Christ Church, Gardiner, Maine : antecedents and history, Part 17

Author: Gilmore, Evelyn L. (Evelyn Langdon)
Publication date: 1962
Publisher: Augusta, Me. : Kennebec Journal
Number of Pages: 244


USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Gardiner > Christ Church, Gardiner, Maine : antecedents and history > Part 17


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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In the period covered by this continuation of our Church History there have been four successive women's organizations


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


which have supplemented the regular work of the Woman's Aux- iliary. These are in chronological order: St. Margaret's Guild, the Altar Guild, the Parish Helpers, and the present St. Anne's Guild. All four of these groups have been composed of the younger women. Their work has centered on the care of the altar and vestments, and has included tireless service in church fairs, rummage sales, and welfare work with the Auxiliary.


In 1955 the Parish received a beautiful gift of a set of Schulmerich chimes, given by Francis Nichols of Glen Head, N. Y., in memory of his sister, Mrs. William Viles, who had died the previous year, while in the full tide of good works for church and community. The chimes were especially appropriate to the memory of a true lover of our church and of music.


In the autumn of 1956, the Rector told the wardens of an offer he had received from the Bishop of North Dakota for im- portant work in that Diocese. It was evident to us that Father Tom wished to go, though he was torn in mind as to where his duty lay. In his home state, nearly across the continent, his mother still lived, his brother and sister. The rectory was a lone- ly place, with memories of his wife and Hazen Rigby accentuat- ing the loneliness. His boys were studying for two of the greatest professions: medicine and the ministry. Devoted as we were to our Rector, we thought that he should accept the call, for there probably would never be another from the Dakotas, and we knew that from the beginning of his ministry he had hoped to return to work in his home state. Under these conditions, we acceded to the Rector's desire to accept the call from the Bishop of North Dakota.


On December 1, 1956, the Rev. Tom G. Akeley wrote to the Wardens and Vestry as follows:


"After twenty-three years and nine months as your pastor, a chance has come to me to work at a job in the Church in my home State of North Dakota. The job includes a parish of ninety communicants in a town of 5000: and the care of several smaller groups of church people in the nearby section of the State. Bishop Emery says he can use my years and experience to his ad- vantage. I know I can take joy in attempting to make a return to my home State for the fact that she nurtured me.


"I can see many rich opportunities in Christ Church Parish for which I have prayed and worked for many years. It is my


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


earnest hope that my successor in this field may be able to bring many of these to fruition.


"Therefore, I herewith present my resignation as Rector of Christ Church Parish, Gardiner, Maine, to take effect February 10, 1957. It is my sincere desire that you and the Parish see fit to accept it. I await your early reply.


Sincerely yours, Tom G. Akeley."


At the Vestry meeting of Dec. 13 this letter was read and the Vestry voted as follows:


"After consideration of the resignation and in deference to the desire of the Rector for its acceptance, .. the Vestry voted unanimously that the resignation of Canon Tom G. Akeley as Rector of Christ Church Parish, effective Feb. 10, 1957, be ac- cepted with sincere regret by the Vestry, and with its deep ap- preciation of his good and faithful service to this parish for the past twenty-four years."


After this momentous step at the December meeting, the Ves- try voted the following committee to search for a new Rector: John Daley and John Richards, the two wardens, and the fol- lowing fellow vestrymen: Bernard Lucas, L. J. Sheaffer, and Norman Gardner. Immediately after the vote we adjourned to the Rectory and bade an affectionate farewell to our Rector, each of us taking his hand in friendship. Of the beautiful farewell service in the church and the reception in the Parish House I have al- ready spoken. At a special parish meeting on Feb. 4, 1957, the following resolution, prepared by the parish clerk, Bernard Leigh- ton, was read and adopted:


"Almost twenty-four years ago, Christ Church Parish called to its service as Rector, Tom Akeley, lately of North Dakota. That his ministry has been spiritually fruitful is attested by the stature of the Parish in the community and in the Diocese. In his ministry at Christ Church, he has served alike, with devo- tion, the young and old, the well and sick, and has well earned for himself the respect and personal affection of all in his parish, and indeed the whole community.


