USA > Maryland > Talbot County > History of Talbot county, Maryland, 1661-1861, Volume II > Part 30
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The records begin with the rectorship of the Rev. John Lillingston in 1694-whether he was the first minister or for how long a previous period he may have exercised the pastoral office in this neighborhood, we have no means of ascertaining. He retained this charge until his death, in the year 1709. His high standing in the Provincial Church, from which may be inferred the excellence of the work which he here
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SAINT LUKE'S, WYE, OLD PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT WYE MILLS
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accomplished and the comparative strength and importance which this parish had attained in that early day-is attested by the Rev. Mr. Talbot, one of the missioners of the Propagation Society, who, in Octo- ber, 1705, wrote these words, which are preserved in the collections of the Protestant Episcopal Historical Society-"Mr. John Lillingston designs, it seems, to go to England next year: it seems to be the fittest person that America affords for the office of Suffragan, and several per- sons, both of the laity and clergy, have wished he were the man." No small tribute this, to the high estimation in which the first rector of this parish was held by his contemporaries. And that it was not to his talents, his learning, his prudence and zeal alone, he owed this marked distinction, but to his sterling personal worth and ardent piety also, there is affecting evidence. His dying testimony afforded the most impressive seal to the truths which he so long and so faithfully pro- claimed to your fathers. His original will I have found on file in the office of the register of wills for this county.
It is written in his own hand and begins with these words:
First and principally, I commend my soul to Almighty God my Creator, assuredly believing that I shall receive full pardon and full remission of all my sins and be saved by the precious death and merits of my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Who will say that there was no piety in those days, and who of you will not give thanks for the good example, the faithful labors and the dying testimony of this eminent servant of God. Who of you will say that he, your father, had not part in procuring for you the manifold blessings wherewith you are even now enriched and who of you but will gratefully cherish the blessing and honored memory of the Rev. John Lillingston, the first rector if not the first minister of the parish.
It was during the rectorship of Mr. Lillingston, in 1697, that the second of the three old Chester churches, which successively occupied the same site, distant about a mile from Centreville, was erected. The record informs us that this was "built after the dimensions of forty feet in length and twenty-five in breadth;" the means for its erection having been advanced by Col. Richard Tilghman, of the Hermitage; "the vestry having," as saith the record, "to reimburse him all ye necessary ex- penses."
On the 3rd of May, 1709, at a meeting of the vestry, which then con- sisted of Col. Richard Tilghman, Charles Wright, Arthur Emory, Dr. Edward Chetham, Solomon Wright, John Slater and John King, it was
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ordered, on the occasion of the death of the Rev. John Lillingston, that William Denton read Divine service on Sunday at the Upper River Church in the morning, and in the afternoon at the Parish Church; and the next Sunday at Tuckahoe Church in the morning, and at Wye Church in the afternoon, and that the vestry for so doing are to allow the said William Denton 400 lbs. of tobacco per mensen; provided, the said William Denton have permission for so doing from His Excellen- cy, the Governor.
We see from this-and similar notices are found throughout our records-that a vacancy in the rectorship did not involve a suspension of the regular services of the church. The practice of lay reading did much towards keeping the old parishes alive, and to its neglect in later days many of the evils which befell the church may be justly attributed.
From 1710 to 1713 the Rev. James Hindman was rector of the parish. It was during his rectorship that the erection of a new church at Wye was resolved upon. At a meeting of the vestry, held September 23, 1712, a subscription for this purpose was opened, headed by the "Rev. James Hindman, 4000 lbs. tobacco." This act of the Rev. Mr. Hind- man is the last in which his name appears, and is in itself, a proof of his liberality towards the church and his zeal for its extension.
Mr. Hindman was succeeded in the year 1713 or 1714, by Rev. Chris- topher Wilkinson, who retained his charge until his death in 1728. During his incumbency, the present church at Wye was erected. Arti- cles of agreement were entered into on the 28th day of October, 1717, between the vestry and William Elbert, in which the latter binds him- self "to build with all despatch, a church at the head of Wye river, either where the old church stands or hard by the same"-the consideration being 100 lbs. sterling, given by Major Turlow, and the subscriptions amounting to 60,000 lbs. of tobacco. On the 5th of June, 1721, a com- mittee, consisting of Wm. Clayton and Augustine Thompson, appointed to view the Church at Wye, reported to the vestry that the contract to build the same had been complied with.
