USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Lafayette > History of St. John's Church > Part 3
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As rector of St. John's he was much loved and respected. His time was so occupied with his duties as Bishop that he was obliged to have an assisant. The Rev. F. D. Harriman occupied that position first. He began the second parish school, which was held in the basement of the old Baptist Church, and was well patronized. Mr. Harriman was succeeded by the Rev. D. E. Loveridge, who continued the school, as- sisted by Miss Lemoyne, a niece of the Bishop, whom he afterwards married. The work of the parish was also greatly helped by the family of the Bishop, his daughters, Miss Sophie and Miss Emily, teaching in the Sunday-school, visiting the poor and the sick, and, both by example and precept, strengthening the
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church in every work. The leader of the choir at this time was T. A. Littledyke. Miss Mary Benbridge was organist, the congregation having purchased a melodeon, which took the place of the former orches- tra. Miss Drusilla Bartholomew, Miss Harriet Miles, and E. H. Halliday were among the principal singers of the choir at this time. This choir was succeeded by one of which David Snyder and George Gardner were in turn leaders, and Miss Sophie Upfold organist. The singers were Miss Emily Upfold, leading soprano; Cornelia Clarke, second soprano; Minerva Timmons
and Jane Clark, altos. The tenor and bass were taken by David Snyder and his brother Evan, George Gard- ner, Augustus Bansemer, and Josiah Timmons. So much had the congregation improved in music that the Bishop considered his own choir as the best in the State at that time.
In December, 1850, occurred the first death among the vestrymen-that of Robert Jones, Sr., who for eleven years was the senior warden of the church. He was a regular attendant upon the services, and be- ing a member of church, and acquainted with the service when Mr. Johnson came, he was of great assist- ance in the early days of the church. His brother, also, the Rev. George Jones, Chaplain in the United States Navy, and a man well-known in scientific cir- cles, visited him from time to time, and officiated in the pulpit of St. John's. In the resolutions of the ves- try upon the death of their senior warden, they said: "We do deeply deplore the loss which we, and the parish we represent, have sustained in the decease of a faithful and efficient officer, whose valuable and long. continued services deserve our grateful remembrance.
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The vestry take melancholy satisfaction in placing on record the high sense they entertain of the eminent integrity and moral worth of their departed friend, of his characteristic kindness of heart and practical be- nevolence, and of his exemplary Christian life and con- versation."
The congregation still increasing, we find from the records that in the spring of 1851 the vestry were considering plans for the building of a new church.
On March 25th, 1852, is the first record of a gift from any member of the congregation. At that time the Bishop informed the vestry that Mrs. Dr. C. F. Wilstach had presented the church a handsome quarto Bible for the use of the desk, and the Secretary was directed to present to Mrs. Wilstach the thanks of the vestry for the same.
The churches all over the diocese having now grown to such an extent that the Bishop found himself unable to attend to both his diocesan and parish work, sent the following letter to the vestry. It is dated March 17th, 1852:
" GENTLEMEN .- My episcopal duties require so much of my attention, and make it necessary for me to be absent so frequently, that it seems to me the in- terests of the parish would be promoted by my resig- nation of the rectorship. I therefore respectfully de- cline the rectorship of St. John's Church at the expira- tion of the present quarter. Let me say, however, that I am willing to continue my services on the same terms as heretofore, in connection with the Rev. Mr. Loveridge as my assistant, until you can obtain a suit- able successor. This procedure is prompted solely by a conviction that I can not discharge my episcopal
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duties properly and at the same time do justice to the parish, which requires the undivided attention of the pastor. It will give me great pleasure to co-operate with you in obtaining the services of a clergyman to succeed me in the pastoral office. With grateful ac- knowledgments for your past kindness, and the fulfill- ment of all your engagements to me, I am very truly and respectfully,
" Your Friend and Servant, " GEORGE UPFOLD."
The vestry, feeling that the removal of the Bishop and his family would be a great loss to the parish, urged his stay among them, and he verbally withdrew his resignation for the present.
