USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Centennial annals of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, N.Y., 1817-1917 > Part 4
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The Church Home, the idea of which was first broached by the Rev. Dr. Claxton of St. Luke's, sprung from the conviction of the Clergy and Laity that the Church should possess and control a Home where her orphan and destitute children might be cared for and taught, and aged communicants be sheltered in their declining years. The realization of the project was made possible by the generous gift of a site with a small house upon it, on Mt. Hope Ave., from Mr. Geo. R. Clark and Mr. Geo. E. Mumford, in July, 1868, upon which a stone structure was erected at a cost of $15,000 by the
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church people of the city. The corner-stone of the new building was laid April 20, 1869, by the Rector of St. Luke's, who also made the address at the formal opening of the Institution, Oct. 26th, of the same year, all the city Rectors being present and taking part in the services.
The Rev. W. W. Raymond became assistant to the Rector, with special duties in the Eighth Ward field, Feb. 7, 1869, and at the Ember Ordination, March 13, 1870, was advanced to the priesthood in Christ Church by Bishop Coxe, on presentation by the Rector of St. Luke's.
In the evening of May 2, 1869, the sermon in St. Luke's upon the text "Who is on the Lord's Side?" was interrupted by the breaking out of fire in the First Presbyterian Church across the street. Mr. Jos. A. Eastman, who had quietly passed out with a few others at the sound of the fire bell, re- turned in a few minutes, advanced to the center aisle looking up toward the pulpit, and announced, as the Rector paused, " The First Church is on fire." The Rector responded with "Let us pray," the people knelt, and he pronounced the benediction. Many then promptly sought their homes, but a large number from the front porch watched the conflagration with sympathetic interest, until the spire fell upon the roof of the chapel.
On the Tuesday following, May 4th, the Church and the city were called to mourn the loss of the Hon. William Pitkin, who had been Mayor of the city in 1845-6, and had filled many positions of
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honor and responsibility in the community, in which he was universally respected. The Rector at his funeral delivered an appreciative estimate of his character and life from the text " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." The Vestry placed on record the following tribute to his memory:
Resolved, That in the decease of William Pitkin who for nearly fifty years has been a member and communicant of St. Luke's Church, for six years a vestryman thereof, and for thirty-nine years afterwards one of its wardens, said church has lost one of its most useful and esteemed members, one of its wisest counsellors, and one of its highest ornaments.
Resolved, That we deem it but a measure of simple justice to the memory, merits and services of the deceased, to express the opinion, that a large degree of the success, harmony and prosperity of St. Luke's Church for nearly half a century, are eminently due to the wisdom, prudence, unseasing care and watchful regard of the deceased, for the best interest of said church and congregation.
Resolved, That we deem it a pleasure and a duty also, to express our high sense of his virtues and many excell- encies, and our esteem for his consistent Christian char- acter, for the purity and integrity of his life, his excellent example, and great worth as a citizen and as a man.
On the 8th of May, 1870, a morning service was instituted at the Epiphany, the name by which the chapel had been christened Nov. 7, 1869. Up to this time no sacrament had been administered in the chapel, but there was a Sunday School of 160 members and a stated congregation of 200 persons. A handsome font was now provided and a com- munion service. A better organ also was procured.
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A bell alone was lacking, and at Christmas-tide this want was also satisfactorily supplied.
The Rev. Mr. Raymond, after sixteen months of service in the parish, preached his last sermon May 22, 1870. The Rev. Geo. S. Baker came to take his place, August 14 of the same year.
During the summer of 1870, the Sunday School building was thoroughly renovated, the walls paint- ed ,the woodwork oiled, and the floor carpeted ; the carpet being given as an individual contribution by one who took pleasure in being liberal. In the fol- lowing June the Vestry authorized a committee con- sisting of Jas. Brackett, C. F. Smith and Roswell Hart to repaint and redecorate the interior of the church and build a new organ to replace the old, for which improvements $4,700 was raised by sub- scription. The total cost was $5,230.32, the balance being provided from the current revenue of the Church.
