USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > All Saints church, Worcester, Massachusetts ; a centennial history, 1835-1935 > Part 8
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The presenting bishops were Bishop Lawrence, of Massa- chusetts, and Bishop Burgess, of Long Island. Every New England bishop was present except Bishop Clark, of Rhode Island. The visitors included Bishop Hall of Vermont and the Rt. Rev. Frederick Courtney, D.D., Bishop of Nova Scotia.
As red is the festival color of the Church, it was worn by many of the bishops and clergy, and the crucifers. Masses of red carnations were used for decorations, with Easter lilies and green bay trees. The decorations were in charge of a committee, of which Mrs. C. L. Short was chairman. The singing was by the choirs of All Saints and St. Matthew's, conducted by Mr. Charles I. Rice and Mr. Alfred Thomas. Mr. George Arthur Smith was organist.
After the consecration, Dr. Vinton was escorted to the bishops' room and vested in the Episcopal habit. He then returned to the chancel wearing the rochet and chimere of the Episcopal Order, with the pastoral cross presented by the laymen of All Saints Church, and the signet ring given by the Parsons Club. His rich vestments were a gift of the women of the Church.
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The new bishop knelt and the other bishops laid hands upon his head; and, Bishop Courtney holding the Bible on which his hands rested, Dr. Vinton was pronounced a bishop.
The Bible was the gift of All Saints Sunday School. It was a large, handsome volume, bound in red Morocco, with a solid gold cross inlaid upon it. During the early part of the service it had lain upon the altar. Mr. Short handed it to Bishop Davies, who, with Bishop Courtney, presented it to Dr. Vinton. At the close of the presentation, a Communion Service took place.
The recessional ("I Heard a Sound of Voices around the Great White Throne") was in the same order as the pro- cessional, except that the new bishop walked with Bishop Davies.
In writing to the Sunday School to thank the scholars and teachers for their gift, Bishop Vinton said, "You have given me the most beautiful Bible I have ever seen. . It almost broke my heart that you could not all be present at that service where I should have rejoiced at the company of your presence, but I give you now my thanks-my love and my blessing, and I am ever
Affectionately yours,
ALEXANDER H. VINTON"
On April 29, the Parish held a great reception in honor of the new bishop. Mrs. Charles C. Baldwin was head of the Hospitality Committee in charge.
From this time forward, All Saints people began to hold their heads a little higher than their neighbors'; we had all unconsciously been nurturing a bishop in our midst, and, unknown to ourselves or to others, were grooming two more for the same exalted office. In the not too distant future our beloved Parish was to be termed the Mother of Bishops.
At the annual Parish meeting on March 31, 1902, Mr. Edward L. Davis and Mr. Charles M. Bent retired from the offices of senior and junior warden which they had held for so many years. Mr. Davis was first chosen vestryman in 1860, junior warden in 1881, and senior warden in 1883 (forty-two
years of continuous service). Mr. Bent was elected clerk and treasurer in 1867, vestryman in 1871, and junior warden in 1884.
From May to December, 1902, the Reverend L. W. Salton- stall served as minister in charge. He was at one time rector of St. Mary's, Dorchester, and for ten years afterwards rector of Christ Church, Hartford.
The first Parish Scrapbook was prepared in 1902, at the rector's request, by Miss Anna L. Nichols, Parish librarian, "to contain important events in the Church's history."
For 1903 our Parish income was $12,252, and the sum total of expenses appropriately a little less. Three hundred and thirty were enrolled in the Church School (with 52 officers and teachers); 660 communicants, 937 confirmed per- sons, and a total of 1820 individuals. At this date the Year Book declares: "The attitude of a good Choir should be in relation to God, reverence; in relation to Christianity, the spirit of service; in relation to the Rector, cooperation; in relation to the congregation, sympathy; in relation to musical art, growth in knowledge and skill."
During 1903 the "drudgery of Choir work was enlivened by three functions: a collation at Eastertide in recognition of faithful work during the winter; a supper after the full rehearsal for all the Choirs for the All Saints Day Festival United Service; and, above all, (probably the best in their estimation) the Circus, which the boys enjoyed as the guests of the Clergy."
Hon. John D. Washburn, vestryman 1869-1898, and an intimate friend of Dr. Huntington, died on April 4, 1903. A Harvard graduate, in the class of 1853, he had shared largely in the rebuilding of the new Church. His was the responsi- bility for "bringing the relic of medieval architecture built into the inner wall of the Tower Vestibule from the Lady Chapel in Worcester Cathedral, England. He made a personal visit to the Dean of Worcester Cathedral, and procured the fragment of stone from him. He carried always an atmosphere of cheerfulness and goodwill. His humor stood him in good stead everywhere; his openhandedness
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won him troops of friends. He stood high in city life, and in his Church."