The Rev. Mr. Wilkinson, under whose auspices this work was com- menced and completed, was one of the most worthy and distinguished of all the colonial clergy. In 1717, he was appointed by the Bishop of London, his Commissary for the Eastern Shore. In 1717, he held his first visitation, at which were seven clergymen, who addressed a letter to the Bishop of London, thanking him for the appointment of Mr. Wilkinson. In Hawks' Ecclesiastical Contributions, his character is summed up in these words:
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He was remarkable for the prudent and judicious, yet slow, operations of a sound, well balanced mind, directed by the feelings of a true heart.
The amount of labor performed by the colonial rectors of this parish, may be inferred from the record of their official acts. I have taken at random the year 1717, when Wye Church was built, and first recorded among Mr. Wilkinson's official acts:
143 baptisms of white children.
63 funerals of white persons.
41 marriages of white persons.
The following year there were 74 marriages. When to these are added the services rendered to a large colored population; and the distances from each other of the four churches belonging to it, are taken into the account, it appears almost incredible that a single clergyman could accomplish so much.
On the 30th of January, 1721, it was
ordered to be recorded that Major John Hawkins did in his life time give unto the Church of Saint Paul's Parish an altar table and cloth and a pulpit cloth and cushion. Likewise a silver chalice; and at his death did further give a silver flagon.
These vessels, inscribed with the name of the giver, have ever since been used at the administration of the Holy Communion in the parish church.
To the ministry of Mr. Wilkinson succeeded the long, laborious and useful rectorship of the Rev. James Cox, from 1729 to his death in 1753; longer than that of any other rector, and characterized by the most untiring devotion and energy.
Between 1830 and 1836 this church became so dilapidated that it could not be used as a place of worship. A few years later it became necessary that Bishop Whittingham and three friends should reach a certain steamboat landing very early in the morning. Their way led them near the old church. Going to it they found that the church had become a stable. The cattle were driven out, and then, standing in the desecrated chancel, in the gray light of the morning, the Bishop said "Let us pray," and the four brethren knelt together. The Bishop poured our his soul in supplication, entreating the Lord to revive his work, to build the old waste places and make the sound of praise to be again heard in the house called by His name. The service ended, they barred the entrance with fence rails and went their way. But before they had left the building they contributed what was the foundation of a fund for the restoration of the church, and on July 20, 1854, this
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ancient temple was set apart by Bishop Whittingham to the worship of God, and it has since been known as "Saint Luke's Wyc."
In 1754 "Mr. William Hemsley agreed with the vestry to build a gallery in the west end of St. Paul's Parish Church, opposite to the other gallery, and of the same length and breadth."
The Rev. Mr. Cox was succeeded in 1754 by the Rev. Alexander Malcolm, who retained the rectorship until his death, June 15, 1763. I am informed, that in an obituary notice which appeared in the Mary- land Gazette of that period, he is spoken of as having died at a very advanced age, and of having been "the author of several learned works on Mathematics, Music and Grammar." For a short period after Mr. Malcolm's death the Rev. Samuel Keene-afterwards and for many years rector of St. Luke's parish in this county, officiated as curate under the license of George Sharpe, until the appointment to the rectorship in 1867 of the Rev. Hugh Neill. In 1755, it was
resolved, that inasmuch as the parish church is not worth repairing, props be set about it, and measures be taken for building a new church where the old one now stands.
About this time the old prayer book belonging to Wye Church was ordered to be sold and a new one purchased.
In 1767 it was "ordered, that the new parish church be made agree- able to a plan of St. Paul's Church in Philadelphia;" also, it was agreed to refund the Rev. Mr. Neil two shillings and six-pence, for cash paid by him for the plan of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia."
On the 7th day of May, 1771, the work on the new church building being considerably advanced, a contract for its completion was entered into between "Caleb Ricketts, of Cecil county, of the one part, and Rev. Hugh Neill, rector. Thomas Wright, church-warden, Richard T. Earle, Richard Tilghman, Jacob Seth, Charles Price, William Bord- ley and William Hopper, vestrymen, of the other part." The last meeting of the vestry under the provincial government of which any record remains, was held on the 5th of September, 1775, at which time the Rev. Hugh Neill was rector. There were present at this meeting, Arthur Emory, church warden; Thomas Wright, William Tilghman and Thomas Lane Emory, vestrymen.
