USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Centennial annals of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, N.Y., 1817-1917 > Part 6
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his personal kindness we gladly recall and commemorate, and here express our sense of the deep loss sustained in his removal from our midst.
The branch of the Girls' Friendly Society, which the Rector had organized in St. Luke's, March 13, 1882, it being the first either in the city or diocese, had in January, 1893, completed nearly eleven years of successful work. During this period three other branches had been organized in this city and four elsewhere in the diocese. A meeting was called in St. Luke's Guild room, Jan. 21, 1893, to form these eight parochial branches into a diocesan organiza- tion, which has now grown to 34 active branches in Western New York. Mrs. Robert Mathews, who so self-devotedly, efficiently and successfully managed the St. Luke's branch during the whole 35 years of its existence, so that it has been recog- nized as one of the model branches in the entire Church, has recently retired from that position, May 6, 1917, but remains the honored president of the diocesan organization.
In Lent, 1893, a special series of united services were undertaken by the clergy, to extend from the fourth Sunday in Lent to Holy Week, to be held in St. Paul's and St. Luke's Churches. To em- phasize the spirit with which the effort was sought to be undertaken, a pastoral letter, addressed to the Laity of Rochester, was drawn up by the Rector of St. Luke's and signed by all the parish clergy, and published in Our Church Work and in the local papers. The services were largely attended and were fruitful of blessing.
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An epoch in the history of the Livingston Park Seminary was marked at its 35th Commencement in the use of a special " Office " prepared by the Rector and chorally rendered in the Church, in connection with the graduation of the class of '93. Bishop Coxe delivered the address and presented the diplomas. He paid a well-deserved tribute to the founder of the school, the late Mrs. Cathro M. Curtis, and testified to the character of the gradu- ates of the Institution whom he found in different parts of the diocese. The school had been identi- fied with the parish and under the Rector's pastoral care since 1870, and all its boarding pupils attended regularly St. Luke's Church and Sunday School. Prior to this occasion all the exercises of Com- mencement had been held in the Seminary building, but from this time onward, the special service with an address and the awarding of medals and diplo- mas have been held in the Church. Miss Georgia C. Stone had succeeded Mrs. Curtis as the principal and gave seven years of faithful services to the work until June, 1900, when Mrs. Wm. M. Rebasz met the demands of the position with many special qualifications and has achieved therein unqualified and marked success.
A valuable addition to the working force of the parish came, Oct. 16, 1893, in the person of Deaconess Ellen Adwen, "Sister Ellen," who quickly commended herself to all her fellow-workers by her readiness to help, her tireless zeal and many- sided adaptability. She filled the place of an assist -
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ant to the Rector in parochial duties, while the monthly and occasional clerical help needed, was acceptably furnished from this time on by Rev. Albert Wood.
A double anniversary was appropriately ob- served, May 13, 1894, this date representing the 70th anniversary of the laying of the corner-stone of the present Church and the 28th of the present Rectorship. The Rev. Dr. W. W. Battershall of St. Peter's Church, Albany, preached the sermon, which he prefaced by a "graceful, earnest and ap- propriate address of congratulation to the congre- gation upon the double anniversary, which so happily marked the day, paying warm and affection- ate tribute to his friend, the Rector of the Church, to whom he referred as a man whom he had always honored for his truth, manliness and integrity."
The need of another Church organization in the northwest section of the city being increasingly felt, the Rector personally inaugurated services in Gates School-house No. 3, July 22, 1894, which were con- tinued by lay-readers and occasional clergymen until two lots on Fillmore St. were secured, and as one of his last official acts before leaving the city Dr. Anstice turned over to a committee of the con- gregation consisting of Chauncey Young, Alphonse Collins and Richard Norman the sum of $1,712.83, derived from the sale of the old Good Shepherd property on Grape St., and the sale of a lot on Emerson St. for $300, toward the erection of St. Stephen's Church. Mr. Young had secured mainly
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by his own untiring efforts $1,000 more. The cor- ner-stone of the new Church was laid on Whit- sunday by Bishop Walker, June 6, 1897.
