USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Church of Our Savior, Protestant Episcopal, in Longwood, Massachusetts > Part 9
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A bronze tablet memorial to Mrs. Wentworth has been placed under the memorial window to her husband on the northerly side of the nave, which window was given by Mrs. Wentworth in 1898.
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CHAPTER XI
THE WARDENS OF THE CHURCH
MEN OF STANDING AND ACCOMPLISHMENT BOTH IN CIVIC AND CHURCH LIFE
THE Church of Our Saviour has been exceptionally fortunate in its Wardens. All seven of these men have been servants of the public as well as of the Church, and noted for high character and wide influence for good in all walks of life, as well as for long and very useful service in the office of Warden. Two of them were Ward- ens in other churches before coming to Longwood, and others served a long time as vestrymen before their elec- tion to the higher office. For a record of the life and service of Dr. William R. Lawrence, the first Senior Warden, the reader is referred to Chapter V in this book.
SAMUEL LEONARD BUSH Warden 1868-1884
Mr. Samuel Leonard Bush, one of the first wardens of The Church of Our Saviour, and associate in that office for eleven years with Dr. William R. Lawrence, one of the two founders of the Church, was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, September 27, 1811. Educated as a churchman, on coming to Boston to reside he became a member and later a vestryman of Grace Church. A friend wrote of him that "the parish became the resort
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(Photo by the Alfred Brown Studio, Brookline) FRANCIS WILLIAM LAWRENCE
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of many young men over whom Mr. Bush exerted a very salutary influence. He was every inch a gentleman and attracted and held all who were associated with him. While active in every good word and work he was never obtrusive or meddlesome and never oblivious of the laws of courtesy. He was an earnest and devout believer without any narrowness or moroseness and he recom- mended the religion which he professed by his consistent, blameless and holy life. Whenever he entered the room sunshine came with him and we always felt enlivened as well as profited by his companionship. In 1848, Mr. Bush removed to New York where he resided seven years. Then he went to Auburn, New York, to super- intend a woolen mill where he remained eleven years. Returning to Boston in 1866 he became treasurer of the Lyman Mills, which office he held until his death. He took up his residence in Longwood. He was Junior Warden of this church from 1868 to 1877 and Senior Warden from 1877 until his death in 1884."
In a resolution adopted April 20, 1884, the Wardens and Vestry said: "We will ever cherish with grateful remembrance the invaluable services he has rendered for a period of sixteen years in the cause of this church and his care and solicitude and unremitting labor for the prosperity of the Parish, and while we bow submis- sive to the Divine Will, we deeply lament the calamity that has fallen upon us by the loss of so valued a mem- ber. Our heartfelt sorrow is mingled with deep and earnest gratitude for the example he has left us of a consistent, faithful and christian life and that the final summons found him ready and prepared."
In his year book the Rector, Reverend Doctor Howe, wrote of Warden Bush: "We remember gratefully his
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faithful devotion to the Church's welfare and give thanks for the good example of this servant of God."
SAMUEL H. GREGORY Warden 1879-1892
Samuel H. Gregory, an old-time Boston merchant, and the first merchant in that city to close his place of busi- ness on Christmas Day, was born November 22, 1814, and died August 3, 1893. Having been confirmed at the age of twelve, he became in manhood a loyal and de- voted churchman, being at different times connected with four Episcopal churches, holding high positions of trust in three of them. His family church was St. Paul's in Brookline. He was instrumental in the building of The Church of the Messiah in Boston and served as its Senior Warden. Later he became treasurer of St. Paul's Church in Boston. He was elected Junior Warden of The Church of Our Saviour in 1879 and Senior Warden in 1884, serv- ing until his death nine years later.
He founded the Church Home Society in Boston (its first offices being on Charles Street in that city), a so- ciety to aid socially handicapped children, which now has 140 associates in the 217 parishes and missions in the diocese. Upon his death, Reverend Doctor Howe wrote of him in his year book: "Many years a vestryman and warden, he was full of interest in everything pertaining to the parish and was an earnest communicant."
