USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 4 > Part 20
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In immediate connection with this report there was presented to the Vestry a letter to the Rector by Dr. Wain- wright, in which, after expressing his repugnance to being involved in the controversy, he denied any private under- standing as to precedence when he had been called in March, 1836, and enclosing a copy of the private letter of
1 This report will be found on Records, liber iii., folios 237-241.
Sniu Migrel
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Mr. Ogden to him, dated " March 30th, 1836." These let- ters were placed upon the minutes. With the publication of the report and a rejoinder from the Committee of Me- morialists, the controversy ended, and this unfortunate incident was considered closed.1
Brief mention has already been made of the alarm felt by many members of the congregation of Trinity Church when the effect of the winter's weight of snow upon the roof was seen in the spring of 1839 to have caused the apex of the roof to sink several inches and thus made the rafters to expand the side walls to such an extent that many justly considered the Church in danger. Repairs promptly ordered by the Vestry and iron rods stretched across the Church connecting the rafters on either side of the roof did not allay the excitement.
On May 6, 1839, an important report was made by the Committee of Supplies and Repairs, which suggested "al- terations not required for the safety of the building." It was very fully discussed, and finally Mr. Adam Tredwell, Mr. Jonathan H. Lawrence, and Mr. Thomas L. Ogden were appointed a joint committee with the Committee on Supplies and Repairs " to consider and determine on the repairs of said building, and also on the style and plan of the new ceiling, if it shall be necessary to take down the pres- ent ceiling, and as these matters shall be decided on that the Committee of Supplies and Repairs proceed to have the work executed." ? The committee were also to " con-
1 " Report of the Vestry on the Memorial of Members of St. Paul's Chapel, with the letters of Dr. Wainwright, and Mr. T. L. Ogden," March, 1839. 8vo., pp. 10.
" Remarks of the Committee of St. Paul's Congregation upon the Report of the . Committee of the Vestry of Trinity Church, and upon the Decision of the Vestry on the Memorial of the Pewholders and Worshippers of St. Paul's Chapel, Praying that the said Chapel may be Set Apart as a Separate Church." 8vo., pp. 12. New York, 1839.
' Records, liber iii., folio 246. The members of this committee were Mr. William H. Harison, Mr. William E. Dunscomb, and Mr. Robert Hyslop.
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1839]
sider and report on the propriety of any alterations in the church edifice." They were empowered "to employ a suit- able person as draughtsman and superintendent of such repairs and alterations."
On May 7th the committee organized by the election of Mr. Ogden as chairman, and appointed Mr. Richard Upjohn, who had then recently come to New York, as draughtsman. A report was made to the Vestry on June 10, 1839, in which it was stated after a thorough examina- tion of Trinity Church that "the side walls of the edifice are not plumb," and expressing the apprehension that they would have to be rebuilt. It recommended that the present exterior appearance of the building should be pre- served, the interior put in complete order, the opening in the rear of the church enlarged " to the extent of the space between the outer arch, so as to enlarge the chancel and afford room for enlarging the pews. It was also proposed "to remove the monument of Bishop Hobart to another position, so as to extend the body of the church between the galleries to the line of the present projection in the rear."1 The estimated cost of the repairs and improve- ments was thirty thousand dollars. The Vestry approved the plans and authorized the committee to carry them out.
Before the repairs had proceeded far, the slight and un- substantial character of the whole building became ap- parent. A contemporary writer says :
" When the roof had been taken off, and the walls of the building un- covered, they were found in several places much more defective than their age would have warranted, the church having been built but fifty years. The western and side walls were several inches out of perpendicular; and about fifty feet of the heavy rear wall of the tower, which was supposed to have rested on a substantial arch was found to be supported by two oak beams, twenty inches square, which were almost entirely decayed. The superstructure, therefore, was in imminent danger of falling, and
1 Records, liber iii., folio 247.
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indeed it seems surprising that it kept its position as long as it did, for the mortar used in its construction was destitute of adhesion, owing to the sand and lime having been poor and improperly mixed." 1
This unexpected state of dilapidation was brought be- fore the Vestry by the committee on August 5th, when the written statements of several master builders were sub- mitted, all agreeing, after a thorough examination, that " the present tower and spire are defective and insecure."
