USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Torrington > Trinity Church, Torrington, Connecticut > Part 4
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Mr. Hine had been authorized by the Vestry to find a curate to assist him in the work of the Parish and the Rev. Charles E. Beach, formerly of the
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Church of the Redeemer, at Superior, Wisconsin was engaged for one year.
One thousand dollars, the gift of Miss Mary Brooker, was added to the organ fund.
At the annual meeting of Trinity Parish in January 1929, the Rector asked for reports of various departments of church work. Mrs. Dan Denison told of the splendid work of The Women's Guild. Stanley Blake Smith expressed his approval of the new organ and asked for an expression of appreciation and encouragement to the choir; on behalf of Mrs. Guthrie, Mr. Beach read her very interesting and encouraging report on the important work of the Church School. Seymour Weeks told of the good standing of the Parish Boy Scouts and the gratifying results of work among the foreign born boys of the troop. Miss Gertrude Porter related the many differ- ent activities of the Young People's Fellowship. Bennett H. Tompkins gave an encouraging report of the campaign to secure pledges for the support of the Parish.
XXVI
Andrew E. Workman had for many years been a member of the Vestry of Trinity Church. He was Parish Clerk, Vestryman, Junior Warden and Senior Warden which office he held at the time of his death in 1929. He left nearly his entire estate of $20,000 to the Church, the bulk of which he stipulated should go to the purchase of the new organ. Permission was given by the probate authorities to utilize a suf- ficient portion of this legacy to bring the John Work-
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man Organ Fund and The Mary Brooker Fund up to the amount required to pay for and install the organ. The remainder of Mr. Workman's gift might be used for general church purposes.
It was voted by the Vestry that a memorial win- dow be installed in the north transept in honor of Mr. Workman. Andrew E. Workman enlisted as a musician in the Civil War. He possessed the gift of real humility and tranquility of soul. His considera- tion of others was a loveable trait in his character. Through sorrow and sickness he pursued the even tenor of his way.
The Vestry thought it fitting in connection with his death, to quote from the old hymn:
"O ye beneath Life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the weary way With painful steps and slow,
· Look now, for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing- O rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing!"
His life was an inspiration to "love mercy, do justly and walk humbly with God."
The original number of Vestry members had been three. As the Parish grew it was increased to nine, and late in 1929 it was voted to elect thirteen members to that body.
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XXVII
The Church clock which was given by Mr. Elisha Turner in 1898 was quite worn out by more than thirty years of hard work, and one day it folded its hands just at the point of twelve and refused to go further. No urgings could budge it. The Seth Thom- as Company would furnish a new clock for $1,200 and subscriptions were asked from the Parish. But in thirty years the old clock had come to be the Town Clock and other people were eager to con- tribute. In a short time its successor was installed and was soon looked up to quite as the old one was.
George H. Atkins died in May 1930 and the Church lost another of its good advisers and loyal adherents. He was for a time treasurer of the Parish and at his death was Junior Warden. He evinced a self sacrificing devotion to the Church and was a valued Vestryman. Charles H. Alvord was chosen Junior Warden in Mr. Atkins' place and Harry W. Knickerbocker was made Vestryman.
The John and Sylvia Workman Home for the Sick was incorporated in that year.
Charles H. Alvord was a Vestryman of Trinity Parish for twenty-two years, faithful in attendance at its meetings and earnest in his devotion to its good. Elected Junior Warden to succeed George H. Atkins, he survived him by only a short time. Thus before 1930 had advanced to its meridian two Junior Wardens had been called away. At the next annual meeting Walter Harrison was elected to the office.
XXVIII
Until the fall of 1929, riding on the crest of the wave, Americans had complacently said that this was "the era of the greatest prosperity the world
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had ever known", that even greater prosperity was in the offing. They had closed their eyes to the dangerous shoals near which they sailed. They were engaged in one pursuit, piling up money, thou- sands upon thousands-of non-existent dollars. The wildest orgies of extravagance marked the end of this era. Ruin fell swiftly. The crash came late in 1929 and a black depression which settled upon all of this country and parts of Europe did not lift for seven years. They were "the seven lean years" of Joseph's dream which the Scriptures promise fol- low the seven fat years.