In September of this year it was decided again to rent the pews of the church, for the reason, as stated, that a majority of the congregation pre- ferred that method, although, judging from the Treasurer's report, the free pew system had worked well, there being each year a balance in the treasury. January 3rd, 1854, the Bishop sent another communi- cation to the vestry, in which he stated that as the treasurer of the diocese had notified him that the assessment on the several parishes of the diocese for the support of the episcopate had been paid to him, therefore, in compliance with the expressed wish of the convention of the diocese that in such a contingency he should give his undivided attention to his duties as Bishop, he would be obliged to resign the rectorship of St. John's, which he accordingly did. At the same time he expressed a wish to leave his family for the present in LaFayette, and consider it his home, offi-
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ciating in the church whenever he might be there. This was willingly agreed to, and the Bishop's family remained here several years, and then removed to Indianapolis. While living here the Bishop occupied the house known as the parsonage, which had been given to Mr. Johnson by the congregation. His family were the last to so occupy it, it having been given by Mr. Johnson to his daughter, who afterwards sold it to other parties.
On January 5th, 1854, the Rev. John O. Barton, who had been the Bishop's third assistant, was elected to the rectorship. Mr. Barton was a young man, and this was, we believe, his first parish. He was very energetic and industrious, having worked his own way through college. He had very cordial, pleasant man- ners, and if his stay had been longer, would no doubt have done much for the up-building of the parish.
In September, 1855, death again visited the ves- try, and took from it one of its most valuable and useful members-John Curtis -- who had worked in the church from its earliest days. The vestry, in their resolutions of condolence, say of him:
"That, in the removal of our departed friend and brother from us, we feel that we as a vestry, and the church to which we belong, have sustained an irrepar- able loss.
"That our departed friend, by the blameless con- sistency of his conduct, by his high moral worth, by his uniform gentlemanly bearing, by his excellent practical judgment, by his wisdom in counsel, by his zeal and faithfulness to the interests of this church, and to the glory of God, as connected therewith, has won for himself a just claim to the most sincere
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regard and affectionate remembrance of all with whom he was here associated in prayer and praise."
The subject of building a new church was still being agitated, and on October 11th, 1855, a commit- tee, consisting of the Rector, Messrs. A. Ingram, John Taylor and James B. Falley, were appointed to solicit subscriptions for the same.
There was little or no change in the choir during the rectorships of Mr. Barton and his successor, except- ing when Miss Upfold left the city, Mr. George Ulrich was appointed organist.
April 7th, 1856, Mr. Barton sent in his resigna- tion, for the reason that his physician had ordered a more northern climate for his wife. In his letter he says:
"Unfortunately, to remove will sever the ties which bind me to yourselves as a pastor. Severe as may be such a dissolution to myself and wife, and however much we may regret leaving the people of this parish, endeared as they are to us by so many acts of kindness and so many pleasing associations, yet in thus seeking the benefit of my wife's health I believe I am only following the plain path of duty."
In the resolutions of the vestry upon his departure, there is one which will, perhaps, best show Mr. Barton's work and character. It is as follows:
"Resolved, That in our intercourse, social and re- ligious, with the Rev. Mr. Barton, we have ever found in him all that we could desire as a gentleman, a friend and a Christian counselor, and shall ever recall with pleasure the happy hours we have enjoyed in his society, the generous sympathy he has always shown and felt in our griefs and cares, the kind and affection-
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ate heart in which was found a place for us all, and that sincere, earnest and faithful Christian teaching and example which we trust we shall ever delight to re- member and imitate."
On the 15th of June, 1856, the Rev. W. P. Ray was called to the rectorship, and acted in that capacity until July Ist, 1857, when he resigned. Mr. Ray was the most eloquent orator that ever filled the pulpit of St. John's, and attracted the largest audiences ever held in the old church. Every seat was taken, and usually the aisle was filled with chairs and benches. Many of the most highly cultured men of the city, men who rarely attended church anywhere, went to hear him, and were delighted with his eloquence. His reading of the service, especially of the lessons, was also very fine. No one who heard him read the 13th chapter of Ist Corinthians will ever forget it. But, like many others of exceptionally fine talent, he was unbalanced, and in many respects unfit for the minis- try, which he abandoned after leaving St. John's.
