USA > Iowa > Clinton County > Lyons > A fifty years' record of life and work in Grace Church Parish, Lyons, Iowa > Part 4
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During the three months which intervened before a new rector entered into residence, services were conducted every Sunday, either by clerical supplies, or by the Senior Warden, Mr. D. W. Case, acting as lay reader. Not only did all the Grace Church Social Club. various parish activities continue unabated, but it was during this interim that still another organiza-
tion appeared in the Grace Church Social Club, in- tended to pursue social and literary objects, and dat- ing from Feb. 27th, 1901, with the following as its first officers: President, Miss Bessie Bowman; Vice Pres., Miss Elizabeth Damour: Secretary, Miss Amy Westbrook; Treasurer, Mr. A. L. Holmes; Assistant Treasurer, Mr. Geo. W. Cramond.
We find that at a vestry meeting on March 11th, 1901, a call was extended to the Rev. T. W. Jones, of . Marshall, Texas, to become rector of the parish, which call, after some correspond- The Rev. T. W. Jones Called. ence, was accepted, his charge to begin May 1st. With this date, therefore, the present rectorate, now in its fifth year, was ush- ered in.
In general all parish matters continued upon es- tablished lines. The first subject of importance taken up was the cancelling of a floating indebtedness of some hundreds of dollars, remaining from the build- ing operations of 1898. 'This was successfully ac- complished, and at a visitation of the parish on Dec.
-
THE REV. T. W. JONES, D. D., PRESENT RECTOR.
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29th, 1901, Bishop Morrison conducted a service of consecration for the new portion of the church build- ing.
In the course of the following year the matter of planning for a possible parish building to take the place of the modest Guild Room, was more or less discussed, and it was announced More Building Plans. that the Easter offering, in 1903, would be devoted to a fund for such object. The project has, however, taken no further shape, the sum on hand be- ing deposited at interest and held for the future.
In the fall of 1903, the Woman's Auxiliary com- pleted ten years of honorable service in the cause of missions, and marked this anniversary by a special observance on Dec. 3d, the occasion being graced by the presence of Bishop Morrison, who made a most helpful address.
At Easter, 1904, the vested Anniversaries. choir observed its fifteenth anni- versary. The day was one long to be remembered, not only for the special beauty of the music rendered, and the solemn corporate communion of past and present members at the early service, but also for the happy surprise prepared for the choir at . the close of the day, by one of its original members, in the gift to each of a beautifully printed and illus- trated book, containing a full history of the life and work of the choir from its first inception.
Once more plans for improving the parish prop- erty were brought forward, and again Grace Church
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Guild led in the enterprise. While various minor betterments, such as the laying of Further Improvements. permanent walks, the installing of a water-motor for the organ, etc., had been but recently made, this involved a thorough reconstruction of the interior of the church. The ceiling of the nave, dating from the first erection of the building, was found to be in an unsafe condition, and it was felt that this presented a good opportunity for getting rid of the low, plas- tered effect, and introducing an open, timbered roof, as well as for erecting the much-desired rood-screen.
A few months of discussion sufficiently matured the project to call for definite action, and at a vestry meeting held on Sept. 27th, 1904, it was voted to pro- ceed with the improvements, and plans for the work drawn by Morrell & Son, of Clinton, were accepted.
The following month Messrs. D. W. Case and A. O. Cole were appointed a building committee, and still later it was decided that the material employed should be quartered red oak, corresponding with the pews and chancel furnishings, but it was not possible to begin the actual work until the latter part of Jan- uary. During the seven weeks that the Church was closed for this remodeling, services were regularly held in Odd Fellows' Hall. The re-opening of the Church occurred on March 16th, at an evening Lenten service, at which the Rev. Allen Judd, of St. John's, preached.
The change wrought in the interior was nothing
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short of a transformation, and the effect secured even beyond expectations. For the Present Interior. first time the proportions of the building were shown to com- plete advantage, and these latest improvements form the appropriate frame and setting of all that has gone before, enhancing the richness of windows and other furnishings, and giving the parish a church of whose beauty they may well feel proud.