FRANCIS WILLIAM LAWRENCE Warden 1885-1903
Mr. Francis William Lawrence who was elected Warden in 1884 following the death of S. L. Bush, was born in
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Longwood, Massachusetts, in 1839. He was a son of William R. Lawrence and a nephew of Amos A. Lawrence, the two brothers who built The Church of Our Saviour. He died at his home in Longwood, March 10, 1903. Mr. Lawrence's name brings a sigh and a smile to those who knew him. He was a quiet man and a wit; a shy man and a boon companion; a sufferer yet always cheer- ful. His cheerfulness was based on his irrepressible spirit of fun and the patience of true christianity. From his boyhood he had severe attacks of asthma and this greatly influenced the action of his life though it failed to warp his character.
After his college days at Harvard and some courses in medicine he married Lucilla Train of Framingham and went immediately to one of the Sea Islands on the coast of South Carolina. There they lived during the years of Civil War; he practised medicine a little among his col- ored neighbors and enjoyed his favorite sport of shore- bird shooting.
On their return to Longwood they lived near his father, William R. Lawrence, at 108 Ivy Street, in a house built by his uncle, Amos Lawrence. In 1888, he built a house on Mountfort Street. His health did not permit the reg- ular pursuit of business, but in 1891, he became vice- president of the Brookline National Bank, afterwards the Brookline Trust Company, and in 1896, president, which office he held until his death. He was president of the Globe Gas Light Company for many years. He served on the Board of Selectmen of Brookline, 1881- 1888, being chairman for one year; a valuable service in which he showed judgment and ability. In philanthropy also he gave freely of time and money. The Boston Dis- pensary, Church Home Society and St. Luke's Home for
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Convalescents were his special interests. He was heartily devoted to his Church and Parish and always ready to share in its worship and activities. He was a member of the Corporation from its organization, and a warden for nineteen years until his sudden death of pneumonia, March 10, 1903. For years he was treasurer of the Guild, an organization for young people, to raise money for im- provements in the Church buildings and equipment. Its meetings were held after the morning service on Sun- day. The members never seemed to outgrow it and a good number of the congregation usually gathered in the Parish House on these occasions. The rector, Reverend Doctor Howe opened the meetings with prayer and then Mr. Lawrence had the floor. He led with sugges- tion and inspiration but the twinkle never left his eye and though he rarely laughed aloud himself, there was a constant ripple and often a shout from his audi- ence.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence were fond of music and their house was a meeting place for musical clubs. They took a great interest in the Church Choir and Choir Asso- ciation, giving a party annually for the latter organiza- tion, during its existence. Mr. Lawrence took an active part in the Christmas and Easter Festivals of the Sun- day School and how the children and choir used to sing when he led them with his cornet, and what an amusing Santa Claus he was!
His social life suffered, as everything else, from the ill- ness that came suddenly upon him at all seasons, causing sleepless nights when he had to sit upright, and days when he had to gasp for every breath. He loved "Topping- wold" his place at Bar Harbor, Maine, and at times kept well there for months. His many friends and the circle of
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cousins and nieces and nephews, who frequented the house that he and Mrs. Lawrence made so attractive, still quote his quaint sayings, and remember him with strong affection and admiration.
At a special meeting of the surviving Wardens and the Vestry, on March 19, 1903, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, by the will of Almighty God, the Parish and The Church of Our Saviour has been deprived by death of its Senior Warden, Francis William Lawrence, we the Vestry of said Church of Our Saviour desire to record our deep sense of grief in the loss of a faithful Christian worker in the Church, a beloved friend and a valued counsellor.
Mr. Lawrence has been a constant worshipper here ever since the Church was built and presented to the corporation by his father and uncle in 1868.
After being a vestryman for several years he became treasurer of the Church Corporation in 1877, serving for two years in that capacity. He was Junior Warden from 1884 to 1892 and Senior Warden for the succeeding years until his death.
The Church owes much to his faithful work and wise counsel. As a token of our sense of bereavement we direct that this reso- lution be inscribed in the records of the corporation, and that a copy be sent to his afflicted family.
Concerning Mr. Lawrence, Dr. Howe wrote in his next year book:
No one has been more closely associated with the Parish from the beginning, no one in various capacities more identi- fied with its interests, no figure in it more familiar to all our people. The community felt themselves indeed bereft when so suddenly he was taken from us.
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ALONZO POTTER HOWARD Warden 1892-1902
Mr. Alonzo Potter Howard, born in 1838, who had been a vestryman for twenty-three years, or since 1869, was elected Junior Warden in 1892 to succeed Francis W. Lawrence, who then became Senior Warden. He served as warden for ten years until his death in the summer of 1902.
