USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History of St. Paul's Parish, New Haven, 1830-1930 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
The outstanding features of Mr. Perry's rectorship were the re-building of the Chancel in the Church, the building of the beautiful Lady Chapel, the establishing of important work among the boys of the parish, and the building of Forbes Memorial Chapel, later called The Church of The Epiphany. There were many or- ganizations of various kinds flourishing at this time. The parish house was used every night in the week and many afternoons.
The Sunday School grew and prospered. A kinder- garten was opened under a trained teacher, Miss Alice Fyock, who later went as a mission teacher to Sendai, Japan. Another member of the Sunday School staff, Miss Sallie Hopwood, also went to work at Anking, China. A Chinese Sunday School was successfully con- ducted Sunday afternoons, with an attendance of about twenty scholars, under the supervision of Mrs. Emma B. Lee. A book was used containing hymns and prayers translated into Chinese. Several of the men were bap- tized and many of these attended Sunday morning ser- vices. The class also, at their own suggestion, made a substantial gift to the Church each Easter Day.
Mr. Perry was deeply interested in missions, and several mission study classes were held every winter. Many prominent missionaries spoke, either Sunday mornings or at the teas given by the Missionary Guild. The work among boys was begun and most successfully carried on by the Rev. Floyd Steele Kenyon. There
34
History of St. Paul's Parish
were large Senior and Junior Chapters of the Knights of King Arthur, then very popular. For a time the Church of The Ascension was under the supervision of the rector of St. Paul's and Mr. Kenyon was in charge of it.
There was a large branch of the Girls' Friendly Society at this time, with a membership of fifty girls, who enjoyed classes in drawing, German, dress-mak- ing, gymnastics and dramatics. The Consumers' League opened for the summer a Pure Milk Station in the basement of the parish house, where a nurse was in charge four hours daily. There were also various week- day classes for children with an industrial Board to direct them.
The Forbes Memorial Chapel to be erected, accord- ing to Mrs. Bradley's will, upon her homestead, was built in 1904, a beautiful Gothic structure. The archi- tect was Mantle Fielding of Philadelphia. The old stone house was made into a parish house. In June 1904, the Rev. Franklin Knight was appointed Vicar and remained seven years, when, to the regret of all, he left to become rector of St. Paul's, Holyoke, Mass.
Once again it was felt that the Chancel in the Church had not reached the desired ideal of dignity and beauty. The plans for reconstruction were made by Cram & Goodhue of Boston. Dr. Ralph Adams Cram is still the most noted church architect in this country and the chief authority on Gothic art, being director of the con- struction of the great Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. He it was who made the plans for our chancel and chapel which were carried out by Mr. Goodhue and, after his death, by Mr. Wilfred G. Anthony of New York.
JAMES DE WOLF PERRY SIXTH RECTOR 1904-191I
35
1231509 History of St. Paul's Parish
The large stone arch built into the chancel of the church and the rose window over the altar were the gifts of Mr. Henry F. English. The hand-carved wall- screen and the superb reredos of dark oak, imported from England, and the small stone arch, were given by Miss Susan V. Hotchkiss. The fine altar of Caen stone, also designed by Ralph Adams Cram, was the gift of Miss Lina M. Phipps in memory of her parents.
The new brass altar cross (the old one was found to be too large for the new reredos, completely hiding the figure of St. Paul) was given by Mr. and Mrs. S. Fred Strong. The handsome oak choir stalls were re- tained, also the brass pulpit and lectern. The paint of the dark blue ceiling adorned with gold stars, was scraped and, to the joy of all, a fine dark oak ceiling was uncovered.
The beautiful carved reredos in the church is of Dec- orated Perpendicular architecture of the period of the fourteenth century. In the upper center niche is the figure of Christ in glory holding the globe in His left hand and blessing mankind with His right. In the lower central niche is a noble figure of St. Paul leaning upon the symbolic "sword of the spirit". The other smaller figures are St. John and the Virgin Mother, St. Anthanasius, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Edward the Confessor and Samuel Seabury, the first Bishop of Con- necticut. On certain of the shields are the arms of Bishop Seabury, of the Diocese of Newark, of Long Island and of Rhode Island, of Connecticut, Scotland and Great Britain, all connected with the history of Connecticut and with the parish of St. Paul's.
