The story of a Kansas parish : being a compilation from the records and a partial survey of the work and some of the workers of Trinity Church, Atchison, Kansas, from 1857 to 1911, Part 2

Author: White, Francis S
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: [Kansas? : s.n.
Number of Pages: 114


USA > Kansas > Atchison County > Atchison > The story of a Kansas parish : being a compilation from the records and a partial survey of the work and some of the workers of Trinity Church, Atchison, Kansas, from 1857 to 1911 > Part 2


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In September, 1866, Bishop Vail resigned the Rectorship, and the congregation unanimously chose for his successor,


THE REV. JOHN BAKEWELL


In accepting the Bishop's resignation the use of the Rectory was granted him until the following Easter, but the Bishop maintained his residence in Atchison until October Ist, 1867.


As the records of these years are lost, I have asked the Rev. Mr. Bakewell to write for us his recollections of those early days, up until the con- secration of the church, and the words that follow are from his pen.


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"The ministry of the Rev. Mr. Ryan in Trinity Parish, Atchison, was followed by that of the Rt. Rev. Thomas Hubbard Vail, D. D., consecrated Bishop of Kansas, December 15, 1864.


"In 1865, Bishop Vail removed from Musca- tine, Iowa, to Atchison, where at the earnest re- quest of the Vestry of Trinity Church, he accepted the Rectorship until permanent provision was made for the parish by the election in the spring of 1866, of the Rev. John Bakewell, assistant minister in the Church of the Mediator, Philadelphia.


"Bishop Vail ministered with great acceptance to the church people in Atchison, but the super- vision of the church in the growing state of Kan- sas with the many exacting duties connected there- with, compelled him to commit the work in Atch- ison to other hands. Yet his wise counsel that sprung from the depths of his great, loving heart, was of the greatest value to the new Rector on assuming his first charge.


"It would be hard to conceive of anything more unpromising than the condition of Trinity Parish at this time, not only as regards the past, but in connection with the present situation.


"While the Methodists, Baptists and Congre- gationalists worshipped in good buildings of their own, Trinity had no local habitation. Two mon- uments of past failures could be seen in different parts of the town. In South Atchison a rifled and demolished corner stone bore mute testimony to an unfinished effort, while in North Atchison on the lot adjoining the parsonage were the remains of


The Rev. John Bakewell


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a church foundation in complete outline, which had long furnished a sort of quarry for any chance builder.


"A lumber man passing by one day as the Rec- tor stood in front of the parsonage, remarked that the building belonged to him if every man had his own. It seems that he had never been paid for the material used and the debt was outlawed !


"The surroundings of Price's Hall where ser- vices were held, were most forbidding. Beneath was a saloon-alongside, the city jail, while above was a theatre.


"Yet amid these discouragements many things augured well for the future. Atchison at this per- iod was one of three points on the Missouri river where freighting was carried on, on an extensive scale. Immense caravans laden with freight for Pikes Peak and Denver started on their way across the prairies; the Central Branch of the Union Pa- cific Railway was in course of construction, start- ing at Atchison. Consequently the town was alive with activity and ripe for my well conceived project. Many citizens prominent in the town, were of our faith. Among these were the families of Judge A. G. Otis, Colonel Wm. Osborn, builder of the rail- road, General B. F. Stringfellow, Richard A. and Stanton Park, Judge A. H. Horton, Senator In- galls, and later on Judge Graham, the Spaldings, Birds, Buttons, Everests, Parkers, with Messrs. Blish, Mize, Fox and others.


"To a remarkable degree the parish proved an united one, notwithstanding the fact that the Civil


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THE STORY OF A KANSAS PARISH


War had only terminated the year before. One, looking back upon those troublous times, realizes what an advantage this was and how it made for peace and prosperity.


"Two large lots in South Atchison, besides those in North Atchison, with the adjacent parson- age, were the property of the parish. The first pressing need of the parish at this time was, of course, a church edifice, but in view of its past his -- tory the prospects for obtaining one seemed very remote indeed. However, at the earnest request of the Rector, a meeting of the Vestry was called in Judge Otis' office to take it into consideration. It seemed as if the hand of the Lord guided the con- sultations, for large subscriptions were immediately forthcoming and the project was enthusiastically en- tered upon, accompanied with a resolution of the Vestry suggested by the Rector that no debt be in- curred in building, a determination which was in all subsequent operations, faithfully carried out ; when the money gave out the building stopped. This wise policy became a tradition in the parish. Years after, when an organ was about to be pur- chased and some of the parishioners wished to go into debt for part of the price, at the instance of Mr. R. A. Park, the organ was not ordered until the whole amount needed was in sight. In this con- nection it may be mentioned that upon the com- pletion of the church the debt for lumber used on the parsonage, being morally due, was paid by unanimous vote of the Vestry.