Mr. Washburn was formerly our minister to Switzerland, and a man of great personal magnetism. After his death, Dr. Huntington testified that Mr. Washburn's great personal charm of manner and temperament was a great factor in his ready acceptance of the Worcester call!
The Wednesday Club closed its twenty-sixth year with one hundred and seventy-seven members, the fourteenth annual dinner on this occasion being sent out to the various families. For church renovation the splendid sum of seven hundred dollars was appropriated.
For many years, now, the Silent Mission for the deaf and dumb had been performing its quiet, unostentatious, but efficient work; first with Dr. Gallaudet officiating, and now with Mr. Edwin W. Frisbie as lay-reader. The Parish House Fund had now reached the imposing total of $4,994.
Another red letter day on our calendar of honor is January II, 1903, when Reverend Thomas F. Davies was called from Christ Church, Norwich, to succeed Bishop Vinton. A native of Philadelphia (July 20, 1872), he graduated from Yale in 1894, and from the General Theological Seminary three years later. The Rt. Reverend Bishop of Michigan, his father, officiated at Dr. Vinton's consecration, it will be recalled. Directly following his ordination, our new rector served as assistant minister at the Church of the Incarna- tion, New York City. Reverend Frederic C. Lauderburn, chosen as rector's assistant at this time, was Mr. Davies' classmate at the Seminary. The All Saints Day United Festival Service for 1903 brought out a congregation of one thousand, with Reverend Eliot White, rector of St. John's, Worcester, as preacher.
Before the close of the year, a beautiful carved oaken pulpit of rich design was presented to the Parish by Miss Annie M. Lincoln, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Winslow Lincoln. The carving was executed by Hamill of Worcester.
The year 1904 witnessed the decease of Josiah H. Clarke,
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funeral services being held on June 2. Elected a vestryman in 1868, he gave thirty-six consecutive years of service in this position of responsibility. "Strong, conservative, yet eager, active and always keeping up with the present, he gave to the Parish, in its growth and development, not only sound service, good judgment and generous financial aid, but more than this and conspicuously during the building of the new All Saints he gave himself, his time, his unflagging interest, and his unwearied individual effort. Loyal to the Church, believing in its teachings, kind of heart and of sym- pathetic nature, he was happy in rounding out his seventy- six years. We miss him, we mourn his loss, we offer to his bereaved family our most respectful sympathy."
After less than two years' service at All Saints, our rector did us the honor to decline a most alluring call to the Phila- delphia church in which he was baptized, confirmed, and ordained to the ministry; the church, moreover, of which his father had been rector during twenty-one years.
The sharp rise in the communicant roll for 1905, from 702 to 1025, would indicate some radical change in the system of making the count. Frederick S. Pratt and Charles G. Washburn were the wardens; eleven vestrymen, headed by Edward L. Davis and Charles M. Bent; John W. Young and Edwin M. Frisbie were lay-readers, the latter in con- nection with the Silent Mission, whose quiet, but steady and valuable ministry has been already chronicled. A fragment of masonry from the Worcester Cathedral was this year presented to the Parish, and placed in the sacristy. At the Sunrise Service on Easter morning, April 24, the church was filled to overflowing.
Our good friend, Archdeacon Spurr of West Virginia, we find first mentioned in 1906, when the Girls' Friendly Society sent down to him a box of presents valued at $80. The next year witnessed the beginning of all our tercentenaries (now- adays so numerous) that of the first permanent settlement at Jamestown, celebrated with appropriate ceremony by nation, state, and church. In our Parish the following anniversaries were noted: Rev. Fernando C. Putnam's
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THOMAS F. DAVIES Rector 1903-19II
inauguration of regular services, the sixty-fifth; Consecra- tion of the First All Saints, the sixtieth (also, the establish- ment of the Church School); Dr. Huntington's opening of his ministry, the forty-fifth; and the consecration of the second All Saints, the thirtieth.
On April 23, the sixth annual convention of the new dio- cese was held in All Saints, the choirs of all the Episcopal churches participating. Bishop Vinton preached the ser- mon, in the course of which he referred feelingly to the death of Edmund L. Parker, longtime warden of St. John's, and of that equally sterling and devoted layman, Orlando W. Nor- cross, gratefully remembered as the ingenious and resource- ful builder of our church, who introduced pride and un- swerving honesty, as well as the best of stone and mortar, into that blessed fabric.
