USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > Records of proceedings, etc., in the parish of St. James' Church, Greenfield, from the first formation of the society, September 24th, A. D. 1812 > Part 6
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He received some business training in New York in the years 1855 and 1856 and in the fall of the latter year entered the General Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1859. He was ordained deacon in Trinity Church, New York on July 4th of that year by the Rt. Rev. Horiatio Potter; and priest, July 3rd, 1860 by the Rt. Rev. John Williams of Connecticut. In 1863 he be- came Chaplain of the 16th Regiment of Connecticut Vol- unteers and saw active service.
He came to Greenfield and "officiated in St. James Church for the first time on the Sunday before Christ- mas 1863. On Septuagesima Sunday, January 24th, 1864, he commenced duty as regular supply for the parish until Easter Day, March 27th, 1864, at which time he became Rector, having been elected to that position on the 24th of February."
Meantime the men of the Parish had worked hard to clear off all current indebtedness and at Easter all bills were declared paid and a balance in the treasury.
At the annual Vestry meeting Messrs. James Long and George Barr were appointed a committee on music. It is interesting to note that it was "voted that Mr.
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George Barr be authorized to take lessons in music at the expense of the Parish." Here is a suggestion which some other parishes even in modern times might profit- ably follow.
The great event of 1865 was the introduction of gas- light into the Church. This great step in advance was marked with solemn ceremony. St. Paul's choir under the direction of S. Parkman Tuckerman, Musc. Doct. Oxon., came up from Boston and gave a sacred concert on the night of the first illumination. In that same year Mr. John Russell made a proposition to the Parish whereby he was to pay one half the debt on the Rectory if the people would raise the other half. This was done and the entire debt amounting to $1700 was removed.
In 1866 the Rector's salary was raised. It was also voted "that the committee on the Church cause a good and suitable lightning rod to be put upon the east end of the Church." In September of this year consent was given to the erection of a tablet in the Church "to the memory of the late Rev. Titus Strong." Henry W. Clapp, Isaac Miles and Miss Alma Stone were appointed a committee to be in charge of such memorial. In Nov- ember the tablet was placed in the Church and dedicated by Bishop Williams, always a loyal son and friend of the parish.
In 1867 the question of more adequate facilities for doing the work of the parish was considered by the Vestry. All meetings had hitherto been held either in the Church or at the Rectory or at other scattered places about the Parish. It was felt that things should be concentrated at some one point, and that, near the Church. It was also the time when Parish Organizations were beginning to be made something of, and indeed were proving their worth and value. A committee was therefore appointed in the persons of Mr. Finch and Mr. C. C. Conant to see what could be done in the matter.
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In 1868 at the parish meeting held in April, plans and estimates for building a chapel were brought to the attention of the people. After some discussion it was voted to build as soon as the money could be raised for that purpose and Messrs. J. H. Hollister, C. C. Conant and George Pierce, Jr., were appointed a building com- mittee. But in September of this same year a special meeting was called and after long argument it was voted to build instead a new Rectory and to sell the old house at auction. $200 were subsequently appropriated to be paid the Rector as an equivalent for house rent while the new Rectory was being built. Rev. Mr. Finch and Messrs. C. C. Conant and John Russell were the commit- tee in charge of the new Rectory. They went to work with a will and in the spring of 1869 the building com- menced. On September 28th the house was opened for the inspection of the Parish and on the following day Mr. Finch took possession. The total cost of the property was about $8300. The parish must have been in a flour- ishing state, as it was decided at this time to put more pews into the church.
Another attempt was also made to raise the Rector's salary, but he declined with thanks, feeling that the fi- nances of the Parish would not as yet stand it.
In July he addressed the following letter to the Vestry on the general subject of finance.
"To the Wardens and Vestry of St. James' Church, Gentlemen,
In calling you together this evening I have been instigated by a motive which from a spiritual point of view, should be the instigating motive with all of us: the welfare of our parish.
We occupy an outpost of the Episcopal Church in this Diocese, a Church whose form of government and mode of worship, are, by no means, as yet, popular in New Eng-
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land. The ground that we have gained has been in the face of long established prejudices, and considerable op- position. We have gained ground, however, and are still gradually gaining-our system commending itself to those who can be induced to examine its distinctive peculiari- ties, for its orderly and quiet methods.