"Whereas, be it resolved, that as Canon Akeley leaves us to continue his work for the Church of his native state, may this parish here record, at this meeting, its sincere recognition of his


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


devoted ministry, its grateful appreciation of the privilege of association for so long a time with so fine a man and priest, and express to him that he carries with him the affection, best wishes, and prayers of all in this parish for success in his new field."


The committee to find a new Rector went to work imme- diately. There were long drives to hear several men, there were letters and telephonings and interviews. We offered the position to the Rev. R. Rhys Williams of St. Mary's and St. Jude's Church at North East Harbor, at a salary of $5,000. He accepted, and preached his first sermon on July 7, 1957. In procuring Fr. Williams, Bishop Loring had been a very great help.


In the meantime the Vestry had bestirred itself and had done things that should have been done for Father Tom-put a new heater into the rectory, along with much papering and repairing. And the Rev. Herman Ebert, a true friend to our last Rector, and to the Parish, filled in with an unobtrusive and beautiful ministry. The ship of our parish seemed squared away with all sails drawing.


But it was not so to be. On July 18, Rhys Williams had to do a most difficult thing-ask the wardens for a release from his contract because of severe illness in his family. Naturally we gave it, and the Vestry agreed. Fr. Williams is a transparently straight and honest man-he suffered more than we did. Also he consented to stay with us for the rest of the summer, preaching his beautiful and moving goodbye sermon on August 25.


In the meantime the committee, which had been so happy, took up its work again, in an atmosphere of gloom but of de- termination. Clergymen of the calibre of the Rev. R. Rhys Wil- liams do not grow on trees for the shaking! And now occurred, from our point of view, a miracle. One committeeman, L. J. Sheaffer, was moved to mention our problem to the Rev. Charles E. Karsten, a minister whom he had just met. Mr. Karsten spoke modestly of his own son as being perhaps available. Then we talked and corresponded with Bishops, Deans, and other high- ranking priests. There was nothing perfunctory in the answers. To a man they gave the highest possible recommendation to the Rev. Charles E. Karsten, Jr. He came to meet the committee on


49


HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


August 3. On August 13 the Vestry voted to call him; the Parish confirming our vote on August 21, and the Bishop giving his consent.


Before the end of the month, the new Rector had agreed to come. He preached his first sermon as our Parish priest, Oct. 6. That was three years ago, and never, as far as I know, has any- one in the Parish been anything but happy about the coming of this eloquent, dedicated Christian leader. I hope that he and his dear wife have no regrets. I do not think they have.


I must not make this last move appear too easy, nor play the wedding march with all stops out! Mr. Karsten, to come here, left important work, where he was greatly missed. He and the committee questioned each other shrewdly. One thing he asked was that the Vestry should advocate the giving of at least five per cent of income to God's work, and that the Parish should strive toward that end. Mr. Karsten found a parish somewhat disorganized by our recent vicissitudes and by the fact that his predecessor's tendency had been to keep much "under his hat." Father Tom's ministry was a very personal one. But our new Rector has come to a parish which is friendly, enthusiastic, and growing. It was an excellent foundation which Tom Akeley laid.


The principal account of Mr. Karsten's Rectorate will come from another hand, but I shall speak of several indications of how he works, all of them forward-looking. The new Rector is a believer in planned committee work to a greater extent than the pastors of Christ Church whom I have known. This careful organization makes it possible for him to handle his large parish, visiting not only the sick and suffering, but all; to prepare his sermons with care, to be always available in emergencies of any kind, and to supervise his committees and his Vestry with vigor and with love. All this requires a good head and a complete lack of jealousy or distrust of what others may do. He does all he can to foster the spirit of the great ecumenical movement. The three-hour services on the two last Good Fridays, in which the clergymen of seven different Christian folds have spoken on our Lord's Seven Last Words, have been uplifting.


Several other noteworthy things have happened during the early years of his pastorate. There is the noble gift of Mrs. R. P. Hazzard, Sr., in memory of James Hazzard Clark, which has


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


enabled the Parish to buy and furnish the "Brick House," tak- ing much strain from our ancient, well-used parish house. And there has been for two years a different organizing of the Every Member Canvass, under the chairmanship of Norman Temple, beginning each autumn with a great free supper in the Armory, and resulting in largely increased pledges. This greater income has enabled the Parish to supply a curate, the Rev. Michael H. Du- gan, who with skill and devotion takes principal care of the mis- sions at Dresden and Richmond, and who advises the Church School and superintends the Youth Fellowship." The House and Grounds Committee, led by Phil Gardner, has had a new roof put on the church, to the tune of $2,000, and has strengthened the foundations beneath the front of the church.