During the same year, 1907, the exquisite Rood-Screen, in memory of the late Josiah H. Clarke, was generously pre- sented by his widow. Designed by Ralph Adams Cram, it was of original and charming workmanship, installed by Irving and Casson of Boston, and suggested, as to form and plan, by an ancient screen at Totnes, Devonshire.
Next year, Miss Anne Waite Lovell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Luther M. Lovell, was set apart as a deaconess, the first in the new diocese. After attending the training school in New York City (established by Dr. Huntington) she began her duties at Christ Church, Springfield, with Reverend Charles L. Slattery.
Twenty-six years had now passed since the resignation of Dr. Huntington, when, on July 28, 1909, our whole Church united in mourning at his funeral in Mount Auburn Cem- etery. After this solemn ceremony Bishop Vinton wrote:
"By the death of the Reverend Dr. W. R. Huntington our Communion loses its foremost presbyter-and he has no successor! He founded no school, and could not properly be identified with any party of the Church. Singular in com- bination of temperament and talents, he was well qualified for leadership, and for many years he has been the most influential figure in the legislative house to which he belonged in the General Convention.
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"Dr. Huntington was a scholar, poet, theologian; a faith- ful parish priest, an exemplary Christian. He had delightful tastes and great executive power. To his initiative and per- sistent advocacy our Communion owes much that is a part of its contemporary life and activity. From the beginning of his ministry to its end, his heart was set upon Christian unity, and he never lost courage in the face of obstacles encountered through the years of his unremitting efforts to bring this great good thing to pass.
"Dr. Huntington loved Worcester. At his departure after a rectorship of twenty years, he told his people that he had given them (and necessarily the city, for he was a good citizen) the best years of his life. He had never lost interest in the place, its people, and its affairs. He set his mark indelibly upon church life there, and his name will ever be held in honor in the parishes he founded. Those who have known Dr. Huntington cannot forget the charm of his per- sonality, and they who have tested the depth and constancy of his affection are bereaved indeed. Our whole Church mourns."
In Dr. Huntington's will was left a legacy for All Saints Church of $1,000, to be known as the "Theresa Huntington Fund." The income was to be paid into the rector's Dis- cretionary Fund.
In part, on the Parish records, the vestry ordered to be entered :
. No name could have been given to this Fund that so touches the hearts and quickens the memory of all in this Parish who ever knew Theresa Huntington. Beautiful in person, gracious in manner, ready to respond to the ever varying requirements of home and Church, her influence, so long as she was spared to us, never failed to be in the direc- tion of a happy and united Parish. In loving and affection- ate remembrance of her excellent qualities the Communion Service always in use in All Saints Church, the willing gift of the Parish, stands as a sacred and enduring memorial."
Before his death, Dr. Huntington's dream of seeing his precious All Saints surrounded by the four Evangelists was actually realized, as during 1909 the first anniversary of St. Luke's mission was celebrated.
Next year it is pleasant to note that Dr. Huntington's
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favorite pair of doves, which had been painted out in the redecoration of the chancel of 1897, were now restored to their former place of distinction. This well merited honor gave the keenest pleasure to many of the older members of the Parish, who had watched them with loving affection during their childhood.
This decoration of the chancel was genuine hand-painted fresco, executed directly on the wet plaster by Sofus Master- son, the Danish artist, renowned the world over for his peculiar skill in this difficult type of work. His work at All Saints was under the personal direction of Mr. Ralph Adams Cram.
Early in 1911 the diocese suffered a grievous loss in the sudden and untimely death on January 18, from pneumonia, of her first bishop, before reaching the age of fifty-nine. Of a different type of churchmanship from Dr. Huntington, per- haps less magnetic, but equally noble in character, and effi- cient as priest and citizen, he was allotted to conserve and expand what Dr. Huntington had built. As administrator and executor he was unrivaled. Rev. Charles E. Hill, his chaplain at Springfield, wrote thus:
"His heart was on fire with missionary zeal. He once said that he had preached more sermons on missionary topics than on any other, and throughout his ministry Church Ex- tension was always the burden of his addresses. Truly a prince and a great man."
"A Memorial Service for the late Bishop Vinton was held the third Sunday after Epiphany in All Saints Church. The Sanctuary and the Bishop's Chair were draped in purple and black; also the Lectern and Pulpit. The address was by the Rt. Rev. Frederick Burgess, D.D., of Long Island, a Class- mate of Bishop Vinton at the General Theological Semi- nary."
