White Professorship of Rhetoric and Elocution in Hobart College, New York." We may here note that Mr. Russell's resignation was tendered Dec. 27, 1863, but from Mr. Russell's report that he resigned at Easter, (March 26, 1864,) we understand that the resignation did not go into effect until the latter date. There is nothing in the records of the parish and vestry meetings to show the date when Mr. Russell's rector- ship terminated.
The "Calendar" of Jan. 16, 1864, thus mentions "the Rev. F. T. Russell, who leaves this Diocese at Easter for his new post in Hobart College and whose removal will be a serious loss to Trinity College and to the Diocese." The same issue quoted a notice of Mr. Russell from the "Gospel Messenger" of New York, a portion of which quotation is as follows :-
"During the seven years that he has been in Holy Orders he has been the Rector of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, and during the same period he has been Professor of Elocution in the Berkeley Divinity School. He is also at the present time Professor of Oratory in Trinity College, Hartford. Professor Russell has studied our best English literature very thoroughly with a view to its interpretation by the voice. His great skill and power in thus giving expression to the thought and senti- ment of our best literature, enables him to inspire the young
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with ardent love of whatever is noble and beautiful in it, while his mature and correct taste will prove a safe guide for studies which take this direction."
Another of the original founders of St. Mark's Church passed away on January 18, 1864, "in the comfort of a reason- able, religious and holy hope, and in reverent expectation of a glorious resurrection, Emanuel Russell Esq. in the 85th. year of his age."
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