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 30
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 30
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 30
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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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lot for "seventeen hundred and fifty dollars, if more could not be obtained." The purchase of the Perrin property was rati- fied by the parish at an adjourned annual meeting, April 17, 1871, the property being purchased "as a Rectory for this Parish." But the parish could not then pay the amount neces- sary to secure a deed and hence Mr. Henry E. Russell advanced the money and took a deed of the property. The vestry voted April 24, 1871 to "accept a bond of Mr. Henry E. Russell Sr. to be given in place of a deed of the Rectory property, such deed to be given to the Society at such time as the Society shall relieve Mr. Russell from liability on the purchase of said Rectory."
Mr. Russell is here designated as senior in order to distin- guish from a nephew of the same name who came into the parish about 1866, and is designated in the records as Henry E. Russell 2nd. or Jr. This distinction was generally followed for many years, although the senior H. E. Russell had removed to New York about 1872. The senior Henry E. Russell was a son of Emanuel Russell hereinbefore repeatedly mentioned, and the junior Henry E. Russell was a son of William Russell of New York hereinbefore mentioned, and a grandson of Emanuel Russell.
At a parish meeting Sept. 28, 1870, "Mr. H. E. Russell noti- fied the Parish that he had deeded the land adjoining the church, fronting on Washington Street and that the same was duly recorded."
This was the school house property on the corner of West Main and Washington Streets, and it appears from the parish report hereinafter quoted, that this lot was presented to the parish. There is nothing in the records of the parish to show this fact and whatever thanks Mr. Russell may have had for his generosity do not appear of record. This lot was the last of the three pieces of land that constitute the present lot, on which the church and parish house now stand.
Returning again to the vacancy in the rectorship, the wardens and vestry on Sept. 22, 1870, appointed Messrs. Russell and Guion a committee "to go to Brooklyn on the next Sunday to attend divine service at the Church presided over by the Rev. Mr. Jessup." There was also some talk about extending a call to the Rev. Mr. Moffat of Marshall, Mich.
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At a meeting of the Vestry at the house of Henry E. Russell, Jan. 20, 1871, a call was extended to the Rev. J. C. Middle- ton of Calvary Church, Stonington, and "Warden Cornish" was "appointed a committee to urge him to accept the call, and to visit the Bishop, also to have him use his influence."
The New Britain "Record" of Jan. 10, 1871, says: "Rev. John C. Middleton of Calvary Church, Stonington, has accepted a call to St. Mark's Church in this city, to take effect from Easter Sunday, April 9. He will officiate at St. Mark's next Sunday." (Jan. 15.) It thus appears that an informal call had been extended and that five days after hearing Mr. Middle- ton preach, the call was made formal and recorded.
A special meeting of the vestry was held at the house of S. W. Hart, Feb. 10, 1871, for the purpose of hearing the following communication :-
"To the Wardens and Vestrymen
of St. Mark's Parish, New Britain, Ct.
Gentlemen :-
I hereby accept the invitation extended to me to become your Rector, and God willing, will enter upon the sacred duties of the office immediately after Easter Sunday.
I trust that a higher Power than my own will has guided me in this matter, and that the blessing of God may rest upon us as we shall work together for His glory and the good of His Holy Catholic Church.
I can ask from you no further pledges that you will aid me in every way, than you have already made; and on my part I can only promise to try to be a faithful Pastor and Rector to you all.
May I not ask your special and earnest prayers that God will bless us in the new relations we are to sustain towards each other, and that as co-workers with God, and fellow helpers of each other we may Glorify His Holy name by extending on Earth the influence of His Holy Church, gathering into its fold constantly many souls who shall be saved by the precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Very sincerely and affectionately yours in Christ Jesus, JOHN C. MIDDLETON.
Stonington, Ct. Feb. 7th. 1871."
3
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Mr. Middleton had been Rector at Stonington, Conn. for eight years. The resolutions tendered him by the Church there, upon his resignation, were published in the New Britain "Record" of April 7, 1871. After kind assurances of their "profound regard for his constant and faithful labors to pro- mote the interests of the Parish," they say :-
"And in view of this fidelity to the trusts which have been committed to his charge, while regretting that he deems it his duty to remove to a Parish where his opportunities for useful- ness will be enlarged, we earnestly commend him to the support and confidence of the people over whom he has been called, in the hope that his labors there will be blessed and profitable in good works as they have been here."