I have already mentioned many beautiful and costly gifts to the church. Here let me list some of the generous gifts or bequests to our invested funds in recent history :


1923, the Grant fund of $5,000, given by Mrs. Izanna Capen Wheeler.


1932, the Edwin Lucas fund for a new organ, which, through annual gifts by Mrs. Lucas and surpluses from parish funds, now amounts to $4,272. None of this was used in the purchase of the present organ.


1948, the Marion Swift Smith fund of $6,000, given by her husband, Oxsheer Smith.


1948, the R. P. Hazzard fund of $10,000, from his estate.


1954, the Adelaide G. Thompson fund of $5,000, from her estate.


1957, the Martha B. Robinson fund of $16,000, from her estate.


1958, additional from Martha B. Robinson of $71,000, the church being residuary legatee.


1959, the J. Walter Robinson fund of $26,500, from his estate.


1960, the Katherine M. Farnham fund of $5,000, given by Mrs. William G. Ellis.


* 1962. Last year the Rev. Michael H. Dugan was called to St. Matthews Church, Lisbon Falls. We are happy to have as curate, the Rev. James W. Bottoms.


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


These are revered names, and hundreds of others, who must here be nameless, have joined with them to strengthen the Lord's work in Gardiner.


God knows, and He knows all, that Christ Church is not perfect. Our ancient Parish is now like a youth with growing pains and out at elbows! But the emergencies caused by cramped conditions are stimulating. We are endeavoring to do our best under kindling leadership, to keep our Lord's two great com- mandments. I think that the Parish lives worthily, mindful of its great traditions. Let us pray that this is so.


"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


THE RECTORS OF GARDINER'S EPISCOPAL PARISH.


16. The Rev. Allen E. Beeman resigns, Nov. 15, 1893.


17. The Rev. Robert W. Plant, March 12, 1894-June 14, 1924.


18. The Rev. Edward C. McAllister, July 27, 1924-Nov. 27, 1927.


19. The Rev. Nelson W. Bryant, Jan. 30, 1928-Jan. 29, 1933.


20. The Rev. Tom G. Akeley, March 1, 1933-Feb. 10, 1957.


21. The Rev. Rhys Williams, July 7, 1957-Aug. 31, 1957.


22. The Rev. Charles E. Karsten, Jr., Oct. 6, 1957-


OFFICERS OF THE PARISH


1894 CLERK William B. Neal


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Sidney G. Decker


VESTRY William G. Ellis Weston Lewis


Henry E. Merriam William B. Neal Henry Richards


Henry S. Webster Charles A. White


1895 CLERK J. Walter Robinson


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Sidney G. Decker


VESTRY William G. Ellis Weston Lewis


Henry E. Merriam


William B. Neal Henry Richards


Charles A. White


Warren S. Whitmore


1896 CLERK George R. Tower


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Sidney G. Decker


VESTRY William G. Ellis William R. Gay Samuel S. Davis Weston Lewis


Fred E. Milliken


Henry Richards Warren S. Whitmore


1897 CLERK George R. Tower


WARDENS Ammi Davenport William G. Ellis


VESTRY Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Josiah S. Maxcy


Fred E. Milliken Henry Richards George R. Tower


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1898 CLERK


WARDENS


VESTRY


George R. Tower


Ammi Davenport Henry Richards


Samuel S. Davis


Sidney G. Decker


William G. Ellis William R. Gay Josiah S. Maxcy


Fred E. Milliken


George R. Tower


1899


CLERK


Edward F. Studley


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Sidney G. Decker


VESTRY Samuel S. Davis


William G. Ellis


Robert H. Gardiner, III


Weston Lewis


Josiah S. Maxcy


Henry Richards


Warren S. Whitmore


1900


CLERK G. W. Murphy


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Sidney G. Decker


VESTRY Samuel S. Davis


Robert H. Gardiner


William R. Gay Weston Lewis


Josiah S. Maxcy


Arthur T. Reynolds


Henry Richards


1901


CLERK


Arthur T. Reynolds


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Howard Corning Samuel S. Davis


Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis


William R. Gay


Josiah S. Maxcy


Arthur T. Reynolds


1902


CLERK


Arthur T. Reynolds


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Howard Corning Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis Weston Lewis


Josiah S. Maxcy


Arthur T. Reynolds


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1903 CLERK Fred E. Milliken


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Howard Corning Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis Josiah S. Maxcy


Arthur T. Reynolds


Percy G. White


1904 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Eugene W. Chase


Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis Weston Lewis Josiah S. Maxcy


Arthur T. Reynolds


1905 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Eugene W. Chase


Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis Eben R. Haley Weston Lewis Josiah S. Maxcy


1906 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Eugene W. Chase Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis Weston Lewis


Josiah S. Maxcy Percy G. White


1907 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Eugene W. Chase Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis William R. Gay Weston Lewis Josiah S. Maxcy


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1908 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS


VESTRY


Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


Eugene W. Chase Howard Corning Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis William R. Gay Weston Lewis


1909 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Eugene W. Chase Howard Corning Samuel S. Davis


Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis William R. Gay Weston Lewis


1910 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Eugene W. Chase Samuel S. Davis


Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis William R. Gay Weston Lewis Fred A. Robinson


1911 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Eugene W. Chase Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis William R. Gay Weston Lewis


Fred A. Robinson


1912 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Eugene W. Chase Samuel S. Davis Sidney G. Decker William G. Ellis William R. Gay Weston Lewis Fred A. Robinson


57


HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1913 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Ammi Davenport Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Eugene W. Chase


Samuel S. Davis


Sidney G. Decker


William G. Ellis


William R. Gay


Weston Lewis


Fred A. Robinson


1914 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury


Eugene W. Chase


Samuel S. Davis


Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay


Weston Lewis Fred A. Robinson


1915 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury


Eugene W. Chase


Samuel S. Davis


Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Weston Lewis


Fred A. Robinson


1916 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury


Eugene W. Chase


M. Hazen Chase Philip N. Colbath


Sidney G. Decker


William R. Gay Fred A. Robinson


1917 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury Eugene W. Chase M. Hazen Chase Philip N. Colbath Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Fred A. Robinson


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1918 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS


Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury


Eugene W. Chase M. Hazen Chase Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Weston Lewis Fred A. Robinson


1919 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury Eugene W. Chase M. Hazen Chase Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed Fred N. Hamlin


1920 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS


Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury Eugene W. Chase M. Hazen Chase Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed Fred N. Hamlin


1921 CLERK


J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS


Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury Eugene W. Chase Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay


Ernest L. Goodspeed


Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas


1922 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury Eugene W. Chase Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay


Ernest L. Goodspeed


Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1923 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS


Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury Eugene W. Chase Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas


1924 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner Harold E. Cooke


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury Eugene W. Chase Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas


1925 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner IV


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury Eugene W. Chase Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas


1926 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury Eugene W. Chase Sidney G. Decker William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas


1927 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury George B. Barstow Eugene W. Chase Sidney G. Decker Theodore E. Emery William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1928 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS


Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY George B. Barstow Theodore E. Emery William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas Josiah S. Maxcy Charles H. Roberts J. Walter Robinson


1929 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury George B. Barstow William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas Josiah S. Maxcy


Charles H. Roberts J. Walter Robinson


1930


CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury George B. Barstow William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Robert P. Hazzard Edwin Lucas Josiah S. Maxcy Charles H. Roberts J. Walter Robinson


1931 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury George B. Barstow Theodore E. Emery William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed Edwin Lucas Josiah S. Maxcy Charles H. Roberts J. Walter Robinson


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1932 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury George B. Barstow John H. Daley Theodore E. Emery William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed Thomas J. Hussey Josiah S. Maxcy Charles H. Roberts


1933 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury John H. Daley Theodore E. Emery William R. Gay


Ernest L. Goodspeed


Thomas J. Hussey


Josiah S. Maxcy William Nivison Charles H. Roberts


1934 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury John H. Daley


Theodore E. Emery


Chalmers G. Farrell


William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Thomas J. Hussey


Josiah S. Maxcy William Nivison


1935 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury John H. Daley


Theodore E. Emery


Chalmers G. Farrell William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Thomas J. Hussey Josiah S. Maxcy William Nivison