The benediction of the new chancel and altar took place Tuesday, April 23rd, 1907. At eleven o'clock the Communion Service was celebrated by Bishop Brewster,
36
History of St. Paul's Parish
with twenty-nine clergy in the chancel besides the choir. After the service luncheon was served in the Parish House to the clergy and invited guests. At the festival service at eight o'clock the church was filled. Sullivan's "Festival Te Deum" was sung. Addresses were made by Bishop Brewster and Dr. Harry P. Nichols of New York.
Our beautiful chapel was made possible by the gen- erosity of Miss Susan V. Hotchkiss. It was designed by Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson. Work was begun July 1, 1910. It was finished and first used in Novem- ber of the same year, when the first celebration of the Holy Communion was held there. The former structure containing the vestry rooms was completely trans- formed. Only the stone walls of the original building were left and those were heightened and covered with a high peaked slate roof surmounted by a small stone belfry, where hangs a brass and silver bell from a Philippine monastery, given by Mr. George Dudley Seymour. On the Chapel Street side the building is entered through a stone porch like some of those in English parish churches. The words, "Hic est domus Dei" are carved over the portal. A new approach from Parish House to Chapel was built in the form of a plastered ambulatory, from which opens the sacristy finished in dark oak.
The Baptistry is panelled with antique oak and sep- arated from the Chapel proper by a carved screen of great beauty, into the pattern of which are woven words from the Magnificat. In the ceiling of the Baptistry are colored medallions adorned with emblems of the seven Christian virtues. The Font is lighted from the center of the ceiling by a dove and has an elaborately carved oak cover given by Mr. Burton Mansfield as a memorial to
MEMORIAL CHALICE
37
History of St. Paul's Parish
Elizabeth Hunt Mansfield. The lovely little painting of the Madonna and Child set into the door of the alms chest was the work and gift of Edith Weir Perry. The brass and silver ewer was given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Eben Barney, who were devoted members of St. Paul's for many years.
The window in the south wall of the Baptistry show- ing the baptism of Our Lord, was given by the Sunday School. The Altar in the Chapel was a memorial gift from Mr. F. Stanley Bradley, and is of buff limestone carved with pelicans and chalice surrounded by four Latin phrases from the Gloria in Excelsis. The silver vases were given in memory of Mrs. William Everit. For a number of years the chapel continued incomplete, without chancel-screen, reredos, or stained glass win- dows, all of which were finally added according to the original plan made by Dr. Cram.
The Memorial Chalice given at this time was made of silver and gold pieces contributed by members of the parish. These were melted down and set with twelve semi-precious stones, also gifts, like those described in Revelation XXI. The expense of making the chalice was met by many subscriptions of fifty cents or one dollar. Around the base runs a Latin inscription which being translated reads; "In Sacred Memory the Parish- ioners of St. Paul's Church have consecrated this Chalice in the Year of our Redemption, 1909." This beautiful Chalice was all made by hand in the craft-shop of Mr. George Hunt of Boston, who fashioned it entirely with his own hands after the design of Mr. Bertram Good- hue. It was on exhibition in Boston upon its completion and was considered a wonderfully fine work of art.
The Rev. Floyd Steele Kenyon was assistant to Mr. Perry from 1905 to 1909, also Vicar of The Church
38
History of St. Paul's Parish
of The Ascension, which was at this time in charge of the Rector of St. Paul's, and he did very excellent work in both parishes. He was called to Christ Church, West Haven, in 1909. In 1909 also, the Rev. and Mrs. Robert Bell resigned to go to Middletown, Conn. The Rev. William Porkess came to be Warden of the Church Home and assistant to the Rector. He held this position until December, 1910. During Mr. Perry's rectorship an interesting and helpful Mission was conducted by the Order of The Holy Cross, being a part of a gen- eral Mission held by the Order throughout the city. Father Sill and Father Anderson made a strong im- pression in the week's Mission at St. Paul's and have always been held in affectionate regard since that time.
In December, 1910, Mr. Perry was called to be Bishop of Rhode Island. He accepted and was consecrated on the Feast of The Epiphany, January 6, 1911, in St. John's Church, Providence. He had achieved great things for St. Paul's Parish, both in adding largely to the beauty of the structure and in developing new ways of service to the community in which it stands. Under his direction increased reverence and dignity were in- troduced into the services and, amidst all the activities, the spiritual life was not neglected.