The Vestry resolved in March, 1896, to raise enough money to enlarge and rearrange the parish house, install a new system of heating and ventila- tion in the Church, improve the electric lighting and effect other improvements, as well as pay off some floating indebtedness, owing in part to a heavy local assessment which had been levied upon the Church incident to the change of street grade for the new lift-bridge. On Easter Day the offerings for these purposes amounted to $8,075.96, 520 of the communicants on that day being present and receiving the Holy Communion. The total cost of the renewed parish building when completed in the fall, was found to be $7,976.
A special service of the Rochester Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution was held in St. Luke's on the 121st anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, on Sunday evening, April 19, 1896, the Rector, being a member and chaplain of the chapter, preaching a patriotic discourse. Some 35 of the Daughters of the American Revolution were also present in a body, both Chapters wearing their insignia.
The sad intelligence of the death of our beloved Bishop Coxe, which occurred at Clifton Springs, July 20, 1896, startled the diocese, all unprepared for the afflictive news. A few days previously he had written, " the doctors say I am a man seriously
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ill, though evidently responding to remedies, thank the Lord." The funeral services were held in Trinity Church, Geneva, in which he had been con- secrated thirty-one and a half years before, and he was laid to rest beneath its shadows in the greensward back of the chancel. Immediately after the services the bishops and clergy present met and appointed a committee, of which Rev. Dr. Anstice was made chairman, to draw up a suitable minute for publication and transmission to the family. Tributes of respect and affection were adopted by the standing committee, the Layman's Missionary League of Buffalo, The Church Club of Rochester and other bodies, while in many churches on the Sunday following his death, the beauty and nobility of his character, the rare qualities of his mind and heart, his zeal and consecration to his life-work, inspired just tributes to his memory.
In Rochester, a commemorative service was held in the old mother-church, participated in by all the city clergy and a congregation which overflowed the floor and galleries. A life-size portrait of the Bishop had been placed within the chancel draped and sur- rounded by mourning hangings of purple and white. After the solemn service of scripture reading and prayer, the Rector briefly said :
It is fit that we Churchmen of Rochester should gather to-night in this historic mother church, the first in which he officiated here after his consecration and the one in which he first presided at a Diocesan Council, to cast in thought a few loving forget-me-nots upon his grave, the grave within the shadow of the church, as he had all his
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life desired to be buried; for fifty years ago he wrote in "Christian Ballads":
Bury me there in the green churchyard
As my old forefathers rest.
Addresses of loving tribute were then given by the Rev. A. S. Crapsey and the Rev. Dr. Doty, and Dr. Anstice read the minute which had been adopted by the bishops and clergy at the close of the funeral, and which he had been appointed to prepare as a warm personal friend of Bishop Coxe.
A special Council to elect a successor was called to meet October 6th in Trinity Church, Buffalo, and on the eve of this meeting, a solemn memorial ser- vice was held in St. Paul's Church, at which the Rt. Rev. W. C. Doane, D. D., of Albany, pronounced a memorable eulogy upon Bishop Coxe's character and career. The election resulted in the choice of the Rt. Rev. Wm. D. Walker, D. D., LL. D., D. C. L., Missionary Bishop of North Dakota, who had already rendered much acceptable service in the diocese in assisting Bishop Coxe in his visitations. The ceremony of his Enthronization, beautiful and impressive, was held in St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, December 23d. At the close of the ceremony proper, the address of welcome was given to the Bishop, standing between his two chaplains, by the Rector of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, ranking presbyter in the diocese in length of continuous service, closing with the words "So thus we bid you welcome, here and now, an earnest, cordial, loyal, enthusiastic welcome to our churches, to our
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homes and to our hearts." In his response the Bishop said :
The words of warm, heartfelt welcome that my rev- erend brother has just spoken thrill my soul. They give me courage in the start of my work. Whatever the cares, the troubles that will come to me as your bishop, whatever the anxieties, the difficulties that may come as the years flow by, the way of your bishop will be smoother by this beautiful ceremonial, by these loving words, these loyal pledges. They shall be to him as a living mounment of your love and loyalty.
