USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Annals of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, N.Y. 1817-1883 > Part 2
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" In the arrangement of the interiour will be seen convenience, elegance, and a strict econ- omy of room. The pulpit and desk consist of a number of delicate Gothick arches, behind which is a drapery of dark blue velvet. The chancel is in the form of an oval, placed in front of the desk, and containing a Communion
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Table of Italian marble, and a baptismal font of the purest alabaster, resting on a pedestal of agate marble. The gallery is supported by large cluster columns, painted in imitation of light blue variegated marble. The ceiling is fin- ished with intersecting vaulted or groined arches, ornamented with stucco work. In the church is placed a large and remarkably fine- toned organ."
This organ was built by Hall & Erben of New York and cost $1300; the instrumental music in the old church having been furnished by a vio- lin, flute, clarionet and bass viol. The first organist was Daniel Clark, who held the posi- tion till May, 1827, when he was superseded by William Staunton, remaining however in charge of the choir until April, 1828. The engagement authorized to be made with the new organist was " at a salary of $200 per annum and a guar- antee of ten scholars in music @ $10 per year for one year."
The pews were " offered at public sale on per- petual lease, and for one or three years by bids for choice at the valuation and annual rents affixed in the schedule attached." The highest valuation was $280, and the highest annuity $20. The number of pews on the ground floor was sixty-six, and in the gallery twenty-six.
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The church was consecrated by Bishop Ho- bart, Sept. 30, 1826, the ceremony having been thus long delayed owing to the Bishop's absence in Europe.
The christian activity of the parish found expression, March 2, 1827, in the organization of the " Female Benevolent and Auxiliary Mis- sionary Society," whose object was "the pro- curing of funds in aid of plans and societies formed for the purpose of promoting the cause of religion as connected with the interests of the Prot. Epis. Church, special reference being had to the wants of the General Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church and the Mon- roe County Episcopal Association, for dissem- inating religious knowledge." This last-named association, organized in February, 1827, appears to have allowed the object for which it was formed, viz., "the supply of vacant places with- in the county with the services of the Episco- pal Church, assisting in the establishment and support of new congregations, and the forma- tion of Sunday Schools," to devolve entirely upon the ladies' society, designed to be aux- iliary to it. This organization, however, de- voted itself at once to earnest work, with a membership of 126, and with Mrs. Elisha John- son for President, Mrs. H. Montgomery, Vice
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President, Mrs. W. Pitkin, Secretary, and Mrs. T. H. Rochester, Treasurer.
The first efforts of the society were directed to providing missionary services in parts adja- cent, as is evident from the following extract from a letter of Mr. Cuming, dated May 21, 1827, enclosing to his correspondent a copy of the constitution of the newly-formed society:
"The inducements which the society can at present hold out are by no means so great as we wish we had it in our power to offer. But when it is mentioned that there are strong, very strong reasons to authorize the belief that the prudent, zealous, persevering efforts of some able and pious clergyman would much promote the interests of the . Episcopal Church in this quarter and result in building up two or three respectable congregations, we think we present an argument calculated to have much weight with those who sincerely love the Church."
The minutes of the society show that appro- priations were made from time to time for mis- sionary work at Penfield, Pittsford, Brockport, Scottsville, and Honeoye Falls. The need of missionary work within the city (for Rochester became a city in 1834) claimed more and more attention, and from 1846 (with increased ability on the part of diocesan agencies to care for out- lying points), this society addressed its efforts
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mainly to the city field by providing successive Rectors with clerical assistance. With some ' modification of its name, the society remained in existence till Feb. 3, 1868, when the Christian activity of the ladies was directed into other channels. It may here, however, be fitly re- marked that great interest was early manifested by the congregation in. the missionary cause, both foreign and domestic; an interest largely fostered by this association, which through systematic annual offerings liberally contributed to missionary objects. An evidence of the special interest felt in the mission to Greece lies in the fact that a scholarship in Dr. and and Mrs. Hill's school at Athens was supported by ladies in St. Luke's; and the first Greek girl received into that school, Agathoula by name, testified her gratitude by working on canvas, with emblematical and ornamental de- signs, a scripture text, " In memoriam of Mrs. Sophia Rochester, Dec. 9th, 1845"-a memento still preserved in the Rochester family.