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"In the fall of 1866 ground was broken for the Church edifice (no corner stone being laid this time) and the foundations carefully protected against frost, for the resumption of the work in the spring. During the winter the congregation was not idle. Various church activities were inaugur- ated, gossip being rigorously tabooed, devotions be- ing the rule.


"All families and individuals at any time con- nected with the parish, were prayerfully looked after. In the conduct of the church services, the letter and spirit of the rubrics were carefully re- garded and the comfortable Gospel of Christ, the power of God unto Salvation, brought home to the hearts and lives of the people. The devoted women of the parish inspired by the zeal and liberality of the men, and led by Mesdames Stringfellow, Otis, Park and Everest, accomplished most efficient work in raising funds for the building of the church.


"In all this Bishop Vail and family were of great assistance. Forseeing the rapid growth of the parish, another bay was added to the building at the Bishop's suggestion and expense.


"In the spring of 1867 contracts were let for the building. Pine lumber brought from the East being one hundred dollars a thousand feet, the lumber of the country, black walnut at forty dol- lars was naturally preferred. All the heavy girders, joists, principal beams and rafters were made of this now expensive wood. Lately the remark was made that the church could be torn down and re- built for the value of the lumber in it. A friend


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of Col. Osborn, who had a quarry in Vermont, of- fered slate for the roof, if the church would pay the freight and the offer was gladly accepted.


"In the fall the money not being forthcoming for permanent seats, cottonwood benches were knocked together that the building might be entered and consecrated. The evening before the Rev. T. M. Kendrick, then Rector of St. Paul's, Leavenworth, helped the Rector to oil and polish the chancel fur- niture.


"Present at the Consecration of the church by Bishop Vail and taking part in the service, were the Rev. Messrs. Kendrick, Holden, J. H. Lee, Rev. Dr. Reynolds and the Rev. Mr. Cox. The next year black walnut pews were placed in the church and one forever set apart in memory of the Rector.


"The impetus given at this time to Trinity Par- ish has been kept up ever since, the church taking its stand as one of the most important in the west. This is evidenced by the fact that two rectors have been elected Bishops, the Reverends Abiel Leonard and Francis Key Brooke.


"Because of ill health and as a relief from mental work I resigned charge of Trinity Parish in the year 1871, greatly to my own regret; but it seemed to me to be the Lord's will.


"John Bakewell."


Trinity Church, about 1868


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Turning once again to the parish records we note that "The church was formally opened for worship on March 15th, 1868, but was not entirely finished, and was very plainly furnished. The Bish- op was present and altogether the occasion was a happy one to those who had wrought and prayed and waited so long." The finishing and furnishing of the church took further time for nothing was ever done until the money to pay for it was in sight. The pews were ordered and paid for by the Ladies Guild. They were made by Mr. John Dawson, some time Junior warden of the parish, and father of Mrs. Frank Shortt. The church was lighted by lamps which the Ladies Guild kept filled and cleaned. Wood was the fuel, and the windows were made of a simple stained glass, of conventional de- sign, except the chancel window which was a gift from the sister of Mr. Bakewell and at the time was considered a very handsome window. In due time the grounds were fenced in, and trees were planted by Judge and Mrs. Otis.


In March, 1869, the parish relinquished the grant of $200 made to it by the Board of Missions, and in May the pews were drawn for, distributed, and rented as the main source of the parish income. May 12, 1869, the church was consecrated at the op- ening service of the annual convention; and we learn from the report of the treasurer made at the annual parish meeting preceding the conven- tion, that $13,234.51 had been spent in the construc- tion of the edifice.


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THE STORY OF A KANSAS PARISH


The chancel furniture was bought by the ladies. The marble font, still in use, was a gift, through Mr. Bakewell, from Mr. S. Lenox Treadwell, of Southport, Connecticut, who through some connec- tion with the Central Branch railroad then being put into operation, came into contact with our church life and gave the Font in memory of his wife. Harriet Crowell, now Mrs. F. M. Baker, was the first child baptized in this Font and the late Wil- liam Otis was the first child baptized in the new church. The first mention of ushers officially ap- pointed, occurs in 1871 when we find the Vestry electing Mr. H. C. Bird, Mr. R. O. Cromwell and Mr. Lewis to this office.