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1936 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank L. Amesbury


Frank B. Bull John H. Daley Theodore E. Emery


Chalmers G. Farrell William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Donald A. Ireland William Nivison


1937 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY


Frank B. Bull


John H. Daley


Theodore E. Emery


Chalmers G. Farrell


William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Donald A. Ireland


William Nivison


Lewis J. Sheaffer


1938 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Frank B. Bull John H. Daley


Chalmers G. Farrell


Reginald L. Flanders


William R. Gay Ernest L. Goodspeed


Donald A. Ireland


William Nivison


Lewis J. Sheaffer


1939 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Warren P. Adams Frank B. Bull F. Edward Daly John H. Daley Chalmers G. Farrell William R. Gay Donald A. Ireland William Nivison Lewis J. Sheaffer


63


HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1940 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Harold E. Cooke Robert H. Gardiner


VESTRY Warren P. Adams Frank B. Bull F. Edward Daly John H. Daley Chalmers G. Farrell


Donald A. Ireland


Bernard Lucas


William Nivison


Lewis J. Sheaffer


194 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner John H. Daley


VESTRY Frank B. Bull


Donald P. Cooke


Chalmers G. Farrell


Donald A. Ireland


Philip E. Lamb William H. Lindsley


Bernard Lucas


Charles H. Roberts


Lewis J. Sheaffer


1942 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner John H. Daley


VESTRY J. M. L. Bates Frank B. Bull


Donald P. Cooke Carl Von Eude


Chalmers G. Farrell


Donald A. Ireland


Philip E. Lamb


Bernard Lucas


Lewis J. Sheaffer


1943 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS Robert H. Gardiner John H. Daley


VESTRY J. M. L. Bates Edward A. Besaw Chalmers G. Farrell Norman B. Gardner Donald A. Ireland Philip E. Lamb Bernard Lucas Paul B. Mansfield Lewis J. Sheaffer


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1944 CLERK J. M. L. Bates


WARDENS


Robert H. Gardiner John H. Daley


VESTRY


J. M. L. Bates


Edward A. Besaw


Norman B. Gardner


Walter W. Gosline Philip E. Lamb Bernard Lucas Herbert A. Marston


Clyde J. Potter


Lewis J. Sheaffer


1945


CLERK


WARDENS


Bernard E. Leighton


J. M. L. Bates


John H. Daley


VESTRY


Edward A. Besaw


Walter W. Gosline


Philip E. Lamb Bernard E. Leighton Bernard Lucas Herbert A. Marston


Clyde J. Potter


John Richards


Lewis J. Sheaffer


1946


CLERK


Bernard E. Leighton


J. M. L. Bates


John H. Daley


VESTRY Edward A. Besaw Frank B. Bull


Robert H. Gardiner V


Walter W. Gosline Philip E. Lamb


Bernard E. Leighton Bernard Lucas Herbert A. Marston Clyde J. Potter John Richards Lewis J. Sheaffer Carl Von Eude


WARDENS


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1947 CLERK Bernard E. Leighton


WARDENS J. M. L. Bates John H. Daley


VESTRY Edward A. Besaw


Earle M. Boudway Frank B. Bull Robert H. Gardiner


Norman P. Gardner


Walter W. Gosline Philip E. Lamb Bernard E. Leighton


Paul B. Mansfield


Clyde J. Potter John Richards Leslie A. Runnells


Lewis J. Sheaffer


Frederick B. Sowden Carl Von Eude


1948 CLERK Bernard E. Leighton


WARDENS J. M. L. Bates John H. Daley


VESTRY Edward A. Besaw


Frank B. Bull


Robert H. Gardiner


Norman B. Gardner


Arthur N. Gosline


Walter W. Gosline


George Henry


Philip E. Lamb


Bernard E. Leighton


Bernard Lucas


Edward I. Ludwig


Paul B. Mansfield


Freelan R. Nelson


Leslie A. Runnells


Frederick B. Sowden


1949 CLERK Bernard E. Leighton


WARDENS John H. Daley John Richards


VESTRY Norman B. Gardner Philip L. Gardner


Arthur N. Gosline


George Henry


Philip E. Lamb


Bernard E. Leighton Bernard Lucas


Edward I. Ludwig


Paul B. Mansfield


Freelan R. Nelson


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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