Another organization was formed of unmar- ried ladies in the parish, on Ash Wednesday, 1827, to be known as "The Young Ladies' Benevolent and Reading Society." Its ob- jects were "to promote the mutual instruction of the members, and to procure funds for char- itable or religious purposes." The society
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met once in two weeks, and during a reading by one of their number, the others were re- quired " industriously to employ themselves in making such articles as may be disposed of to the advantage of the society." Its benefactions took a wide range, including appropriations to missions, theological students, parochial needs and the maintenance of a charity school ; and its good work as a distinct organization was continued until 1838.
The carlier establishment of the Rochester Female Charitable Society, Feb. 26, 1822, should also properly be noted here; which, although a general organization, included among its first officers and members many ladies of promin- ence in St. Luke's Church. The first public discourse in its behalf was preached by the Rector of St. Luke's, and it has ever retained the confidence and practical sympathy of the congregation.
The letter of Rev. Mr. Cuming last quoted contains, at the close, the following important reference : " Measures are now taking to organ- ize another Episcopal congregation in this vil- lage, next Monday." The measures referred to originated in the following action of the Vestry of St. Luke's, May 7, 1827 :
" WHEREAS, The congregation of St. Luke's has become so numerous in consequence of the
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increasing population of the village, that their present church cannot afford the necessary accommodation, and it being therefore advis- able to establish an additional church in the Village of Rochester, and application having been made by parishioners of St. Luke's Church residing on the east side of the Genesee river for the organization of such additional church and society agreeably to the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; therefore,
Resolved, That the said additional church be located on the east side of the Genesee river within the bounds of the village corporation.
Resolved, That a committee of five be ap- pointed to carry the above resolutions into effect in a legal manner and as soon as prac- ticable, and that the following gentlemen com- pose said committee : Messrs. Atkinson, John- son, Boulton, Whittlesey and Pitkin.
Resolved, That the said committee wait upon the Rev. Mr. Cuming and express to him the continued confidence and attachment of all the parishioners of St. Luke's Church, and request him to proceed in the organization of the addi- tional church."
In accordance with this action, St. Paul's Church was organized, May 28, 1827, and the following communicants dismissed from St.
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Luke's to the new parish : Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Atkinson, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Jared N. Stebbins, Giles Boulton, E. Smith Lee, Mrs. Susan Lee, Mrs. Mary Williams, Mrs. Elisha Johnson, John Carnes, Mrs. Richard P. Petherick, and Mrs. W. G, Russell. Five others also were dismissed dur- ing the year to form the nucleus of a new organization in the village of Penfield, to be called Trinity Church.
A contract for a bell of 2,000 lbs. weight was authorized to be made, July 5, 1827, with Ward, Bartholomew & Brainerd. Its cost was $900, $500 of which was provided by the proceeds of a lot given to the parish for this purpose by Colonel Fitzhugh. The bell was hung in the tower, April 17, 1828.
At the Easter meeting in this year, Monday in Easter week was substituted for Thursday as the time of the annual election. An enlarge- ment of the church by the addition of two arches at the west end was deemed expedient, which would increase its length by thirty feet. A contract was entered into with Elias J. Mershon to execute this plan at an expense of $3,000, Wm. Pitkin, S. O. Smith and F. Whit- tlesey being the building committee. The work was so conducted that the use of the church was not interrupted, and the new part was.
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thrown open for occupancy in the fall of the same year.
The Rectorship of the Rev. Mr. Cuming was brought to a close by his resignation under date March 23, 1829, after an incumbency of eight years and four months. The Vestry accepted the resignation, "deeply regretting the existence of reasons that in his estimation are deemed of sufficient weight and importance to determine him to resign a situation he has so usefully occupied and the duties of which he has so faithfully and satisfactorily discharged."
An invitation to become the Rector was now extended to the Rev. Francis L. Hawks of New Haven, but declined by him on the ground of duty to his present parish and the condition of his health.