October 4th, 1856, Mr. John Taylor was appointed a committee to contract for the construction of the foundation of the new church. Mr. Taylor had been on the committee for building the old church, and so well had he performed this service that he was selected to superintend the building of the new. He was very energetic in this work. He headed the sub- scription list with a subscription of $1,000 himself, and induced many others to give to the work. It is said that he was so quiet and unostentatious in his giving to the church that few knew of it. He was one of those commended of our Lord, whose left hand knew not what the right hand gave.
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After an interregnum of several months, the Rev. Anthony Ten-Broek, of Evansville, Ind., was called, and entered upon his duties the 11th of October, 1857. Of Mr. Ten-Broek the Bishop had said: "He has been personally known to me from early childhood, and his purity and integrity have never been questioned. In the discharge of his official duties he has ever been diligent and faithful, and is in every way a Christian gentleman." This opinion will be endorsed by all who knew him intimately. In many respects Mr. Ten- Broek was unlike any of the other ministers of St. John's. He was austere and unyielding in his manner. He observed the fasts of the church with the greatest rigor, almost to physical exhaustion. He had the most extreme reverence for everything connected with the church, carrying it so far that it was said, when the workmen were building the new church, he re- quested them to work with uncovered heads. In his own life he exercised the most wonderful self-denial, and this he tried to teach to his people. He worked with untiring energy in carrying forward the building of the church, and his labors should ever be held in grateful remembrance by the people of St. John's. The rector was greatly assisted in his work by his family, every one of which was a church worker.
In the month of August, the year 1857, there oc- curred a very interesting ceremony in the old church. It was the ordination of William H. Stoy, who had been reared in and educated by the church for the ministry. The services were on Sunday, and he was ordained by Bishop Upfold. There were present of the clergy, the Rev. Anthony Ten-Broek, rector of
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the parish; the Rev. A. Gregory, of Laporte, Indiana, and the Rev. John G. Gassman, deacon.
On July 29th, 1858, there was a meeting of the vestry of St. John's, at which time the request to the Rt. Rev. George Upfold, Bishop of the Diocese of Indiana to consecrate the new edifice erected by the parish was signed in due and proper form by the rector and the wardens and all the vestrymen.
That same day, commencing at half-past 10 o'clock A. M., the new church building was solemnly consecrated to the worship of Almighty God accord- ing to the forms and usages of the Protestant Episco- pal Church of the United States of America, and un- der the name of St. John's Church, LaFayette, In- diana, there being present and assisting, Rev. Anthony Ten-Broek, rector, and Revs. Caleb A. Bruce, A. Gregory, Alonzo J. M. Hudson, Joseph E. Talbot and William Stoy, of the Diocese of Indiana; Rev. S. R. Johnson, of the Diocese of New York, and the Rev. John C. Barton, of the Diocese of Illinois; also the full vestry of St. John's, and a large congregation. The request to consecrate was read by the Rector of St. John's, the sentence of consecration by the Rev. John C. Barton, and the sermon was delivered by the Rev. Samuel R. Johnson.
This was the last time Dr. Johnson ever visited LaFayette, and this his last sermon in St. John's. It was a beautiful one, and I should like to give all of it, but will have space for only a part. He chose for his text, 2 Thess. I: 11-12. " Wherefore also we pray * * that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him," and began his sermon in these words: "When a
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church is to be consecrated, how many thoughts crowd into our minds, and how many emotions are stirred within them. Busy memory wanders over the past, and imagination pictures out the future of its history. Here for years the appointed minister of God will serve at the altar, will offer the prescribed services, and will bear his testimony, faithful or unfaithful, to the message which is none of his own, but entrusted to him as a messenger and ambassador of the Lord. Here, how many babes and adults will pass within the higher covenant of grace by holy baptism; here, how many dear children will learn to speak with lisping ac- cents the first elements of Christian truth, in the cate- chism and other instructive lessons of the church; how many will kneel for confirmation; how many will gather around the table of the Lord; what numbers will assemble from time to time, at the regular oc- casions of public worship, to unite in the devotions, to listen to the word of God and to the preacher's voice, and to swell the sacred song. Sometimes, too, the church will be open for holy matrimony; and, alas! crowds will be here at the service for the burial of the dead. How many affecting recollections does this last idea suggest of friends departed, and how solemn the thought that, for many of us now present, and so many whom we love, will that last tribute of religion and respect be rendered in this very house of God. Images of the past and future, how their lines traverse and intermingle.