Bishop Walker's first visit to Rochester was on the feast of the Epiphany, and the clergy and people united to give him a hearty welcome in St. Luke's Church. On the evening of the 7th a brilliant social reception was given in Powers' Hall, the addresses of greeting being made by the Rev. Dr. Anstice, President of the Clericus, and Mr. E. C. Denton, President of the Church Club, to which the Bishop feelingly responded.
The Rector presented his resignation to the Vestry Jan. 23, 1897, to take effect May 1st. Some weeks before, two strangers had appeared in Church, who proved to be the Wardens of St. Mat- thias' Church, Philadelphia, bent on securing some encouragement that the Rector might accept a call. The proposition was so absolutely unexpected and so providential that he could do no less than give the matter careful consideration. Then the call came, and after thorough survey of the situation and the constructive work which needed to be done in the new field, he felt he should regard it as a
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call of God, and painful as it would be to sever old relationships, he must obey the providential leadings. On Sunday morning, therefore, preaching from Samuel's words, " Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth," he told the story of his struggle to decide. It was a tearful, sad occasion. The local papers all voiced regrets and said the kindest and appreciative things. The Archdeaconry and the Clericus passed eulogistic resolutions, and Our Church Work said editorially " The departure of Dr. Anstice will be sorely felt, not only by St. Luke's, but by the entire Diocese. In our Councils and in all important Church functions, Dr. Anstice generally appeared as our representative presbyter."
The Rev. E. H. Edson supplied the Rector's "lack of service" during the Lenten season, re- maining in the parish until June, and on the first Sunday after Easter the Rector preached his fare- well sermon in which, summing up his ministry, he said :
With this evening's service my completed ministry of thirty-one years among you will have become a matter of history. Its statistics may be briefly stated.
The symbol of the covenant has been administered to 1,575 persons at the font; 1,127 have ratified their baptismal vows in confirmation; 1,016 have had their marriage sol- emnized; over the mortal remains of 1,122 the burial ser- vice has been said. At the beginning of my rectorship there were 451 communicants, of whom only 64 remain. I have received as new communicants, 1,830. The total number therefore on the list has been 2,281. The present number is 151 men and 533 women, making a total of 684. The offerings have aggregated $456,311.
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I am profoundly grateful for God's blessing on our mutual work-for what has been accomplished in the varied forms of Christian effort in which we have been privileged to be engaged, for what has been achieved through grace in individual lives in the up-building of a holy character. The sacred tie which has so long and happily bound us together cannot be severed without pain. But for us all, God's will obeyed is always best. Follow me with your loving interest and helpful prayers, as I shall always bear you and this dear old church in tenderest remembrance, and I invoke for you God's richest blessings-parochial fruitfulness and individual growth in grace.
At the evening service Bishop Walker confirmed 53 persons, presented to him by the Rector. In his address the Bishop referred to the termination of the long Rectorship of Dr. Anstice, and said, in part: " It is to me a great delight to see this large class, the farewell offering to God from him who for so many years has been the faithful, de- voted leader of this people. It is a sorrowful night to me, because I say good-bye to him. And it is a sorrow which is not mine and yours alone, but that of many a clergyman and layman throughout this diocese. The prosperity that has crowned his efforts here, may it be his while life shall last."
The Vestry of St. Luke's Church, in accepting the resignation of the Rector, directed the follow- ing to be entered on its records :
Dr. Anstice was called to this church in 1866, and has devoted his entire ministerial life to its interests and work. His resignation closes a long, successful and distinguished pastorate. As a result of his exceedingly efficient labors the church, during all that period has enjoyed constant and
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unalloyed harmony, and has greatly prospered in all its interests.
The attachment of the people of this church for their rector was never stronger than now, and it would have been very grateful to them if he could have remained with them for many years to come, but they recognize that his call to a larger and more important field of work was one which he could not but obey, and are profoundly thankful that the church has been so long favored with his ministry. In leaving them he takes with him the assurance that he will always retain a large place in their hearts.
