USA > Kentucky > Fayette County > Lexington > Historical sketch of Christ Church cathedral : Lexington, Ky. > Part 4
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Dr. Shipman is the present Rector of Christ Church, New York. His son Herbert is also a clergyman of the Church, and has lately accepted the appointment of Chaplain at West Point.
Some time after his resignation, the Church was offered to the Assistant Bishop, Rt. Rev. T. U. Dudley, D. D., to hold with an assistant minister. Bishop Dudley expressed his personal willingness to accept such a position, but stated that he could not act in the matter without the consent of the Council, which would not convene until May. It seemed impossible at that time to defer the matter till then. So, after due deliberation, on the 12th of March, 1878, the Rev. Thomas A. Tidball, of Ports- mouth, Virginia, was called to officiate here. He entered upon his new duties soon afterwards, and preached his first sermon as Rector of Christ Church on Easter Sunday.
Rev. T. A. Tidball.
Dr. Tidball had not been here long before he be- came deeply interested in missionary work among the colored people in this city. In 1880 the chapel known as St. Andrew's, on Fourth Street, between Upper and Limestone, was purchased for their use.
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For several years Dr. Tidball conducted entirely the work in this Mission, and left it well organized and in a prosperous condition, the congregation being under the charge of a minister of their own race.
In 1882 the property on Third Street, presented by Mrs. Eliza Brand Woodward, to be used as a home for needy and infirm women, called now the Macalester Home, was formally taken charge of by the Church The Home had been opened for in- mates during Dr. Shipman's time.
In May, 1884, the venerable Bishop Smith passed away, and the Rt. Rev. T. U. Dudley, D. D., suc- ceeded to the episcopate of the Diocese He is a native of Virginia and was born September 26. 1837. He studied at the University of Virginia and taught Bishop Greek in that institution before he was twenty-one Dudley. years old. Afterward he studied for the ministry in the Theological Seminary of Virginia, near Alex- andria. His first charge was at Harrisonburg, Virginia. Then he was Rector of Christ Church, Baltimore, until he was elected Assistant Bishop of Kentucky. He was consecrated January 27, 1875, .and in the early spring of that year visited Lexing- ton and stood for the first time in the chancel of Christ Church. Dr. Shipman was the Rector, and Bishop Dudley makes the following statement con- cerning the condition of the parish then: "Christ Church impressed me at that time as being one of the very strongest parishes in the country. The ·communicant list was large, the attendance upon
St. An- drew's Mission.
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the services most satisfactory, the devotion to the- Rector intense, and the consequent interest in the work of the Church most enthusiastic."
The duties of the Assistant Bishop were very numerous and his responsibilities great, for Bishop Smith, being Presiding Bishop of the Church, was obliged to spend most of his time in New York. But the position was most satisfactorily and ad- mirably filled. During the interval between Dr. Shipman's resignation and Mr. Tidball's coming,. Bishop Dudley frequently conducted the Sunday services and spent much of his time in Lexington. Both Bishop and people profited by this oppor- tunity to become more closely acquainted. He won many life-long friends, and they found that to know him better was to love and admire him the more.
The Diocese so grew and prospered under his care. that in 1896 it was considered advisable to divide the large territory into two dioceses. This was done and Bishop Dudley retained the western half with the old name of the Diocese of Kentucky ; and the newly formed Diocese of Lexington elected as its Bishop Rev. Lewis W. Burton, then in charge of St. Andrew's Church, Louisville.
Bishop Dudley stands among the highest in the esteem and affection both of men outside and of those within the Church. He is justly celebrated throughout the country for his great intelligence, for the breadth and liberality of his views and for his powerful and winning eloquence. He has always received and in future may ever be sure of.
The Deanery of Christ Church Cathedral, West Second Street.
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a hearty welcome from the members of Christ ·Church ; and they feel they may still claim from him an interest in their welfare and a share in his affec- tions. He himself says: "During all these years, from 1875 to 1896, Christ Church was to me one of the best beloved congregations over which I had been Overseer, and when the division of the Diocese came, natural and necessary, one of the sorest trials it brought to me was the sundering of my connection with that parish; and now it has, wisely, as I think, become the Cathedral of the Diocese of Lexington, which means, as I under- stand it, the central Missionary Agency, the home of the Bishop, whence shall radiate an influence for unity of purpose and of works throughout the whole Diocesan district. I can but pray God, as I do with all my heart, that the strength of the Cathedral may become speedily ten fold that of the parish in its palmiest days. I know the wisdom . and the devotion of the Bishop into whose hands I have surrendered this charge, and I am confident that nothing of leadership will be lacking, and that success will depend upon the faithful following of his people."