The Rev. Henry J. Whitehouse of Reading, Pa., was then called to the Rectorship, Sept. 9, 1829. After visiting the parish and officiating, the call was renewed, Oct. 4, by the Vestry and accepted "by the advice of Bishop Hobart," and on the first Sunday in December the new Rector entered upon his duties. His formal Institution took place Aug. 29, 1830. The rite of confirmation was administered in the even- ing of the same day to sixty-one candidates; of which occasion the Bishop accidentally over- turned the alabaster font, which was thus broken
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to pieces. It was his last service in St. Luke's, as his lamented death took place on the 12th of the ensuing month. The Vestry placed on record their feelings in reference to the loss of their beloved Bishop, in the following language : " But two weeks before his decease, he in this church instituted our Rector and administered the apostolic rite of confirmation. It was almost his last ministerial act. We feel sen- sibly, we hope, this divine dispensation, and humbly pray God to direct us in the way of our duty, and that in due time He will raise up another bishop who shall with equal consist- ency preserve the integrity of the Church, with equal self-devotedness dedicate himself to her interests, with equal purity adorn her highest office, and, like him we mourn, be the polished gentleman, the practical scholar, the consistent Christian and the best of bishops." The church was draped in black and the Vestry wore the usual badge of mourning, for thirty days.
The Rector reported to the Convention of this year, that he had given a third service for ten or twelve Sunday evenings in the village of Penfield, and occasionally a week-service in the town of Brighton. In the following year, these services in Penfield were continued, and six persons were confirmed there by Bishop Onder- donk, Aug. 22, 1831.
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The venerable founder of the village and the first warden of the church, Col. Nathaniel Rochester, deceased on the 4th of May, 1831, at the age of seventy-nine years. The Vestry manifested their respect and affection for his memory by appropriate resolutions and official participation in the funeral solemnities. On that occasion a memorable sermon was preached by the Rector, from the text, Gen. xliii. 27. "The old man of whom ye spake, is he yet alive ?"
A communication addressed to the Rev. Mr. Whitehouse by the Vestry of St. Paul's Church. bearing date Dec. 5, 1831, was laid by him before the Vestry of St. Luke's, in which it was unanimously proposed to associate the two Churches under his parochial charge as Rector of both, with authority to procure an assistant- minister,-the services and the expenses to be equally divided between the two Churches. The Vestry of St. Luke's, after full considera- tion of the subject, found themselves of one opinion as to the inadvisability of the proposed scheme, and to a detailed statement of their objections thereto, added these words: "This Vestry receive with much gratification the expression of the committee of St. Paul's to our Rector, of their approbation of the views and policy exhibited by him during his connec-
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tion with St. Luke's Church,' and sincerely hope it is an carnest of the desire and determination of that congregation to be governed by the same sound and consistent views and policy, as they are calculated to present our episcopal institutions under one form, establish harmony and engage the cordial co-operation of the members of our respective congregations."
In 1832, a building was erected in the rear of the Church as a lecture-room and for the Sunday School, and also for the Charity School, which it was proposed to estab- lish. This latter was organized in 1833 with seventy-five scholars and was supported mainly by the Young Ladies' Benevolent Society of St. Luke's, Gershom P. Waldo and Ethan Allen, both afterwards in Orders in the Church, being among the teachers of the school. The subse- quent development of the common school system occasioned its discontinuance, and in April, 1843, the Vestry authorized " the giving away of the Charity School apparatus."
At a meeting of the Vestry, Sept. 29, 1832. the embarrassed condition of the affairs of St. Paul's Church were again presented to their attention through a communication from the Vestry of the latter, whereupon the following preamble and resolutions were adopted :
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" WHEREAS, certain statements of the affairs and condition of St. Paul Church in the Village of Rochester from the Vestry thereof, have been submitted to the consideration of the Vestry of this Church ; from which it appears that the pecuniary affairs of said Church are in a condition so embarrassed that they entertain no hope of being able to extricate themselves, and that without means, without a Rector and burdened with debt, they fear that they must sink under their difficulties, the Church be borne down, the congregation dispersed and the build- ing sold, to the great injury of the Episcopal interest in this section, unless some new ar- rangement can be made for their relief and the benefit of the Church in general, and so sug- gesting that the Corporation of this Church should purchase the building of St. Paul's Church as a Chapel of St. Luke's, as the only practical measure of saving it from entire sac- rifice and averting a serious and permanent in- jury to the prosperity of the Episcopal Church generally, therefore
Resolved, that the interests of the Episcopal Church demand that St. Luke's Church should make an effort to purchase the building known as St. Paul's Church as a Chapel of this Church, if it can be done without too great a burden upon its resources and funds.
