USA > New York > Suffolk County > Huntington > Annals of St. John's church, Huntington, Suffolk County, N.Y., also historical and descriptive notes > Part 3
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
Whatever may be thought as to the strictures and opinions expressed by Mr. Marcus, it is much to be regretted that the sage advice of Bishop Brownell was not regarded when, some- time after, the question of a new church was under considera- tion. The old church should indeed have been preserved "as a relick of the olden time," and the new church built nearer the Village. From an æsthetic point of view the present build- ing and its surroundings are admirable ; but its distance from the Village and its single roundabout and "up hill and down- dale " approach are serious weights upon the growth and avail- ability of the work.
As many as twenty baptisms by Mr. Marcus during his short rectorship are recorded.
A. D. 1845. On April Ist, the Rev. Chas. H. Hall be- came rector, being at the time in Deacon's Orders, but was cr- dained to the Priesthood the same year. He administered twenty-five baptisms, prepared six candidates for Confirmation, and officiated at seven burials.
By a happy coincidence, this same year ( 1895 ) will mark fifty years from the Rev. Dr. Hall's Ordination to the
,
33
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
Priesthood, and one hundred and fifty from the date of the or- ganization of the Parish, or the beginning of definite work in this place. It is hoped that suitable arrangement may be made for the celebration of the conjoint anniversary.
A. D. 1847. On June 2d, the Rev. C. Donald McLeod became rector, being, like his predecessor, in Deacon's Orders, and also being similarly advanced to the Priesthood during his rectorship. He officiated at six baptisms, one marriage and three burials.
A. D. 1848. The Rev. C. D. McLeod resigned the rec- torship.
From this year to 1853, there are no minutes of the Vestry. From the records, however, in the Parish Register it appears that the Rev. F. W. Shelton became rector in 1848, one bap- tism by him being recorded, and three marriages, one in each of the years 1848, 1849, and 1850. He also presented three candidates for Confirmation, the sacred Rite being administered by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Chase.
A. D. 1852. One baptism by the "Rev. Mr. Seymour " is recorded, and one by the Rev. A. Guion.
.
In August of this year the Rev. W. A. W. Maybin became rector.
A. D. 1853. Sept. 15th. John R. Rhinelander, one of the Wardens since 1838, resigned that office. He was subse- quently in one year ( 1856 ) elected a Vestryman, but appar- ently did not serve.
34
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
A. D. 1856. July 26th. Rev. W. A. W. Maybin re- signed the rectorship, accepting a call to St. Paul's Church, Williamsburgh.
Oct. The Rev. Wm. G. Farrington became rector, with a salary of $400 per annuni.
A. D. 1858. July 4th. Rev. W. G. Farrington resigned.
Aug. The Rev. James H. Williams became rector, with a salary of $450 per annunl.
A. D. 1859. July 14. The resignation of the Rector, offered in January in consequence of ill health, was at this time accepted with expressions of great regret.
Sept. 12th. Rev. Wm. J. Lynd, having been secured as rector for one year, was introduced to the Vestry, receiving the keys of the Church from the Senior Warden. Salary $500 per annum.
A. D. 1860. At a meeting of the Vestry, held April 12th, it was "resolved, that this Vestry do now take the neces- "sary steps to build a new church."
At a meeting held May 18th it was "resolved, that the "Vestry now express their feelings in regard to a change of "site by voting upon the following :-
" Resolved, That when we build a new church we will " build it upon a new site. Ayes, Ray, Adams, Scudder, " Williams, Fleet, Atwater, Nicoll, 7. Nays, William C. " Stout, I."
35
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
At a subsequent meeting, on Aug. 2nd, a resolution was passed rescinding the foregoing.
At this meeting on Aug. 2nd, it was also "resolved, that " the thanks of the Vestry be rendered to Rev. Mr. Lynd for " his researches into the old time history of St. John's Church "in Huntington, and for the interesting facts presented by him " relative thereto."
No record, however, of the facts presented seems to have come to us, except, possibly some of the Notes in the Parish Register.