December 19, 1884, Dr Tidball resigned as Rector of the parish. He was born near Winchester, Vir- ginia, He began his career by studying law, but soon abandoned that for the ministry. He studied for three years in the Theological Seminary of Vir- ginia and was ordained deacon by Bishop Whittle. His first two charges were in his native state, those
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of Accomac and Trinity Church, Portsmouth. In the latter beautiful colonial church he was ordained priest by Bishop Johns. Thence in 1878 he was called to Lexington. His resignation, after a stay of six prosperous years, was received with deep and heartfelt sorrow, for it was felt that the Church in Kentucky had suffered an incalculable loss. Always. blessed in her pastors, she had not been less so this time, for Dr. Tilball is a man of high and noble character. He is a scholarly, as well as spiritual- minded man, and is a preacher of great power and wide note. His works in our parish speak for themselves, and no rector of ours was ever more loved and admired.
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He went from here to St. Paul's Church, Camden, New Jersey. Of his work there, Bishop Scarborough said it was "a little less than marvellous." In 1893: he was called to the Church of the Epiphany in Philadelphia, which charge he now holds. He has received marked distinction in several ways. His, degree of D. D. was conferred by William and Mary College. He was elected Professor of Systematic Divinity in the Divinity School of Philadelphia, and in 1892 was chosen Missionary Bishop of Japan; but both of these honors were declined.
The Woman's Guild.
In the spring following Dr Tidball's departure, a project in which he had been very much inter -- ested, the forming of a Woman's Guild in this par- ish, was finally accomplished. This most admirable- body has continued ever since, and has done untold. good.
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Shortly after this time a part of the congrega- St. John's tion, desiring a system of free pews and a more Parish. ornate form of worship, withdrew and organized St. John's Parish, in this city.
While the Church was without a permanent Rector, the Rev. Mr Pentz officiated during a great part of the time, as did also the Rev. George Stan- berry. Mr. Stanberry was a deacon in the Epis- copal Church, and, during the many years of his Mr. Stan- residence near this city, he frequently assisted in berry. the conduct of divine service in Christ Church. He was a member of the vestry and a faithful worker.
The Rev. Edward H. Ward was called to the parish, April 27, 1885. Mr. Ward was born in Campbell County, Virginia, December 18, 1849. He was educated at Roanoke College, in his native state, and studied for the ministry later at the Theological Seminary, near Alexandria, Virginia, where Dr. Tidball also studied He was made
deacon in June, 1873, and the following year was admitted to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. John Johns, D. D , Bishop of Virginia. He had charge of a parish while a deacon, and was Assistant Minister of St. Paul's Church, Petersburg, Virginia, in 1874. After that he held several charges in Cali- fornia, and was called to Lexington from St. John's Church, Stockton. While in Lexington, he received the degree of D. D. from his Alma Mater, Roanoke College.
During the month of January, 1888, a Mission was conducted in Christ Church by the Rev. Dr. H.
Rev.
E. H. Ward.
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M. Jackson, of Richmond, Virginia, now the Bishop Coadjutor of Alabama.
Mission of the Good Shepherd
Rev. W. C. Barnes.
In October of the same year, one of the most im- portant and beneficial works of the Church was undertaken and carried to completion :- the estab- lishment of the Mission on South Broadway. The lot for the purpose was donated by Mr. J. Q. A. Hayman; and eighteen hundred dollars were raised by subscription for the building. The furnace and organ were donated, thus greatly reducing the ex- pense. Itis called the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. As soon as the Chapel. was completed, an assistant minister, the Rev. William C. Barnes, was called to conduct the work there. Mr Barnes remained only a little more than a year, then resigning to accept another charge. In May of 1891, Mr. Richard L. Mc- Cready succeeded Mr. Barnes. Hecame from Louis- ville as Lay Reader and Candidate for Orders to study under Dr. Ward. In the following December he was ordained Deacon by Bishop Dudley. He served very successfully for two years. During his short stay in our midst, he showed a great devotion to duty, and ability and faithfulness in his profession. He was called to the Church of the Ascension in Frankfort, Kentucky, where he was ordained Priest and of which he is now Rector.