The thought of fitly observing the approaching fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the parish, most appropriately followed upon these latest achieve- ments, and a few weeks after Easter the vestry took action by naming a committee, con- The Golden Jubilee. sisting of the Rector, D. W. Case, A. O. Cole, and A. L. Holmes, to form larger committees for planning and taking charge of the entire undertaking.
This committee very shortly reported the follow- ing committees to have charge of the various details which their names indicate, those thus selected enter- ing upon their tasks in due time with interest and zeal, and thus making possible the successful carry- ing out of the project. In the lists as given below, the one first named on each committee is the chairman:
Committees for the Golden Jubilee.
Program:
The Rector, A. L. Holmes, Chas. J. Reusche,
Karl L. Johnstone,
Miss Marion Rand,
Miss Gertrude Davis.
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Soliciting:
Miss L. D. Henningsen,
Miss Emma Jackson,
Mrs. J. G. Scott,
Mrs. L. E. Fay,
A. O. Cole,
Miss Mary H. Leimbach, J. E. Dolan,
Miss Harriet D. Peters, E. H. Horst,
Miss Florence Conway,
W. C. Johnson,
F. C. Brayton,
G. C. Rudman,
The Rector.
Historical:
Miss H. E. Henningsen, Mrs. H. J. Rand,
Miss Nona Baldwin, S. C. Rand, T. T. Ashton,
Entertainment:
Mrs. A. O. Cole,
Mrs. A. E. Duncan,
Mrs. James H. White,
Mrs. G. W. Ashton,
Mrs. O. A. Wade,
J. F. T. Stamm,
Mrs. Frank Gage,
Mrs. F. W. Damour,
Mrs. Wm. Heupel,
Mrs. L. P. Tritschler,
Mrs. J. F. T. Stamm, Mrs. F. W. Leedham, Miss Fannie Walden,
Mrs. D. W. Case,
Miss Leah Leedham,
G. W. Ashton,
F. W. Leedham,
J. E. Dolan, Harry F. Sievers, E. H. Horst, Alfred W. Sievers,
Henry A. Sino,
Claude E. Harrison,
Leon Brandt, Mrs. W. W. Buell.
S. W. Gardiner,
A. L. Holmes,
D. W. Case,
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Decorating:
Mrs. Izona B. Hamilton, Mrs. W. B. Disbrow,
Mrs. W. H. Childs, Miss Gertrude Rodman,
Mrs. Chas. Osborn, Miss Hazel Mckinley,
Miss Nona Baldwin.
The program committee in time outlined a plan for celebrating the anniversary day, December 22d, which called for a festival service in the morning, and a banquet for the whole parish on the evening of the same day, as also the gathering of a special thank- offering, to be laid upon the altar in gold at the morn- ing service.
The historical committee, who were charged with the preparation of a suitable history of the parish, the same to be made a gift to the communicants and supporters of the parish, on the anniversary, in thus drawing so near the close of what has been to them, throughout, a labor of love, have been much impress- ed with the fact that the story of the Parish History. fifty years thus studied and recorded, is not an unworthy nor an uninteresting one. Mistakes there have been, since all are human. Some chapters of the past life of our parish are looked back upon only with regret. Much can never be written, save as it is deeply graven upon the hearts of those who shared that life. Yet through good days and ill, Grace Church has never lacked faithful and devoted men and women, glad to give of time and means and service in the work of this cor- ner of the Master's vineyard, and loving even with a passionate love the spiritual mother who nurtured
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them. The fathers wrought well in their day and generation, and the children have entered upon a goodly heritage in no mean spirit.
In studying the fifty years of our parish history it becomes apparent that they fall naturally into three periods of almost equal length. First a beginning of high hope and unusual promise, gradually merging into depression; then years of quiet, earnest labor and prayer, amidst many discouragements, and with small outward token of success, until at last, after the sow- ing of one and the watering of another, God gave the increase, and in the closing one-third of our history there have been by far more baptisms and confirma- tions recorded than in the other two-thirds, while, amidst unfavorable business conditions, and a con- stant stream of removals, the communicant list has yet increased from the sixty or more The Present. at which the number stood with persistency for many years, until two hundred were reported at the last Convention, with still another class awaiting confirmation on the anniversary day.