In Advent, 1871, the Rector organized the will- ing workers of the Church into a body known as the " Parochial Helpers." The District Visiting and Mothers' Meetings were especially effective in fur- thering the work in the Eighth Ward, and were continued till the Chapel reached that stage in its development where labor of this sort more properly devolved on its own members. A Sewing School was also well sustained in the Epiphany. The sew- ing interest at the Mother-Church was known at this time by the name of the Industrial Circle;
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which, among its plentiful good works, provided for refurnishing the Vestry Room.
On the 19th of February, 1872, the Vestry au- thorized a committee with the Rector as chairman, to remove the old rectory to the south side of the lot which it occupied and procure plans for the erec- tion of a new and more suitable residence for the Rector. The old rectory was accordingly removed and placed in good order at an expense of $1,949.40; whereupon the committee was authorized to proceed with the erection of a new building not to exceed $12,000 in cost.
During the same summer a parsonage house was erected on the lot adjoining the Epiphany, at an ex- penditure of $4,000, while the chapel itself was ren- ovated and walls and woodwork tastefully repainted.
The Rev. Wm. Long entered on his duties as assistant to the Rector Dec. 1, 1872, remaining in the parish four years and five months, until April 29, 1877.
The new rectory being completed on the 12th of April 1873, a final report was made to the Vestry by which it appeared that its cost had been $11,961.69, and that this sum had been provided by the sale of the old rectory and the proceeds of a bank loan upon the new, in anticipation of the sale of the lots in the rear. A new bell was this Spring hung in the tower at a cost of $600, to replace its predecessor, which had become useless.
On the 13th of April, 1874, Messrs. Brackett, Perkins, Hart, Eastwood and Whittlesey were ap-
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pointed to solicit subscriptions to clear off the bal- ance of the original debt on church and rectory, contracted in 1860 and 1864. An amount sufficient to extinguish this balance, $7,000, was raised within two months.
A service for deaf mutes was at this time inau- gurated in one of the rooms of the Sunday School building, which was uninterruptedly continued on Sunday afternoons by Mr. J. C. Acker as lay-reader for many years. St. Luke's has ever since been the center of the work in this city for the " Children of Silence." Stated and special services have been held in the parish house, and, on the occasion of visits of the Rev. Dr. Gallaudet, the Rev. Thos. B. Berry or others expert in work among these people, in the Church itself, the Rev. Edward P. Hart being ever ready to interpret in the sign language. The work is now in charge of the Rev. C. Orvis Dantzer, mis- sionary to the Deaf Mutes in Central and Western New York.
The need of some new missionary enterprise in the northern portion of the city being apparent, the Rector of St. Luke's, at the instance of the Bishop, and with the concurrence of all the west side clergy, took measures to establish a service and Sunday School under the name of St. John's Chapel on State St. A hall in Cochrane's block was secured and neatly fitted up at an expense of $600, and the open- ing service was held Jan. 24, 1875, the Rev. J. J. Landers assisting. The Rector himself officiated every evening during the summer, but his personal
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connection with the enterprise ceased in September, and Mr. Landers conducted its affairs until the fol- lowing February, when at the instance of the local clergy, and in view of the fact that a new Rector had infused fresh life into Trinity parish, and upon the distinct pledge of the Vestry of Trinity that they would occupy the field, the Bishop advised the discontinuance of the mission. The Rev. Mr. Walsh at once took charge of the Sunday School and main- tained a service, and the Vestry of Trinity redeemed its pledge at a later date in the removal of their Parish Church northward.
The University of Rochester at its Commence- ment in June, 1875, honored the Rector of St. Luke's with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. President Anderson in communicating this action wrote:
Permit me to say that the Trustees and Faculty of Instruction deemed this a fitting recognition of your faithful pastoral work and of your constant, vigorous and well-directed efforts in the propagation and defense of the common elements of our Holy Faith. Personally it gave me great pleasure to be the organ of the University in this public expression of the estimate formed by the Christian public of the intelligence and energy which you have devoted to the cause of religion and morality in our beloved city.
During this Summer of 1875, the Rector held missionary services in Fairport and Penfield on alternate Sunday afternoons for the benefit of the few Church people residing in those villages.
The Rev. Geo. S. Baker after five years and more of faithful service, resigned to accept the
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rectorship of St. James' Church, Batavia, in Octo- ber, 1875. He was followed at once by the Rev. C. M. Nickerson, who became assistant minister on the 1st of November.