Rev. R. L. McCrea- dy
A work which originated in one of the societies of the Parish demands mention here. In 1890 the Woman's Guild purchased the Gratz property on East Short Street, to be used as a hospital. The name Protestant Infirmary was given to it. No
Rev. JOHN N. LEWIS, JR., Dean.
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charity, perhaps, has accomplished more good in Protest- our city than this noble institution, which certainly ant In- should receive the support of all Protestant de- firmary. nominations. To conduct this benevolent enterprise has required from our ladies sublime faith and courage. Into its structure have been worked their tears and their prayers. It has attracted to itself the contributions and labors of our own most gen- erous and devoted members and those of many like-minded friends outside the Parish. Many ad- ditions and improvements in the buildings have been made in the last few years, till now the Woman's Guild owns property to the amount of thirty-five thousand dollars. To-day the Infirmary stands one of the completest hospitals in the South in its equipment. Its School for Trained Nurses is the only one in this city, and has been an agency of incalculable value. The work of the Infirmary from the beginning has been chiefly charitable. In all this labor of love and free-handed benevolence no effort has been made by its managers to im- press upon the community its Episcopal relation- ship or to make it in any way an agency for merely building up the Parish.
The work of the Church went along quietly for several years, with a steady growth. Perhaps the greatest material improvement of late years was in the purchase, in 1892, of a new large pipe organ.
We recall with the greatest pleasure the Mission Rev. Dr. conducted in our church in March, 1895, by the Rev. Barrett's Dr. Barrett, who since has passed to the Church Mission.
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Triumphant. Dr. Barrett was a preacher of won- derful force and power; and the ten days of his stay here will be long remembered.
Division of the Diocese.
In June, 1895, the vestry decided to vote for the division of the Diocese of Kentucky. ' The Council to decide this important matter met in the Cathe- dral at Louisville, pursuant to a call from the Rt. Rev. Dr. Dudley, Bishop of the Diocese. The com- mittee appointed at the last regular session of the Council, to investigate the matter of the division of the Diocese, reported favorably and urged the taking of this step. Their report was adopted unanimously ; and the matter was referred to the next General Convention. It was agreed that the Theological Seminary Fund of twenty-eight thou- sand dollars should, by the authority of a decree of the court, be transferred to the Episcopate Endow- ment Fund, then amounting to twelve thousand dollars; and in case of the division of the Diocese, that this fund should be divided equally between the two Dioceses. The division became necessary because of the growth of the Diocese, the territory under these conditions being deemed too large to be under the care of one Bishop. Then, too, it was realized that in this way the missionary work in the Eastern portion of the Diocese would be ad- vanced
The General Convention which met in October, 1895, gave its consent to the formation of a new Diocese within the State of Kentucky. The Pri- mary Council of the new Diocese was held in Christ
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Church, Lexington, December 4,1895. It lasted two days, and much business connected with the Diocese was transacted. First, the name of the Diocese of Lexington was unanimously agreed upon. Then the election of a Bishop was in order. Several clergymen were nominated, all of them eminent, and the choice finally fell upon the Rev. Lewis W. Burton, then Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Louis- ville. The election was made unanimous.
Bishop Burton was born on the 9th of November, 1852, in Cleveland, Ohio, where his uncle and his father were for many years Rectors of St. John's Church He graduated from Kenyon College with the first honors of his class in 1873, receiving the degree of A. B. and afterwards A. M. He studied for the ministry in the Philadelphia Divinity School, and was ordained priest May 15th, 1878, in St. Paul's Church, Cleveland, by Bishop Bedell. He held the successive charges, All Saints', Cleveland ; St. Mark's, Cleveland; St. John's, Richmond, Vir- ginia, and St. Andrew's, Louisville. At both of the last named churches he accomplished a remarkable work in building up the parishes. We are fortunate indeed to have a man for our Bishop with such a record of good works in the past and such a promise of great good for the future. In the two years he has been with us, he has won the sincere love and confidence of his people and universal ad- miration for his talents and his character. Especially has he endeared himself to those to whom he has ministered in times of distress and bereavement.