At the end of Mr. Perry's rectorate in 1911 the re- port reads: Families 950. Communicants 1,300, Sunday School 505.
It now became the duty of the people to call a new rector. In spite of these favorable statistics, some of the most loyal members of the Parish were somewhat de- pressed at this time, feeling that the neighborhood was so alien and the membership so scattered that St. Paul's was possibly doomed in the future as a parish. The Italian immigrants were beginning to pour into New
39
History of St. Paul's Parish
Haven as into other seaboard cities, and they seemed to take a fancy to Wooster Square and decided to make it their own. They lived in hundreds all about lower Chapel and Wooster Streets and threatened to creep around the Church itself, as very soon they did. Many of our people were dismayed and began to talk of mov- ing the Church to another section of the city, but when they looked up at the great towering stone structure standing like a rock, with all these varied streams of humanity surging about its base, and when they thought of the hallowed beauty within, fragrant with dear memories, even they decided it was unthinkable to move that massive shrine. So they prayed the Lord to protect and bless them and like the Children of Israel they went forward.
For several months, while the selection of a new rector was in progress, the Rev. Franklin Knight, Vicar of Forbes Chapel, conducted the affairs of St. Paul's as minister-in-charge. The parish was most fortunate in having such a consecrated man to assume this duty.
In February, 1911, the call was given to the Rev. George Lyman Paine of St. Mary's Church, Dorchester, Mass. He accepted the call, but did not come to St. Paul's until June. Mr. Porkess, as assistant, was fol- lowed by the Rev. Howard S. Wilkinson, who gave efficient service for several years. After Mr. Paine took up his duties, the Rev. Mr. Knight resigned to go to Holyoke, Mass., and was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Bell, called back again to be Vicar of Forbes Memorial Chapel.
Beginning in Dr. Lines' time and extending through Mr. Perry's, the Rev. Anson Phelps Stokes gave en- thusiastically and generously of his time and strength to St. Paul's, even though he was very busy also as
40
History of St. Paul's Parish
Secretary of Yale University. After his duties at Yale became so strenuous as to prevent his being a regular assistant, he served as special preacher and he was al- ways ready to step into a breach and help out when needed. His earnest sermons and loving interest in the welfare of the parish will always be gratefully re- membered.
Mr. Paine was deeply interested in the Sunday School and spent much time and effort in strengthening the cur- riculum and in teacher training. There was at this time an interdenominational Sunday School Teachers Asso- ciation in New Haven, which had monthly meetings, with supper and speaker, also teacher training classes of excellent calibre. St. Paul's welcomed this association at one of the meetings, when over 300 were fed, Miss Margaret Slattery speaking in the evening. Mr. Paine was very active in this association, as in all interdenomi- national work in the city.
When Mr. Perry was rector, an attempt had been made to reach the Italian population swarming about the neighborhood, by classes and social meetings held in the Armstrong House on Olive Street opposite the Church. This house was given to the parish by Mr. George Leslie Armstrong for just such work. Most of the work done was among the Italian children, but there were classes in English for Italian men, also for Chinese men, as well as a savings bank and circulating library in full swing. Mrs. Mary Corwin was headworker and in charge of all these activities. When Mr. Paine had been a short time at St. Paul's it seemed to him that the house at 221 Wooster Street, being larger and having a large yard, was better fitted for this work, so the trans- fer was made and the name Neighborhood House was given. Deaconess Mary Barlow, who came from Dor-
4I
History of St. Paul's Parish
chester with Mr. Paine, lived there, and a Headworker, Miss Elizabeth Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Bell occupied Armstrong House while he was Vicar of Forbes Memorial Chapel of the Epiphany.