After this startling announcement the Vestry agreed that it would be both useless and bad economy to attempt to strengthen the old church, and that a new one must be built. The committee was then directed to procure a plan of the new church edifice, with estimates of the cost, to be submitted to the Vestry at its next meeting.2
On September 9th the plans and drawings of a new church edifice were laid before the Vestry, accompanied by an estimate of the cost, which was to be "somewhat less than $85,000." If the spire were to be built of stone, the cost would be five thousand dollars more. It was also stated " that the tower and spire of the proposed edifice exceed by fifty feet in height those of the old church. The width is the same, and the interior length of the church is greater by fifteen feet." Could the length of the new church " be farther increased to the extent of one or two intercolumniations," the cost would not much exceed the estimate already given and greatly improve its ap- pearance. The committee mention the solicitude of some pewholders as to their rights in the new building, and ask for action by the Vestry upon that matter.3
The Vestry acted first upon the rights of pewhold- ers and " Resolved that the present owners of pews in
' P. II, H. M. Onderdonk's History of the Protestant Episcopal Churches in the City of New York, 1844.
' Records, liber iii., folio 250.
3 The report will be found in Records, liber iii., folio 251.
Lins UT
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1839]
Trinity Church shall be entitled to pews in the new edi- fice to be situate as nearly as may be in the same relative position as their old pews." 1 Mr. Upjohn then explained the plans and drawings to the Vestry, after which it was resolved "that the spire of the new church and the columns to support the galleries and clear story be con- structed of stone." The joint committee was directed "to proceed in the construction of the new church edifice in conformity with the foregoing resolution and with the plans and drawings now exhibited." 2 It was left to the com- mittee's discretion to increase the length of the building as had been suggested by Mr. Upjohn.
While the church edifice was only fifty years old, its appearance suggested a much more venerable building. It had grown into the life and affection of many New Yorkers, and in conversation and the periodicals of the day much regret was expressed at the necessity for its removal. At least two poems were written when the work of demolition was commenced in August, 1830. From that in The New- York American, then edited by Mr. Charles King, a son of that distinguished Warden of Trinity Church, the Hon. Rufus King, these stanzas may be quoted :
" Farewell! Farewell! They 're falling fast, Pillar and arch and architrave; Yon aged pile to me the last Sole record of the by-gone past, Is speeding to its grave:
And thoughts from memory's fountain flow ' (As one by one, like wedded hearts, Each rude and mouldering stone departs) Of boyhood's happiness and woe, Its sunshine and its shade, And though each ray of early gladness Comes mingled with the hues of sadness, I would not bid them fade."
1 Records, liber iii., folio 251.
? Records, liber iii., folio 252.
CHAPTER IX.
RECTORIAL RIGHTS AND OTHER MATTERS.
The Rector's Right to the Distribution of the Communion Alms-His Report Thereon -Claim on Certain Market Sites-The New Organ for Trinity Church-Recital in St. John's Chapel-Establishment of a Classical School Proposed-Episcopal Fund and Action of the Vestry Thereon-Journey of Dr. Berrian to Santa Cruz-Election of Dr. Wainwright as Temporary Assistant Rector-Act of the Legislature to Validate Actions of the Vestry in Rector's Absence-Return of the Rector-Resignation of Dr. Wain- wright as Temporary Assistant Rector-The Instruction of Students of the General Theological Seminary in Music-Report on the Poor Fund and the Assistant Ministers Considered-Canon LII. and its Meaning-Letter of Thanks from Mr. John Henry Hobart-Laying of the Corner-stone of the New Trinity Church.
A N account has been already given of the discussion upon the subject of the distribution of the Communion Alms ; the Rector asserting his right to receive and dis- burse them ; the Assistant Ministers objecting, and claim- ing that they were entitled to a share; and Members of the Vestry inclined to take ground against the Rector, and in favor of the Assistants. It seems strange that there should have been dispute upon the subject, as Canon LII. of the Canons of 1832 provided that the alms and con- tributions at the administration of the Holy Communion "shall be deposited with the Minister of the Parish or with such Church officer as shall be appointed by him, to be applied by the Minister, or under his superintendence, to such pious and charitable uses as shall by him be thought fit." This Canon, without change of phraseology is still the law of the Church.1 The Rector was right in his
' Canon XV., § ii., Section iv. of Canons and Constitutions, etc. 1904.