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"My dear brethren, this day is a memorable one in the annals of your parish. Your beautiful church which
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you have builded is finished, is consecrated. You have contributed willingly and liberally your offerings to the treasury of the Lord, and God has accomplished your fond wishes and crowned your efforts with suc- cess. Not only have you a house of God far more convenient and capacious, more solid and enduring, but you have been so favored in the providence of God that you have secured beauty as well as convenience, the church-like character, as well as the imposing structure-a happy combination of elegance, taste and
simplicity. It has a cheerful look about it; it has light enough to symbolize the glad tidings of the gos- pel and yet no glare to dazzle and pain the eye. It has a home look about it. It gives a home feeling to those within it. It breathes throughout of reverence, comfort and satisfaction. May it be to you a house of God, a house of prayer, a spiritual home indeed. You leave without forsaking, or for the present aban- doning, the dear old church adjoining, where for more than twenty years you have been meeting for worship; where you nursed your feeble strength, and grew up to your present stature. Very endearing associa- tions cling around it. For more than ten years from the time of its completion your preacher officiated there, and regards those years as the hap- piest of his life, though his life throughout has been favored with far more than the common average of health, comfort and blessing. Memory fills up even now those vacant seats. How many beloved ones are missing, never to enter here within the walls of your new sanctuary; hot removed to a distant home on earth (some few there are of such), but gone to the world invisible.
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"In the old church your congregation has had a varied history, under which, sometimes in difficulties, sometimes with better auspices, it has steadily ad- vanced in numbers and in strength, its communicants now numbering more than twice as many as when my rectorship ended eleven years ago. That church for several years was even honored by the able services of your spiritual father, your Bishop, whose praise is in the churches; whose labors, whether as Rector or as Bishop, have been great and memorable. Four of your pastors are present with you on this interesting occasion, and one is here present as a minister whom I left as a Sunday-school scholar. And now I con- gratulate you and my brethren of the clergy in attendance, and your intelligent and faithful rector, long well established in the church's confidence, and in love and honoring appreciation of his friends, on the existing prosperity and the favorable prospect, on the impulse given by the erection of your new church, and the fresh start your parish is, as it were, taking. It is a new era; you begin it well; you start fair and in the name of Christ; and yet ascend to a higher ele- vation of principle and duty. Liberal as you have ever been, be ready to outdo yourselves, and habitually to make noble ventures for Christ and for his cause. Be kind in manner and in spirit, be in earnest, be atten- tive, be men of prayer, be men of faith, be men of love -in other words, be men of God. Let come what will-trials or blessings, temptations and struggles and rewards; years of life, or soon the hour of death; the probation here of grace, or the revelations of eternity- as a church or as individuals, may it be felt as a reality on earth and known as a reality in heaven, that the
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name of our Lord Jesus Christ has been glorified in you and ye in him."
The new building thus consecrated is in size 5014 feet fronting on Ferry street by So14 feet on Sixth street, with a tower 16 by 16 at the southwest cor- ner. The building is of brick, Gothic in style of architecture, and cost when erected $10,000. The stone front cost $50, and was the gift of the children of the Sunday-school. There is still in existence a large, handsome Bible which was given at this time to the church by the rector, upon whose cover is this inscription :
"IN MEMORY OF ANNA ROLLESON TEN-BROEK,
July 29th, 1858."
Also an altar book, given at the same time by the rector.
Let us pause, before leaving the old church, and note some of the events that had occurred within it: There had been many weddings solemnized within its walls and by its rectors. Among them we might note that of the Bishop's daughter, Miss Sophie, who was here married to Mr. Joseph Bingham, who for many years was editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel; Miss Maria Lemoyne, a niece of the Bishop, who was here married to the Rev. Mr. Loveridge; Hon. G. S. Orth, afterwards Minister to Austria, who, on August 27th, 1850, was married to Miss Mary Ann Ayres; Dr. Charles M. Wetherell, a noted chemist of Phila- delphia, to Miss Mary Benbridge.