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Resolved, that the Rector of this Church be empowered to ascertain what foreign resources can be depended upon for the above object, and to this intent, if necessary, present the mat- ter to the Vestry of Trinity Church, New York."
After considerable negotiation, it was finally deemed unwise and impracticable by the Ves- try of St. Luke's for them to assume the respon- sibility which the purchase of St. Paul's as a Chapel would involve, since the conditions con- nected with the offer of Trinity Church, New York, to pay the interest on $10,000 indebted- ness for two years, required the purchase of the property by St. Luke's and the clearing off of all claims and incumbrances in excess of that amount.
A plan for the reorganization of St. Paul's under another name was subsequently devised, and liberally aided by Trinity Church, New York; and the new corporation of Grace Church came, through foreclosure, into possession of the property.
The only occasion when St. Luke's has been . visited by fire was in the early morning of Sun- day, December 23, 1832, when the damage was slight and mainly by water. The kind invita- tion of their neighbors of the First Presbyterian
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Society to worship in their edifice was grate- fully accepted : which courtesy the Vestry were pleased to reciprocate on a subsequent occasion. when the walls of the First Church came to be considered unsafe ; proffering the use of the Church to a religious society, whose relations with St. Luke's, its oldest and nearest neigh- bor, have always been of the most friendly character.
The Rev. Mr. Whitehouse proposing a trip to Europe for his health, and the Vestry ex- pressing their cordial concurrence in the plan, he left the city Aug. 8, 1833, having preached a farewell sermon on the evening preceding. The Rev. James A. Bolles, of New York, was invited by the Vestry "to take charge of the parish as assistant minister thereof from the first day of September next at a salary of $600. The Rev. Mr. Bolles accepted the proposition, preaching his first sermon Sept. 15. The Rec- tor returned Dec. 7, 1834, having received dur- ing his absence the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Geneva College.
In 1836 a project for the establishment of a second offshoot of St. Luke's was agitated, and a committee of the Vestry was appointed to " circulate a subscription for purchasing a lot for a new church in Frankfort." As the result of this effort an eligible site was secured oppo- 4
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site Brown's Square, and Seth C. Jones opened a Sunday School in the school-house which then stood on the square; and here the work rested for a time.
In October of the same year the Rev. Dr. Whitehouse, having secured leave of absence from his duties, was married in New York and sailed for Europe Nov. 22, remaining abroad until Oct. 8, 1837. The services meanwhile were supplied by the Rev. N. F. Bruce, M. D.
Toward the close of the year 1843, $1200 was subscribed " for the purpose of making neces- sary and suitable repairs on or about the exter- ior of the church edifice and for erecting chan- cel rail, alteration in gallery, cleaning and painting ceiling and walls, varnishing wood- work, carpeting aisles, procuring trimmings for desk and pulpit, etc." The desk and pulpit therefore were themselves constructed at an earlier date, as is further evidenced by a parch- ment recently found attached to the interior of the pulpit, on which is inscribed in the hand- writing of Dr. Whitehouse and bearing date June 29, 1839, "This pulpit was erected A. D. 1836 from original designs of the Rev. Henry J. Whitehouse, D. D., Thomas Thorn, carpen- ter. The Screen and Canopy, completed 1839, from designs by the same, Elijah Somers and
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Henry Rogers, carpenters ; Painting and Grain- ing by Wm. H. Myers."
The ministry of Dr. Whitehouse was termin- ated by his resignation Feb. 19, 1844, his fare- well sermon being preached on the 5th of the ensuing May. The Vestry and congregation very unwillingly assented to the separation of the ties which had bound them together for fourteen years and five months, and placed on record their testimony to his ability and fidel- ity, and their recognition of the fact that to his faithful services it was chiefly due that the Church which he " found comparatively feeble " he was leaving " strong, prosperous and influ- ential."
A call to the vacant rectorship was extended. May 9, 1844, to the Rev. Thomas C. Pitkin, of Louisville, Ky., and accepted by him May 21st. He entered upon his duties July 14, 1844, just 27 years from the date of the parish organiza- tion, and was instituted by Bishop DeLancey on the 11th of the following August.