The story of Mr. Howard's long service to the church and parish is succinctly told in a resolution adopted by the Wardens and Vestry on November 10, 1902, which was as follows :-
The Wardens and Vestry of The Church of Our Saviour desire to place upon record their deep sorrow and sense of per- sonal loss in the death of their friend and associate, Alonzo Potter Howard, which took place at Bar Harbor, Maine, August 27, 1902. For thirty-three years continuously Mr. Howard served the parish as a member of the Board, having been elected a vestryman in 1869, one year after the organiza- tion, and a warden in 1892. He was a devout christian, a con- stant attendant at the church services, an earnest and con- scientious worker, and a kindly and genial friend. He took a warm interest in all matters pertaining to the parish and was ever ready with sound advice and wise counsel. For over thirty years he was a valued member of the Committee on Music and his Christmas and Easter carols were always among the prin- cipal attractions of our Sunday School Festivals. Always faithful in his attendance at our meetings, his place in our lives and hearts can never be filled. Voted that the above be spread upon the records and that a copy be sent to Mr. Howard's family.
Concerning Mr. Howard, Dr. Howe wrote for his next Year Book:
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Not in a long time has the Parish been called to mourn one who from almost the beginning of its life has been so devoted to its interests, so lavish of his time and thought for its welfare. Both as Warden and as a member of the Music Committee he was faithful and untiring in the service of the Church.
AUGUSTUS THORNDIKE, M.D. Warden 1902-1927
Dr. Augustus Thorndike, who served as junior warden one year following the death of Alonzo P. Howard and then as senior warden, in succession to Francis W. Law- rence, for twenty-four years-a total service of a quarter of a century, is a son of Charles and Mary E. (Edgar) Thorndike and was born in Paris, France, in 1863. He attended the Noble School for boys on Winter Street, Boston, 1876-1880, and graduated from Harvard Uni- versity with the degree of B.A. in 1884 and from the Harvard Medical School with the degree of M.D., in 1888. He served as house officer in the House of the Good Samaritan 1885-87, the Massachusetts General Hospital 1887-89, and the Boston Lying-In Hospital in 1889. In the latter year he became interested with his colleague, Dr. E. H. Bradford, in bringing about the inception of special education for crippled and handicapped chil- dren, which virtually began in 1883 at the Industrial School for Crippled and Deformed Children in Boston- a day school designed to provide for them the same bene- fits which the blind and deaf derive from special train- ing and in addition to impart a modicum of proficiency in some trade or industry to enable the cripple to earn his livelihood in whole or in part in after life. He retains his interest in that school, being one of the trustees.
In the summer of 1890 Dr. Thorndike was physician to
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the Point Lookout Club on the Isle au Haut, Maine, after which he began the practice of medicine at 101 Bea- con Street, Boston. He soon became Visiting District Physician to the Boston Dispensary and after two years one of the surgeons there; became Visiting Surgeon at the House of the Good Samaritan and an assistant sur- geon to the Out Patient Department of the Children's Hospital, Boston. At these two institutions he had charge of children needing orthopedic treatment. He became an Orthopedic Surgeon, and taught that branch of Surgery in the Harvard Medical School, 1893-1919. He is the author of an illustrated Hand Book on Orthopedic Sur- gery.
Dr. Thorndike has served as President of the Ameri- can Orthopedic Association and is a member also of the American Medical Association, the American College of Surgeons, the Massachusetts Medical Benevolent So- ciety and the Boston Society of Medical Science. He has read original papers at their meetings and partici- pated in their discussions. From 1883 to 1886 he was a member of the First Corps of Cadets, M.V.M.