We have dwelt long upon these early days of the church, because here is its most interesting history.
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There has grown up in the church now-a-days an idea that its prosperity and advancement depends upon a fine building, upon costly draperies and adornments, and an elaborate musical service. This is the same mis. take that the Jews made when Christ came-in thinking that His kingdom was to be of this world, not knowing that it is in the hearts of men. But here we have seen in a plain, low, frame building, lighted at night with tallow candles, with no altar cloths or stained glass, and with a choir composed almost wholly of volunteer singers, who sang with the spirit, if not with knowl- edge, a pastor and congregation happy and prosperous -under the first rector almost an ideal church, continu- ally growing in influence, numbers and strength.
The old church building was converted into a school room, and here Mr. Ten-Broek established the third parish school of St. John's. It was for boys in advanced studies, and Mr. Ten-Broek was assisted in this work by his son William. The charges were ten dollars per term, which was a large price for those times, but the instruction was considered by the pat- rons as well worth the money.
In the new church the pews were rented, each person furnishing their own pew with carpet and cushion.
In 1859 a pipe organ was purchased (the first ever brought to the city), and the melodeon sent to the church at Crawfordsville.
At this time the choir consisted of Miss Anna Deming, soprano; Miss Lizzie Timmons, alto; Mr. James B. Falley, bass, and Mr. David Snyder, tenor and leader of the choir; Mr. George Ulrich, organist.
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On the 22d of December, 1859, Mr. Ten-Broek resigned the rectorship of the parish.
On the 16th of April, 1860, the Rev. L. W. Russ, of Watertown, Wisconsin, was called to the rector- ship, and assumed the duties of his office the following May. Mr. Russ found the church very heavily in debt for the new building, and the first work to be done was to arrange for the payment of that debt. In this work both rector and vestry engaged heartily. In furtherance of this object, Judge Ingram at this time surrendered a note for $75, with interest, which he held against the church.
The new rector was cordial and social in his manners, impulsive and generous in his nature, and soon became very popular. His sermons are remem- bered for their poetic thought and beauty of diction. He began his work by endeavoring to make the ser- vices more attractive to the people. He introduced the custom of placing flowers upon the altar, and Christmas and Easter were observed with much more elaborate service than ever before. Mr. George Win- ter, the artist, at that time a member of the church, gave it the benefit of his artistic skill and taste in planning the decorations.
Another of Mr. Russ' methods of winning people to the church was through the Sunday-school. This, he said, was the nursery of the church. He intro- duced into LaFayette the custom of having Christmas trees in the church. It seems incredible, but it is nevertheless a fact that, so great was the opposition to this, the first Christmas tree service was held in Melodeon Hall, on Columbia Street, the second in the dining-room of the parsonage, and it was not until the
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third year that the opposition was subdued sufficiently to have it in the church. Since then every year has seen the happy faces of the children around the Christ- mas tree in the church. The music also received great attention at this time. The organ, which had heretofore been rented, was now purchased for the sum of $800. In part payment of this, eighty acres of land in Benton County were given, which were rated at $400. The organ, which had been first placed in the northwest corner of the church, was now re- moved to the gallery, and Mr. George Ulrich em- ployed as organist, and Miss Coney to lead the sing- ing. Then for about a year there was a volunteer choir, composed of J. C. Bansemer, leader; Mrs. S. Carstairs and Miss Mattie Stockwell, soprano; Mrs. Josie Pampel, alto, and Mr. George Gardner, bass. Then Miss Anna Deming and Miss Lizzie Timmons formed a volunteer choir. This was followed by one composed of Mr. S. Vater, leader; Mr. F. Langguth, organist; Miss Libbie Howe, soprano, and Mrs. Josie Pampel, alto. Mr. Harry Gates also sang for some time. This was for a long time the choir. Never before nor since was so much money paid for the music (it costing for a number of years $600), and much more elaborate and difficult music was rendered than ever before in the church.
Besides the work of paying the debt, in Novem- ber, 1860, the vestry changed the old church into a parsonage, at a cost of $716.50, and here Mr. Russ and family lived while in LaFayette.
In 1865 occurred the death of Judge Ingram. He had been a vestryman in the church for many years, and had been one of its most active and efficient mem-
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