On the 13th of Sept., 1876, the Rev. Dr. Anstice organized the congregation of the Epiphany into an independent parish, and on his nomination the Rev. Chas. M. Nickerson was elected the first Rec- tor. He transferred 170 families and 202 commu- nicants to constitute the new parish, and deeded the property, consisting of the church and rectory, worth over $18,000, with a debt only upon the latter, to the newly organized corporation; which thus entered upon its independent life under most propitious auspices. The first Vestry consisted of J. H. Martindale and Romeyn Boughton, Wardens, and John Hancock, David Fairman, F. W. Bergh, James Ratcliffe, W. H. Cross, F. R. Plummer, John Clements and J. H. Stedman, Vestrymen.
An ordination of special interest, from the fact that the candidate was one who had been baptized and confirmed in St. Luke's, was held June 11, 1876, when the Bishop conferred Deacon's Orders upon Mr. John W. Greenwood.
On Nov. 19, 1876, the 54th Regiment, N. Y. State National Guard, in which the Rector of St. Luke's held a commission as Chaplain, assembled in the Church in full dress uniform to listen to a sermon on "Our Citizen Soldiery." On the pre- ceding Sunday evening, Dr. Anstice, who was also Chaplain of the "Protectives," preached the annual
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sermon before that organization, which presented a fine appearance in their full uniform.
The Woman's Missionary Association, which had been organized in January, 1873, entered upon a career of increased efficiency in the fall of 1877, and continued weekly meetings during the working season, largely increasing the parish contributions for missions and gladdening many a missionary's heart by timely gifts of "boxes."
In 1877 the Rector was honored by an election as first of the Deputies of the Diocese to the Gen- eral Convention, at which he was appointed first assistant secretary of the House of Deputies, a po- sition which he held continuously until 1904, when he became secretary of that body and still holds that office. He was a deputy also in the General Conventions of 1880, 1883 and 1895.
The Vestry appointed, Nov. 13, 1877, Messrs. Reynolds, Brackett and Wolcott " to solicit sub- scriptions to defray extraordinary expenses in- curred by reason of necessary repairs to the Church building and taxation for local improvements." Mr. Brackett, from this committee, reported Feb. 27, 1878, that they had raised about $2,150 for the pur- poses named.
The first issue of OUR CHURCH WORK appeared Dec. 1, 1877. The Rector of St. Luke's had in- duced the clergy of the Rochester parishes to unite with him in editing and publishing this unpreten- tious little sheet each week " to foster the unity and growth of the Church in our own midst," believing
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that " a better knowledge of each other's work may well promote a heartier sympathy and, where occa- sion serves, earnest cooperation." It served its purpose and was well appreciated. But yielding to the Bishop's wish that it be consolidated with The Orbit, published by him in Buffalo each month, Our Church Work bade its readers what the event proved to be a temporary farewell, and The Kal- endar came into being as the recognized diocesan organ.
On Ash Wednesday, 1878, a twelve-day Mission was inaugurated in St. Luke's, all the city clergy being present, the Rev. J. W. Bonham, Evangelist, taking the lead in conducting the Mission services, which closed March 17.
In the Winter of 1878, a sewing school was es- tablished at the Church, with seventeen officers and 125 learners, which continued its sessions each Winter. A series of " Mothers' Meetings " was also inaugurated, Oct. 18, which proved productive of much blessing. A Guild, too, was organized which signalized the first year of its existence by raising means sufficient, together with the proceeds of two collections in the Church, to re-carpet the building and make some improvements in the organ; which work was completed in the Summer of 1879.
The 21st of December, 1879, was the occasion of another ordination of special interest. Byron Holley, Jr., a son of St. Luke's, was presented to the Bishop by the Rector, for admission to the Dio- conate. He at once entered upon his duties as
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assistant minister, which position he held until called to take charge of the Church of the Good Shepherd, April 1, 1881.
The Vestry, on the 21st of May, 1880, resolved as follows: "That this Vestry, having heard of the proposed removal of Trinity Church to a new location in the north part of the city, hereby tender their sincere congratulations to the Rector and people of Trinity Church upon their brightened prospect of increased usefulness, and desire to ex- press the earnest hope that a new era of prosperity is about to dawn upon them in their new and en- larged field."