The annual parish meeting of April 17, 1871, was opened with prayer by the Rev. John C. Middleton. The Rector also called the attention of the meeting to chapter 4, section 204, of Connecticut State Laws relating to Ecclesiastical Societies, requiring all members of the parish to sign their names to a proper declaration of membership. In compliance with this law, the following paper, signed by J. B. Parsons and Henry E. Russell, was presented :-
"We whose names are hereunder signed hereby express our desire and intention of becoming members of the Ecclesiastical Society of St. Mark's Parish, of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the city of New Britain and Diocese of Connecticut."
All persons present who desired to become members of the Parish came forward and signed their names, after which the two original signers elected all who had thus signed as "mem- bers of this society." The regular business of the meeting was then transacted.
At a meeting of the wardens and vestry, April 2, 1871, the clerk was requested to communicate with the Bishop relative to the institution of Rev. John C. Middleton as Rector. The following copy of such communication was found on a loose sheet in the record book :-
"At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Mark's Parish, New Britain, held in their Church on the 23d day of April 1871, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
"Resolved, that in accordance with the provisions of Canon xii. sec. I (3) Title I, of Digest of the Canons, the Rt. Revd. the
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Bishop of the Diocese be informed that it is our desire and request that he should proceed, at his own convenience, to institute into the Rectorship of the Parish of St. Mark's, New Britain, the Rev. John Cavarly Middleton, Presbyter, who has been lawfully called and elected to the same."
The office of institution of a Rector is optional and Dr. Middleton is the only Rector of St. Mark's of whom we find any record of "Institution." The following is taken from the New Britain "Record" of April 28, 1871 :-
"On Tuesday the 25th. Rev. John C. Middleton was insti- tuted Rector of St. Mark's Church in this city. Rev. Messrs. Deshon of Meriden, Brown of Unionville, Wildman of Wal- lingford, Baldwin of Birmingham, and Russell of Waterbury, participated in the service. The officers of the Church, Rector elect, the Bishop and clergy proceeded in due order at 101/2 o'clock A. M. from the rectory on Washington Street to the Church. The exercises consisted of the Morning Prayer ser- vice, conducted by two or three of the clergy, the ceremony of the Institution by the Bishop as it is found in the Book of Com- mon Prayer, and the Holy Communion conducted by the Rector. Fine music, appropriate to the occasion, was prepared and sung by the choir. The whole service was of a most interesting and impressive character."
The Bishop's address to the Convention of 1871 says that "The Rev. Leonidas B. Baldwin has resigned the rectorship of St. Mark's, New Britain and become the Rector of St. James', Birmingham. The Rev. John C. Middleton has resigned the rectorship of Calvary Church, Stonington, and accepted that of St. Mark's, New Britain." The Institution of Mr. Middle- ton into the rectorship of St. Mark's on April 25, 1871 is also mentioned.
Mr. Middleton's report of the parish for 1871 says that :-
"The report is as full as it could be made under the cir- cumstances, the present Rector having but recently assumed the charge of the Parish. The vacancy in the Rectorship extend- ing over the most of the past year will explain why so little was done for "objects without the Parish."
"During the year past a Rectory has been purchased on a lot adjoining the Parish Church and the lot on the corner of
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West Main and Washington Streets has been given by deed to the Parish by Henry E. Russell, Esq. so that now the ecclesiastical property can hardly be exceeded in beauty and value, and in the capacity of future improvement by any Parish in the Diocese.
"The church is entirely free, and its ordinary expenses are fully met by the offerings laid upon the altar each Lord's day."
The New Britain "Record" of Nov. 10, 1871, mentions the following innovation: "At St. Mark's Church the psalms, instead of being read by the Rector and congregation, are sung by the Rector and choir."
The church erected twenty-three years before, with its tall slender spire, was in need of repairs, and thus the vestry, April 24, 1871, appointed Henry E. Russell "a committee of one to attend to the duties of general repairs of the church." He reported Aug. 7, 1871, "that on examination the steeple of the church would have to be strengthened and repaired generally," whereupon Virgil Cornish was added to the committee on repairs. Mr. Cornish reported Sept. 16, 1871, that it was neces- sary to repair the roof of the church as well as to make gen- eral inside repairs. The vestry voted "To appoint a committee to attend to said repairs in connection with the Ladies of the Parish, who were about to retint the walls of the church and if possible re-carpet the same. Messrs. H. E. Russell, V. Cornish, and F. Guion, were appointed that committee." Mr. Cornish reported to a vestry meeting Oct. 28, 1871, "that the condition of the steeple was found to be such that a large amount would be necessary to make it safe. According to a carpenter's estimate, nearly $1500 would be required." Also that by taking down the spire "the necessary repairs could be done for from three to four hundred dollars." It was then "Voted :- That the spire be taken down as soon as possible, and that Mr. G. C. Pettis be added to the committee as Mr. H. E. Russell was about to leave the city."