Among Mr. Hine's gifts is his complete under- standing of young people. He gathered them around him in Trinity Parish in increasing numbers. The Christian Fellowship, an organization of young men and women, flourished. The Fellowship is at low ebb now throughout the country, owing to war condi- tions, but it did a notable work in earlier days. It stressed confidence and self respect and many young men and women in Trinity Parish learned initiative and a high regard for the Church from their connection with it. Some of the finest officers and soldiers who have gone into the army from Torring- ton were taught leadership and consideration for others in that same school of Christian Fellowship.
The Men's Club still thrives, though many of its members are scattered to the far ends of the earth. They met and had supper together which was often cooked by one of their members. They engaged speakers who discussed with them national and in- ternational problems. Their first president was Dr. Elias Pratt.
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XXIX
The Church School, which is the barometer of the Church, was excellently served by Mrs. Guthrie, with Deaconess English aiding for one year, and Miss Etta Sharp to follow. Trinity Parish has been unusually fortunate in acquiring the services of quite exceptional young women as Secretaries of the Par- ish. This is a position which combines many duties, chief of which is director of the Church School. When Mrs. Guthrie assumed this work she reorgan- ized the School with intelligence and put it on a firm basis. When she resigned, Deaconess English was Parish Secretary for one year, at the end of which time she went for missionary work to Porto Rico. Mrs. Guthrie returned until Miss Etta Sharp took her place. Miss Sharp carries in her mind a thousand details of Parish work and knows every child in Trinity Church School.
The Choir, The Boy Scouts, The Girls' Friendly, The Women's Guild, The Altar Guild and The Acolyte Guild were all prospering and remained so, under the guiding eye of the new Rector.
XXX
It was well that all these organizations were prospering and remained so under the new Rector's firm hand, for there were dark days ahead for the country and all its institutions. Many who had always lived in comfort were to feel the pinch of poverty, and disheartened men, deprived of their means of livelihood, stood at the brink of despair.
Mr. Hine set about helping these people who through all the long bitter years were too proud to acknowledge their necessity. By tactful inquiry he got together a list of the unemployed in the Parish
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and privately raised large funds for the assistance of their families. Some men were found jobs. Others were put to work repairing and decorating the Parish buildings, to the great improvement of the property. The Rector's office was turned into a grocery store and, assisted by willing helpers, he conducted a clothing and shoe store elsewhere in the building. This seemed to fulfill in one way the Vestry's require- ment that their Rector should be a man who went about doing good.
Mr. Beach resigned as curate in 1931 and Mr. Gilbert Hemsley, recently graduated from Yale, was engaged to take his place.
XXXI
As indicative of the extra service which devolv- ed upon the Vestry, again their number was increas- ed, this time from thirteen to fifteen. The list was as follows: Senior Warden, Charles L. McNeil; Junior Warden, Walter Harrison; Vestrymen, Howard J. Castle, H. Blake Fuessenich, Henry C. Goodwin, Robert C. Swayze, Bennett H. Tompkins, Frank Ap- pelt, Henry H. Fuessenich, William B. Waterman, Arthur H. Wilcox, Joseph H. Woodhead, Thomas W. Bryant, Irving B. Holley, Harry W. Knickerbocker, Mayor Ernest E. Novey, Harold L. Pierson.
In spite of the gravity of financial conditions everywhere the Vestry had by careful control of Parish expenditures been able to present a very satisfactory report in 1932. There was no deficit and a small balance remained on the books. The fi- nance committee was congratulated on this excel- lent business record.
Miss Barbara Klug started the Altar Book of Remembrance in 1932 by gifts to the memory of her
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father and mother. The idea of commemorating births, baptisms, confirmations, deaths and other anniversaries by contributing sums, large or small, to this fund, caught the imagination of the Parish. It was stipulated that the fund should be untouched until it reached the sum of $5,000 when the interest on the investment might be used for church work. This book of Remembrance, the record of hundreds of small gifts, showed on December 31, 1941 that $5,000 had accumulated and that sum was invested in the People's Endowment Fund.
The father of Gilbert Hemsley, the Curate, pre- sented to Trinity Parish in 1932 the fine wrought iron € gates for the cloister entry, which he had himself designed and forged. Mr. Gilbert Hemsley resigned to devote himself to further study.
In 1932 a litany desk was dedicated to the mem- ory of Emma Callender, who was for many years a communicant of Trinity Parish and a leading worker in the Women's Guild.
The Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Parish resigned the trusteeship given them under the wills and codicils of Sylvia and John Workman to the John and Sylvia Workman House for the Sick and incorporated as successor trustees in February 1934.
XXXII
Thomas W. Bryant, an invaluable member of Trinity Vestry died in 1934. His unfailing good counsel and generous support had contributed great- ly to the upbuilding of the Church. The community at large suffered by his loss. There was no public work in which he did not show a keen interest and his
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good judgment was dedicated to the upbuilding of its many institutions.
The beautiful rose window in the west wall of the Church is in memory of Mr. Bryant. It was plac- ed there by Mrs. Bryant who, in January 1935 was elected in his place as Vestryman, an office which she still holds.
Robert C. Swayze's death occurred in 1936. Mr. Swayze was a Vestryman of the Parish for thirty-two years, always refusing the higher office of Warden frequently pressed upon him. He was a man whose modesty and retiring nature set him apart from other men. He was kind and generous, but took pains that no one should know of his gifts to the Church or to individuals. The tablet on the south wall of the Church which Mrs. Swayze placed to his memory epitomizes his character. It says, "Robert Carlyle Swayze, a man of faith". Mr. Swayze left a trust fund of $10,000 to the Church.
Virginia Migeon Swift in December 1936 gave $5,000 to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in memory of her daughter, Elizabeth Migeon Swift, for a hospi- tal bed, the Rector and his successors to name the beneficiaries. The following year Mrs. Swift added $5,000 more to the gift and later $500. Mr. Hine has found many occasions on which this fund has been a blessing to comfort and reassure the sick of the Parish.
Mrs. Charles H. Alvord and Carl Gillette Alvord gave in this year a lancet window of beautiful design and workmanship, in memory of Charles H. Alvord. This was placed in the west wall, near the baptistry. The design represented Saint Paul.
H. Blake Fuessenich gave, in memory of his
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father, Frederick Ferdinand Fuessenich, and his mother, Elizabeth Blake Fuessenich, a fine lancet window representing Saint Stephen to be seen on the opposite side.
Later Mrs. Swift made a gift of $3,500 to the Par- ish to be added to the general endowment fund.
Elizabeth Farrel Migeon died on May 6, 1931 after a long life marked by the generous spirit which characterized her family. A beautiful woman and much loved, she made life happier for all who knew her by her charm, gaiety and sweet reasonable- ness.
A trust fund of $5,000 was created by Howard J. Castle in memory of his wife, Mary Stuart Castle.
By the will of William F. Fuessenich the sum of $1,000 was left to the endowment fund of Trinity Church Parish for two memorials, one to his wife, Carrie Fuessenich and one to himself, William F. Fuessenich.
Katharine M. Thrall willed to Trinity Church Parish the sum of $500 to be used for the general will and purpose of the Church.
After ten years service Emil Thiede, Sexton, pre- sented his resignation to the Parish. This was receiv- ed with regret. He had done his work faithfully and well and John Westberg was appointed in his stead.
On Mr. Hine's tenth anniversary of his Rector- ship the Church was crowded with members of the Parish and he was presented by the Senior Warden, Charles L. McNeil, with a beautiful platinum watch inscribed, "In loving recognition of ten years noble Rectorship", as an evidence of the affectionate re- gard of his people.
The old postoffice building across from Trinity
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Church was advertised for sale in 1938 by the United States Government and at the suggestion of Howard J. Castle the Rector sought the subscriptions of a number of parishioners and friends, went to Wash- ington and purchased the property which was then presented to the Parish and accepted at a special meeting. The building was torn down, the grounds landscaped and made available for the parking of cars, the open space greatly safeguarding and en- hancing the Church property.
From Charles L. McNeil in January 1938, the Vestry received the following letter:
Rev. H. Francis Hine,
Rector, Trinity Church,
Torrington, Connecticut.
My Dear Rector:
Having served Trinity Church Parish in some official capacity for the past sixty years I desire to be relieved of further activities. Should my name appear for Warden, please notify the members of my decision. Be advised that my decision is final.
Yours very truly, CHARLES L. McNEIL,
An official since 1876.
On motion duly made Mr. McNeil was made Senior Warden Emeritus.