Bishop Burton.
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We feel we must express our gratification at his having selected Lexington for his home, and we hear on all sides that the clergy and the people of our city are proud to count him one of their num- ber. An idea was expressed so frequently and by so many different persons, on last Thanksgiving day, that it surely indicates the sentiments of the congregation of Christ Church Cathedral, and should be quoted. It was, that we ought to thank God for sending us our Bishop and thank the Bishop for having, with God's help, found us the Dean.
On December 9. 1896, the Rev. Dr. Ward handed his resignation to the vestry, having previously re- ceived a call from St. Peter's Church, Pittsburg. Although the vestry requested Dr. Ward to recon- sider his resignation, it was not withdrawn, but took effect January 6, of the following year; and in the same month he removed to his new parish. Deep sorrow was felt and expressed by all the con- gregation at the loss of one of our most able Rectors.
Living as we do now, so near to the events just recorded, it is difficult to estimate the progress made in the past decade and to pay a just tribute to the Rector who was the efficient head of the Church during that time. It is certain that the Church made great progress. Many of the present Church societies were organized. Among them, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, the Altar Guild, the Woman's Auxiliary and the Junior Auxiliary. Dr.
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Ward is a man of unusual ability as a scholar, and a delightful preacher. He manifested, also, fine executive ability, conducting the affairs of the parish most admirably. Never had its finances been better managed. He won the respect and unfeigned love of his parishioners, who wish for him great success in his new and broader field of labor.
During the months succeeding Dr. Ward's depar- ture, the question of making the Church the Cathe- dral of the Diocese was discussed in the vestry and .generally throughout the congregation. The Bishop Christ had already honored Lexington by choosing that Church city for his home. Funds had been collected ; and Cathe- the Episcopal residence on Sixth street was under dral. way. This building was finally completed during the winter of 1897-8. Formal action upon this im- portant matter was taken March 8, 1897, when the vestry officially offered the Church to Bishop Bur- ton as his Cathedral, with certain provisions. A parish meeting was called for March 15, which rati- fied the action of the vestry. The Bishop notified the vestry, on the 9th of April, of his acceptance of their offer of the Church, and nominated for Dean of the Cathedral the Rev. John Neher Lewis, Jr., Rector of Grace Church, Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The vestry elected Mr. Lewis; and shortly after- wards he accepted the call.
Dean Lewis was born at Annandale-on-the-Hud- son, Dutchess County, New York, January 18, 1869. He entered the Sophomore year at Williams College and graduated from that institution in the class of
Dean Lewis.
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'89. He then studied for three years at the Berke- ley .Divinity School at Middletown, Connecticut, under Bishop Williams, and was ordained deacon in June, 1892. In the same year he became Assist- ant Minister to Rev. Dr. Rainsford, Rector of St. George's Church, New York City. He had officiated in several parishes during his seminary course. He was made priest in 1893 by Bishop Williams. On July 1, 1894, he accepted a call to the Rectorship of Grace Church, Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and held this position for the three years immediately pre- ceding his coming to this city.
Dean Lewis has already done much good and has won the esteem, not alone of the members of his Parish, but also of the citizens of Lexington generally. During his short stay among us, there has been felt a spontaneous impulse along all lines ; the attendance at the Church services has shown a marked increase; and the work in the parish has gone forward zealously. We echo the words of one of his own parishioners,!“May he long be the last."
An important addition has recently been made to the Cathedral Clerical Staff by the appointment of the Rev. H. H. Sneed to conduct services at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. Mr. Sneed has served for a long time in our Diocese and was known to many of this Parish in his connection with the church at Middlesborough. He is now Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Georgetown, and Missionary at Nicholasville. He holds services at the Mission Chapel every Sunday and Tuesday evenings.
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We shall best present still further aspects of our Memo- parochial history by examining the memorials rials. erected in the church. Certainly they are usually the most interesting objects within a church's walls. In them we find usefulness combined with beauty . They express our love and honor for the dead and are constant sources of pleasure to the living. A stranger delights in stained-glass windows and in a pure white marble font; but his satisfaction in mere beauty of color and form cannot be compared with the deep feeling in the loving hearts of those who placed such objects there. It is a feeling that they have erected here, in the very church which their departed friends attended and cherished, tributes of respect and affection, by which their loved ones, though dead, still speak and serve the kingdom of God.