This vote was rescinded at a vestry meeting Nov. 14, 1871, upon a statement by Warden Cornish that Mr. Eli Pinney esti- mated that the necessary repairs to the steeple could be made for three or four hundred dollars without taking down the spire, and the committee were instructed to employ Mr. Pinney to make such repairs.
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At a vestry meeting Dec. 9, 1871, the treasurer, Mr. Bishop, "reported that the outstanding bills unpaid for repairs to the church, materials," &c. were about $1,100.00. A subscription was ordered to pay these bills, and "four hundred and fifty dollars was then and there subscribed," and it was voted to take up an additional collection each Sunday for the expenses of the Church, "except when regular appointed collections are given out by the Rector."
The Rev. Mr. Middleton, our Rector, was a poet as well as a preacher and became noted for his beautiful Christmas Carols. The following, from his published carols, was written especially for the Christmas Service here in 1871 .-
The Christmas chimes are ringing in The day when CHRIST was born; And children's voices sweetly tuned, Welcome the blessed morn With the first Christmas song again, "Glory to God, good will to men."
Judea's hills with glory crowned, Beheld the Prince of Peace, While angels of His advent sang In songs that ne'er shall cease. Each year resounds the chorus still, "Glory to God, to men good will."
Now wrapped in swathing bands behold The infant SAVIOUR lie ; The wondering Mary at His side- Th' adoring shepherds by- And angels o'er them, singing still, "Glory to God, to men good will."
None others raise the joyful song From Jew or Gentile tongue ! But now from eastern shore to west That Christmas song is sung, Which first swelled out o'er Judah's plain,
"Glory to God, good will to men."
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The Church on earth and Church in Heaven To-day are truly one-
There ransomed children's voices rise In praises round the throne ; And here we join the glad refrain, "Glory to God, good will to men."
"Glory to God in sweetest songs!" Let children's voices raise Th' angelic chorus, till the earth Be all enwrapt with praise, And every heart the anthem thrill, "Glory to God, to men good will."
The Burritt Union Mission Sunday School, which for the last thirty-three years has met regularly at the Cherry Street Chapel, owes its origin to a deceased member of St. Mark's Church. In the summer of 1871, Mrs. Hezekiah Seymour of Seymour Street found some boys on her place stealing fruit. She managed to engage the boys in conversation, during which she inquired if they attended Sunday School. Upon receiving a negative reply she invited them to come to her house on Sun- day afternoons for instruction. The invitation was accepted and this was the beginning of what was afterwards known as the Seymour Mission, or the Ledge School House Mission. The following obituary is from the New Britain "Record" of Feb. 9, 1872 :-
"Elizabeth Burritt, eldest daughter of Elihu & Elizabeth Burritt, and widow of the late Hezekiah Seymour, died, (Tues- day,) Feb. 6, aged 76. When married she had been a member of the Congregational church for 13 years, when she trans- ferred her connection to the Episcopal, at its first organization in New Britain; her membership in both being 55 years. At her death she was the oldest member of that Church, and for more than 40 years one of the most devoted to its services. Within the last six months she became for the first time a Sunday School teacher; and that in her own house. Having long observed with regret a large number of children in her own immediate neighborhood who seldom if ever attended any
-
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place of worship, she invited a few of them to come in on Sunday afternoons and receive what instruction she could give them. Several gladly accepted the invitation and seemed pleased to spend an hour with her in this way. The little circle increased from week to week, until on the last Sunday, (but one,) of her life, (Jan. 28, 1872,) twenty four children of different ages were assembled in her sitting room, and were taught by her pastor in person, Rev. Mr. Middleton. On that evening she attended service at the Episcopal Church, appar- ently as well as usual. But early on Monday she was violently attacked with the illness that has been so prevalent and fatal, and after a little more than a week of extreme suffering, closed her long life of Christian experience and devotion. The little Sunday School she had gathered in her house was the subject uppermost in her mind, and oftenest on her lips, and those to whom she expressed the wish for its continuance, will endeavor to carry it out, to the full extent of her best expectations when living."