Clyde J. Potter


Leslie A. Runnells Lewis J. Sheaffer


Ralph H. Wakefield


Donald D. Willis


1950


CLERK


Bernard E. Leighton


WARDENS John H. Daley John Richards


VESTRY


Edward A. Besaw


Frank B. Bull


David A. Fossett


Robert H. Gardiner


Philip L. Gardner


Arthur N. Gosline


Walter W. Gosline


George Henry Philip E. Lamb Bernard Lucas


Edward I. Ludwig


Freelan R. Nelson


Clyde J. Potter


Lewis J. Sheaffer


Ralph H. Wakefield


1951


CLERK


WARDENS


Bernard E. Leighton


John H. Daley John Richards


In 1951, Clerk, Treasurer and Chancellor became vestrymen ex officio: Treasurer, Norman B. Gardner Chancellor, Philip E. Lamb


VESTRY


Edward A. Besaw


Frank B. Bull


David R. Fossett


Philip L. Gardner


Walter W. Gosline


Keith A. Hemenway


Bernard Lucas


Paul B. Mansfield


Clyde J. Potter


Leslie A. Runnells


Lewis J. Sheaffer


Ralph H. Wakefield


Douglas H. Wheeler


Kenneth B. Whittle


Donald D. Willis


1952


CLERK WARDENS


Bernard E. Leighton


John H. Daley John Richards


VESTRY Edward A. Besaw


Frank B. Bull


David R. Fossett Arthur N. Gosline


HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


67


Treasurer, Norman B. Gardner Chancellor, Philip E. Lamb


Walter W. Gosline


Keith Hemenway


George Henry Bernard Lucas


Edward I. Ludwig


Paul B. Mansfield


Freelan R. Nelson


William S. Sherman


Edward Stetson


Frank C. Weeks


Kenneth B. Whittle


1953 CLERK


Bernard E. Leighton


WARDENS John H. Daley John Richards


VESTRY Philip L. Gardner


Arthur N. Gosline


Keith A. Hemenway George Henry


Edward I. Ludwig


Paul B. Mansfield


Freelan R. Nelson


John F. Pickard


Clyde J. Potter


Lewis J. Sheaffer


William S. Sherman


Edward Stetson


Frank C. Weeks


Ralph H. Wakefield


Kenneth B. Whittle


1954 CLERK


Bernard E. Leighton


WARDENS John H. Daley John Richards


Treasurer, Norman B. Gardner Chancellor, Philip E. Lamb


VESTRY Edward A. Besaw Frank B. Bull


David R. Fossett


Philip L. Gardner


Arthur N. Gosline


Walter W. Gosline George Henry Bernard Lucas


Edward I. Ludwig


Freelan R. Nelson John F. Pickard Clyde J. Potter


Lewis J. Sheaffer


Ralph H. Wakefield


Frank C. Weeks


Treasurer, Norman B. Gardner Chancellor, Philip E. Lamb


68


HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


1955 CLERK


Bernard E. Leighton


John H. Daley John Richards


Treasurer, Norman B. Gardner Chancellor, Philip E. Lamb


WARDENS


VESTRY


Edward A. Besaw


Frank B. Bull


David R. Fossett


Philip L. Gardner


Walter W. Gosline


Keith A. Hemenway


Bernard Lucas


Robert W. MacDonald


Ervin Nason


John F. Pickard


Clyde J. Potter


Lewis J. Sheaffer


Ralph H. Wakefield


Kenneth B. Whittle


Donald D. Willis


1956


CLERK


WARDENS


Bernard E. Leighton


John H. Daley John Richards


VESTRY J. Franklin Anderson Edward A. Besaw Frank B. Bull


1 Raymond J. Crosby David R. Fossett


Walter W. Gosline


Keith A. Hemenway


Bernard Lucas


Edward I. Ludwig


Robert W. MacDonald Ervin Nason Freelan R. Nelson


Rosario Santerre Kenneth B. Whittle


Donald D. Willis


1957


CLERK


WARDENS


Bernard E. Leighton


John H. Daley John Richards


Treasurer, Norman B. Gardner Chancellor, Philip E. Lamb


VESTRY J. Franklin Anderson Raymond J. Crosby William H. Edwards Keith A. Hemenway Edward I. Ludwig Robert W. MacDonald Ervin Nason Freelan R. Nelson Clyde J. Potter Rosario Santerre