The influence of the new Rector was cor- dially given to the realization of the project to establish a new church in the northern part of the city. . The friends of the movement and the subscribers to the lot already secured on Brown's Square, met in August, 1845, in the public school house corner of Fish (now Centre )
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and Jones Sts., and inaugurated public service Sunday afternoons and evenings under the auspices of the Rector. This movement re- sulted in the formal organization, Oct. 27, of Trinity Church. The Rev. Vandervoort Bruce was elected the first Rector, and it was resolved to sell the lot on Brown's Square, as being rather too far out of the city, and to purchase one which was regarded as more eligible on the corner of Fish and Frank Sts.
The Rev. Mr. Pitkin " finding his health inad- equate to the care of so large a parish," ten- dered his resignation April 3, 1847, which took effect after three years of service, on the 12th of the following July, amid general expressions of regret on the part of the people. He was assisted during part of the year 1846, by the Rev. John N. Norton. An invitation to the Rectorship was now extended to the Rev. Wm. Suddards, of Philadelphia, but declined by him.
The charge of the Parish was then committed temporarily to the Rev. T. F. Wardwell, who officiated from Aug. 29, till the close of the year, when the Rev. Henry W. Lee, of Spring- field, Mass., who had been called to the Rec- torship, October 18, entered upon his duties January 2, 1848. He was instituted by Bishop DeLancey, Feb. 16, 1848. In his onerous pas- toral labors in the parish, he was successively
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assisted by the Revs. Edw. Meyer, Geo. H. McKnight, Bethel Judd, D. D., W. H. Barris, Geo. N. Cheney, Geo. W. Watson and Theo- dore A. Hopkins; funds for that purpose being provided in part by the Ladies' Missionary Society. Services were frequently held in the suburbs of the City, and in the town of Brighton.
During the year 1848, the sum of $4,000 was subscribed to liquidate a standing indebtedness of the corporation. The debt was accordingly canceled upon payment of the amount pledged and report thereof made to the Vestry Aug. 5, 1850.
A proposition to introduce gas into the Church was negatived June 4, 1849; which im- provement was not effected till Dec. 24, 1853.
A committee appointed to circulate a sub- scription to provide a chime of bells and a new organ, consisting of Messrs. Kidd, Pitkin, Churchill, Dewey and Whittlesey, reported July 1, 1850, that they had secured $3,600 ; whereupon contracts were authorized to be made with A. Meneely, of Troy, for the chimes, and with Appleton & Warren for the new organ.
At the first Commencement of the Univer- sity of Rochester, June 9, 1851, the honorary
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degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon the Rev. Mr. Lee.
In April, 1854, on the retirement of Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Dewey from the choir, the Vestry expressed their cordial thanks for their faithful and valuable services, rendered gratuitously for upwards of sixteen years. A similar resolution, accompanied by a valuable testimonial, had been voted by the Vestry in December, 1845. Besides Mrs. Dewey, her sisters, Mrs. J. M. Winslow and Mrs. Albert Walker, had pre- viously rendered efficient and acceptable ser- vices in the choir for many years. The resignation of Dr. Lee, after a ministry of seven years, occasioned by his election to the Episcopate of Iowa, was presented Oct. 9, 1854, and accepted with "unmingled feelings of regret and with grateful appreciation of the many qualities which have rendered his minis- try so important to the prosperity of our parish, and which have endeared him to the people of his charge."
His Consecration as Bishop of Iowa took place in St. Luke's, on the 18th of Oct., 1854, Bishop J. H. Hopkins presiding, and Bishop Manton Eastburn preaching the sermon, Bishops McCoskry, DeLancey, Burgess and Whitehouse uniting in the imposition of hands. His first episcopal act was the Confirmation of
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a class of thirty-five, in his own Church, on the 24th of December.
The Vestry meanwhile had called to the Rectorship the Rev. Benjamin Watson, of Zion Church, Newport, R. I., who accepted the same and entered upon his duties April 29, 1855, the services during the interim having been main- tained by the Rev. T. A. Hopkins, assistant minister at the close of the last rectorate.
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