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contention ; and the Vestry, finally convinced of that fact, withdrew their objections. The law of the Church is clear, that the distribution of the Communion alms is exclu- sively under the control of the Rector of each Parish, and that the Vestry have no authority in the case. Dr. Ber- rian states that the fund was not large; that it averaged annually about $1340; and that the whole amount within about one dollar was given to stated pensioners and those in the habit of receiving occasional relief.1 It may be added here, that as time has gone on, and great changes have come throughout the Church, different arrangements have been made as to the alms and the offerings in the Parish, subject always to Canon Law. At the period about which we are now writing, the Holy Communion was ad- ministered only about six times in the course of the year : on Christmas Day, Easter, Whitsunday, of course, and in the intervals during the summer and autumn. But now there is a celebration in every Church on every Sunday and Holy Day, and a daily celebration throughout the year at the Parish Church, with daily celebrations elsewhere during Lent, Holy Week, and Advent. Still the Rector has the right to all the alms given at all these services ; but as it would be grossly unfair and unjust to insist on this, an arrangement has been made, by which the Rector re- ceives one offering each month from each Church in the Parish, for his private fund; one offering each month is for some stated object, as specified in a published " order " for the year, and all the remaining offerings are given to the Minister in charge of the church, to be distributed by him at his discretion.
. September 14, 1840, Mr. Ogden, as counsel for the cor- poration, made a report on the subject of certain market sites at the foot of Duane and Christopher Streets, and
' Berrian MSS.
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action was taken to assert the claims of the Church to the said sites.1
An organ had been built for Trinity Church. This in- strument, having received certain additions which greatly increased its power and brilliancy, was put into St. John's Chapel in the spring of 1840, and finally finished in No- vember .? Dr. Hodges made its completion the occasion for an organ recital ; the event was long memorable in the annals of Church music in New York, on account of the excellence of the instrument and the skill of the per- former. The recital was given on Friday evening, No- vember 27, 1840. The seats in the Church were free, none being reserved. Mr. George F. Handel Hodges, son of the great organist, gives this lively description of it under date of December Ist :
" Last Friday evening we had virtually a sacred concert ; though nominally an exhibition of the new Organ at St. John's Chapel, where Papa is organist. I went round to the Church a little before half-past five and found everything right, a man lighting the lamps and another putting the programmes in the pews.
" I then went home to tea and went to Church again at 7 o'clock. It was then almost full and the people were pouring in from the North and from the South, from the East and from the West. . . I thought I would go up the middle aisle to see the organ and how it looked, and was in danger of being left there, for I could with difficulty get to the door as the people were pouring in so fast ; this was about twenty minutes before the time. I sent you a Herald which you will receive before this and which will give you an account of the per- formances, and also contains a high compliment to Papa." 3
On the IIth of January, 1841, the Vestry received a series of resolutions concerning the establishment of a " classical school," and requesting for that purpose the use
1 Records, liber, iii., folio 275.
" The Parish Church, for which the new organ was intended, was at that time in process of reconstruction.
3 Pp. 118-119, Edward Hodges.
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of the building in the rear of St. John's Chapel.1 They embodied the sentiment of a well-attended meeting of parishioners in St. John's who thought the existing facili- ties for education were not sufficiently accessible to those who most needed them, although the Protestant Episcopal Public School, the " Columbia College " Grammar School and the "School of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church " were institutions which did honest and faithful work.2
The resolutions were referred to a special committee consisting of the Rector, Mr. Ogden, Mr. Mesier, and Mr. Wolfe, who were empowered and instructed " to associate with them the Assistant Ministers of this Church and also the Rector of St. George's Church and the Rector of . Grace Church." They were also to confer with the Trus- tees of the New York Protestant Episcopal Public School. Their report was to be made to the Vestry.