These latest years have been perhaps most char- acterized by their increasing missionary spirit, and the growing participation of the parish in diocesan af- fairs, as well as by its coming more into touch with the general work of the Church on such lines as those of the Girls' Friendly Society and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. For years the parish was represent- ed among the diocesan officers of the Woman's Auxi- liary, and now has representation upon the Board of Missions and the Sunday School Commission, while
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one of its members is also Treasurer of the Diocese.
The Rector has during the past summer begun holding services at what is known as the Almont Church, some eight miles above Lyons, thus serving somewhat the same neighborhood as did the former mission at Hauntown, services at which had been dis- continued since the Rev. Wm. Currie's time. While no formal organization has been attempted, this work has already resulted in numerous baptisms among some of the families of the neighborhood, who had previously had very deficient opportunities for attend- ing public worship, and it is hoped that much further good may result.
In the four and one-half years of the present rectorate, up to the date of writing, (Dec. 1st) we find a record of 105 baptisms, 45 marriages, and 45 bur- ials, while there have been 6 confirmation classes num- bering 89 individuals, with another class of about 14 under instruction. Surely there is much in all this of encouragement and hope for the future, if priest and people but realize in common all the privileges of their noble inheritance, and the high responsibility laid upon them to live as worthy representatives of Christ and His Church in this community, where an "open door" has been set before us.
In these fifty years there have been 594 baptisms, 440 confirmations, 166 marriages and 254 burials, and Grace Church parish comes to this happy anniver- sary, not only possessed of "houses and lands" in which one may feel pardonable pride, but of what is far bet- ter, "a good report" among its sister parishes in the diocese, from its beloved Diocesan, who has more than
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once referred to it as among his "reliable" parishes, and holding the respect and good will of the commu- nity, in which its members have ever been conspicu- ous for public spirit, for interest in education and philanthropy, and in all that makes for the better- ment of humanity.
This book would not be complete withont a final summing up of the parish as it is to-day, with all its various departments of activity.
Parish We give below the organizations as they stand at this writing:
Organizations.
RECTOR, The Rev. T. W. Jones, D. D.
THE VESTRY, in charge of the temporalities of the parish, has varied in numbers from five to twelve members, the present number being nine. Altogether sixty-five different men have served upon this official board since its organization, many of them with great faithfulness and zeal, and for many years in succession, the services of the late R. N. Rand and of R. T. T. Spence being perhaps especially conspicuous in these respects. Of the present vestry several have already served for a long period. It is this year constituted as follows:
Wardens: D. W. Case, A. O. Cole.
Other members; G. W. Ashton, A. L. Holmes, J. F. T. Stamm, John H. White, S. C. Rand, J. E. Dolan, E. H. Horst.
Clerk, J. F. T. Stamm, Treas., S. C. Rand,
THE CHOIR, under its present form of a vested choir of boys and men, is in its seventeenth year of continuous service, and not only excceptably supplies
3.
CHOIR IN PROCESSION
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the service of song in the sanctuary, but is in many ways a strong factor in the parish life. Undoubtedly its continuity and efficiency are largely owing to the devotion of choirmaster and organist, both of whom have been with it since its formation. It has some thirty-five members and is at present organized as follows:
Choirmaster, Arthur L. Holmes.
Asst. Choirmaster, Chas. J. Reusche.
Organist, Miss Marion Rand.
Crucifer, Carl A. Larson.
Acolytes, Harry W. Horst, Howard D. Sievers. Librarian, Howard D. Sievers.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL seems to have been an ac- tive feature of parish work in the earliest years. Though sometimes battling with difficulties, its growth in the more recent years has been marked, while the proportion of boys attending is altogether unusual, owing, of course, to the constitution of the choir. The organization at present is as follows:
Superintendent, The Rector.
