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 29
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 29
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 29
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The following notice is from the "Calendar" of Jan. 30, 1864:
"The aged disciple rests in an honored grave. His life spent in the service of his Savior, adorned his christian profession. Convinced of the divine origin and constitution of the Church, he was faithful unto her as unto the Bride of Christ. His fellow disciples mourn the loss of one whose virtues they would emulate and whose integrity, christian faith and example they would follow. Faithful in all his domestic relations, he both gave and received overflowing measures of tender affection. As a citizen, he won the esteem of his fellow-townsmen, and has left a name long to be revered for singular honesty and integrity in business relations. Believing profoundly in the oversight and orderings of Providence in all the changes and chances of human life, he relinquished uncomplainingly, in his advanced years, all title to wealth, and rejoiced that he was no longer burdened with the responsibility and danger of worldly riches. A gentleman of the old school manners, manly and urbane, his graceful form will be missed from the streets and from our homes. With rare native gifts of intellect, and with natural ardor of feeling, he passed through life gaining as many friends and making as few enemies as any one would be likely to do who possessed such positive views of right and such intolerance of wrong. His faith was steadfast. He is now translated from the imperfect perceptions of our mortal condition to the clearer visions of Paradise, The white hairs of the venerated old man were found in the way of righteous- ness, and were therefore a crown of glory unto him. A brighter crown of reward and rejoicing, as we believe, shall rest on his brow, when the righteous shall be called by their Savior to sit on thrones in His Father's Kingdom.
R"
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At a parish meeting June 19, 1864, it was "Voted that H. E. Russell be directed to give the Rev. Mr. Miles a call to officiate as Rector of St. Mark's Parish for one year at a Salary not to exceed twelve hundred dollars per year." We do not know whether he came or not but in less than two months, Aug. 3, 1864, a vestry meeting "Voted that the Vestry give Rev. L. B. Baldwin a call to officiate as Rector of St. Mark's Parish," but there is nothing in the records of the meeting to show when his rectorship began. The "True Citizen," published by L. M. Gurnsey, at New Britain, issue of Aug. 12, 1864, says :-
"We understand that St. Mark's Episcopal Society of this place, have extended a call to Rev. Mr. Baldwin of Nashua, N. H. He has verbally accepted the call, and it is expected he will commence the performance of his official duties with them, about Oct. Ist."
At the Diocesan Convention 1865, the Rev. Leonidas B. Baldwin, received from the Diocese of New Hampshire, was reported as Rector of St. Mark's, New Britain, and the Rev. Francis T. Russell as having been transferred to the Diocese of Western New York.
Instead of being a mere field of labor for the missionary society of the Diocese, New Britain was now sending its minis- ters as missionaries to other places. It was missionary work when the Rector of St. Mark's, Mr. Russell, took the rector- ship of the mission at Plainville, in 1861, and at Southington, 1863, and in the summer of 1865, the Rev. L. B. Baldwin, Rector of St. Mark's, was doing missionary work at Newington Depot. He reported to the Hartford County Convocation, at Bristol, Nov. 7, 1865, that "the services at Newington which have been kept up during the past summer, must be discon- tinued for the present, as no room can be had."
At the meeting of the Hartford County Convocation held at Hartford, on Feb. 6, 1866, the Rev. L. B. Baldwin of New Britain delivered the sermon.
In the second book of records of the parish and vestry meet- ings, one page, without any preceding record that can be read in connection therewith, begins as follows :-
"New Britain Record, and printed notices posted in con- spicuous places about the village." Then a few minor matters
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IN NEW BRITAIN.
are recorded and signed "Henry P. Curtiss, Clerk." The notice thus referred to appears in the New Britain "Record," issue of April 6, 1866, and relates to the sale of slips on April 9, 1866. It is dated April 3. The record of a sale of slips without date immediately follows the record above referred to. It was the custom to hold the annual meetings on Easter Monday and to sell the slips one week later. Easter in 1866 was April I, and therefore this notice is dated the day after Easter Monday, and we may presume that this fragment of a record is that of the annual meeting on Easter Monday, April 2, 1866. The immediately preceding record was that of a special meeting Nov. 20, 1865, and was signed "G. R. Post, Clerk," who was the last clerk of record, from which we may presume that Henry P. Curtiss was elected clerk at the annual meeting 1866. Evidently a leaf is missing from the book at this point and the bulk of the record, for 1866 including the election of officers, is lost. It was lost before 1875 as appears by the following entry : "These books were given to me to read by the Parish clerk soon after I became Rector, (in 1875), and I found them mutilated as this page shows." Signed, J. H. Drumm. A very careful comparison of the officers for the years preceding and following 1866, supplemented by the memory of one of the vestrymen, leads us to believe that with the exception of the clerk before noted, the officers whose terms expired in the spring of 1866 were reelected at the annual meeting of that year.