Aug. 14th, the Rev. W. J. Lynd, though requested to remain as rector until Easter 1862, decided to "accept a call in the City "of New York."
At a meeting on this date, it was "resolved, that a new " church be built on the old site."
No record appears of the call or induction of the Rev. Caleb B. Ellsworth, but he probably entered upon his charge about the close of the year. A list of rectors &c,, compiled by Mr. O. E. Schmidt, gives the date Nov. 1860. The salary was fixed, at a meeting in Feb. 1861, at $600.
A. D. 1861. Sept. 7th. The "Committee to procure " additional land for the church " reported that they had " pur- " chased from Mrs. Bunce a strip of land of 15 feet front and " 419 feet in depth, adjoining the church lands and on the "south side of the same, for the sum of $225; and that the " Deed for said strip of land was in the possession of the Clerk " of the Vestry."
The " Committee to procure subscriptions and build a new "church " reported that " the Committee had closed a contract
36
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
" with Edwin Wood & Co., for four thousand seven hundred "and fifty dollars ($4,750 ) including all mason work, with in- " side and outside carpenter work, and outside painting ; and "that the inside painting and decoration would probably "cost the additional sum of $250."
A. D. 1862. April 30th. At a Vestry meeting held on this date, on motion of Richard B. Post, it was "resolved, that "in view of the proposed Consecration of this Church on the "6th of May next, the Rector and the Clerk of the Vestry be " authorized to prepare and to sign in behalf of the Vestry the "proper Instrument of Donation."
Also, on motion of Joseph H. Ray, it was " resolved, that "this Vestry fully appreciate the indefatigable services of " Mr. Hewlett Long, as devoted to the procurement of a bell " for the Church, and to the advancement of the general inter- "ests of the Parish : and hereby tenders him its grateful thanks."
The thanks of the Vestry were also presented to Mr. Gil- bert P. Williams "for his faithful discharge during many years " of the duties of Collector," and also to Mrs. Philipse " for her "beautiful donation of a silver Communion Service to our " Church."
Sunday, May 4th. At a meeting of the Congregation held after morning service, resolutions of respect and esteem, with suitable preamble, relative to the death of the Hon. C. C. Cam- brelling, were unanimously adopted.
May 6th. "The new church of the ancient parish of St. "John's, Huntington, L. I., was consecrated by the Bishop of " the Diocese on Tuesday, May 6th, twelve of the clergy being
37
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
" present in surplices, and taking part in the interesting ser- " vices of the day. The Bishop and Clergy moved in proces- "sion to the porch under the tower, where they were met by " the Wardens and Vestrymen, and entered the Church saying " alternately the twenty-fourth Psalm. The Senior Warden " having handed the Bishop the Instrument of Donation and "Request, it was read by the Rev. Mr. Williams, of Smithtown. " The Sentence of Consecration was read by the Rev. Mr. Hut- "ton, of Oyster Bay. Morning Prayer was begun by the Rev. "Wm. G. Farrington of New York, the Lessons being read by " the Rev. Mr. Moore of Hempstead and the Rev. Mr. Statham "of Patchogue, and the Creed and Prayers said by the Rev. J. " H. Williams of Dobb's Ferry. The Bishop began the Ante- " Communion Service, the Epistle being read by the Rev. Mr. "Edwards, and the Gospel by the Rev. E. K. Fowler, who " had ministered in the parish more than forty years before. " The Sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Seabury of New "York, from the text, "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, " for the place whereon thou standest is Holy Ground." The " relative holiness of the House of God, and the duty of rever- "encing the sanctuary, were forcibly set forth.
" After the Sermon, the Bishop proceeded with the rite of . "Confirmation, the preface being read by the Rector, the Rev. "C. B. Ellsworth, and sixteen persons received the laying-on " of hands. In his address to the newly-confirmed, the Bishop, "after alluding to the beauty of the new temple, and the im- " pressive services in which they had just been engaged, " brought out very happily the analogies between the consecra- " tion of the material temple to the worship and service of the "Almighty, and the solemn offering and consecration of the
38
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
"living temple as 'a reasonable, holy,' and living sacrifice " unto God."