The next record is that of a meeting of several inhabitants of St. Paul's parish, lying partly in Talbot County, convened in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Maryland, on the first Monday in June, 1779, for the election of a select vestry, when
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the following persons were chosen: William Hemsley, Richard Earle, John Gibson, Thomas Wright, James Earle, Richard Carmichael and Arthur Emory, Jr., John Hammond and Levin Downes, church war- dens: all of whom qualified before Thomas Carradine, Justice of the Peace, by taking the oath of allegiance to the State, the prescribed oath of office and subscribing to their belief in the Christian religion. A subscription was immediately set on foot by the vestry, "according to the provisions of the Act of Assembly for raising money for the sup- port of a minister or preacher of the Church of England and for other purposes." They then proceeded
to ascertain whether the Rev. Hugh Neill, being now a non-juror, should be employed as a reader, when it was decided in the negative. Orders were drawn on the Rev. Mr. Neill for the surplice, plate and other orna- ments belonging to Chester Church and Wye Chapel, to be delivered by him into the hands of the church wardens.
At a subsequent meeting of the vestry, held in July of the following year, Mr. Neill was elected minister of the parish.
In February, 1781, "Mr. James Earle was appointed to meet repre- sentatives from all the vestries of the Eastern Shore at Talbot Court House, to consider the heads of a bill to be laid before the General Assem- bly for the support of the Christian religion." At a subsequent meeting the Rev. Mr. Neill and Thomas Wright were added to this delegation.
Mr. Neill's connection with the parish terminated with his death in the latter part of 1781 or the beginning of 1782; and with him died the last of the colonial records. It is not a little remarkable that they all died in charge of this parish. Not in this, however, but in all respects, they were remarkable men, performing an immense amount of labor, and exerting an influence for good which cannot be "meted out in words," and which the revelations of the last great day alone will fully disclose. They were men
Of our pure altars worthy ministers Detached from pleasure, to the love of gain Superior, insusceptible of pride; And by ambitions longings undisturb'd; Men, whose delight was, where their duty led Or fixed them; whose least distinguished day Shone with some portion of that heavenly lustre, Which makes the Sabbath lovely in the sight Of blessed angels pitying human cares.
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Mr. Neill was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Smith, D.D. (afterwards the first Bishop of South Carolina), who sustained the pastoral relation to this parish for a short period, embracing a portion of the years 1783 and 1784. Here follows a long vacancy in the rectorship. It is grati- fying, however, to notice the efforts of the laity to strengthen the things which remained of the Church in their midst, then almost ready to perish; and to know also, that among the four clergymen and two laymen who formed the delegation from Maryland to the General Convention, held in Philadelphia, 1789, which framed a "General Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America," our own parish was represented by Richard B. Carmichael, Esq.
The next rector was the Rev. Samuel Keene, Jr. (afterwards the first missionary in Kentucky), from 1791 to 1794.
Mr. Keene was succeeded in 1797 by the Rev. Elisha Rigg.
It was not until the last year of the faithful ministry of Mr. Rigg, that the noble structure of the last Chester Church, in which many of you, my brethren, formerly worshipped God with your fathers, was completed. It was commenced, as we have seen, before the Revolution, when the number and the resources of the parish both demanded and justified a spacious and costly parish church. Inasmuch, however, as the support of the government was wholly withdrawn from the Church during the progress of its erection, and the love of many of its members waxed cold during those troubled and trying times-the burden of its cost fell principally and very heavily upon the faithful few of the last generation, who having put their hands to this work, counted nothing so dear unto them as its accomplishment. In size and strength and beauty of proportion, it greatly excelled most of the churches of its day. It was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Thomas John Claggett, D.D., the first Bishop of Maryland, on the 24th day of July A.D. 1803. With the Church, there was also consecrated "the churchyard thereto adjoin- ing," as in the language of the act of consecration, "a sacred repository for the dead bodies of the saints therein interred, and also for those which may be hereafter interred therein, by and with the consent of the ves- try for the time being."