The "Connecticut Churchman," Hartford, April 7, 1866, says :-
"The Rev. L. B. Baldwin, Rector of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, recently received a purse of nearly three hundred dollars as a token of their respect and esteem. We wish that such examples of generosity may be contagious and excite other parishes to similar methods of expressing their affection for their Pastors."
The issue of May 5, 1866, says that the Christian Knowledge Society held a meeting at St. Mark's Church, New Britain, on April 25, 1866. Addresses "were made by Rev. Messrs. Acley and Sanford, and the Bishop made a comprehensive and
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forcible speech, such as it was desirable that every parish in the Diocese should hear."
The New Britain "Record" of April 27, 1866, gives an account of another meeting on the same day as the above, saying :-
"A meeting of the Hartford County Convocation was held in St. Mark's Church, last Wednesday. There were present of the clergy the Revs. Dr. Short, Profs. Huntington, Niles and Mallory of Trinity College and Messrs. Seeley, Fisher, Gregory, Adams, Deshon, and Baldwin the Rector. At the public ser- vices in the morning, the sermon was preached by the Rev. Francis Goodwin of Trinity Church, Hartford. At a business meeting in the afternoon, expositions of Scripture and discus- sions of questions of practical interest occupied the time. In the evening there were further public services with missionary addresses by Bishop Williams, Rev. Mr. Sanford of Wolcott- ville and Rev. Wm. Acley of New Milford."
According to the New Britain "Record" of June 29, 1866, "The fair and festival given by the Ladies' Relief Society of St. Mark's Church last week Thursday and Friday evenings was in every way worthy of those who were engaged in the matter. The receipts were four hundred and seventy-five dollars, expenses two hundred."
The same paper issue of Aug. 10, 1866, says: "Rev. Mr. Baldwin of St. Mark's Church will be absent during the month of August, Rev. Dr. Fuller of Middletown supplying his pulpit during his absence." This is the first mention found of a vacation for the Rector.
After the annual meeting April 22, 1867, the vestry appointed Mr. G. W. Payne collector of slip rents with an allowance of three per cent. "except the amounts paid by Mr. H. E. Russell."
Our Rector the Rev. L. B. Baldwin, was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the Hartford County Convocation, about 1867. At the Convention of 1867, Morning Prayer was con- cluded by the Rev. L. B. Baldwin, Rector of St. Mark's Church, New Britain.
Mr. Baldwin's report for the year concludes as follows :-
"Special services in the German language have been held monthly, during a large portion of the year. The success that
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has attended them gives good cause to hope for permanent results. The Rector gratefully acknowledges the valued ser- vices of Prof. Simonson of Trinity College, in carrying on this interesting work among the Germans."
Notices of these services were given in the New Britain "Record" and we may add that these services were appreciated by the Germans. Before the German Churches were estab- lished here, there was a very large proportion of Germans in St. Mark's Parish.
The parish appears to have been financially embarrassed when the vestry voted June 23, 1867, "That the clerk be requested to report on the state of the finances and see if Mr. Baldwin's salary cannot be paid by Ist. July."
The Hartford County Convocation met again at St. Mark's Church, New Britain, Oct. 22, 1867. The "Churchman" of Hartford says: "The services opened on Tuesday evening with the regular Evening Prayer, which was read by the Rev. Robert Meech and the Rev. Francis T. Russell. At its close the Rev. L. B. Baldwin, Rector of the parish, stated by way of introduc- tion, that the primary object of this Convocation was missionary work, therefore "whatever might be said or done should have regard either to the work of Church extension, or the duty of strengthening feeble parishes and looking after the scattered sheep of Christ's flock."
Remarks were made by the Rev. Mr. Nelson and the Rev. Prof. Huntington. Also by the Rev. Samuel Hall of Pennsyl- vania, a former member of the Convocation.