· " The Offertory Sentences were read by the Rev. Mr. Mal- "laby, and the Exhortation and following parts of the Commu- "nion Office by the Rev. Dr. Porter. The Bishop said the " Prayer of Consecration, and administered to the clergy and a " very large number of the laity. Despite the great length of " the service, the entire congregation, though composed in "great part of those not of the Church, remained to the very "end, evidently deeply impressed by what they had seen and "heard, and seemingly loth to depart from the Gate of Heaven."
In another paragraph of this communication the statement appears that the old church had been " repaired and renovated "in the year 1838, and a Vestry having been organized, it was " consecrated by Bishop Onderdonk."
" The designs for the new church were furnished by Gage "Inslee, of New York. The stained glass was made by Dore- "mus, and the decorating was done by Otto Ficht."
" Four of the clergymen who took part in the service had "been ministers of the parish, viz .: the Rev. Dr. Seabury and " the Rev. Messrs. Fowler, Farrington and J. H. Williams." (From " Correspondence of the Church Journal.")
A. D. 1855. April 17th. At the Parish Meeting on this day, Easter Monday, a preamble and resolutions, offered by Mr. Wm. Nicoll, Senior Warden, appropriate to the national distress occasioned by the assassination of President Lincoln, was unanimously adopted, and it was ordered that the church should be draped in mourning.
39
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
A. D. 1867. Feb. 3rd. The Convention of the Diocese of New York having called for an expression of opinion as to the erection of this part of the State into a new diocese, the fol- lowing resolution, at a Vestry Meeting held on this date, was adopted :-
" Resolved, That in the judgment of this Vestry, the erec- " tion of a new diocese in the southern part of the diocese of " New York, to consist of Long Island, is desirable."
April 18th. At a Vestry Meeting held on this date, the Treasurer reported the receipt on Jan. 11th last of four hund- red and eighty-four and 30-100 dollars as the proceeds of a be- quest made to the Vestry of this Church by Mrs. John R. Rhinelander, deceased.
At the same meeting it was
" Resolved, That we regret the removal from our midst of " Mr. Wm. Nicoll, our Senior Warden ; and we tender him our " thanks for the interest he has manifested in the welfare of " our church during his sojourn here, and particularly for his " counsel and his invaluable services rendered in connection " with the building of our church edifice."
A most cordial response in a letter from Mr. Nicoll was read to a subsequent meeting, and will be found spread upon the Minutes, as was directed.
.
A. D. 1868. At a meeting of the Vestry, held Sept. 10th. The "Committee on Episcopate Fund" reported that they had raised and paid over to John D. Jones, Treasurer of the Long Island Episcopate Fund the sum of two hundred dollars, being the amount assessed on St. John's Church, Huntington.
40
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
At a subsequent meeting, on Nov. 14th, on motion of Chas. H. Fleet, it was
" Resolved, That the following named persons be duly ap- " pointed Lay Delegates to attend the Primary Diocesan Con- " vention of the Protestant Episcopal Church on Long Island, " to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18th, at the Church of the " Holy Trinity in the City of Brooklyn : viz .: Edward Kissam,
"Isaac Adams, and Hiram Paulding, Jr."
A. D. 1870. Report to Convention this year shows eighty- two Communicants and total offerings of $1,056.
At a meeting of the Vestry, held Oct. 22nd, the Rev. C. B. Ellsworth, rector, tendered his resignation, which was ac- cepted, with an expression of regret and good wishes.
Thus the rectorship became vacant, after being occupied by Mr. Ellsworth for nearly ten years, the longest term as yet reached by any rector of this parish.
The " Committee to procure a rector" seem to have met with considerable difficulty, two " calls " being declined, and several urgent appeals were made by the Committee for larger means and increased interest. And the great disadvantage of · having a church on a site which is inconvenient to a considera- ble number of people also begins to make itself manifest. " It requires some special attraction " say the Committee, " to draw a congregation." And they appeal for special means to meet this disadvantage, "since," they add, "the church cannot be moved to a more convenient location."