And now once more comes in the everlasting question about the Episcopal Fund, like the ghost of Hamlet's father. The Corporation had learned wisdom by experi- ence. No serious effort had been made by the Diocese
1 Records, liber iii., folio 281.
? The school known as the " Charity School " was established in 1709, and until the Revolution was supported jointly by the venerable Propagation Society and Trinity Church, and after that event by this Parish alone. It was endowed by Trinity Church in 1800. It was incorporated under its own Trustees in 1806 by the title of the New York Protestant Episcopal Public School. In 1832 the endowment was increased by the lease at a nominal rent of five lots on Canal, Varick, and Grand Streets. In 1845, with some modifications in its curriculum, it assumed the name of "Trinity School." Its first master was William Huddlestone. Its present building on West Ninety-first Street adjoins on the South and West the property of this Corporation in connection with St. Agnes' Chapel.
The school of the Collegiate Dutch Reformed Church was established in 1633. Its first master was Adam Ronaldson. It has continued uninterruptedly until the present day. Its present building is on West Seventy-seventh Street, in the rear of the West End Avenue Collegiate Church. The Grammar School of Columbia College was established in 1763. Its first master was Matthew Cushing. About thirty years ago it ceased to have any connection with the College. It is still continued under the name of Columbia Grammar School. יו
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of New York since 1838 to increase that fund. It seemed to be the fixed opinion of large numbers that the Vestry of Trinity Church ought not only to assume a large part of the support of the Bishop and furnish him with a suitable residence, but also patiently to assume additional responsibilities without any expectation of the fulfilment of the conditions on which their aid up to that time had been granted. On the 8th of February, 1841, the Stand- ing Committee was instructed "to enquire how far the Convention of the Diocese had complied with the con- ditions on which the annual sum of $1600 had been lately appropriated for a limited period towards the support of the Episcopate in this Diocese." 1 The reply to this in- terrogation must have been in the vocative case.
On the 13th of March, 1841, the Rector, accompanied by Mrs. Berrian, sailed for the West Indies. His journey was sad and sudden. A beloved daughter had been spending the winter at Santa Cruz, in the Danish West Indies, in hope of arresting the progress of a rapid con- sumption. The gravity of her condition was made known to her father early in the month of March. The anxiety and apprehension of the Rector are shown in this letter to the clerk of the Vestry :
"My Dear Sir,
You are probably aware that one of my daughters went to St. Croix last winter for the benefit of her health. Our hopes have been grievously disappointed, and each successive account of her is more distressing than the former. We have learned since the last meeting of the vestry that both she and the friends who are with her most earnestly desire that we should go out and see her.
" For her sake and our own, we know not how to resist this desire, and accordingly Mrs. Berrian and myself intend to sail for St. Croix on Saturday. This determination was so suddenly and unexpectedly made that there was no time for convening the vestry in order to ob-
1 Records, liber iii., folio 281.
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Dr. Wainwright Assistant Rector
1841]
tain their leave of absence, and I therefore throw myself upon that kindness and indulgence which I have so long and so often experi- enced at their hands.
"May I beg the favour of you to communicate this to the vestry. We are going out in the Emily, a very fine and fast sailing ship, in the hope, though a faint one, of finding our dear child alive and of bring- ing her back immediately in the same vessel.
" Yours very truly, " WILLIAM BERRIAN.1
"Thos. L. Ogden, Esq. "
A brief note, placed in the care of Jonathan H. Lawr- ence, to be communicated to the Vestry, and dated, March 12, 1841, nominated the Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright, D.D., as Assistant to hold his office during the Rector's absence.
A special Vestry meeting was held on March 22d. Mr. Rogers, the senior warden, who presided, explained that the sudden departure of the Rector for the West Indies made necessary immediate action, by the Vestry "on the measures proper to be pursued to carry on the business of the Corporation in his absence." After reading Dr. Ber- rian's letter to the clerk and the letter nominating an Assistant Rector, it was resolved "that Mr. Ogden, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Harison, Mr. Howe, and Mr. Tredwell be a committee to take into consideration the several com- munications above mentioned and the present state of the Church as connected with the Rector's absence, and to report thereon." The committee was also authorized to seek the advice of counsel and to apply for relief in the premises to the Legislature, if it is deemed necessary.2
At the Vestry meeting on April roth, the nomination of the Rev. Dr. Wainwright as Assistant Rector was duly . 1 Berrian MSS., p. 284 ; Records, liber iii. Miss Mary Chandler Berrian died at Santa Cruz, on March 26, 1841, in her-twentieth year. Her father and mother arrived four days after her death.