The report says: "This was the most animating meeting of the Hartford Convocation that was ever attended. It sounded the keynote for work and found the answering desire in every heart to take hold of this mission work of ours and extend the knowledge of Christ and His Gospel within our borders."
On the following day the sermon was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Nelson. The clergy present, in addition to those named above, were Rev. Messrs. Bishop, Carter, Fisher, E. Hunt- ington, Mills, Pratt and Seeley.
At a special meeting of the vestry, Feb. 28, 1868, the "Rev. L. B. Baldwin presented a plan for the support of the Church for the ensuing year." It was voted to have the said plan printed and distributed in the parish. The annual meeting of
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April 13, 1868, voted to leave the matter to the vestry, who reported that they propose that "the seats of the church shall be appraised and offered for sale; the payments for which shall be made according to the plan submitted by the Rector, at the offertory to be made each Sabbath."
At the same meeting Stephen G. Bucknall was duly elected senior warden, and Henry E. Russell junior warden, the record stating that such election was "owing to the decease of Senior Warden Seymour, who had presided as such for the last 30 years." At a special meeting of the parish, April 13, 1868, the following minute was adopted and is on record :-
"By the death of Mr. Seymour another link is broken in the chain which connects our Parish of to-day with the period of its organization.
"Firmly and intelligently attached to the principles of our Church from his youth; actively interested in the Corporation of this Parish; always holding some official position and for more than a quarter of a century a Warden of the Church; ever ready according to his ability to labor for its advancement ; constant in his attendance upon its public services until pre- vented by the infirmities of age; exemplifying in all the rela- tions of life the high calling of a Christian, 'doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with his God,' his life seemed to be one peculiarly identified with St. Mark's Parish and his death an event of its united tribute of affectionate remembrance.
"Those who have been associated with the deceased officially, and those who have so long met as worshippers with him in the sanctuary, feel a common assurance that while the Church Militant has lost, the Church Triumphant has gained a man of God, and they would bear gratefully in mind his example of faith and love and humility as one worthy of imitation. Those who offer this tribute to the memory of the departed, not unmindful of the duty of Christian sympathy, do commend the bereaved partner, in this hour of her affliction, to the tender mercies of a loving Father, and humbly pray that she may realize the fullness of His promise, to be the widow's God now and forever."
The New Britain "Record" of April 17, 1868, contains the following :
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IN NEW BRITAIN.
"Hezekiah Seymour, one of the oldest members of Harmony Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in this place, died on Saturday last. Mr. Seymour was born in Hartford, Oct. 27, 1788, was initiated into St. John's Lodge in 1822. He removed to New Britain over thirty years ago and was one of the peti- tioners for the restoration of the charter of Harmony Lodge in 1848. In 1851, he was one of the petitioners for the charter of Giddings Chapter, No. 25, and still later a charter member of Doric Council, No. 24. In all these bodies he was a worthy and exemplary member. He had also been senior Warden of St. Mark's Church for more than thirty years. He is univer- sally lamented as a good citizen, a true and upright christian man. His funeral was attended with Masonic honors from St. Mark's Church on Wednesday afternoon."
At a special meeting of the vestry, April 30, 1868, it was "Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to look into the repairs of the church and also to ascertain if it would be expedient to open the Chapel Archway so as to make the whole practicable for seats." May 8, 1868, it was voted that "the necessary repairs of the church be immediately perfected."
St. Mark's Church was recognized in the Convention of 1868 by the election of Mr. Henry E. Russell of New Britain as Supplemental Deputy to the General Convention, and by the appointment of Virgil Cornish of New Britain on the com- mittee to nominate directors of the Missionary Society.
The following is from the Rev. Mr. Baldwin's report of the parish in the Journal of 1868 :-
"The Parish is prosperous and growing. The weekly Offer- tory has been introduced to meet the current expenses, and measures are now being taken to provide a large number of free sittings for the increased number of worshipers. The Rector would here acknowledge his indebtedness to Prof. Simonson of Trinity College, for faithful missionary labors among the Germans of this community during the past year."
On July 1, 1868, it was found "that the extraordinary expenses of the Church in making the necessary repairs and the unsettled debt of the Church for the last year amounted to the sum of five hundred dollars." The treasurer was author-
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ized to borrow that amount and pay the church debts. On the same date a salary of two hundred dollars was voted the sexton, Mr. W. G. Payne, "provided there be no extra claims for services except such as are authorized by the Vestry." There was also "some discussion as to the propriety and expediency of putting in pews or a small number of regular pews in the Chapel near the new opening." The "new opening" here referred to is the present door way between the chapel and the church. It was made by removing the organ that was placed there in 1859, to the gallery at the south end of the church, where it remained until about 1895.