During the Summer of 1880, the Rector and his wife had the privilege of a somewhat extended European trip, witnessing the Ober-Ammergau Passion Play, and returning to find no other experi- ence more enjoyable than the cordiality and affec- tion of their welcome home.
A Missionary Conference was arranged by the Standing Committee of the Board of Managers of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society to be held in St. Luke's, May 31 and June 1-2, 1881, at which distinguished speakers from abroad were present and addressed the several meetings. On the second day a Diocesan Auxiliary to the Board of Missions was organized in order to unify and intensify the zeal and efforts of the women of the several parishes. St. Luke's had been doing an efficient missionary work through its Woman's Mis- sionary Association, which the Rector had organ-
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ized in January, 1873, and which by the plan in use of a quarterly offering in the Church for the four great branches of the work, the Domestic, the For- eign, the Indian, and that among Colored People, had very largely increased the contributions of the par- ish to the missionary cause. It had become, more- over, one of the banner parishes in the number of its subscriptions to the Spirit of Missions. It may be noted, by the way, that what is now known as Section One of the Junior Department of the Woman's Auxiliary to the Board of Missions orig- inated in St. Luke's, in January, 1891, as the " Babies' Branch," or "The Little Helpers," and its educational missionary influence with the little ones has been widespread throughout the Church and will ever be an enduring monument to the zeal and efficiency of its founder, Miss Mary E. Hart.
During the Winter of 1881-82, the Rector was maturing plans for the consolidation of all the agen- cies for good in the parish into one organization, intending to add several new departments of church work. Those plans culminated in the organization of St. Luke's Guild, embracing nine chapters, a full account of which, with the names of the members of each Chapter, was published in a neat pamphlet at Easter, 1882. The object of the Guild was to secure co-operation with the Rector in systematizing and developing the Christian activity of the parish, of unifying parish activities under one control, in which representatives of all the Chapters should have a share, which underlying plan came to be
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adopted in many parishes throughout the Church.
Its membership consists of such persons as may signify to the Rector their willingness and determination to con- secrate some portion of their time and energy to such Church work as shall be undertaken by the Guild. Its work is divided into various departments, and is com- mitted to the several Chapters of the Guild as follows :
The work of the Sunday School Chapter is to aid the Rector in the instruction of the young people of the Parish in Biblical learning and the doctrines of the Church.
The work of the Woman's Missionary Chapter is to awaken and develop the Missionary Spirit, to diffuse intel- ligence regarding the several departments of the Church's Missionary work, and to promote a personal devotion to the cause in labor, prayer and systematic giving.
The work of the Choir Chapter is to render the " Service of Song in the House of the Lord " during the Lenten Season, and upon Holy-days and such other occa- sions of public worship as may be required.
The work of the Church Home Chapter is to promote the interests of this Institution by personal service and influence, and to carry into effect approved plans for rais- ing funds for its support.
The work of the Mothers' Meeting Chapter is to carry on, by approved methods, that scheme of Christian effort known under this name, including religious and other instruction at the weekly social gathering, and the syste- matic visiting of the attendants upon the meetings, with personal ministries in their homes.
The work of the Sewing School Chapter is to organize and instruct classes of young girls in various kinds of useful and ornamental needle work.
The work of the Visitors' Chapter is to manifest a kindly interest in such of the sick and needy as may from time to time be commended to its care, to visit statedly the inmates of the Church Home and the City Hospital, and
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to prosecute the labor of love known as the Flower Mission.
The work of the Sanctuary Chapter is "the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary," the special care of the chancel, vestry room and vestments, the exten- sion of the Church's hospitality to strangers on all occa- sions of public worship, and the arrangement through com- mittees for the fit decoration of the Lord's House at Christmas and Easter.
The work of the Girls' Friendly Society Chapter is to seek out and bring into personal relations with the mem- bers of the Chapter, and with each other, such young women earning an independent livelihood as may be will- ing to associate themselves together in the bonds of friend- liness, for mutual culture and interest in each other's welfare.