41
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
A. D. 1871. The Rev. Alfred J. Barrow accepted a call to the Rectorship of this parish, on May Ist, 1871, at a salary of $1,200 per annum.
Soon afterwards, the church was supplied with lamps for furnishing light for evening services at a cost to the parish of $140, two chandeliers with lamps being added at the cost of Mr. I. E. Doying, and a brick furnace was erected in the basement at a cost of about $200.
Also, in August of the same year, a fund of $1,400 having been obtained, largely through the efforts of the Ladies' Parish Aid Society, contract was made with Geo. W. Earle, Organ- builder, of Riverhead, for a new Pipe-Organ, for the sum of $1,750. The old organ was presented to "the Missionary Chapel at Riverhead."
A. D. 1872. March 28th. Treasurer reports " Total Re- "ceipts $1,573.33, Total Disbursements $1,566.39, Balance in "hand $6.94: also in hand L. I. Gillespie's note for $600 ( Rhinelander Fund ) bearing interest at 7 per cent."
Rector's Report to Convention shows "Confirmed, 15; "Communicants, 90; Contributions for Current Expenses, "$1,549 ; Total Parochial Offerings, $5,137 ; Total Offering, "$5,242. Also the purchase of a new and beautiful organ for " $1,960. Also, an acre of land adjoining the Church property ' " for parsonage purposes and Horse-sheds for $1,000; mainly "due to the exertions of an active Society of ladies. Rector's "study furnished, new surplice given, &c., estimated at $100. "Improvement of Church property by lighting and heating "$350. Occasional services at Centreport and Northport."
42
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
A. D. 1873. New Carriage Road made, parallel with the old lot, grounds partially graded, and new fences put up, at a cost of $120. Also, thirteen Horse-Sheds erected, costing $566, this being contributed by those to whom sheds were assigned, with $50 from Mr. A. Mulligan.
Report to Convention showed Confirmations, 10 ; Commu- nicants, 92; Current Expenses, $1,983 ; All Parochial, $3,953 ; All Contributions, $4,069.
A. D. 1874. Report to Convention showed Communicants, 103 ; Current Expenses, $1,884 ; Subscription to Rectory Fund, $2,150 ; Total Parochial, $4,216 ; Total Offerings, $4,511.
A. D. 1875. In March of this year the Rectory was completed, at a total cost of $5,115. Of this amount the " Ladies' Rectory Fund Society " had furnished the large sum of $2,451.51 : the Rhinelander Fund, which had grown to $685.26 was appropriated to this purpose, and there were other subscriptions amounting to $1,335. The balance, $643.55 and about $900 expended in furnishing were raised by a mortgage of $1,500 for three years upon the property.
Report to Convention showed Communicants, 117 ; Con- firmed, 12 ; Current Expenses, $1,912 ; Total for Parochial Pur- poses, $2,833 ; Total Offerings $3, III.
A. D. 1876. A dispute concerning the election for War- dens and Vestrymen was referred to the Hon. Murray Hoffman, and was decided adversely to those who contested the Rector's decision.
43
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
Report to Convention showed Communicants, 115 ; Con- firmed, 6 ; Current Expenses, $1,870 ; Total for Parochial Pur- poses, $3,021 ; Total Offerings, $3, 263.
A. D. 1877. At a meeting of the Vestry held May 19th, the Rev. A. J. Barrow, having received a call to Brooklyn, ten- dered his resignation, which was accepted, and a Committee was appointed to draft resolutions of regret and esteem.
The Rev. Thaddeus A. Snively accepted election to the Rectorship, and took charge of the Parish on July 15th.
Report to Convention showed Communicants, 97; Con- firmed, 3 ; Current Expenses, $1,526 ; Total Parochial, $2,012 ; Total Offerings, $2,157.
A. D. 1878. At a meeting of the Vestry held Feb. 16th, · resolutions were passed expressive of the sense of the Church's loss in the death of Mr. Sam'l W. Jones, a valued and esteemed member of the Vestry.