At a vestry meeting March 30, 1869, it was "Voted,-To increase the salary of Revd. L. B. Baldwin to the sum of $1500.00 for the year to commence April 1, 1869." We do not know what his salary was before this increase.
A part of Mr. Baldwin's report in the Journal for 1869 is as follows :-
"The Rev. L. Simonson of Trinity College, with much self- denying labor, has continued his ministrations among the Ger- mans of this community, giving them two services a month throughout the year. He has also kindly aided the Rector in other services.
"The weekly Offertory for the maintenance of the Parish has been in successful operation during the year. Its results are apparent in an increased income and greater promptness in meeting the current expenses."
At a meeting of the vestry held at the church on Friday evening, April 15, 1869, a discussion "was held on the proposi- tion of the Pastor to make this society a free church." At an adjourned annual meeting held April 25, 1870, it was "Voted, That the sittings in this Church be free to all who desire them for the space of one year, and that the necessary pledges be circulated for signature, for support of this Parish." Also "that the collection of Pledges and voluntary offerings be referred to the Wardens and Vestry." Mr. Baldwin's report to the Convention of 1870 says "All the sittings in the church are free. The current expenses of the parish are fully met by the weekly offerings." At this Convention the Rev. Mr.
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Baldwin, Rector of St. Mark's, was appointed one of the com- mittee on the admission of new parishes.
At the meeting of the wardens and vestry, June 14, 1870, "A communication was received from the Rector notifying them that he had received a call, and that he should prefer to remain with the Parish provided the Parish could do as well by him." The meeting adjourned to June 17, at which time "A motion was made and seconded that a Parsonage be purchased and an increase of Salary be made to Revd. L. B. Baldwin to $2,000.00 per annum. After due discussion the motion was lost." It was then voted "that the Wardens be requested to call on Rev. Mr. Baldwin, and ascertain if he will modify his proposals to the Vestry and also to make the best possible terms with him."
The New Britain "Record" of July 1, 1870, says :- "Rev. L. B. Baldwin, for several years Rector of St. Mark's Church in this place, has resigned his pastorate and accepted a call to St. James Church, Birmingham. Mr. Baldwin's departure is deeply regretted by the people of the parish. He has labored earnestly and ably in New Britain."
At a meeting of the wardens and vestry July 10, 1870, at the house of Dr. S. W. Hart, the following communication was received :-
"To the Wardens and Vestry of St. Mark's Church :-
Gentlemen,-Having accepted an invitation to the Rector- ship of St. James Church, Birmingham, it becomes my duty to resign my present charge. I do accordingly, herewith tender my resignation of St. Mark's Parish, the same to take effect on the last day of the present month.
"Though a judgment formed by careful deliberation, judici- ous advice and prayer for divine guidance seems to have forced this decision upon me, yet I cannot conceal that it has cost me a painful effort of feeling to accept it.
"I shall never forget these early years of ministry so happily spent among you, the harmonious relations which have uninter- ruptedly existed between us and the many proofs of esteem and good will of which I have so often been the recipient. These I regard as a title to your lifelong friendship which I hope never to forfeit.
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"I trust that you may be wisely guided in the choice of a successor, and that this portion of Christ's flock may soon rejoice in a worthy Pastor who shall receive as evident tokens of your affectionate regard as I have, but whose tokens of success may be far more abundant than my own.
"Permit me now to commend you and all the members of this Parish to God's most holy keeping and to pray that we may all so faithfully serve him now, that when all the changes and chances of this mortal life are over, we may rejoice in being gathered as one fold in the Everlasting Kingdom of his dear Son.
New Britain, July 9th. 1870."
Your affectionate friend and Pastor, L. B. BALDWIN.
The motion of June 17th to purchase a "Parsonage" is very significant. The parish had no rectory and the Rev. Mr. Baldwin lived in one of the brick tenements on Washington Place. There was some talk of buying the corner where Sier- ing & Holmes block now is, which could have then been pur- chased for a moderate sum, and the deal came very near being consummated. It is not strange that Mr. Baldwin did not like to live on "Railroad Row" as Washington Place was often called, and we are informed that the want of a suitable rectory was the main reason for Mr. Baldwin's resignation.