A call to the Rectorship was extended, April 9, 1897, to the Rev. Rob Roy McGregor Converse, D. D., Chaplain of Hobart College, to which he responded proposing some modification of the terms proposed. Thereupon the Vestry voted that "the terms of the call be modified so as to accord with the wishes of Dr. Converse, as expressed in his letter of April 17th." On May 19th his letter of acceptance was received to enter upon his duties May 28, 1897.
During the Summer extensive alterations were made in the rectory, the basement fitted up with a new furnace and laundry, the dining room en- larged, a large study built in the rear of the original building with sleeping accommodations on the sec- ond floor and the entire rectory put in repair and decorated. To meet this expense and fund a small floating indebtedness $5,000 was borrowed on notes, the entire property of the Church having now for some twelve years been free from any mortgage encumbrance.
THE REVEREND HENRY ANSTICE, D.D. May 13, 1866-May 1, 1897.
THE REVEREND ROB ROY MCG. CONVERSE, D.D., D.C.L., LL D.
May 28, 1897- Sept. 20, 1915
THE REVEREND SAMUEL TYLER,
June 1, 1916-
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The extensive changes and repairs at the rec- tory having been completed, the Rector removed his family from Geneva and they took up their res- idence therein. In the evening of October 1st, a notable and most enjoyable reception was tendered to the Rector and Mrs. Converse by the people, who were present in large numbers and who extended to them most cordial greetings and the heartiest of welcomes.
The Vestry having authorized the Rector to engage an assistant, he was so fortunate as to be able to secure the services of the Rev. Hugh L. Burleson of Waupeca, Wis., who entered upon his duties in May, 1898.
On Easter Sunday, 1898, Mrs. Caroline L. Ely donated to the Church a $10,000 U. S. Reg. 4% Bond as a nucleus of an Endowment Fund, and in February, 1899, it was resolved " to make an effort to secure an Endowment for the Church to be used strictly as an endowment." Haywood Hawks was its first Treasurer.
The following minute was placed upon the rec- ords Nov. 17, 1898 :
WHEREAS, God in His providence, has called from our midst our beloved brother, Gilman H. Perkins, therefore
Resolved, That in his death, we, the rector and vestry of St. Luke's Church mourn the loss of a friend and brother whose life illustrated in the most eminent degree the strength and beauty of a Christian character. His absolute integrity, fidelity and justice in every relation in life; his sound judgment, breadth of sympathy and gener- ous helpfulness in all benevolent enterprises; his wisdom
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as an adviser ; his geniality and invariable kindliness as a man, deserved and secured for him, not only the universal respect, but the affection as well of the community in which he lived.
Resolved, That as a communicant, vestryman and war- den of this church during more than forty years of active life his example was at once a pattern and an inspiration for all who seek to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour," by loyalty, devotion, liberality and enlightened zeal. For those of us who knew him so long and enjoyed so intimately the charm of his personality and the wisdom of his counsels in the common fellowship of Christian labor, the loss is immeasurable.
A notable event in the history of the parish was the appearance in January, 1899, of ST. LUKE's NEWS. It had been heralded by an introductory Christmas issue, in which was given the reason for its coming into being and a declaration of its pur- poses. It aimed at being simply "a record of the life and work of St. Luke's parish," and it was most cordially welcomed by the congregation.
A most enjoyable parish reception was held, January 4th, under the auspices of the Parish Aid Chapter of the Guild, which was designed to be the precursor, as an annual institution, of many which were to follow as the years rolled on.
The project of an adequate endowment, the in- come from which should supplement the current revenue of the Church, had come to be of para- mount importance. The Rector diligently kept the matter before the people and the Vestry issued an earnest appeal accompanied by subscription blanks, returnable before May 11th, that the amount secured
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might be announced at the Jubilee Service which it had been arranged should be held on Ascension Day, May 11th, commemorating the Seventy-fifth Anni- versary of the laying of the corner-stone of the Church. The Bishop addressed to the Rector a sympathetic letter of cordial commendation of the project, and the daily press gave much attention to the coming Diamond Jubilee and the proposed en- dowment. The first Guild Chapter to make defi- nite plans to lend a helping hand was the Mothers' Meeting, followed closely by the primary depart- ment of the Sunday School, and the people gen- erally felt much interest in the scheme, though few were sanguine enough to hope for more at this time than substantial progress toward the goal proposed, which was $75,000 within five years.