"Bishop Vinton left $1,000 to the All Saints Women's Missionary Society to endow the scholarship now named for his mother-'The Eliza A. Vinton Scholarship.' "
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The tribute of the vestry to Bishop Vinton's memory follows, in part:
"A devoted Minister of this Church for eighteen years, he was universally beloved in his large Parish which was united in lending hearty support to his plans for the welfare of his people. We of his vestry came to realize the exceptional wisdom and foresight which marked his character, together with that intense earnestness which pervaded his life. In looking back upon the associations of his Rectorate we are conscious of the many blessings brought into our lives through his precept and example. The children of that period, who found in him a most helpful and sympathetic friend, now live to mourn the loss of a spiritual leader who was reverenced for his goodness and whose loyalty and affection for them never ceased."
The south transept, in October, was converted into a chapel, in memory of Mrs. Ethel Bartlett Henderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Halleck Bartlett, the donors. Altar, reredos, and credence table are of Caen stone; brasses and bookmarks are included among the furnishings of the chapel, which was dedicated on All Saints Day and chris- tened the "Chapel of the Evangelists." On this notable occasion the granddaughter of the donors, little Ethel Hen- derson Bartlett, niece of Mrs. Ethel Bartlett Henderson, received the sacrament of baptism in the new baptistry. This beautiful memorial was presented by Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Washburn in memory of their son, Charles Francis, and Reverend Philip Washburn. This baptistry was also built of Caen stone, and situated at the entrance to the cloister from the north aisle.
In the spring a mural tablet in memory of Dr. Huntington was offered as a gift to the Parish by Mrs. Henry Clarke and her daughter, Miss Harriet E. Clarke. At the vestry meeting at which this offer was gratefully accepted, it was voted that a similar tablet, in memory of Bishop Vinton, should be erected beside it, and Dr. Charles L. Nichols was designated treasurer of the fund to be raised for this purpose. As the tablets were erected on the south wall of the Chapel of the
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Evangelists, it was fitting that they should also be of Caen stone. The legends on the tablets follow:
Dr. Huntington's Tablet
"In memory of the Rev. William Reed Huntington, D.D., LL.D.,
Born September 20, 1838 Died July 26, 1909
Beloved Rector of All Saints Parish, 1862-1883
Champion of Church Unity. Leader of the Re- vision of the Book of Common Prayer. A great Presbyter of the Church-Pastor- Preacher-Statesman-Poet. In his Rectorship this Church was built."
Dr. Vinton's Tablet
"In memory of the Rt. Rev. Alexander Hamilton Vinton, D.D., LL.D.,
Born March 30, 1852 Died January 18, 19II Rector of All Saints Church 1884-1902
First Bishop of Western Massachusetts 1902-19II A rare Scholar-A tender Friend-Gentle, wise and true-Faithful Priest-Godly Bishop- This Tablet is the tribute of a grateful Parish."
At the Diocesan Convention of May 10, 19II the signal honor, for the second time in succession, fell to All Saints to give her rector as bishop, when the Reverend Thomas F. Davies was chosen as spiritual head of the diocese. Previous to our late rector's distinguished election as Bishop of Southern Ohio, All Saints had nurtured two other bishops, in addition to those here lately recorded: Rt. Rev. Thomas H. Vail, Bishop of Kansas, 1864-1888, (in whose case our contributory percentage of nurturing may not have been very high) and Rt. Rev. Alexander Mackay-Smith, Bishop of Pennsylvania, 1902-19II.
"The Consecration Service took place in All Saints Church on Wednesday, October 18, St. Luke's Day. The Rt. Rev. Daniel Sylvester Tuttle, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in America, and Bishop of Missouri, was the Con- secrator. He was assisted by the Rt. Rev. William Law- rence, Bishop of Massachusetts, and the Rt. Rev. Chauncey Bunce Brewster, Bishop of Connecticut. The preacher was
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the Rt. Rev. Frederick Burgess, Bishop of Long Island. The Presenters were Bishop Robert Codman, of Maine, and Bishop Charles David Williams, of Michigan."
On All Saints Night, at the customary Union Festival Service, Bishop Davies preached the sermon. The united choirs of all the Churches sang the traditional anthem, "Souls of the Righteous," by Dr. T. Tertius Noble.
The Episcopal robes for the bishop elect were provided as an affectionate gift by the women of All Saints Parish. The bishop's ring, designed by Ralph Adams Cram, was pre- sented by St. Matthew's while the handsome Bible delivered to the bishop at his consecration was another loving tribute, from the people of St. Luke's. As a token of their regard and affection for their former rector and new bishop, the men of All Saints presented him a purse of $500 on All Saints Day.