On July 30, 1870, the wardens and vestry authorized the clerk to forward the following :-
"To the Revd. L. B. Baldwin,
Rector of St. Mark's Church, New Britain.
"We the Wardens and Vestry of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 9th. inst. tendering your resignation of the rectorship of this Parish, and we do, hereby, accept the same to take effect 'on the last day of the present month' as you propose.
"We would however, accompany your acceptance with the assurance, that we fully reciprocate your kind remembrance of our harmonious and friendly relationship in the past to which you so feelingly refer, as well as your expressions of affection- ate regard for our future interests.
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"Although unlooked for by this Parish, we cannot but feel that a change made through prudent council and much prayer, will be all for the best. We are in God's hands and 'He ordereth all things well.'
"We would therefore as you go forth to your new charge bid you a hearty God Speed, adding the fervent prayer that God will abundantly strengthen and bless you in your Sacred Call- ing and that we with you may at the last, 'come off more than Conquerors through him that loved us.'
With affectionate regards,
we are very sincerely yours,
Signed
S. G. BUCKNALL Wardens." VIRGIL CORNISH
According to the New Britain "Record," the Rev. L. B. . Baldwin preached his farewell sermon in St. Mark's Church, Sunday morning, July 31, 1870, the Rev. Mr. Spaulding preaching in the evening.
The Rev. Samuel Hall of Morristown, N. J. officiated the Sunday before.
We learn from the treasurer's books that the Revs. N. Seely, L. Simonson, B. Judkins, Frederick Gardiner, Rufus Emery and George Buck, officiated here one or more Sundays each, between Aug. 1, 1870, and April 1, 1871. On April 10, 1871, the Rev. C. Collard Adams was paid $186.00 in full to date, and the New Britain "Record" of March 24, 1871, calls Mr. Adams, "officiating rector at St. Mark's Church," and in the issue of April 7, 1871, says that he "has filled the position of Rector for the past two months with great acceptance."
The following relating to a Rector and rectory is from the record of a meeting of the wardens and vestry, Sept. 7, 1870 :-
Discussion was had on the subject of a Rector and of the different candidates who had been presented to the Parish.
"Voted,-To take an informal vote as to a choice, and there being no majority, it was moved and seconded that the whole matter be put into the hands of the Vestry to make such choice of a Pastor as they should deem best suited to the interests of this Parish."
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Henry E. Russell, Esq. having offered to donate to the society a lot sufficient for the purpose of a "Parsonage," it was voted, "That the thanks of this Parish be presented to Mr. Russell for his liberality and kindness," also-
"Voted,-That a committee of five be appointed to solicit subscriptions to build a parsonage and report how much could be obtained for that purpose; said committee to be appointed by nomination."
The following persons were appointed said committee :
Geo. R. Post.
Wm. Bishop.
Henry E. Russell.
Sherman Cooley.
Virgil Cornish.
"Votes of thanks were presented to Messrs. Henry E. Russell for his liberality in having the Church newly painted without, and to Mr. Virgil Cornish for superintending the same without charge to the Parish."
On Sept. 28, 1870, Mr. George R. Post, chairman of the com- mittee on collections for a "Parsonage" reported to a vestry meeting that the sum of five thousand dollars had been sub- scribed. A building committee, ( for the rectory, we presume,) was appointed at that meeting. On Jan. 27, 1871, the vestry-
"Voted that a committee of three consisting of Messrs. Henry E. Russell, Virgil Cornish and Geo. R. Post, be and hereby are, authorized to act for the Vestry and purchase the house and lot now owned by Revd. Mr. Perrin, adjoining the church lot of said St. Mark's Church, paying therefor a sum not exceeding eleven thousand dollars."
Mr. Perrin was the pastor of the First Congregational Church and thus the vote to acquire a "Parsonage" was literally com- plied with. The rectory thus purchased in 1871 is now the parish house.
On March 3, 1871, the vestry appointed a committee to confer with Messrs. Russell & Erwin with reference to the sale of a lot 45 by 83 feet, from the property recently pur- chased of the Rev. Mr. Perrin and to offer said lot for two thousand dollars. On March 16, 1871, the vestry voted to sell to Messrs. Russell & Erwin the eastern end of the Perrin
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