In the century of our Church's history there have been noble names and brave deeds worthy of com- memoration, and it is to be regretted that there are not more memorials to keep fresh in the minds of the younger generations the names of the earnest men who started and kept up the Church in times of discouragement and adversity ; to remind those struggling to-day that difficulties have been en- countered in the past and have been overcome; and to help us all remember that great cloud of wit- nesses surrounding us, so that we may be inspired to run patiently and worthily the race that is set before us.
The beautiful window in the right transept, with
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the three life-sized figures of St. Gabriel, the Virgin Mary and St. Catherine, was given by Mrs. Eliza Woodward. The inscription reads: "To the greater glory of God and in loving memory of Ed- ward Macalester, October 2, 1866; Lily Brand Duncan, October 9, 1881;" and in the third panel space is left for the donor's own name. Mrs. Wood- ward sent a photograph of her niece to the artist in Rome, with instructions to make the face of the central figure as much like the picture as possible. His effort was so successful that the result is said to be an admirable likeness. Consequently the memorial is doubly prized by those who knew and loved Mrs. Duncan.
Of the companion window in the left transept, the first panel, representing the healing of the im- potent man at the Pool of Bethesda, was presented in memory of Mr. George Brand, by his children. He died January 9th, 1883. The third panel is in memory of his wife, Fanny Macalester Brand, who died September 27, 1883, and was given by her daughter. The scene is where the Risen Christ meets Mary Magdalene. The middle panel, the Ascension, is in memory of the father and mother of George W. Brand, John Brand and Elizabeth Hay Brand, who both died in 1849.
Of the five quaint, narrow windows in the chan- cel, only three are memorials. The first one on the left has the inscription, "Rev. John Ward, born September, 1778, died May, 1860. A memorial from affectionate pupils." The second one is to John
Right Transept. Left Transept.
MEMORIAL WINDOWS.
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and Elizabeth Brand by their daughter Eliza Wood- ward. And on the last window on the right-hand side we read. "Elizabeth B. Smith, consort of Benj. Smith, born 1796, died 1833. Requiescat in pace."
On the large brass cross upon the re-table are the words,"To the glory of GOD and in loving memory of Fanny M. Brand, Advent, 1883." This was given by her daughter.
Both the brass book-rests on the altar have been given by Mrs. S. B Cronly ; one, "In Memoriam- Bruen and Sallie Madge-Holy Innocents, 1882;"' the other, "In Memoriam-Sallie Madge Cronley, Easter, April 2, 1893-From her Mother."
The brass standards on each side of the altar and the beautiful corona suspended from the ceiling were given by Mrs. Cronly in memory of her mother, her father and her husband, Margery and Joseph Bruen and Edward L. Cronly, Christmas, 1888.
The marble font has aninteresting origin. Before the present church was finished, that is, about fifty years ago, the Rev. Mr. Berkley suggested to the children of the Sunday-school that they might try to give the new font. The next day at school, dur- ing recess, eight little girls, between the ages of nine and twelve, discussed the matter and decided to undertake to raise the money. They were Mary and Amelia Timberlake, Mary and Theo Curd, Eliza and Ellen March, Mary Eliza Smith and Kate Pinckard. It is one of these who tells us thestory. They met on numerous Saturdays and sewed upon articles which their mothers would cut out for
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them. When the things were completed two girls filled a basket and went around to all the ladies whom they knew and found kind and ready pur- chasers. In this way they made ten dollars. They then decided to give a fair, and hold it in the big school-room right next to the church. The older members of the congregation became interested, and contributions were freely promised the de- lighted children. It was strawberry season, and they had an abundance of good things. Among them was an enormous "ring cake," which was sold by the slice, and Eliza March received the slice with the ring in it. The attendance was large, the patronage generous and the fair proved a great success. The girls cleared one hundred and fifty dollars, which they proudly handed to Mr Berkley. He sent the money to Italy, to Mr. Joel T. Hart, Kentucky's famous sculptor, who selected and, possibly, himself, designed the font for them. It has around the bowl the appropriate text, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." The cross on the font was added by Mrs. Edward Coleman, a memorial to Miss Pauline Mc- Caw.