Dr. Thorndike began attending The Church of Our Saviour in the Spring of 1868, at the very beginning of the Church's life. He was only five years of age. His parents had then removed from Newport, Rhode Island, and taken a residence on Hawes Street near the Church. He is one of the few survivors who remember the first rector, Reverend Elliott D. Tomkins, who called fre- quently upon his parents-"a young, slender man, short of stature with sandy hair, blue eyes and a very friendly but shy manner." He also remembers his mother's ac- count of a meeting of the women of the Parish, at the home of Mrs. Amos A. Lawrence, to plan for sewing for
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(Photo by the Alfred Brown Studio, Brookline)
Left, AUGUSTUS THORNDIKE, M.D. Center, EDWARD B. RICHARDSON. Right, PHILIP STANLEY PARKER
THE WARDENS OF THE CHURCH
the poor. Since there were no very poor people in Long- wood at that time it was decided to hem handkerchiefs for needy students at the theological school. During most of the rectorate of Reverend Frank L. Norton, the second rector, the Thorndike family were in France. On returning in 1876 they resided in Boston and attended The Church of the Good Shepherd where Dr. Thorndike was confirmed. Removing later to Brookline they at- tended St. Paul's Church for a time and then returned to The Church of Our Saviour soon after the coming as rector of Reverend Reginald Heber Howe.
Dr. Thorndike recalls that when the boy choir first appeared in vestments it was considered by many as very high church.
Mrs. Thorndike is a daughter of Dr. Robert Amory, . for some years Superintendent of the Church School, and granddaughter of Amos A. Lawrence, one of the founders of this Church.
Looking backward through the years, Dr. Thorndike thinks the Church has reason to be grateful for the wonderful spiritual leadership with which it has been blessed-"Tomkins, Norton, Howe, Sherrill, Ogilby, fine men, as widely different as men could be, yet each an earnest, true, loyal priest, devoting the best of conse- crated lives to the service of God and the Church."
PHILIP STANLEY PARKER Warden 1903-
Philip Stanley Parker, who became Junior Warden of The Church of Our Saviour in 1903 in succession to Dr. Augustus Thorndike, and Senior Warden in 1927 upon Dr. Thorndike's resignation of that office, is a son of James C. D., and Maria (Derby) Parker, long-time mem-
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bers of the Parish of The Church of Our Saviour. His father was for many years organist of Trinity Church in Boston. Mr. Parker was born in Boston, January 13, 1868. His parents removed to Brookline in 1871 and as a boy, Philip attended the primary school on St. Mary's Street, the Lawrence Grammar School and the Boston Latin School, preparing for college in the Latin School from 1880 to 1886. In the latter year he entered Har- vard. Being absent from college for two years he was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1892 as of the Class of 1890. The next three years were spent in the Harvard Law School from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1895. In the same year he was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar. In 1907 he was ad- mitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. For thirty-six years, Mr. Parker has been a member of Boston law firms and has been almost con- tinually in public service. For some years from 1903, he was a member of the Boston law firm of Goodwin, Dresel and Parker. At the present writing he is a member of the firm of Goodwin, Parker, Raymond & Comstock.
Mr. Parker has been director and Vice President of the Brookline Friendly Society and Vice President of the Brookline Anti-Tuberculosis Society. From 1900 to the present time he has served as a member of the Brookline town advisory committee. From 1906 to 1923 he served as Selectman, being Chairman of the board thirteen years, from 1910 to 1923. For fourteen consecutive years he has been elected annually to be Moderator of the town meetings, a position comparable to that of Mayor in some cities. During the World War he was Chairman of the Public Safety Committee. From 1896 to 1899 he was Clerk of the Municipal Court of Brookline, a Special
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Justice of the court from 1904 until 1925, and he has been Judge of the court from 1925 to date. Chosen in 1928 to be a member of the Administrative Committee of District Courts he was made Chairman of that Com- mittee in 1933. Since 1928 he has been Presiding Jus- tice of the Appellate Division for the Southern District. For several years he has served Brookline as Special Town Counsel. In the history of Brookline many citi- zens have served the town long and faithfully, but it is doubtful if any has served in such a variety of impor- tant positions or has been more familiar with the details of town affairs and had so wide an acquaintance and com- manded greater respect than has this distinguished citizen.
Mr. Parker has been equally prominent in Church and Diocesan affairs. Every year but one from 1903 to date . he has been a delegate from his church to the Diocesan Convention, and since 1916 a member of the Massachu- setts Standing Committee. In 1916, he was chosen a delegate from Massachusetts to the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and has been chosen to every triennial convention since, seven in all. He served as a member of the Diocesan Council from 1920 to 1933, and of the National Council from 1922 to 1925, being chosen again for that body in 1933. In 1912, he was President of the Episcopalian Club.
In financial and fiduciary affairs, Mr. Parker's services and counsel have been similarly sought. He is a Director of the Brookline Trust Company and Brookline Savings Bank and from 1904 until its disbanding he was a Trustee of the Corey Hill Hospital, the largest hospital in the town and one of the largest in greater Boston. In 1904-5 he was Secretary of the Brookline Education Society and its President in 1906-8.