The Rev. Mr. Rigg died February 6, 1804. His remains are interred under the chancel arch in Wye Church; and within a few days, I have been authorized to say, that the spot will shortly be marked with an appropriate tablet. In 1854, in removing the accumulated rubbish from the same church, preparatory to its restoration, another tomb was found, and other and most affecting proofs afforded of the truth
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of the tradition which marks the spot right underneath the altar, as the grave of one of the early rectors of this parish, whose name has been lost. There can be little doubt that with this single exception the remains of all our colonial rectors lie beneath the ruins which indicate the site of old Chester Church, and the hope is devoutly cherished, that this ancient place of burial may be put into a condition which will fit it for the holy uses to which it has been solemnly set apart.
Mr. Rigg was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Barclay, from 1804 to 1805; Rev. Mr. Reynolds, 1806 to 1809; Rev. Daniel Stephens, from 1811 to 1816; Rev. Wm. J. Bulkey, from 1817 to 1820; Rev. Grandison Aisquith, from 1821 and 1823; Rev. Bennett S. Glover, in 1824; Rev. Thomas K. Peck, in 1825.
Here followed one of several intervals, during which the services of the Church were kept up by lay readers, principally by that learned, pious and devoted layman, whose praise was in all the churches of his day, and whose history is closely identified with that of this parish and diocese. I need hardly mention here the name, which is written in every volume of the valuable library (now the property of the parish), which he was at such pains to collect, inscribed upon the communion plate of Wye and Queenstown churches, and held in loving and grate- ful veneration by so many who hear me.
The declension of the parish, which commenced with the revolution, was so rapid, that in the year 1809 the list of communicants was reduced to 14 names, viz .: William Hemsley, Anne Hemsley, Philemon Hemsley, Henrietta Earle, Sarah Troup, James Tilghman, William D. Thomas, Charles Browne, Henrietta Blake, John Fisher, Edward DeCourcy, Sam'l Thomas, Henrietta Thomas and Elizabeth Hemsley.
The large "Old Chester Church" soon fell into dilapidation. A small portion, embracing the chancel, having been boarded off for winter use, it continued to be occasionally occupied by small and decreasing congregations, and the parish was almost threatened with extinction.
The Rev. Robert W. Goldsborough commenced his labors in this parish as a lay reader in 1829. Shortly afterwards he entered upon the rectorship, which he retained until the year 1836.
The difficulties in the way of keeping so large a building as the parish church in even tolerable repair, and of collecting a congregation within its walls, continuing to increase, it was deemed necessary to remove a portion of the materials of which it was composed, and with them to construct what may now be called the old part of the sacred edifice in which we are assembled. This was accordingly done, under the
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superintendence of a building committee, consisting of the Hon. Richard T. Earle, Col. John Tilghman, Pere Wilmer, W. A. Spencer and Thomas. A. Emory, Esquires. The corner stone of this building, built of mate- rials taken from old Chester Church, and having within its walls bricks which belonged to the original church of that name, was laid by the rector, the Rev. R. W. Goldsborough, May 1, 1834; and its consecra- tion by the Rt. Rev. William M. Stone, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese, took place on the 22nd of July, 1835. It was a good work. Humanly speaking, it saved the parish, and a heavy debt of gratitude is due to those whose wisdom devised it, and through whose liberality and energy it was effected.
To Mr. Goldsborough's succeeded the short ministry of the Rev. John Owen, in 1836.
Then followed that of the Rev. John P. Robinson from 1836 to 1841; Rev. Henry Brown, from 1841 to 1851; the Rev. William G. Hawkins, from 1851 to 1852, which brings us down to the rectorship of the pres- ent incumbent, (being the 21st rector of the parish) commencing Decem- ber 2, 1852. The Rev. Mr. Goldsborough was the last minister by whom stated services were performed in old Wye Church; the condition of the building after his ministry, becoming such that without repair it could no longer be used as a place of worship. Instead of repairing it, how- ever, the vestry deemed it expedient to build a new chapel in what was regarded as a more coevenient location. Accordingly, the present edi- fice in Queenstown was erected, and under the title of St. Luke's (the name by which old Wye Church was officially known) was consecrated to the worship of God by the present Bishop of the Diocese on the 21st of April, 1842.