The lectern of oak, an eagle with outspread wings, was placed in the church in memory of Richard Curd, by his family, in 1868. And the hexag- onal pulpit, with the figure of our Saviour in the front of it, was erected in 1868, in memory of Eleanor H. Curd, by her daughters.
The two large brass vases are in memory of Mrs.
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Lily Duncan, given by Mrs. John Allen and Mrs. Charles Voorhies. The third vase, which stands on the altar at the foot of the cross, was given by Mrs. Cronley in memory of her brother, Joseph Bruen, Jr., Easter, April 2, 1893. A beautiful white topaz is set in the front of the vase. The stone was brought to Mr. Bruen from Europe and was given to his sister after his death. It adds greatly to the beauty and value of the memorial
The alms basin is in memory of Dunbar Griffith Jeffrey, and was given by Mrs. Gorton.
The tall brass font ewer has the inscription, "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. In memoriam my beloved sons, Henry and Dunbar " It was given by Mrs. Alexander Jeffrey.
The silver shell used in Baptism was given by Mrs. Bodley in memory of little Willie Pickett.
The Bible on the lectern has on the cover the words, "In Memoriam, John B. Tilford, Jr."
On the large prayer-book for the altar is written, "Christ Church, Lexington, Kentucky. In Memo- riam, Wright Merrick."
A set of books in use in the chapel was given as a memorial to Mrs. Ann Bean.
The three sets of prayer-books and hymnals were recently presented anonymously for use in thechan- cel.
The oldest memorials are the marble tablets to Rev. Mr. Moore and Mr. Clifford. They were pre- served when the old church of Mr. Berkley's time was torn down, and were fixed in the walls of the
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present building, on each side of the main door to the middle aisle, when the church was remodelled under Dr. Shipman. The inscription on that to Mr. Moore will be seen in the print of it published in this volume. That to Mr. Clifford reads as fol- lows :
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF John D. Clifford, Esq., WHO EXHIBITED IN HIS CHARACTER A RARE UNION OF PRIVATE BENEVOLENCE AND WORTH, PUBLIC SPIRIT, LIBERAL HOSPITALITY, SOCIAL VIRTUE,
SINCERITY, WARMTH AND STEADINESS IN ATTACHMENTS, STRENGTH AND COMPASS OF INTELLECT, KNOWLEDGE AND ENTERPRISE IN BUSINESS, SCIENTIFIC ATTAINMENT, CULTIVATED TASTE, CHRISTIAN FORTITUDE, AND
PRACTICAL PIETY.
He died May 8th, 1820, aged 41 years.
The Church Home is the largest and most sub- stantial of all the memorials. A beautiful tablet hangs in the hall of the Home with this inscription :
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To the Glory of God. Christ Church Home. In Loving Memory of Edward Macalester.
Entered into life, October 2, 1866. Founded by his Wife, Eliza Macalester Woodward, Who entered into life, May 9, 1897.
Grant him, O Lord, Eternal Rest, and let perpetual Light shine upon him.
The occupancy of the house was first granted by Mrs. Woodward in 1879; and she deeded the prop- erty to Christ Church, July 5, 1881. Since its estab- lishment, it has afforded the shelter and the comfort of home to many a helpless, lonely woman.
In the Chapel of the Good Shepherd a beautiful round window was inserted over the altar, Christ- mas, 1897. It represents the Star of Bethlehem, and is in memory of Maria Blair Todd, one of the first and most faithful workers in the Mission Sunday- school. The organ there, was given in memory of little Theo. Wood. The font. was given by Christ Church Guild and the altar by Mrs. Ella William- son.
L'Envoi.
More than a century has passed over Christ Church Cathedral-a century crowded with events and crowned with achievement. From an insig- nificant beginning there has been a marvellous growth. At times we have seen a struggling Church, and again one that was resplendent with glory from the illustrious men who were connected with it. Four different buildings have stood upon the present site, built from time to time as the in- crease in the congregation demanded. Our church edifice of to-day has passed its fiftieth anniversary ; several generations have worshiped within its walls; and, from among these, many noble and sainted ones have passed from the Church Militant to the great host of the Church Triumphant. Memories crowd fast upon us, at times, as we stand within the dim walls of the dear old church, or turn the pages of its register, where the story of many a life is told in two or three brief entries.