Harold L. Pierson, a Vestryman of the Parish, assiduous and keen in the pursuit of his duties, and a member who had made constructive contributions to the welfare of the Church, died on January 26, 1939. A few weeks later Frank R. Appelt, also a member of the Vestry, was removed by death. Mr. Appelt was a man of fine business training who
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gave close attention to affairs of the Vestry and served it well.
The Rev. Charles Goodwin of Hartford, a scholar- ly young man and candidate for the priesthood was elected Curate of Trinity Parish in 1939 to serve for one year. He served two years.
Walter Harrison after more than fifty years of service as Vestryman, Junior Warden and Senior Warden refused in 1940 to become a candidate for any office in the Parish on the plea of ill health. His name was proposed for Senior Warden but he declined the honor and H. Blake Fuessenich was elected to that office. Mr. Harrison was thereupon made Junior Warden Emeritus.
XXXIV
In September 1941, Charles Leverett McNeil, Senior Warden Emeritus of Trinity Parish, died at the age of eighty-six, full of years and honors. He had spent a full lifetime in the work of the Church. For sixty years he had held some official position, and there was no Parish responsibility which he had not assumed. As a young man he had been clerk of the Parish. He was Treasurer for 37 years. He was Senior Warden for nine years and when he declined reelection to that office he was made the first Senior Warden Emeritus. He was a man of unswerving loyalty to principle and complete devotion to the Church. The expression of his judgment was the last word on any subject. In his will he left $6,000 to Trinity Parish.
He was the son of Henry Lincoln McNeil, who from 1854 to 1864 was Vestryman and Warden. His uncle, Charles McNeil, was active in the Parish, Vestryman, Clerk and Treasurer.
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This year, 1943, the grandson of Charles L. McNeil, Marshall Lawton, was elected Vestryman.
Trinity Parish Vestry has from time to time through the years suffered great losses among mem- bers. Deaths seldom came singly. There have been among these many men of many minds, men of deep religious faith, those of wealth who gave freely to the Church; some who gave the greater wealth of their experience and judgment, but all gave some- thing which no other could offer and all contributed according to their gifts.
One more death among these men who have served Trinity Parish must be recorded for the year 1942. Howard J. Castle died in August after a brief illness which had not been considered serious. His death came as a shock to the community, where he was widely known in business, and as a greater shock to Trinity Parish of which he was a generous supporter. He had a fine, stubborn loyalty toward men and causes which he believed in and respected. His loyalty to Trinity was unquestioned. By his will he left more than $20,000 to the Endowment Funds.
Then on October 25 the following appeared in The Church Bulletin:
"Mrs. Linsley passed suddenly from this earthly episode of life last Sunday, October 18, 1942. For a life sweetly and faithfully dis- charged, for gracious affection, good humor, and kindly generosity, we give thanks. Our feelings lie too deep for any words. Much too grief-stricken are we for Dr. Linsley to express to him the mind of our hearts. But together with him we take comfort in the Faith that Emma Treat Linsley, being delivered from the dis-
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quietude of this world, now beholds the King in His beauty in Paradise."
XXXV
The struggling little Episcopal Parish in "Mast Swamp" has grown to large proportions in one hundred years. It has been made great by its men and women, its Vestry and Clergy. Spiritually it represents the best heritage of the New England character.
It is no longer dependent. It possesses an en- dowment fund which is nearing one hundred thou- sand dollars, which figure is the goal of this Centen- nial Anniversary year.
In the sixteen years of his rectorship the Rev. H. Francis Hine has increased the permanent mem- orial fund of Trinity Church Parish threefold.
A new flag hangs from the arch of the Church, one hundred and fourteen blue stars on a white field bordered with a wide band of red. Each star repre- sents a man or a boy or a young woman gone to the service of his or her country. Some are in strange lands where they hear at night the chanting of the savages. Even their families are not permitted to know the name of continent or island where they are stationed. Each of these carries the identifying silver cross of Trinity Church Parish of Torrington, Connect- icut. Each has a prayer book from Trinity Church. In Iceland or Guadalcanal, on the north shore of Africa or in islands of the South Seas these boys and girls know as intimately as you or I the news of Torring- ton and of Trinity Parish. The Rector writes regular- ly to them all. This is one of his war services.