Treasurer, Norman B. Gardner Chancellor, Philip E. Lamb


69


HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


Lewis J. Sheaffer


Norman J. Temple Ralph H. Wakefield


Kenneth B. Whittle Donald D. Willis


1958 CLERK Bernard E. Leighton


WARDENS John H. Daley Norman B. Gardner John Richards, Emeritus


VESTRY Edward A. Besaw


Frank B. Bull


Ralph M. Clark


Raymond J. Crosby


David R. Fossett


Philip L. Gardner


Walter W. Gosline


Bernard Lucas


Edward I. Ludwig


Freelan R. Nelson


Clyde J. Potter


Rosario Santerre


Lewis J. Sheaffer


Norman J. Temple


Ralph H. Wakefield


1959 CLERK


Bernard E. Leighton


WARDENS John H. Daley Norman B. Gardner


VESTRY Edward A. Besaw


Robert T. Bennett


Frank B. Bull


David R. Fossett


Philip L. Gardner


Walter W. Gosline


Keith A. Hemenway


N. Richmond Leach


Treasurer, William H. Edwards Chancellor, Ralph M. Clark


Bernard Lucas Ervin Nason


Clyde J. Potter


Lewis J. Sheaffer


Norman J. Temple


Ralph H. Wakefield


Donald D. Willis


1960 CLERK Bernard E. Leighton


WARDENS John H. Daley Norman B. Gardner


VESTRY Edward A. Besaw


Robert T. Bennett Frank B. Bull Raymond J. Crosby


Treasurer, William H. Edwards Chancellor, Philip E. Lamb


70


HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH


Treasurer, William H. Edwards Chancellor, Ralph M. Clark


David R. Fossett Philip L. Gardner George A. Henry Keith A. Hemenway Bernard Lucas Ervin Nason Freelan R. Nelson Kenneth B. Whittle


Leland B. Willey


Donald D. Willis


Frank A. Wise


1


Friends of Christ Church Vestry. Five years ago, on October 6, 1957, the Rev. Charles Karsten, r., held his first service as Rector of Christ Church. de and his wife came to a parish which at least thought itself very much alive, but which looked the new arrival over shrewdly, for we missed Tom Akeley, who had served a long rectorate and had built well.


Charles Karsten took hold immediately with a firm hand, giving us system which we somewhat lacked, and showing at the same time a warm heart, an intelligent' ambition to make the lay folk count, and a feeling of brotherhood for all good Christians, whatever their denomination might be. He found that there was too much "token" " giv- ing in the Parish and has labored valiantly to make us feel that what we have is held not only by our own exertions, but by the goodness of the Almighty. The" climax of this endeavor came with the Thomas White Stewardship Campaign which, begun in 1961, still continues, and has greatly increased our giving to the cause of Christ.


Our Rector is not only a rare preacher but a thinker from whose pulpit we hear of the duties of Christian families and neigh- bors, of good citizens, and of world: Broth- erhood under God. Through all that he says, the Spirit breathes. He is held in respect by other folds as has been shown by the de- sire of the local ministers' organization to hold the United Good Friday Service in Christ Church, again and again. He is a tireless and faithful parish priest, loving us all, young and old, both those who help row the boat, and those who perforce must rest on their oars. Sometimes he and his Daphne, so lovely and beloved, who works so


1


strongly beside him, must be very tired, but if they are discouraged, they never show it. Two of his characteristics as our Pastor are his warmth, and his treatment of a parishion- er's problem as if it were for the time being the only one in the world that mattered. A strong parish is marked, i think, by the en- thusiasm and devotion of its young people. Our Rector found us strong in youth, and has made us stronger.


God keep him and Daphne, and may they be with us in Gardiner till they grow gray, for their hearts will always be brave, and ten- der, and young.


John Richards, Warden Emeritus. October, 1962.


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