Also, the resignation of the Rector, Rev. T. A. Snively, was accepted with much regret.
At a subsequent meeting, on April 13th, the vacant Rec- torship was tendered to the Rev. N. Barrows, of Rahway, N. J. Mr. Barrows accepted, and took charge on May Ist.
Report to Convention showed ( May 21st ) Communicants, 105; Current Expenses, $1,444.33 ; All Parochial Expenses, $1,915.61 ; Total Offerings, $2,189.30. In June of this year, Mr. Wm. A. M. Diller, of Brooklyn, was engaged to instruct a Choir, and on Sunday, Aug. 25th, a vested choir, of eight men and fifteen boys, was introduced. The chancel was ex- tended four feet into the nave ; desks and seats were provided
44
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
at an expense of about $100. The pulpit was moved, and the font placed at the west end of the church. A Choir-room, 27 feet by II feet, was built at the north-west end of the church, chiefly through the liberality of Mr. Ira E. Doying.
A. D. 1879. Parochial Report ( May 20th ) showed Con- firmed, 10; Communicants, 108 ; For Current Expenses, $1,509.66 ; For all Parochial Purposes, $3,066.84 ; Total Offer- ings, $3,333.83. .
In Sept. the sum of $800 was given by the Rectory Fund Society towards payment of mortgage debt; remainder loaned by Mr. C. F. Brooks, free of interest.
Nov. 16th. The Free Seat System adopted on motion in Vestry meeting, (the proposition having been previously sub- mitted at a meeting of parishioners,) to take effect Easter, 1880.
A. D. 1880. Parochial Report, May 18th, showed Con- firmed, 14; Communicants, 122; For Current Expenses, $1,711.77 ; For all Parochial Purposes, $3,656.19; Total Contributions, $3,879.85.
A. D. 1883. The withdrawal of an annual subscription of $500, pledged by Mr. C. F. Brooks upon the adoption of the Free Seat System, led to much financial stringency in this and the following year.
A. D. 1885. May 19th, Parochial Report showed con- firmed, 9; Communicants, 128; For Current Expenses, $1,297.75 ; For all Parochial Purposes, $1,660.79 ; Total of Contributions, $1,855.75.
45
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
June 7th and 14th. At meetings of the congregation, held after service, subscriptions were begun by which the float- ing debt of $611.35 was paid in full, and the $500 mortgage upon the Rectory was also discharged, largely by the liberality of Mr. Edwin Beers, of Brooklyn.
Sept. 17th. The Rev. N. Barrows tendered his resigna- tion, which was accepted with deep regret.
Oct. 22nd. The Rev. Theodore M. Peck, of Piermont, N. Y. was called to the rectorship, with salary of $1,000 per annum, and use of Rectory.
Dec. 11th. The Rev. Theodore M. Peck formally insti- tuted as Rector by the Rev. Dr. Middleton, of Glen Cove, act- ing for the Bishop of Long Island.
A. D. 1886. May 18th. Parochial Report showed Com- municants, 137; For Current Expenses, $1,774.81 ; For all Parochial Purposes, $4,214.69 ; Total of Contributions, $4,344.23.
This report also makes mention of the great loss of the par- ish in the departure hence, during the year, of Rufus Prime and Henry J. Scudder, both Vestrymen, and faithful and lib- eral parishioners. Also, of the starting of a permanent "En- dowment Fund " with the offertory ( $18.75 ) on the Sunday of the Rector's Institution.
The church edifice had been repainted and the cross gilded, at a cost of $105, and a building was purchased and refitted for a barn for the Rectory Grounds, at an expense of $225.
On Nov. Ist, All Saints' Day, the first of a line of shade trees, on the lane leading from Main street to the Church, was
46
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
planted by Miss Nina Prime, in memory of her father ; appropriate services being conducted by the Rector, assisted by the Rev. N. Barrows.
On the same day, at Evening Prayer in the Church, "the handsome and Churchly Book-case for the Parish Memorial Library was unveiled, and solemnly set apart for church use with a service of Benediction."