About 1871 Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Blish and Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Mize came to Atchison and at once became part and parcel of the parish life. Mr. Blish was immediately elected to the Vestry, and served on that body for more than thirty consecu- tive years, most of that time as Senior Warden of the parish. Mr. Mize entered the Vestry a little later on, and was still later made treasurer of the parish, a position he now occupies, as well as hold- ing the office of Senior Warden. With the coming of Mr. Blish interest in the music seems to have become a part of the Vestry's business, and ever since his day the Vestry has had a committee on music. In the early days the music was furnished by a quartette choir whose members received pe- cuniary recompense, so that the committee had to hear competing applicants from year to year and reject or accept the various voices as was deemed


The Rev. P. Nelson Meade


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best for the musical interests of the parish. The organ, a small reed affair, was then placed in the rear of the church near the entrance.


On July 3rd, 1871, Mr. Bakewell handed in his resignation to take effect immediately, because of what then seemed failing health. In accepting his resignation, the Vestry concluded their recorded ap- preciation of their Rector in these words: "While this church shall endure, his memory will ever re- main in the hearts of our people associated with its early history, and with the early struggles of the Episcopal church in Atchison." It is pleasant to know that in Southern California Mr. Bakewell found that health which has enabled him to survive the years, and that now in the winter of his life, his own words have been incorporated into this record of the first parish of his early ministerial career.


In November, 1871, a call was extended to a grandson of Bishop Meade, of Virginia.


THE REV. P. NELSON MEADE


then working in St. Louis County, Missouri. He accepted the call in January, 1872, came to Atchison with his bride and began life in the Ninth Street Rectory. Mr. Meade was young and enthusiastic, and soon had the brave little congregation hard at work. In September, 1872, the church was piped for gas by order of the Vestry, and the same Vestry had the courage to ask the ladies by resolution, "to see what means they would take to raise funds for that purpose." In 1873 the secretary and treasurer were made distinct officers, and the treasurer was


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allowed five per cent for all collections which he made. March 5, 1874, Mr. Meade sent in his resig- nation to take effect April Ist, 1874, when he with his family, went to Baltimore to become the Rector of Christ Church.


On Whitsunday, May 24, 1874,


THE REV. THOMAS G. CARVER, D. D.


of Indiana, became Rector. Dr. Carver was a tall Welshman, a widower in middle life, with much manner and a pulpit orator of considerable ability. He was much sought after as a speaker on all sorts of public occasions. During his administration of the parish the organist, Mrs. Smith, was given $50 by the Vestry as an appreciation of her services. From that time on the parish records show that the organist was regularly appreciated in a financial way.


In June, 1875, we read that the Rector was compelled on account of ill health to ask for a leave of absence, and was away from the parish most of the summer. In a little record of this time in the parish life, written by the late Bishop Leonard, we read: "Those were distressing days for Kansas. Business was almost paralyzed, and a large number of people had left the state, on account of the rav- ages of the grasshoppers. It was, of course, diffi- cult to raise money for any purpose, and so in view of 'the financial embarrassment of the Parish,' as Dr. Carver said in his letter to the Vestry, he ten- dered his resignation in the Autumn of 1875."


The Rev. Frank O. Osborne


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In November, 1875, under date of the 27th, we note that the Ladies Society called on the Vestry to act at once in securing a Rector, and released and made over to that body the balance due them on their vote of $200, pledged themselves to pay the salary of the organist of the church for one year, and further pledged their aid to remove any other indebtedness then existing against the church.


The members of the Vestry at this time were Dr. J. H. Stringfellow, E. C. Sherer, D. P. Blish, Dr. J. V. Bryning, A. D. McConoughy, General B. F. Stringfellow, Charles E. Styles, E. A. Mize, J. MI. Cain. These gentlemen, through committees, made several unavailing efforts to secure a rector for the parish, but finally about the beginning of Lent, 1876,


THE REV. FRANK O. OSBORNE


a young man in the Diocese of Chicago, was asked by them to take charge of the parish until Easter. He accepted the invitation, and made such a favor- able impression that one month after his arrival he was called to the Rectorship, and accepting this call he began a remarkably efficient ministry. Indeed, we may say the parish took on a new lease of life. The city began to enter on a larger career, and the parish felt the resultant prosperity. In the winter- of '76 the efforts of the congregation for a new organ, began to crystallize. The matter was placed in the hands of Mr. D. P. Blish, and at a parish meeting held in December of that year, Mrs. R. A.