Mrs. Seymour's brother, the Hon. Elihu Burritt, was deeply moved by the dying request of his sister to have this mission continued and proceeded to carry out the request. The mission was transferred to the "Ledge School House," corner of East Main and Elm Streets, and placed in the charge of Mr. Middle- ton, of St. Mark's Church, which charge he faithfully fulfilled as long as he remained in New Britain. Mr. Burritt named it the "Seymour Mission." The people of that section were generally interested and it was attended by many adults. See- ing these good results, Mr. Burritt conceived the idea of simi- lar missions for other parts of the city. A little memorandum book of his on missions shows that besides the Seymour Mis- sion there was in 1872 a mission on Osgood Hill, and in 1873, mention is made of the "Cherry Street Chapel," the "barn chapel," (which was on Broad street,) the "McLean Mis- sion," the "Baptist German Mission" and the "Free Evening School." Some of these missions were continued for several years but the Cherry Street Mission is the only one that is still continued.
At a meeting of the parish, March 5, 1872, when there was a large number present, the subject of free or rented seats
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was freely discussed and it was unanimously voted by a yea and nay vote that "the seatings of St. Mark's Parish for the ensuing year be made free." But the next year an adjourned parish meeting Feb. 17, 1873, voted to return to the old system of rent- ing pews after Easter next, by a vote of 19 to I, it being then alleged that the free system "was inadequate to meet the cur- rent expenses."
There was a prior debt of $500, which with the recent repairs left the parish with a floating debt amounting to $1,600.00 besides a mortgage of about five thousand. They were then paying the Rector a salary of $2.000 per annum besides the use of the rectory. No other Rector had ever been paid so much, and it was twenty-five years later before the same salary was voted to any other Rector.
There is no record of any parish or vestry meeting between March 5, 1872, and Feb. 6, 1873. The parish book has no missing page, nor fragmentary records, thereby showing that the meetings during that time were never recorded therein. The officers for 1872 have been made up from the records of the Vestry meetings in the early part of 1873, and this record shows ten vestrymen when there should be only nine.
The following is the Rev. Mr. Middleton's Christmas Carol, written especially for the Christmas Service of 1872 :-
Hark to what the angels say, Alleluia.
Christ the Lord is born to-day, Alleluia. In the manger lieth He, Helpless in His infancy, God, from all eternity! Glory to God! Glory to God!
In excelsis gloria ; In terra pax hominibus Bonae voluntatis.
Yonder cross-formed star behold! Now it gleams like burnish'd gold ! Higher still it climbs the sky,
Nigher comes and yet more nigh ! Shepherds, can you tell us why ?
Hark! the Angels sing again-
Peace on earth, good will to men !
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O'er that lowly manger, bright Gleams the star of golden light, Driving far the shades of night. Blessed be the Virgin mild, Bending o'er her sleeping Child Wrapped in swaddling bands, at rest On the Holy Mother's breast -- God o'er ALL, forever blest.
Kings of Saba treasures bring David's subjects own their King- Whom the inn cannot contain, Whom the great and proud disdain, He o'er all is born to reign. Many years have passed since then ; Still we raise the song again ; Lift the heart and bow the knee, Jesu, Mary's Son, to Thee- Born from sin to set us free.
A parish meeting Feb. 6, 1873, appointed Messrs. Parker, Hicks and Bailey, a committee "to confer with Mr. H. E. Russell in relation to his proposition to extinguish the debt of St. Mark's Parish." The next day the matter was again before the Vestry and adjourned to Feb. 13, 1873, when the committee stated that Mr. Russell's proposition "was to the effect that Mr. Russell would donate six thousand dollars, or its equiva- lent, provided the parish would raise among its members the sum of one thousand dollars, which sums would liquidate all liabilities outstanding in the name of the parish and leave a small balance on hand." Messrs. Pettis, Hart and Guion were appointed a committee to raise the one thousand dollars required for the acceptance of the proposition.
At an adjourned parish meeting Feb. 17, 1873, Mr. Russell's proposition was accepted "in case the thousand dollars should be raised," and the committee were advised to draft "such legal papers in the matter as will secure the Parish against the loss of the gift in future."