This Library was founded on the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels as a memorial of ISABELLA GIBSON BARROWS, wife of the Rev. N. Barrows, to perpetuate her memory and her influence."
A. D. 1887. The roof of the church building repaired at a cost of $175, and a Fund for the erection of a Sunday School Building or Parish House was begun with an offering of $55.61.
A. D. 1888. No election of Wardens &c., at the usual time, Monday in Easter week, because no electors atttended.
Parochial Report, May 15th, showed Confirmed, 9; Com- inunicants, 123; For Current Expenses, $1,727.88 ; All Paro- chial Purposes, $2,032.85 ; Total Contributions, $2,348.42. Trinity Mission, Northport, was reported flourishing, and nearly ready to be set off as a Parish. At Huntington Harbor, Mission Services had been held continuously since St. Andrew's Day, 1887.
At a Vestry Meeting in May, the salary of the Rector was increased to $1,200 per annum, and an appropriation of $500 was made for Organist and Choir. Testimonials of Edgar L. Sanford, Deacon, and Candidate for Priest's Orders, and of Wm. Stanley Barrows, for the Diaconate, were duly signed.
47
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
The west end of the Church was this year repaired and re- plastered. And, largely through the interest and exertions of Mrs. C. P. Holmes, a new carpet was laid within the rail, and a floor of decorated tiles in the Choir.
A. D. 1889. Parochial Report, May 21st, showed Con- firmed, 7; Communicants, 136; For Current Expenses, $1,451.36 ; All Parochial Purposes, $2,669.79 ; Total Contri- butions, $2,889.33. During the year, the improvements al- ready noted had been made, a Building at the Harbor, being a Barn on the Meade property, had been given for a chapel, and adapted to its new use at a cost of $200 ; and $300 had been spent on the Rectory in repairing and painting, and the pur- chase of a new furnace. A gift is also recorded of a handsome Alms-Bason and Plates " to the Glory of God, and in loving memory of Gertrude B. Hurd, Easter, 1889."
Choir Appropriation this year, or Salary of Organist, $300.
.
A. D. 1890. Parochial Report, May 20th, showed Con- firmed, 12; Communicants, 151; For Current Expenses, $1,863.03 ; All Parochial Purpose, $2,559.58 ; Total Offerings, $2,863.48. The Harbor Chapel had been enlarged, at a cost of $140.
At a Vestry Meeting on June 7th, a resolution was passed abandoning the Free Seat System, and ordering pews offered for rental.
At some time during the Summer the plan of a "Parish Guild " was submitted and accepted, its object being to system- atize and bring into organic union the various Societies and
48
Annals of St. John's Church, Huntington, L. I.
working forces of the Parish. The first quarterly meeting was held on St. Luke's Day, Oct. 18th.
A. D. 1891. Parochial Report, May 19th, showed Con- firmed, 9; Communicants, 149; For Current Expenses, $2, 183.72 ; All Parochial Purposes, $3,046.41 ; Total Contribu- tions, $3,279.04.
Early in October, and at the completion of six years of en- ergetic and successful labor, the Rev. Theo. M. Peck resigned the rectorship, his resignation to take effect Nov. Ist.
On the latter date, his successor, the Rev. Chas. W. Tur- ner, formerly of St. Matthew's Church, Brooklyn, and for the last two years Dean of St. Matthew's Cathedral, Dallas, Texas, took charge of the parish.
A. D. 1892. Report, May 17th, showed Communicants, 146 ; Current Expenses, $1,700.00 ; Total Parochial Purposes, $2,362.54 ; Total of Contributions, $2,445.17.
A. D. 1893. Report, May 16th, showed Confirmations, 16 ; Communicants, 151 ; Current Expenses, $1,965.11 ; Total for Parochial Purposes, $2,828.87 ; Total Contributions, $3,093.02.
A. D. 1894. Report to May 16th, showed Confirmations, 16 ; Communicants, 144 ; Current Expenses, $1,824.57 ; Total for Parochial Purposes, $2,483.84 ; Total Contributions, $2,673.44.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.