The work of forwarding the interests of our beloved Zion in this particular district, rests upon us. And the responsibility is great. There is a vast outlying Mis- sionary field all round us. Fitchburg is the nearest par- ish of our name to the East of us, and, excepting the small parish at Ashfield, North Adams to the West. The parishes at Brattleboro, and Northampton, points each 20 miles distant from us, bound us on the North and South. This large surrounding field, faithfully and suc- cessfully worked, will strengthen our hands and give us influence here at home. But before the field can be worked with any prospect of success, this central parish must be placed on a firm foundation. Much has been done already towards this end by preceding faithful rectors and their equally faithful lay coadjutors. Your kind co- operation and that of other members of the parish, has enabled the present rector to carry forward the work, and build on the foundations which others have laid. To God be all the glory for whatever, as colabourers together with Him, we have accomplished. Still we have by no means finished the task that we have taken upon us in our efforts to make our parish secure, and to give it an influence in the community that shall be more abund- antly felt. Nor shall we have finished that task until our Rectory and Sunday School Room are built and paid for. It is not of the latter that I would speak now, but of the building that we have already on our hands. It is a beautiful building, economical and convenient in its struc- ture, corresponds with the church edifice in architecture, and has greatly improved the value of our church prop-
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erty. Still, unless something is speedily done, there will be a debt upon it at its completion; and nothing I con- ceive, is so damaging to the interests, temporal and spiritual, of a parish, as a debt.
Twenty-five hundred dollars more will be needed by the time the Rectory is finished. Can we not raise this sum at once? Our neighbors, the Congregationalists, have lately raised $36,000 for society purposes. Surely with the wealth with which God has blessed us as a par- ish, we should not stickle at making up the few remain- ing hundreds of the comparatively small sum of $7000. It will be easier to raise this money now before the house is done, than it will be after its completion. Let us make one more effort then, and, putting our shoulders man- fully to the wheel, raise the amount.
We shall see the happy result of this course in the ad- ditional confidence that we shall thereby acquire in the community, and in the consequent more rapid growth of our parish. At all events, whatever may be the result in this respect, we shall feel that we have discharged our whole duty in the premises as the almoners of wealth which God has given us to use in His Service, and for the spread of the Gospel of His dear Son.
That God may help you an hundred fold for all your efforts in His cause; and that He will put it into your hearts always to think and to do such things as are right, is the ever constant prayer of your
Sincere friend & pastor,
P. Voorhees Finch.
(signed )
Greenfield, Mass.,
July 19th, 1869."
It was voted to raise by subscription $2500.
In the spring the parish had lost the service of Henry W. Clapp, for long years a loyal and active member. The following memorial was adopted at the parish meeting that year.
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"In looking back over the past history of our church in this town, we the members of St. James' Parish, can- not but recall with gratitude that under God we are in- debted to Mr. Clapp for a large measure of our prosper- ity as a church. It was the fact of our parish being es- tablished here which influenced him to select this town as his place of residence. On his removal hither he at once took an active interest in the affairs of the parish, and it was through his liberality, mainly, that the pres- ent beautiful stone church was erected, which now adorns our village. Faithful and efficient in the discharge of every duty, strictly honest and upright in all his many and varied business relations, his loss will be felt by the community generally, as well as by this parish, in which for so many years he was a constant worshipper."
In 1870 it was voted in parish meeting to make the pews free and to raise money by subscription for the sup- port of the parish. In October the question of removing the pulpit and reading desk, and substituting stalls and lec- tern for them came up before the parish, and was re- ferred to the Vestry for action. Evidently the decision to make the church free was somewhat premature, be- cause the following year the parish returned to the pew system, ordering that rentals be paid quarterly, a ruling which is still in effect at this writing.
It is difficult to account for the following letter, com- ing as it did at a time when the parish was active and energetic and prosperous. It perhaps goes to show that even under the best of conditions there are always croak- ers and pessimists who like to seek and find trouble. In- stead of going to work with all the vigor and loyalty they had to discover the real difficulty they complained and found fault. And of course the Rector became aware of it. The letter that follows is a fine example of manly straightforwardness. It throws such light on the character of Mr. Finch that it finds a rightful place here.