Since your present minister came among you it has pleased God to put into the hearts of some of the descendants of those who, in the in- fancy of this country, raised the venerable walls of Wye Church and worshipped with them; of others, who residing in that vicinity, earnestly desired to have in their midst a living Church, a living ministry and the life-giving Word and sacraments; and of others, whose only nearness to us is in the intimacy of those spiritual relations which bind in one Living Body all the true members of Christ, to provide the means for its restoration. That work has been done. The foundations of those old walls-the oldest entire church walls in Maryland, and built of English bricks-have been made secure, and the whole building, fitly framed, compacted and beautiful, is now as strong as in the days of old. It was the privilege of many who hear me to join heart and voice in the exulting services with which that ancient and solemn temple-never before consecrated-was set apart to the worship of the Ever Blessed Trinity. Those memorable services occurred on Thursday, the 20th day of July, 1854. A few days ago, on Thursday, the 19th day of July, 1855, within one day of the first anniversary of the consecration of old
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Wye Church, within three days of the twentieth anniversary of the consecration of this church, and within five days of the fifty-second anniversary of the consecration of Old Chester Church, we came together again, with many rejoicing friends and a goodly company of preachers, to meet our chief pastor, and through him to present to God this beautiful addition to the House which was already His own. He had crowned us with blessings and had vouchsafed us the tokens of greater blessings in store; and that there might be "room to receive them," we ventured, as I trust, in faith and love, with a sincere desire to promote His glory and "the prosperity of His Holy Apostolic Church," to break forth on the right hand and on the left, lengthening the cords and strengthening the stakes of His Tabernacle in our midst.
And now that this work has also been completed, and we have met together in this Holy Sanctuary, thus enlarged, improved, and dedicated, to us, with one accord, render thanks unto Him who has inspired us with this holy purpose, united us in this good work, and at length, has crowned it with success. Not unto us, oh Lord, but unto Thy Name, be all the praise and glory, through Christ Jesus.
I congratulate you, my beloved brethren, and rejoice with you, upon this substantial token of God's presence and blessing. I rejoice and thank God, that He has put it into your hearts to strengthen and en- large the foundation of your parish church, to make it in a good degree commensurate with the extent and importance of your parish, and worthy of your ancestry; and to give increased efficiency to the means of grace which are here dispensed. It gladdens my heart to know that now there is not only a cordial welcome, but also ample room, for our neighbors and friends to come and worship the Lord with us in the beauty of holiness, and heartily to rejoice with us in the strength of our salvation; and that some provision, at least, has been made, by which your servants also can partake with you of the fulness and the pleasures of God's House, and bow with you before the common Lord and Master of us all. And, beloved in the Lord, blessed as you are already for your fathers' sake, I hail in these evidences of your attachment to the holy religion which made them what they were, and to the Church which nourished them for immortality, the tokens of those blessings also, which are promised to filial love and reverence. Continue, then to honor your fathers and your mothers, though they may long since have rested from their labors. Cherish their memory. Guard their sepul- chres from desecration. Preserve the affecting and sacred monuments of their zeal for God. Execute the wishes of those who have gone before you, leaving you their names, their possessions, and their good examples, as you hope to have your own regarded by those who are to bear your names and occupy your places. How little encouragement would you find to labor in any good cause, if you were deprived of the conviction, that that cause would be endeared to your children by your own exer- tions and sacrifices in its promotion. Esteem it, then, your sacred duty, as it is your privilege and safety, earnestly to contend for that pure and simple faith, which having been once delivered to the saints,
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and by faithful men, handed down "through the ages all along," has been transmitted unto you by your fathers. Let the interests of the Church, which was to them the House of God, and to their souls the gate of Heaven, and in communion with which you are united to them in sanctified and immortal bonds be ever precious in your sight. Restore it so far as you can, to all its ancient seats, and extend its influences to all within your reach. Above all, give yourselves to be built up into it, as living stones, spiritual sacrifices, acceptable unto God through Jesus Christ. Be Churchmen of the ancient stamp; honest, manly, earnest Christians. Drink deeply of that filial spirit which has been the characteristic feature of God's faithful people in every dispen- sation. Should the scorner come among you, stand not by to hear the Holy Saviour and the Holy Faith of your fathers and your mothers, dishonored and reviled; but confess Him whom they confessed, and follow them as they followed Him in the way everlasting. So shall it be well with you, and with your children after you; and God, even your own God, and the God of your fathers, shall delight to be with and bless you.
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