In 1913, due to a serious illness, Mr. Paine was away from the parish for several months, during which time the Rev. Howard S. Wilkinson was in charge and very capably conducted affairs. In 1912, through Bishop and Mrs. Lines, in memory of their children, Henry Starr and Margaret Kimberley Lines, the sum of five thou- sand dollars from the estate of Cornelius S. Morehouse, Mrs. Lines' father, was added to the endowment fund. The New Haven Register at this time printed the fol- lowing on its editorial page: "In one respect which must ever honorably distinguish it, Saint Paul's Church stands alone. Three Protestant Churches, which twenty- five years ago stood in its part of the city, have, one by one, given up the fight. Saint Paul's facing exactly the same conditions has stood as a rock * * * Fortu- nate is this church, not alone because of its endowment, but because of the added opportunity for effective ser- vice which it gives. And fortunate is the city which con- tains this church, not so much because of the gain in wealth, as because of the example which it obtains from such a church." It was true that all the Protestant churches left the lower section of the city as the Roman Catholic population poured in. As early as 1865, there was a Baptist Church on Chapel Street below State, of which the Rev. Dryden Phelps was pastor. Later it was occupied by a Universalist congregation. At the corner of Union and Chapel Streets, there was in 1870 a Con- gregational church belonging to the society which later became the Church of the Redeemer on Orange Street. On Wooster Square was the First Baptist Church, which
42
History of St. Paul's Parish
moved to Livingston Street, and Davenport Congre- gational, which merged with Center Church. The First Baptist was taken over by the Italian Roman Catholics and is now the large and prosperous parish of St. Michael's, while the French Catholics worship in St. Louis' Church, on Chapel Street below the Square.
Mr. Paine felt very strongly about the need for work among the Italians, and the settlement work on Wooster Street grew very rapidly. In 1914-1915, people of various denominations were encouraged to take part, and gradually the Neighborhood House became a civic enterprise, detached at last from St. Paul's Church and supported by contributions from citizens of all faiths. For a time direct religious work among the Italians was tried out at St. Paul's. A converted Catho- lic Italian priest was sent from Hartford by Bishop Brewster to conduct services for these people in their native tongue. This effort was distinctly unsuccessful for two reasons: first, the Italian people of that section seemed to be, on the whole, loyal Catholics at heart, and conversion to the Protestant attitude an undesirable thing; secondly, wherever the Protestant Italian work has been a success it has been conducted as a separate enterprise, by desire of both races. For these reasons, St. Paul's discontinued the attempt and has left the shepherding of the Italians to their own great church. Any who desire to come to the services are welcome, but no special effort is made to attract them.
In December 1915, St. Paul's sustained a real loss in the death of Mr. Benjamin R. English. The follow- ing is quoted from a tribute printed in the Parish Record:
"In the death of Mr. English the Parish of St. Paul's Episcopal Church loses one of its best friends and
--
PRESENT INTERIOR
43
History of St. Paul's Parish
staunchest supporters. Connected with it continuously during his life of nearly seventy-four years, he gave to it constant and useful service in nearly every depart- ment of its work. During the length of an ordinary lifetime he was one of the managers of the Missionary and Benevolent Society through which flowed a large part of the Church's benefactions. In his young days he was librarian of the Sunday School and later, treasur- er of the endowment and other special funds, collector of pew rents, member of pew rental committee; he was Warden of the Parish for nearly a generation and when not serving in that capacity was a member of the vestry."
In 1915, the desire of many members of the parish was fulfilled in the purchase of property at Oyster River, Woodmont, for a Vacation House to be used for mothers and children during the summer months. For ten years a wonderful work was carried on, at first by volunteer workers and later with a paid headworker. Children were taken for two weeks unless in special cases of poor health, when they stayed longer. Many tired mothers enjoyed a blessed rest there. Miss Mary Louise Pardee was in charge for several seasons, and her services were invaluable. A small sum was charged for board in cases where it was feasible. The house full of children was a joyous and exciting place! The greater part of the furnishings were donated by the people of the parish. When fully equipped the house could com- fortably accommodate about twenty-six people. It was used week-ends and holidays in June and September by the young people's guilds. The health of the oc- cupants, due to good food, salt water, and fresh air, was remarkable according to Miss Pardee's report, the only ailment at all prevalent being "dishitis", a disease characterized by violent and alarming pains at dish-
44
History of St. Paul's Parish
wiping hours! A grand total in one season of over a thousand guests shows the scope of the work.
Early in 1917, St. Paul's lost a loved and honored servant in the death of General Edward E. Bradley, for many years Vestryman and for six years Warden of this parish. His unfailing courtesy and kindness were long remembered. In his memory the large electric cross on the front of the church tower was given by his family. On a dark night its message of redeeming love shines forth with startling brilliance, to be seen for blocks as one approaches the church on Chapel Street.