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Park reported that the Ladies Guild had on hand for the purchase of an organ, $1025, and on motion of Mr. R. B. Morris, Mr. Blish was authorized by vote of the parish, to purchase from Hook & Hast- ings for $1375, the organ which we still use and enjoy. Before the meeting adjourned Col. Osborne and Mr. Manly each gave $100 towards the purchase price, and the balance was soon raised by Mr. Sher- er, Mr. Blish and Mr. Styles. The old organ, a small cabinet organ, was later sold by Mr. Osborne to people in Leavenworth.


This was not the only improvement made in the church. Book racks for the pews were ordered put in and the ladies made successful efforts to place new stoves in the building. Lay readers ap- pear for the first time in the parish history, Mr. C. E . Styles and Mr. E. C. Sherer, the father of Mrs. Nick Whelan, being appointed to that office by the Rector. The personnel of the Vestry began to as- sume names more familiar to the present genera- tion. In 1876 Dr. W. H. Shulze, Mr. R. B. Morris, and Mr. W. S. Greenlee were made members of the Vestry; in 1877, Mr. W. S. Cain appears for the first time as Vestryman and Mr. E. A. Mize as treasurer.


For some years the parsonage property had not been used to house the Rectors of the parish. Dr. Carver spent had spent his time at the home of Dr. Bryning. Mr. Osborne lived on South Sixth street so as to be nearer the church. Negotia- tions with the Baptist Society for the use of the parsonage, had been going on for quite a while, and


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in September, 1878, the old Rectory was finally sold to Mr. R. S. Andrews for $1000 cash, and the money invested as a Rectory Fund. During the next three years this fund was largely increased by gifts, and the efforts of the Ladies' Society. In March, 1879, the question of changing the pew renting system was discussed by the Vestry, but it was decided to continue the present system so far as practicable.


The question of where to place the new Rectory began to occupy the minds of the congregation. Some wanted it on the lots in the rear of the church, others wanted it farther away and where to build the Rectory became a very fruitful subject of con- versation between the members of the congregation. In January, 1880, Mr. R. B. Morris was appointed a committee of one to get plans and estimates for a building of brick, wood or stone, on the lots in the rear of the church. At the same meeting Dr. Shulze reported that two furnaces for the church had been contracted for to cost $350. We find some new names on the Vestry at this time: W. W. Scoullar, R. H. Ballantine, R. F. Smith and J. S. Kellogg.


In March, 1880, the Vestry was authorized to put suitable cards in different hotels, showing officers of the church, hours of service, etc. In 1881, Mr. C. S. Osborn was made a member of the Vestry, and in May of this year it was decided to buy a lot about one block south of the church on Fifth street, and a movement was started to secure subscriptions for the building of a Rectory on this lot. This step was followed in August by the res-


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ignation of Mr. Osborne, a step which seemed dis- astrous to contemplate, but which under God led the Parish in September, 1881, at the suggestion of Messrs. C. E. Styles, W. S. Cain, and H. A. Coates, to select as their rector


THE REV. ABIEL LEONARD


of Hannibal, Mo., who entered upon his duties No- vember 6th of that year. And now the parish en- tered what has been called its golden era. Mr. Leon- ard came to town with his wife and two children and quarters were prepared for them in the Pardee Block. Genial, large-hearted, zealous, of keen sym- pathy with all sorts and conditions of men, Mr. Leonard soon led the parish life to catch a part of his own visions and the people went on from strength to strength. The Vestry realizing the im- portance of rounding out Mr. Osborne's work, be- gan its campaign for a Rectory. The lot on South Fifth street was sold in the spring of 1882 to Mr. John M. Cain, and after much campaigning by the champions of various sites, the present Rectory, No. 416 T street, was finally purchased for $4100 and Mr. Leonard and his family moved into it May 17th, 1882. On the Vestry elected that year we find the names of Messrs. Blish, Scoullar, Horton, Mize, Styles, Cain, Coates, Markham and Osborn. In that same year Mr. William Collett and Dr. E. L. Kel- logg were chosen ushers. An extra number of pews were added to hold the growing congregation, and a choir railing and chairs were put on a platform built about the organ.