From an eventful past we turn, with great hope in our hearts, to the Church at present, and look forward to its future. Christ Church has most fittingly been merged into Christ Church Cathedral. The Church is the oldest in the state, and the for- mation of the original Diocese of Kentucky was brought about through its efforts. So it seems just and right that, exactly one hundred and one
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years after the first gathering together of her con- gregation, and on the fiftieth anniversary of the building of the present church, she should become the Cathedral of the new Diocese.
The Cathedral has to-day a communicant list of nearly five hundred. Connected with it most di- rectly we have a Sunday-school, whose growth in the past year has been very encouraging to those engaged in that work, the interest manifested being much greater and the attendance roll increasing every Sunday It has a rival in the school con- ducted at the Mission of the Good Shepherd. Though the number of pupils is not so large as in the Parish Sunday-school, an enthusiasm prevails in the school that promises well for the future.
Perhaps first and foremost among the working organizations of the Cathedral stands the Woman's Guild. It numbers in its membership the most faithful workers in the Parish, and its influence has been felt everywhere throughout our community. The Protestant Infirmary will stand as an endur- ing monument of its achievement.
The Altar Guild, at first only a committee of the Woman's Guild, under the able leadership of its first chairman, the late Mrs. M. R. Stockwell, soon be- came an independent organization.
The parochial chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew is to be counted one of the most progress- ive organizations. Its membership is of course con- fined to the men of the Parish; but here it fills a long-felt want. The sympathy and good wishes of
The Parish at Present
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the whole congregation are with its members in their work. They have recently rented a house near the Good Shepherd Chapel on South Broad- wav, which is open every evening as a reading room for men and boys. It is in a part of the city where there is an excellent opening for such a work; and its ultimate success is not to be doubted.
The Woman's Auxiliary, though only recently es- tablished in our midst, is proving here the same "strong right arm of the Church" as elsewhere. Closely allied with this is the work of the Junior Auxiliary, which is worthy of the highest commen- dation. A large number of the young girls of the Parish are connected with it. And last, and least in one sense though not in another, among the missionary societies stands the "Babies' Branch," which extends throughout the Diocese. Many cir- cles of ten little ones have been formed, each mem- ber contributing one cent a week for the cause of missions, and offering with it a simple but tender prayer for the missionaries everywhere.
We must also mention the work of the Friendly Society and the Band of Mercy, societies conducted in connection with the Chapel of the Good Shep- herd. The work of the former is among the women and children of that mission. For them also there has been organized quite recently a branch of the Woman's Auxiliary .
St. Andrew's Chapel, the mission for colored people, is under the charge of the Rev. C. H. Thompson, D. D. Its Sunday-school is ably con-
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ducted by a Superintendent and teachers from the Cathedral, and is making rapid strides under their management.
At present in the Cathedral we have a mixed choir of adult voices. The vested choir of the chil- dren of the Sunday-school sings now only at the children's festival celebrations. Both choirs are efficiently and agreeably conducted by our organist, Miss Bertha Emery, who has filled her present po- sition for more than two years.
In entering upon the years that lie before us, we feel that we have the inspiration of a splendid past Let us receive from it an impulse to higher endeavor on our part. As we stand to-day in our compar- atively new position, as the chief Church, in an offi- cial sense, of a missionary Diocese, whose parishes one and all look to us to lead the way in the great work waiting everywhere to be done for Christ, let us strive to make the next century even more fruitful than the one just ended.
Bibliography.
Information has been derived from the following sources :
Records of the Vestry of Christ Church.
Old Files of the Kentucky Gazette.
Journals of Diocesan Councils.
Collins' History of Kentucky.
Allen's History of Kentucky.
Marshall's History of Kentucky.
Peter's History of Fayette County .
Ranck's History of Lexington.
Peter's History of Transylvania University.
Campbell's History of Virginia-
America and the American Church, by the Rev. Henry Caswall.
Perry's History of the American Episcopal Church.
Perry's Bishops of the American Church.
Church Cyclopædia.
Lexington Church Record.
Historical Sketches of Christ Church, Louisville by Rev. James D. Craik.
Historical Sketch of Christ Church, New York City.
Church Review and Ecclesiastical Register.
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