Ascension Day dawned most auspiciously. "The breath of Springtime buds and blossoms was in the air." The venerable sanctuary was made beautiful with flowers and palms. There was an early Cele- bration at which the Bishop was the Celebrant. At the later morning service, the Rector presented a class of 45 for confirmation and there was a second Celebration. The evening hour found the church thronged with parishioners both old and new and sympathetic friends from everywhere. The Rector introduced the speakers; the first was Bishop Walker, and he said :
This is a gathering of clans to-night of the Episcopal churches all over the city, who come to rejoice with the people of St. Luke's. It is a joyous time to us all. Wel-
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come, Churchmen and Churchwomen and clergy. As we gather here how our hearts thrill as we think of those who for years and years have come to these pews to worship, and how the sorrowful and the exultant alike have found peace within these sacred walls. We come to a church to- night with seventy-five years full of eventful history. They speak to us of wonderful advance in every way in this country. We think of the past and then we turn to the future. Every man who loves the church will say "may St. Luke's stay in this place and do its work as long as grass grows and water runs." This will depend upon the spirit with which the people of to-day give of their sub- stance toward this endowment, for which the rector has asked. When men pour out their gifts that God's work may go on, then money indeed is holy. For this I ask you to pour out your gifts, that the work may live. I wish to see this parish equipped for every holy work. May that work grow and increase so that the old parish shall be a center of blessing to many people. God bless St. Luke's, its rector and his co-workers.
Dr. Converse then introduced as the next speaker his predecessor, the Rev. Dr. Anstice of Philadel- phia, who said :
This jubilee occasion calls for retrospect and outlook. We follow patriarchal custom and abundant scripture precedent in celebrating anniversaries and in erecting way- marks as memorials to commemorate an epoch or event. But we should always do it in the spirit of the prophet Samuel, who called the stone which he set up, "the stone of help," to serve as a reminder of God's mercies to His people in all the way by which the Lord their God had led them.
Verily one generation goeth and another cometh. The fathers-where are they, the hoary heads and venerable forms which graced these pews? They rest from their labors and their works do follow them. Of all who wit-
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nessed the event we celebrate to-day, one only regular communicant survives, Mrs. William Pitkin, the daughter of the city's founder and the first warden of this church ; and the wife of one who was connected with the vestry for forty-three years, and who as warden delivered the keys to each successive rector at the Institution service. Within these walls the voice of every rector has been heard. Of the six who preceded me, all but one living when I came a generation ago, one only has not passed away. And of the vestry which called me to the rectorship not one remains.
St. Luke's has had a noble past, fragrant with mem- ories of richest blessing to souls which have been here new- born and edified, to the community in which this church's charities have been so widely exercised, and to the Church in this city by recognition of her stewardship as a true mother to bear spiritual children and guide and nourish them till able to support themselves. And she has been a blessing because in recognition of her stewardship she has gone out of self to do for others, and because God "who maketh men to be of one mind in an house" has bestowed upon this parish the blessing of peace. There never has been a jarring note of discord which has not blended into completer harmony.
But now what of the outlook? It is good to have respectable antecedents and an honorable past. It is good that others have labored and that you have entered into their labors, but let it be to prosecute them to greater efficiency and success. This church is admirably organized and officered. It has a noble band of trained and zealous workers. It has ample facilities for the work in hand. But the joints must not stiffen, the hands must not hang down. Aggressiveness and growth are the law of church life. To insure the permanence and efficiency of the work, the wise and prudent scheme of the endowment has been now devised. The nucleus about which it will gather is the munificent gift of one whose attachment to the church
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of her girlhood has prompted her to liberal things in its behalf. A substantial addition will be made to it to-night, and it will grow. Be of good courage; be loyal to the church; have faith; stand by your rector in his plans, give him your sympathy, your help, your love. I seem to hear to-night the voice which spake to Moses, bidding me say with all my loving interest, which can never fade, in this dear church to which the flower of my life was freely given, "Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward."
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