In March, 1916, a successful Mission was conducted by Father Philip Gavan Duffy, S.D.C., and Father LeBrine. It lasted a week, with daily services-Holy Communion at 7:15 and 10:00 A. M., children's ser- vice, 4:00 P. M., and preaching service at 7:45 P. M. Mr. Paine, in describing it, said: "The climax of the ser- vices came on Sunday morning, when, after a stirring sermon, the entire congregation stood and ratified their Baptismal vows. Impressive was it to see about three- fourths of the congregation flood the aisles as they came forward to the Chancel steps to receive from the Mis- sioner a pledge card. The people marching with open hymnals singing; 'O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end,' up the center and down the side to their seats made a sight never to be forgotten by many. May the Lord bless the two men sent to us by God."
The rebuilding of the entire organ was found neces- sary in 1915. It was dedicated at a musical service on October 22nd. The sum needed to pay for it, $6,200, was raised by subscription of amounts both large and small. In 1914 several gifts were made for the enrich- ment of the Chapel. Two sets of chair and prayer book desks were given, one by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Snow
GEORGE LYMAN PAINE SEVENTH RECTOR 1911-1918
HENRY SWINTON HARTE EIGHTH RECTOR 1918-1923
45
History of St. Paul's Parish
in memory of their son, and one by Miss Harriet Mans- field and Mr. Stanley Mansfield in memory of their parents. The carved wooden lectern was the gift of Miss Susette Robertson, and the new Chancel Rail of the Daughters of the King. The first of the stained glass in the Chapel was the beautiful window, "The Annunci- ation", designed by Mr. Goodhue of Boston, given by Mrs. William Avery Grippen of Bridgeport, a life-long member of this Parish.
In October, 1913, the Rev. Henry B. Olmstead be- came Mr. Paine's assistant in place of the Rev. Mr. Wilkinson, who was called to Emmanuel Church, West Roxbury, Mass. Mr. Olmstead remained until 1916, when he became rector of Christ Church, Guilford, and was succeeded by Mr. John Howard Deming, who was with us for two years until called to St. George's Church, Newport, R. I.
The situation was a difficult one during Mr. Paine's years as rector. The Great War was in progress most of the time. People's interest and services were diverted from the usual channels, money was scarce and time was devoted to war work. Feeling ran high, discussions on vital questions were often bitter. The automobile, while used by all the wealthy, was nowhere near as general as today and so the question of a scattered congregation was a troublesome one. The Sunday School, though well- organized and well taught, began to fall off. At the end of 1918 the Sunday School numbered, as against 500 of seven years previous, only 205. This, although the case also with other churches in the city, was very discouraging, like many other conditions following the war.
In the spring of 1918, Mr. Paine, like many others of the clergy, offered for work at the front and went
46
History of St. Paul's Parish
out under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association. While in France he wrote resigning from St. Paul's, but the vestry requested him to reconsider and not decide until Fall. In October, 1918, he sent in his final decision to resign as rector of the parish.
The report of that date in the Diocesan Journal shows, Communicants, 1, 146; Sunday School, 205. Un- der difficult conditions, Mr. Paine had done much to increase St. Paul's usefulness to the community and had always worked toward a very practical goal with great earnestness and sincerity. After the war was over, Mr. Paine returned to this country, settled at Cam- bridge, Mass., and became Secretary of the Boston Federation of Churches, which position he fills today.
When Mr. Paine left St. Paul's to go to France in May, 1918, the Rev. Henry Swinton Harte, then Archdeacon of Hartford, came to be a temporary supply. He stayed on through the summer until Fall, and when Mr. Paine sent in his final resignation in October, the call to be rector of St. Paul's was given to Mr. Harte.
Mr. Harte had had much experience in Sunday School work, having been Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Religious Education. He was deeply interested in the curriculum of the Church School and conducted very helpful teachers' meetings once a month. During his rectorate an evening branch of the Woman's Auxili- ary was organized, known as St. Elizabeth's Guild, be -- ing named after that charitable queen, St. Elizabeth of Hungary. It was especially intended for business and professional women who could not attend in the after- noon, but after awhile some of the younger married women were eager to join and constitute at present at least half of the membership. A supper followed by a business meeting and address is held every first Tues-
47
History of St. Paul's Parish
day in the month. Much valuable work has been ac- complished by this organization, which has grown from a membership of fifteen members to its present roll of eighty active and interested women.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.