Secretary, Miss H. E. Henningsen. Asst. Secretary, Earl F. B. Mayer.
Treasurer, S. C. Rand.
Teachers:
Mrs. A. O. Cole, Mrs. T. W. Jones,
Miss Florence Conway, Miss Mary H. Leimbach,
Miss Gertrude M. Davis, Miss Charlotte Prichard,
Miss Hattie Johnson, Miss Nona Baldwin, Miss Gertrude Rohwedder, A. L. Holmes,
Miss Lalla Grohe, John H. White.
Supply Teachers:
Miss Marion Rand, Miss Lillian Rohwedder.
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GRACE CHURCH GUILD, the oldest of the similar organizations of the parish, embraces the married ladies, and has a membership of some fifty-five. It may be remarked, in passing, that the extremely large membership enrolled in the several organizations, for the size of the parish, is undoubtedly due to the re- sponsibility, recognized from the first as resting upon each communicant, to identify oneself with one or the other of these societies for setting forward the par- ish work, which in turn has been a main factor in the sometimes unusual results achieved, all circumstances considered.
Grace Church Guild has generally been foremost in plans for building improvements, though contribut- ing largely also to current expenses as needs arise. It is now officered as follows:
Manager, Mrs. James H. White.
Asst. Manager, Mrs. L. P. Tritschler.
Secretary, Mrs. D. W. Case.
Treasurer, Mrs. Mary H. Leffingwell.
ST. MARGARET'S GUILD, for the young ladies of the parish, at first worked on miscellaneous lines, but for the last ten years has especially interested itself in meeting the choir expenses, with occasional contri- butions to other purposes, as funds permitted. Its annual fairs and entertainments are well known and popular. It has at present a membership of about thirty-five, and the officers for the current year are:
Manager, Miss Louise D. Henningsen.
Asst. Managers, Miss Leah Leedham, Miss Hat- tie Peters.
Secretary, Miss Mary H. Leimbach.
Treasurer, Miss Emma Jackson.
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THE WOMAN'S AUXILIARY is the representative of missionary work among the ladies, and has a most honorable record among similar societies of the dio- cese. Its influence has done much to leaven the whole parish with missionary zeal, and its monthly meetings are always largely attended and full of interest. It has a formal membership of about thirty-five, with many additional occasional contributors. It has the following officers:
President, Mrs. O. A. Wade.
Vice President, Mrs. J. B. Ahrens.
Secretary, Miss H. E. Henningsen.
Treasurer, Mrs. Wm. Heupel.
Librarian for Church Periodical Club, Miss L. D. Henningsen.
Secretary for Babies' Branch, Mrs. W. H. Childs.
ST. HELENA'S GUILD, which embraced the young- er girls, has recently been transformed into a chapter of the GIRLS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY, of which Mrs. T. W. Jones is Secretary, and will doubtless in time give a good account of itself as such. It has started with a membership of twenty-five.
THE GRACE CHURCH SOCIAL CLUB has studied history, literature, etc., provided art talks, and last year secured a course of University Extension lectures. It is organized in two chapters,'the Alpha Chapter doing literary, and the Dorcas Chapter philanthropic work. The officers of the Club are:
President, Mrs. A. O. Cole.
Vice President, Miss Elizabeth E. Damour,
Secretary, Miss Harriet D. Peters.
Treasurer, Mr. J. F. T. Stamm.
Asst. Treasurer, Mr. D. W. Case.
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THE CHOIR CLUB, as an organization distinct from the choir itself, has recently gone out of exist- ence, voting its property to the choir, and its cash on hand to the Jubilee Fund.
The newest of the parish organizations is the re- cently formed chapter of that noble society of men for spiritual work among men, known as THE BROTH- ERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW. It has elected Mr. John H. White as Director, and Mr. Henry A. Sino as Sec- retary and Treasurer, and is entering upon its work with a goodly membership and marked interest.