9 Records, liber iii., folio 285.
العدد
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considered, and "such nomination was consented to by all the Church-wardens and Vestrymen present." It was thereupon resolved unanimously "that the Reverend Jonathan M. Wainwright be Assistant Rector pursuant to the said nomination." 1
Dr. Wainwright was introduced into the Vestry by Mr. Harison and Mr. Dunscomb. He signified his ac- ceptance of the office, "was conducted to the chair, and the Vestry, being thus organized, proceeded to business, Dr. Wainwright presiding." 2
On Easter Tuesday, April 13th, the annual election for wardens and vestrymen was held, Dr. Wainwright pre- siding. As Assistant Rector he signed the returns of the election made by the inspectors.
When Mr. Ogden, Mr. Harison, and other legal mem- bers of the Vestry were made aware of the departure of the Rector and had read the letter of nomination left by him, they knew that legal complications might arise, unless they proceeded with care and caution. For this reason a special committee was appointed by which a case was pre- pared and submitted to the Hon. Peter A. Jay, an eminent counsellor. His opinion was that the nomination, " being for a limited time, was invalid." No act of the Vestry could validate it and make Dr. Wainwright a legal member of the Vestry.
"The validity of the election without the presence of the Rector would be questionable and, as he inclined to think, invalid." His advice was "that under all the cir- cumstances of the case" the Vestry should assent to the nomination of Dr. Wainwright, and apply by petition to the Legislature for an act confirming this proceeding, and legalizing the next annual election. A petition was pre- pared, duly signed, and Mr. Ogden and Mr. Harison
1 Records, liber iii., folio 186.
9 Ibid.
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Musical Instruction
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presented it at Albany. It was explained to the leading members of the Senate and Assembly. An act was drawn in accordance with the state of the case. This passed the Senate after reference to the Judiciary Committee and was then presented in the Assembly and referred to its Judiciary Committee, who reported it favorably. "But it having been treated in the Senate as one requiring the concurrence of two thirds of all the members, the House was found to be so thin that the required number of mem- bers could not be collected together to secure its passage prior to the day of the annual election." After the elec- tion a second section validating the acts of the Vestry "since the departure of the Rector and prior to the passage of this act" was added. In its enlarged form it was passed April 22, 1841, and promptly signed by the Governor.1
A Vestry meeting was held April 26th, soon after the return of the Rector, at which the special committee on the Rector's absence made a full report, with a copy of the relief act passed by the Legislature.
The Rev. Dr. Wainwright presented a written resigna- tion of the office of Assistant Rector "which he had accepted upon the condition annexed to the nomination by the Rector." He was thanked for his services, and the resignation was accepted.
On the 10th of May, the Rector, on behalf of the Music Committee, presented a plan by which the eminent musical gifts of Dr. Hodges might be made useful to a greater number, and a knowledge of sacred music be more widely diffused. He was to receive an augmented salary and give instruction to students in the General Theologi-
1 These particulars are condensed from the Report of the Special Committee. As a part of the legal history of the Parish, a copy of the Act is inserted in the Appendix.
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cal Seminary. The plan as presented was modified by reference to a special committee, consisting of the Rector, the Assistant Ministers, and Messrs. Ogden, Harison, and Wolfe. These gentlemen were "to consider and report on the details of a system for the instruction of the stu- dents of the Theological Seminary in sacred music in connection with a plan for the gratuitous instruction of beneficiaries and other young persons attached to the dif- ferent Church Institutions, also for the instruction of such young persons of the Parish and other Parishes as may be desirous to attend him as pay scholars."
The committee for the relief of the Assistant Minis- ters from requests from the poor made a report, which was deferred for future consideration.
The long-continued agitation on the disbursement of Communion alms, and the relieving the Assistant Min- isters of constant importunity for assistance, led to a proposal of Mr. William H. Harison, that " Alms-chests or poor-boxes" be placed in each one of the Chapels by the Committee of Supplies and Repairs, and also in the Parish Church when completed. The keys of these boxes were to be in the custody of the Assistant Ministers, "who shall until further order of the Vestry have the distribution of the Alms thus collected." 1
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