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"St. James Rectory, Greenfield, Mass., July 18th, 1870.
To the Wardens & Vestry Of St. James Church, Gentlemen:
It has of late been brought to my notice in various ways, that the attendance upon the services of our Church has been diminishing. It is a fact, I think of which we must all of us be too painfully aware. Of course, as Christians, we can have but one common object in view, and that is to labor as best we can, for the prosperity of our Zion. That the parish has labored zealously to this end, is a fact patent to everyone. As I think of what has been accomplished during the past few years, I can only speak words of en- couragement and commendation. Personally, also, I have experienced nothing but kindness at your hands. Still the fact of the small congregations remains, and I am all the while harassed with the suspicion that my min- istrations as pastor, may not be satisfactory to the people of my charge. I have been assured by the Senior War- den and by others that such was not the case. Still we all know that when such a state of things exists in a parish, no one cares to undertake the task of communi- cating the disagreeable truth to the rector. He is gen- erally left to find that out for himself.
Impressed as I am therefore, with the fact, notwith- standing all that has been said by my friends to the contrary, that a change in the rectorship of the parish may be desirable; and acting on a principle which I be- lieve to be a correct one, namely, that no personal in- terest should be allowed to stand in the way of the prosperity of the Church, I herewith respectfully relin- quish my charge of St. James Parish, with many grate- ful remembrances of the kindness of its members to my-
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self and family, and with the sincere prayer that God will help you in the future as he has done in the past, and keep you a united people.
Resignation to take effect the 1st of Sept. or at the present time as the Vestry may think best.
I am, Gentlemen, Truly yours,
(Signed)
P. Voorhees Finch."
On the evening of the same day "at a full meeting of the Wardens and Vestry of St. James Parish it was unanimously voted
That we have received with much regret the com- munication of our Rector Rev. P. V. Finch-announcing his resignation of the Rectorship of our Parish.
That his ministrations as our Pastor are entirely sat- isfactory to us as individuals and we believe they are so to the people of the Parish generally-and that we do earnestly and respectfully request him to withdraw his resignation."
Also it was on motion voted "that a vacation be given to our Rector during the whole month of August."
So the Vestry showed its wisdom and good sense.
In May, 1871, the Vestry voted "that we should see more of the Bishop of the Diocese." As far back as that there was growing dissatisfaction with the size of a dio- cese which permitted only infrequent visits from the Dio- cesan. Thirty years later the problem was worked out with the division of the Diocese and the foundation of that of Western Massachusetts.
On the 10th of July 1871 Mr. Finch sent his resigna- tion to the Vestry to take effect the first of October fol- lowing.
With great regret as expressed in the following res- olutions the Parish saw him go.
"At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestry of St. James
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Church of Greenfield held on the 27th day of July 1871. The following resolutions were passed.
"Whereas
Our beloved Rector the Rev. P. Voorhees Finch on the 10th inst tendered his resignation as Rector of this Parish and gave such reasons therefor as we cannot feel at liberty to disregard, therefore
Resolved,
That we reluctantly accept his resignation-the same to take effect on the 1st day of October next, as re- quested by him in his note of resignation.
Resolved.
That we greatly regret the Sundering of the ties that bind the hearts of this Parish to him, who has so acceptably filled the office of Rector for nearly eight years past.
Resolved.
That we bear unqualified testimony that he has ever taught us sound doctrines, and has preached the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ, earnestly, ably and faithfully, and that in going from us, he and his family bear with them, the best wishes of the Parish, and their prayers that the best blessings of heaven may ever rest upon them. A True copy
Attest
(Signed)
Chas. K. Grennell Clerk
Resolutions of The Vestry of St. James Church July 27, 1871."
Mr. Finch on the 15th of October became Rector of St. John's Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
ST. JAMES RECTORY, 1869.
Hi.
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PERIOD BETWEEN MR. FINCH'S FIRST AND SECOND RECTORSHIPS.