The vestry voted May 8, 1873, to have the committee per- fect the papers and present them to a future meeting in rela-
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tion to Mr. Russell's proposition, from which it appears that the one thousand dollars was either raised or in sight. The papers were prepared and the wardens were authorized June 19, 1873, to execute the same. Mr. Pettis of the committee reported to the vestry June 2, 1873, that the subscription was $15.00 short of the necessary $1.000. The vestrymen then present contributed $2.00 each to make up the deficiency. The matter was again considered by the vestry, July 28 and 29, 1873.
An adjourned meeting of the vestry was held Sept. 8, 1873, to consider the financial condition of the parish, a part of the record of which meeting is as follows:
"After discussing the subject of finances thoroughly, it was deemed advisable to use a portion of the funds on hand held contingent to the fulfillment of the Russell proposition, in liquidating such outstanding bills against the Parish as were most pressing, and it was therefore :-
Voted: That the Treas'r. be and is hereby authorized to draw on the Fund known as the 'Rectory Fund' in the hands of Mr. Ira E. Hicks for the payment of the bills outstanding against the Parish amounting to between two and three hundred Dolls."
The following preamble and resolution was offered by Mr. H. E. Russell 2nd :
"Whereas, for several years past our current expenses have almost continually been in excess of our ability to pay, to the great detriment of the best interests of the parish, and
Whereas, the absence of one of our most prominent members, and the depressed condition of business, and of money matters generally, throughout the country will tend to reduce our income, therefore
Resolved, that we make preparations in advance to so reduce our expenses, wherever it is possible to do so, that our expendi- tures may be brought within our income, believing that thus, by a wise and economical administration of affairs, we shall bring about greater harmony among the people and lay the foundation of greater prosperity hereafter;" which by vote was adopted, "with a manifest inclination to move in the spirit thereof."
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At the same meeting the question of the Rector's salary was discussed, the record stating that the amount now paid (being equivalent to at least $2500.00) is in excess of the ability (of the parish) to pay, and it was unanimously "Voted, that after the coming Easter the salary of the Rector be reduced to fifteen hundred dollars and house rent per annum."
At an adjourned meeting of the vestry at the rectory Dec. 20, 1873, the city were given permission to temporarily use the church bell as a fire alarm.
At a parish meeting in the chapel June 29, 1874, the fol- lowing communication was read by the clerk .-
"THE RECTORY, NEW BRITAIN, St. Peter's Day, June 29, 1874.
To the Parish of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, Conn.
Gentlemen,-During the past year at various times, my inclinations have led me to wish to resign the Rectorship of this parish; but what have seemed to me the best interests of the Parish as often forbade my doing so. At the present time, as in the opinion of others this hindrance to my action is removed, and as I cannot live on the decreased salary, I do hereby resign the Rectorship of the Parish of St. Mark's Church, New Britain, in the diocese of Connecticut, to take effect on the 9th day of September 1874, it being the Wednes- day after the first Sunday of that month.
I rejoice greatly in leaving, that I can look upon the Parish, and, comparing it with what it was when I came here, see substantial marks of progress and of God's blessing on earnest, however feeble, work done for Him.
The numerous accessions to the Parish, the large number of Baptisms and Confirmations, the marked additions to the list of Communicants and the well filled Sunday School, to say nothing of the improvements in and around the Church are pleasing tokens that the work of the past three years has not been in vain.
Permit me also to record here my grateful appreciation of the very many acts of kindness and love, of which I have been the recipient at the hands of many of the Congregation, and to assure you that I shall not forget them. Thanking you indi-
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vidually, for every favor shown me, and praying that God may send you a Pastor with (whom) all may delight to work for the Glory of our blessed Lord and the best interests of His Church, I am, affectionately yours,
JOHN C. MIDDLETON."
The resignation of the Rector was accepted and the clerk was instructed to send a copy of this letter of resignation to the Bishop of the Diocese, together with the resolution of the parish accepting the same.
In August the Sunday school held their annual picnic on the Church grounds. On Sunday, Sept. 6, 1874, Mr. Middleton's farewell sermon was preached. The New Britain "Record" says "a considerable portion was given to memorials of the dead and to statistics of his ministration. Mr. Middleton will soon become pastor of the Church at Glen Cove, L. I." Here he was eminently successful and so universally beloved that he remained there until removed by death, after a service of fourteen years.
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