Gifted as an eloquent preacher, a wise administrator, and a friend of highest personal charm, Bishop Davies always receives a supremely cordial welcome to his former parish.
His prophetic initiative, followed by a constantly foster- ing care, has made St. Luke's mission and parish an essen- tial component of our Worcester Church system.
Our Parish records are "replete with evidences" of the unfailing loyalty and devotion of Hon. Edward Livingston Davis, who was called to rest on March 2, 1912. Follows the action of the vestry at their meeting of March II :
"Ten years ago the Vestry of All Saints reluctantly ac- cepted the resignation of their Senior Warden, Mr. Edward Livingston Davis, after many years of faithful service. Today we are called together to take action upon his death.
"A comprehensive study of Mr. Davis' active service in the Parish would cover a period of more than half a century. Upon the minutes of the Vestry was recorded, at the time of his release from the duties of Senior Warden, a brief his- tory of his official services. There was reference to the prominent part he had taken in both the old Diocese and the new, and of his recognized position in the Church at large, in the community, and in the hearts of his many friends."
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In August of this year, the vestry received the following letter from Livingston Davis:
"DEAR SIRS:
It would be a pleasure to my sister, Mrs. A. Winsor Weld, and myself to give to the Parish of All Saints, in memory of our father, Edward Livingston Davis, the sum of two thou- sand dollars, to be expended upon the organ of which he was so fond. It would be our desire that this should be spent expressly upon the mechanical and musical qualities of the instrument rather than upon its decoration. Trusting that this will be acceptable, Believe me,
Faithfully yours, LIVINGSTON DAVIS"
In his will, Mr. Davis left $2,000 to the Parish. He would probably wish us to remember, as his supreme service to All Saints, that he was chairman of the committee which, in 1862, induced young William Reed Huntington to cast in his lot with us.
CHAPTER IV
DR. MORRIS AND BISHOP HOBSON
Early in September, 1912, a call was extended to the Rev. Lewis Gouveneur Morris, rector of St. John's Church, Los Angeles, a Seminary classmate of Bishop Davies. Dr. Morris accepted the call, and arrived at All Saints on November first to take up his new duties. Bishop Davies conducted the installation service.
The list of confirmed persons was given in 1912, when Dr. Morris arrived, as 1,200; baptized persons, 2,500; with 285 pupils in Church School and 56 confirmations. The rector's salary was $4,500, and the total parochial expenditure $27,559.
The generous gift of Livingston Davis and his sister, Mrs. Weld, was used to install an electric motor for the organ, together with essential wiring, with the result that music- lovers found their pleasure in the beautiful instrument to be greatly enhanced.
The Babies' Branch of the Church School at this time had its name changed to Little Helpers, comprising all baptized children up to the age of eight, at which period they are graduated into the Junior Auxiliary. The Little Helpers therefore constitute a sort of kindergarten for the Missionary Society. This year the All Saints Branch gave $43.85 as its annual offering.
After almost thirty years of most acceptable service as organist, George Arthur Smith resigned his office on March 24, 1913. Before the end of the year, Charles I. Rice, choir- master during practically the same period of a full genera- tion, also severed his official connection with the Parish.
The Women's Missionary Society celebrated its thirty- fifth anniversary this year, having been organized under
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Dr. Huntington in 1878, with Mrs. Edward L. Davis as president. A constitution comprised of eight articles was drawn up by the rector, and adopted. In 1913 the member- ship had grown from thirty-nine charter members (of whom thirteen still survived) to two hundred and fifty-eight.
On All Saints Day, for the United Festival Service, we had the honor to be addressed by Rt. Reverend Peter T. Rowe, Bishop of Alaska.
The Towne estate, at the west of the church property, on Irving Street, was purchased at this time for $12,000, as a site for the Parish House. The fund accumulating during many years for this purpose now exceeded $20,000, to which a generous Easter offering of $16,500 was added. Fifty thousand had been set by the rector as the goal desired, but, at the beginning of the campaign (conducted under Mr. Reginald Washburn's able direction, like a regular Com- munity Chest affair) $23,000 was announced as the neces- sary objective. The contract was awarded, after plans by Ralph Adams Cram, to the Edward F. Miner Company, and the work completed at a total cost of $67,945. The corner- stone was laid October 8, 1916, and exactly seven months later, May 8, 1917, the finished structure was formally opened, with Mr. Charles G. Washburn as master of cere- monies. The speakers included Bishop Davies, Reverend Arthur J. Gammack, of Fitchburg, and Reverend Mr. Short. Mrs. Burton H. Wright directed the hospitality arrange- ments.
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