The general officers of the Guild, together with the Heads of Chapters, appointed by the Rector, and one representative selected by each Chapter, constitute the Guild Council, which meets bi-monthly, or otherwise as it may determine, for review of the work of the organiza- tion, consultation upon plans for its extension and in- creased efficiency, consideration of the Guild finances, appropriation of funds to the several Chapters, and the decision of any questions which may arise respecting the conduct of any department of the Guild work.
A tenth, the Brotherhood Chapter, was organ- ized and added to the Guild, Dec. 10, 1884, whose object was to enlist the young men "to carry out such plans for doing good as may be adopted, and for the promotion of social intercourse, intellectual improvement and religious culture among its mem- bers."
The Rev. Dr. R. Bethell Claxton, one of St. Luke's former Rectors, having died May 24, 1882,
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the Vestry, at its meeting following, placed upon record their tribute to his " eminent faithfulness, untiring industry, devotion to the poor, affectionate nature and ready sympathy, which won the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact."
In September of this year the Rector of St. Luke's was elected Dean of the Rochester Convo- cation, which position he held until 1885, and again from 1889 to 1895, when the Diocese was divided into two archdeaconries and the Rochester arch- deaconry voted to make its archdeacon, to be elect- ed, a salaried officer who should " be required to give his entire time and attention to the missionary work."
In April, 1883, the Vestry entered the following minute upon its records :
In the death of Hon. Roswell Hart, for many years a member of this vestry and identified with St. Luke's Church from his childhood, we are called upon to deplore no common loss. The welfare of the Church was always dear to him, and to his duties as a member of this body, he invariably brought unflagging interest and zeal. Active in plans and labor for the Church's temporal prosperity, faithful in all the trusts committed to him, constant in his attendance at the House of God, a staunch friend and a ready helper, we place on record this brief tribute to his memory.
In June, 1883, the Vestry requested the Rector " to prepare and publish in book form an Historical Sketch of St. Luke's Church, embodying such doc- umentary and statistical facts as he shall deem of interest."
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In June of this same year, the death of Mr. Nathaniel T. Rochester removed one of the few remaining ties which bind the present to the elder generation. His life had been identified with St. Luke's Church from its very beginning. He was the oldest communicant connected with the parish, having been confirmed by Bishop Hobart with seven others, Feb. 20, 1821, in the little frame Church which was the first spiritual home of St. Luke's congregation. He was Clerk of the Vestry from 1821 to 1832 and from 1835 to 1843. He occupied the position of Treasurer from 1823 to 1832. He was Vestryman from 1828 to 1831 and from 1835 to 1838, and Warden from 1847 to 1858, and also from 1866 to 1868, when with that modesty which was one of his marked characteristics he retired, that the duties of the office might devolve upon a younger man. To the interests of the Church he was devotedly attached, and freely gave his time, his thought, his means, to advance its spiritual and material well-being. Universally respected in the community and beloved by all who knew him well, he filled the measure of his days, and has been gathered to his fathers " in favour with God, and in perfect charity with the world." In strictest truth it may be said of him, " Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile."
During the Summer of 1883, a new roof was placed on the Sunday School building, a larger boiler substituted for the old in connection with the steam heating apparatus, which was thoroughly
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overhauled, and other repairs effected, at a cost of $1,200.
The following tribute was placed upon the rec- ords of the Vestry, Dec. 21 :
In the decease of the Hon. E. Darwin Smith, which sad event occurred on the 11th ult., this church has sus- tained no ordinary loss. Identified with it for more than half a century, he never failed to feel and manifest the deepest interest in all that might concern its welfare and prosperity. Baptized in 1831 by Dr. Whitehouse, St. Luke's second rector, he was confirmed in the same year by Bishop Onderdonk. In 1838 he was accredited to represent the Church in the primary convention of Western New York, and since then has almost continuously held an honored place in the councils of the diocese. He was elected to the vestry in 1846 and 1847, and again in 1869, remaining vestrymen till 1873, when he was made a warden, in which position he remained until his death. His inter- est in the Church was an essential feature of his character and life. He loved it and believed in it. His place was never willingly at any service vacant; illness alone detained him from the house of God. He was a wise and prudent counsellor, faithful in every trust; loyal and loving to his rector ; of gentle heart and kindly disposition; a genial friend and a consistent Christian. "The end of that man is peace."
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