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Mr. Parker is a member of the American Bar Associ- ation, the Bar Association of the City of Boston, the Somerset Club, the Union Club, the Country Club and the Central Lunch Club, and has been a member of the Boston City Club and the Harvard Clubs of Boston and New York.
For over a third of a century Mr. Parker has been a leader in the affairs of The Church of Our Saviour and perhaps more closely identified with its management than any other member.
EDWARD B. RICHARDSON Warden 1927-
Edward B. Richardson was born in Savannah, Georgia, July 21, 1875, a son of Edward C. and Catherine E. (Weed) Richardson, residents of Boston. He was chris- tened in Christ Church, Quincy, in the autumn of that year, by Reverend Reginald Heber Howe, then rector of that church, thus becoming associated, in a way, with Reverend Doctor Howe before any other member of the present corporation of The Church of Our Saviour, pos- sibly before any other present communicant of this church, except Dr. Howe's daughter, Mrs. George S. Parker. He prepared for college in the Noble and Green- ough School and graduated from the Massachusetts In- stitute of Technology in 1898 with the degree of Bach- elor of Science in Electrical Engineering. For twelve years thereafter he was associated with a Boston firm of Consulting Engineers; and was a partner in the firm of Richardson & Hall, Consulting Engineers, 1910-1917. In the latter year the firm was dissolved as both partners entered the United States military service. Since 1920, he has been a partner in the firm of Richardson & Gay,
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Consulting Engineers, of Boston. He has served as rep- resentative town meeting member in Brookline since the inauguration of that system of town government in 1921. He also served on the Brookline Committee of Safety and for several years was a member of the Town Ad- visory Committee.
In 1905, Mr. Richardson joined Battery A Massachu- setts Volunteer Militia, serving eight years in the ranks. In 1913, he was elected second lieutenant, in 1914 first lieutenant, and in 1916, rose to the rank of captain. In the summer of 1916 he commanded that Battery as a part of the First Massachusetts Field Artillery, National Guard, on the Mexican border. In 1917, he was chosen major of the first batallion of the same regiment and was mustered into the Federal service, his regiment becom- ing the 101st Federal artillery brigade of the 26th divi- sion. Going to France in 1917 he served with his regi- ment in Chemin-des-Dames and Toul defensive sectors, and in the Champagne-Marne and Aisne-Marne offen- sives. On August 3, 1918, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to the 25th Federal Artillery at Camp Mclellan, Anniston, Alabama, during its training period. Before this regiment was ready to sail for France the Armistice was signed and in Janu- ary, 1919, Mr. Richardson was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Colonel Richardson early became associated with Trin- ity Church, Boston, and was a member of its Church School. He transferred to The Church of Our Saviour in 1905 and received the rite of confirmation from Bishop Lawrence in 1907. He became a member of the Corpora- tion, April 17, 1911, a member of the Vestry, January 17, 1912, and was elected Junior Warden, January 17, 1927.
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He joined the Episcopalian Club of Massachusetts in 1910, became a member of its council in 1920, was elected Second Vice President in 1922, First Vice President in 1923, and President in 1924, serving the customary one year. He also has served as President of the Men's Club of The Church of Our Saviour.
When an attempt was made to rehabilitate St. Stephen's Church in Boston, Bishop Lawrence requested Colonel Richardson to serve on the vestry of that church, but he felt he could not leave The Church of Our Saviour.
Colonel Richardson is one of three trustees of the Union Chapel at Magnolia, in the management of which he was active for years when summering in that place prior to 1922.
On September 24, 1903, Colonel Richardson was united in marriage with Miss Elsie G. Pillsbury. They reside at 25 Lenox Street, Longwood, and have four children, all of whom have been connected with the Church School of The Church of Our Saviour.
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CHAPTER XII
THE WOMAN'S ORGANIZATIONS
A RECORD OF FAITHFUL DEVOTION AND VALUABLE AID DURING THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
THE history of the women's work in any parish is largely the history of organizations.
It is sometimes questioned whether organizations help or detract from the spiritual well-being of a parish. Such a question can never be conclusively answered, but this Chapter should throw some light on the subject as regards this particular parish.
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