On Good Friday, March 29th, 1872, the Rev. Julius Henry Waterbury, A. M., entered upon his duties as Rector 'of St. James' church, having been called there- to in December of the year preceding. Mr. Waterbury took hold at once of the missionary work of the parish. He did faithful service in Turners Falls, holding meet- ings there twice each month. A lot was secured and it was hoped that a chapel might be erected, but that never came to pass. For two successive years we read of a committee of the Vestry being appointed to advise with and assist the Rector in his mission work at Turners Falls, a very wonderful accomplishment indeed.
Very shortly after Mr. Waterbury's arrival, the sub- ject of a place for the meetings of the various parish organizations again came up. It had long been dis- cussed, but the pressure of other things had interfered with any very definite action. Now, under a new leader, and with the vigorous support of the women and children of the parish, who together raised nearly $2000., it was decided to build at once, or as soon as sufficient money had been pledged. On the 2nd of September, 1872, the corner stone was laid with proper ceremony. "At 6 1/2 o'clock, p. m., the Sunday School met in the church, when, after brief prayer by the Rector, they proceeded in procession, under Capt. George Pierce, Jr., and marched out to the corner stone, singing as they went the hymn " Work for the Night is Coming." Two little
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girls preceded the others, strewing the pathway with flowers, while each child had a bouquet. At the corner stone, after an exhortation and prayer by the Rector, the children repeated the Lord's Prayer, the Apostle's Creed and the Ten Commandments. The stone, contain- ing a copper box of documents, was then placed in posi- tion and covered with a shower of flowers. Another hymn was then sung and the procession re-formed and marched back to the church singing "There's a Friend for Little Children." The Rev. Mr. Waterbury then ad- dressed the children and congregation in well chosen words, paying a beautiful tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Finch, who took a deep interest in the work. He was followed by the Hon. C. C. Conant, the Superintendent of the Sunday School. The children sang more hymns, and the service closed with the benediction."
So began the erection of what was on a small scale a real Parish House. It was left unconsecrated pur- posely, and in the forty years that elapsed before it became a part of the present enlarged group of buildings, it served the church well. No one can know the amount of work that was accomplished by the women in particular in the old building we now speak of as the Guild House.
Mr. Waterbury was a great lover of music, and gave much of his time to that branch of the church's life. He himself published several books of hymns, and be- came well known for his work in that direction. He was greatly interested in children, and the Sunday School became very strong under his leadership, seconded by his able lay-superintendent, Mr. Conant.
He started an organization for the young people of the parish, which bore the curious name of "The M. Y. O. B's," which being interpreted signified "The Mind Your Own Business Society." For some time it was ex- ceedingly popular and active.
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In 1873 the parish at its annual meeting suggested "that the evergreen trees in front of the church should be removed." This was done, much to our present sor- row. Fashions change even here, for now we are try- ing to grow a few evergreens about the church yard.
The following year a strange article appeared in the warrant threatening the sale of the Rectory in order to pay off floating indebtedness. The good sense of the people, however, showed itself in that such sale was indefinitely deferred, and the crisis in the financial affairs of the church again, as always, passed over.
On the 29th of June, 1874, Mr. Waterbury resigned to accept a call to St. John's Church, East Boston. His letter follows :-
St. James' Rectory, S. Peter's Day, 1874.
To the Wardens and Vestrymen of
St. James' Church, Greenfield, Mass.
Having received a call to another field of church work, I herewith resign the charge of the parish in which you are the lay representatives.
Grateful for the many favors received at your hands and wishing every member of the parish the riches of the Divine blessing, also to each of you the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ,
I am in the Faith your brother and servant,
J. H. Waterbury.
The Vestry passed this minute-
"Whereas the Rev'd. Julius H. Waterbury has ten- dered his resignation as Rector of St. James' Church in order to accept a new and wider field of usefulness at East Boston, therefore
Resolved-
That while we deem it our duty to accept his res-
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ignation, we desire to express our deep sense of obliga- tion to him for his zealous and faithful services as Rector of this parish.
Resolved-
That the Clerk of the parish be ordered to place these resolutions on the records of the parish, and send a copy thereof to the Rev. Mr. Waterbury."