And so we come to the hap- The Anniversary Day. py day we celebrate, and to the end of our story. Gladly would we include in this little volume an account of all the details of the festival, of the in- spiring service of thanksgiving in which bishops, priests, and people join in grateful praise to Almigh- ty God for His mercies graciously vouchsafed through all these years, or of the happy evening hour, as one and all unite around a common board in mutual cheer and fellowship, not forgetting the many absent friends whose hearts we know are with us on this day, as memory recalls the little church which was associated, for them, with the most sacred of life's experiences. But such cannot be, and we must content ourselves with giving in full the program arranged for the day.
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Service.
Celebrant;
The Rt. Reu. Arthur Llewellyn Williams, D. D.,
Assisted bp
The Reu. Allen fudd, Epistoler, and The Ren. T. W. Jones, Gaspeler.
Organ Prelude-"Lovely Appear Over the Mountains," from "The Redemption," Gounod.
Processional Hymn-No. 35, "Hark! the Voice Eternal" Lutkin,
Confirmation Hymn-No. 345, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee,"
Mason.
CONFIRMATION.
Introit-" Te Deum Laudamus," Frank.
Kyrie, Gounod,
Gloria Tibi, Czuikshank.
Laus Tibi, Cruikshank.
Credo,
Cruikshank.
Hymn-No. 470, "All People that on Earth do Dwell," Bourgeois.
SERMON:
The Rt. Rep. Theodore nevin Morrison, D. D., Bishop of Doma.
Offertory-"Praise ye the Father," Gounod.
Presentation-"Holy Offerings," Redhead.
Sanctus,
Gounod.
Benedictus,
Gounod.
Agnus Dei,
Gounod.
Communion Hymn-No. 220, "Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord,"
Brown.
Gloria in Excelsis, Old Chant.
Ablutions, "Nunc Dimittis," Anon
Recessional Hymn-No. 520," Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart"
Messiter.
Organ-"Postlude in D," Harris.
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Banquet.
GRACE, RT. REV ARTHUR L. WILLIAMS. D. D.
Quartette,
Rose Croix Quartette.
Solo,
Mr. Harry F. Sievers.
Duet, Mr. Walter L. McArthur, Miss Lilian A Briggs.
Solo,
Mrs. Frank W. Leedham.
Toast Master, Reu. G. Delllitt Dowling.
The Church in Nebraska, Rt. Rev. Arthur L. Williams, D. D.
The Church in Iowa, Rt. Rev. Theodore N. Morrison, D. D.
Our Sister Parish, Mr. Frank C. Brayton.
Grace Church Parish, Mr. Ward W. Cook.
The Clinton Clergy, Rev. Thomas W. Jones, D. D.
The Rector, Rev. William H. Foulkes.
The Vestry, Mrs. Ansel O. Cole. .
Grace Church Guild,
Mr. Dudley W. Case.
Grace Church Choir, Miss Henriette E. Henningsen. St. Margaret's Guild, Mr. John W. Claussen.
The Board of Missions, Mrs. Oscar A. Wade. The Woman's Auxiliary,. Rev. John C. Sage.
The Girls' Friendly Society, Miss Emma C. Jackson.
St. Andrew's Brotherhood, Mr. Claude E. Harrison. The Sunday School, Mr. John H. White.
Our Sunday School Teachers, Miss Gertrude O. Rodman.
Our Absent Friends, Miss Ella Louise Morrison.
Doxology, Grace Church Choir Leading.
BENEDICTION,
RT. REV. THEODORE N. MORRISON, D. D.
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In what spirit shall we go forth into Finis. the new era of our parish life? Surely not in one of boasting or conceit of aught we have done, but with humbleness of mind, acknowledg- ing the merciful leadings of a Heavenly Father, and earnestly resolved to be more faithful and loyal to His love in the years to come.
"O Triune God, with heart and voice adoring, Praise we the goodness that doth crown our days; Pray we that Thou wilt hear us, still imploring Thy love and favor, kept to us always."
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