The Rev. Abiel Leonard, Ninth Rector of Trinity Parish Later, The Bishop of Utah


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Shortly after Christmas in 1883, a terrible calamity struck at the heart of the congregation in the death by the burning of his home, of the wife and daughter of Mr. Charles E. Styles. Later on a beautiful memorial window was placed in the church in memory of these dear people.


In the summer of 1884, the interior of the church was painted and decorated at an expense of three hundred dollars. In this year Mr. Leonard began to publish a bi-monthly church paper called "The Trinity Church Visitor." It is a matter of regret that no complete file of this publication can be had. In the spring of 1885 a steam heating plant was installed in the church and in the Advent num- ber of the Church Visitor we read: "Our steam heating apparatus has worked very successfully thus far and it seems that the question of heating the church comfortably has been settled and it is right to say that we are specially indebted to our Senior Warden, Mr. Blish, for this great comfort."


During the spring two memorial windows were put in place, one to the memory of Mr. Styles' wife and daughter, the other to the memory of Mrs. Bake- well, contributed by the women of the parish, and a memorial service was held March 8, 1885, when Bishop Vail was present and preached the ser- mon. During the previous year the Rector had been receiving memorial offerings to procure some solid silver Communion Vessels, and on All Saints Day, 1885, a very handsome Chalice and Paten were used for the first time. On these Vessels are in- scribed the words, "In memory of departed members


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and friends of Trinity Church, Atchison, Kansas." A large Bible likewise inscribed, was purchased and placed on the wooden lecturn. The old Com- munion Vessels were later given to Bishop Thomas for presentation to some needy parish in the Dio- cese. In this same year the church was entirely carpeted for the first time in its history, by the ef- forts and through the aid of the Young Ladies' Guild.


At this point it is proper to stop the records, and turn back the pages for a year, in order to write a short account of the founding of


SAINT ANDREW'S MISSION


For this account I am indebted to Mr. William Cain who at my request, has written some memoran- da for me to work on, and has also furnished me with the carefully kept records of the early years of the Mission made by the hand of that most faith- ful and devoted man of God, Mr. J. F. Woodhouse.


Mr. Cain writes as follows :


August 15th, 191I.


My Dear Rector :


I wish to give you briefly the information asked for concerning St. Andrew's Mission. If I appear too much in evidence in connection with the Mis- sion it is because I was there most of the time, but occasionally, with or without any reasonable ex- cuse. I absented myself, although Mrs. Cain and the children were always faithful attendants.


ـد رابيد : الابـ


كد


---


٢٠٠٫٠٠٠


St. Andrew's Mission Founded by Bishop Leonard, built by Bishop Brooke


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In the fall of 1884, Bishop Leonard, who was then our Rector, consulted me as to the practical part of establishing a Mission in our end of the city, as I was the only Vestryman from our locality. He told me that a young lady, Miss Dorothy L. Collett, was urging him to start the Mission, but he did not wish to do so unless there was a reason- able prospect that it would not be a failure, but would accomplish some good for the church at large, and for the more or less transient population of our end of the city. I was not very enthusiastic about it, and advised him to consider well whether he ·could afford to devote much patient labor to the work; that young women soon marry, and the cares of maternity and the household would leave the bur- den on him, but that I would endeavor to help him if he concluded to start it. He called a meeting of those interested to meet November 2nd, 1884, in the school house in West Atchison. The men present were Rev. Mr. Leonard, Mr. W. W. Scoullar, John Dawson, John Woodhouse, Joseph Weston, and my- self. Although Mr. Leonard was very earnest and persuasive the meeting was very discouraging about money matters. No one wanted to pledge a cent to pay the expense of hall rent, etc. I finally pledged Sio toward furniture, and $15.00 toward the year's rent of hall, $150 per year, and Mr. Leonard said it would do to start on, and we "got busy" and held our first service in Walker's Hall, on November 30, 1884. For some time I donated my services to sweep out the room, trim the lamps and start a fire in the


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stove until we got enough from the offertory to pay Mr. Overton to take the task off my hands.


During the Rectorship of Mr. Leonard I was superintendent of the Sunday School; also at a later date I was nearly the whole official body, un- til I became rebellious and quit because the Rector would not agree to have the work divided. The many changes caused by the strikes and removals, and deaths, seemed to keep us in a humble state of mind. We do not seem to increase, nevertheless, the work has not been labor in vain. Some of the best peo- ple I have ever known have been connected with St. Andrew's, and it has been the means of develop- ing a joyous faith in some of the dear ones who have passed on, and in a general way it has helped to curb the turbulent element in our midst.




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