Workers together with GOD, Trinity has accom- plished only a small part of His purpose in a cen-
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tury, but the pioneer blood runs undiluted and red in her veins. Under Providence, in the unknown future we dare to say that we shall continue to march beyond far horizons, forward into the light of the Perfect Day.
Lead on, O King Eternal,
We follow, not with fears;
For gladness breaks like morning Where'er Thy face appears; Thy cross is lifted o'er us; We journey in its light:
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.
Bibliography
Beardsley's History of The Episcopal Church in Con- necticut.
Orcutt's History of Torrington.
Fiftieth anniversary sermon by the Rev. Melville K. Bailey 1893.
Minutes of Vestry meetings-1855-1943.
Files of The Trinity Messenger from 1895 to 1927.
Trinity Bulletins-1927-1943.
Items from files of The Torrington Register.
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Postscript
To have undertaken this sketch under the stress and strain of these war days calls forth a word of high appreciation of Mrs. Thomson's work in writing what is truly a fine contribution to our Centenary celebration.
To this word of thanks to her is added another- to the many, many people of this Parish (their name is legion) who by life and prayer, by word and deed and in quiet ways, with sympathy and kind- ness for one another, have been and still are deeply interested in the work of their Trinity to make it of yet greater influence in the community and diocese, this country and the world, by way of service going forth from it.
One thinks of the long procession of faithful ones gone on into the Unseen to join the Great Majority; of countless men and women and children not named in this book (for if the mention was given they all deserve, many volumes must be written)- who without compensation save that of rendering selfless work well done, make up this Parish: men and boys of the various clubs, women's guilds, young people's organizations, Church School teach- ers, altar servers, above all the members of the voluntary choir and the lay readers, and all those who quietly worship day by day and live the Life, -but still the list goes on, ever and always! GOD bless you all!
THE REV. H. FRANCIS HINE
FRANK H. JOYCE Junior Warden
H. BLAKE FUESSENICH Senior Warden
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Memories
The Rev. Melville K. Bailey, D. D., who was Rec- tor of Trinity Church when it observed its 50th anni- versary, has written the following:
"I well remember my first impressions of the four happy years of my Rectorship there - coming into that bright town where the type of an ideal man- ufacturing community was realized. For I found a threefold cord which I believe has never been brok- en: a group of earnest Christian men who directed; their staffs of assisting officers, and a body of work- ers loyal to the high ideals which animated the leaders.
"The chief inspiration of the services was the vested choir under the direction of Mr. Hotchkiss and his daughter, the organist. They were very inspiring. There was an enthusiasm on the part of the singers which carried the congregation along in a happy adoration. I respect the solid, staid services, but have always preferred those in which there is a spirit of enthusiasm such as we had.
"Then there was the Sunday School. It was large, well officered, my recollection is that they were good at their lessons, and I have the impres- sion of joyous Christmas and Easter festival services. We also had a fine chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew.
"And gradually developed the dream of a new church. Bishop Williams had told me that the Parish intended to build, but I had never anticipated the splendid structure which was to arise, under the leadership of that great man, Chauncey Linsley, who, by the way, had been a young parishioner of
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my father's when he was Rector at Huntington.
'My little children were growing up then, and what fun we used to have driving around the coun- try, up to Torringford, to Goshen, in summer, and sleighriding in winter.
"I cannot close without an acknowledgment of an unpayable debt to Dr. Elias Pratt. In our last year there my wife was smitten with a grave infirmity, one, in fact, which threatened to be fatal. We con- sulted Dr. Pratt. Mrs. Bailey faithfully followed his advice and made a complete recovery, and the trouble never recurred. I do not hesitate to say that we owe more than 30 years of her prolonged life to Dr. Pratt.
"I have had a happy life, chiefly due to the Church. My grandfather began to preach the Gospel about 1822, and continued about 42 years. My father followed him for about 60 years. Beginning as lay reader I served about 57 years. Our eldest daughter, Margaret, was missionary in China ten years, and is now the wife of the Rev. Dr. Paul Barbour in South Dakota Indian Mission; Mary, who died, and Elizabeth have always been active in church work. My grandson, Paul Barbour, is a churchman and a doctor in a base hospital in Eng- land.
"I would say to anyone: if you wish the hap- piest life possible, follow the example of the Jeru- salem Christians, and continue steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in the break- ing of bread and in the prayers of the Church of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
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