From the 5th of July, 1874, when Mr. Waterbury preached his last sermon as Rector, until the following May the parish was without a minister. The services were maintained by supplies.
In February 1875 the Vestry, having been so auth- orized by the parish, issued a call to the Rev. Samuel Hollingsworth, S. T. D., late Rector of St. Peter's church, Port Chester, New York. He accepted and began his work on Sunday, May 30th.
The following March in parish meeting this resolu- tion was passed :-
"Whereas, since the last annual meeting Charles K. Grennell, who for thirty-seven years past has been the clerk and treasurer of St. James' parish has suddenly deceased,
Resolved, that the parish of St. James' Church, while mourning his sudden decease, bears grateful testimony to his long continued faithful service as a parish officer, to his integrity and uprightness as a business man, and to his insistent daily Christian life."
In 1877 again it was proposed to sell the Rectory in order to pay off the debt of the parish, but probably no one took it seriously for we hear nothing more of it. In 1879 at the parish meeting the Aid Society had given it a special note of thanks for helping to carry the interest on the parish debt. It was also voted that all the ladies in the parish be invited to attend future parish meetings. In September of this year Mr. Hollingsworth resigned.
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Because little is recorded as to his ministry we need not therefore imagine that little was accomplished. Quite the contrary is the real fact. He was a thorough- going man of affairs, and through his judicious man- agement the church was enabled to free itself from a depressing and embarrassing debt. This simple record tells its own story. "On Easter Day, 1876, a special effort was made toward the reduction of the debt of the parish. On this occasion the sum of $3,234.35 in cash and pledges (extending over one to five years) was presented as an offering upon the Holy Table."
With all his business gifts he was a man of scholarly tastes and habits, and he not only edified but charmed his people by his preaching. He left the parish in order that he might take his wife, who suffered from a severe and distressing illness, to Bermuda. The affection of the parish for him is well . expressed in the following minute-
"Whereas the Rev. Samuel Hollingsworth, Rector of this parish, has tendered his resignation as Rector to take effect the last of October next, and has given such reasons therefor as cannot be disregarded by us, we hereby resolve that we accept his resignation according to his request. That we hereby express our appreciation of him personally as our Rector, and of his earnest, able and efficient ministry in this parish. That while he leaves us with the sorrowful regret of the whole parish, our kindest wishes and prayers will ever fol- low him, that he may long continue an able and faithful minister of Christ and His church."
Mr. Hollingsworth preached his farewell sermon on Tuesday, November 2nd, expecting to sail for Bermuda on November 6th.
THE SECOND RECTORSHIP OF MR. FINCH.
Early in November 1879, the parish voted unanimously to re-call the Rev. P. V. Finch as Rector. Mr. Finch after leaving Pittsburgh, had spent six years in charge of St. John's Church, Denver, Colorado. He accepted the invitation given him, and a month later, December 7th, resumed the care of St. James' parish. For nearly twenty five years this happy relation continued. It is not possible to give an adequate history of those years. The bare outline of events which is here set down must be clothed upon by those who were here, out of many tender memories; and by those who have come since, out of the powers of imagination. The records give us only a very meagre and incomplete story, one which does not begin to tell of all that came to pass.
In 1880 the parish voted to extend its thanks to Mrs. Charles R. Field, Mrs. Charles R. Lowell and Mr. Ben- jamin F. Popkins "for the faithfulness and ability with which they have rendered the singing during the many past years." The next year resolutions were adopted "expressing the sense of loss felt by the parish at the death of William Keith and S. P. Breck."
In 1882 the Vestry approved with pleasure the propo- sition made by certain residents of Hartford, Connecti- cut, that they erect a memorial in the church in mem- ory of the late Henry Wilson, a son of the parish, a former organist, and for over twenty years a resident of Hartford and director of music in Christ Church. The memorial, which took the form of an Altar and Reredos, was built and dedicated on the 16th day of
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December. The Church of the Holy Trinity, Middletown, shared in the gift by putting in some new gas fixtures to complete the decoration of the chancel.
During the next two years we read of the activity of the Aid Society in carrying a large part of the church debt, painting and otherwise improving the Rectory, and grading and caring for the church grounds.
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