USA > New York > Otsego County > Cooperstown > Historic records of Christ Church, Cooperstown, N.Y. > Part 2
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"At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestrymen of Christ Church, convened in pursuance of a legal notice to that effect, on the ioth day of November, A. D., 1848, it was, on motion duly made and seconded, unanimously
"Resolved, That the Rev. Stephen H. Battin be called to officiate as Rector of said Church."
In order to show the condition of the Parish at this time, the first annual report of the Rev. Mr. Battin as Rector, is inserted entire :
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
The following Summary of Parochial Statistics is gathered from the Parish Register of Christ Church, Cooperstown :
In 1849 Rev. Mr. Battin and Mr. Theodore Keese were present in the Convention The same Wardens were continued in office.
Families, about. 50
Baptisms, (12 children, 6 adults,). 18
Confirmations. 13
Marriages, (4 of which were in the Church). 12
Burials 6
Communicants: added 32, removed 3, died 1, present number 82
Sunday Scholars, about. 65
The number of adult individuals, about. 157
The number of children old enough to be members of Sunday School, 70
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The alms received at the Holy Communion during the past year, amount to $66.05.
This money has been expended as follows :
For Communion Elements $5 25
For Parish Charity House. 23 00
For Parish Library 14 10
For Sunday School 8 00
For Sick and Needy
9 10
For Wood-house
6 00
Total. ₹66 05
I have anticipated receipts from this source, and made con- siderable additions to our Parish Library, and some small im- provements in our churchyard.
The collections on the second Sunday in the month, amount to $60.80, of which were given
To Foreign Missions $10 00
To Domestic .. 10 00
To Diocesan 10 00
To Bible and Prayer Book Society 7 00
To Aged Clergy. 7 00
To Sunday School and Parish Library 9 30
To Expenses of Convention 7 50
Total $60 80
The Contingent Fund $17 25
The Mile Society 51 00
A few members of the Parish have contributed to
The Green Lake Mission $67 00
Repairs on the Parsonage 83 82
Total 150 82
Total amount $345 92
Additional repairs on the Parsonage, but not yet paid for, about $75.
I hope that every parishioner will contribute toward its immediate liquidation.
I am sorry to inform you our Church edifice is not yet insured.
The rent of the Pews amounts to, per annum, $620-of which sum, $500 is paid to the Rector, and $50 to the Organist.
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Our Parish Library now numbers about 130 volumes.
The Lenten Services, as prescribed in the "Arrangements," were duly observed. I regret that the average attendance upon them was not more than 25 persons
I have officiated regularly every alternate Sunday, since June 3d, at Westford village, at 7 o'clock P. M., and have held Divine Service and preached at both places-in all, 113 times.
The Holy Communion has been administered in Christ Church fourteen times, in Westford once, and in private once- in all, sixteen times.
I have made more than 350 parochial visits, and distributed more than 3,000 pages of tracts.
That the contributors to the Mite Society may know how the money is expended, and how much good has been done by it, I would state that since its organization three years ago, there has been received $186.94. Its year closes in August.
It has contributed for repairs on Church building, in round numbers, $50
To Domestic Missions. 20
To "Parish Charity House." 20
To Sunday School. 15
To cleaning the church and for choir music. 20
To Parish Library and Church debt 60
Further repairs will soon be needed on our Church steeple; and the interior of the building will not be completely furnished until our organ is improved with some new pipes and an oaken case.
To the Teachers who have so cheerfully and faithfully as- sisted me in the Sunday School, I tender my sincere thanks. Most earnestly do I request that all the children in the congre- gation, between the ages of 7 and 15, be punctual members of the School.
May God hasten the time when there shall not be an un- baptized child or adult person in our Parish. .
The above statement of the past year's progress in made not surely for the purpose of exciting a feeling of gratification in us, but rather as calling for humiliation, when we consider
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how much greater our gifts and advancement should have been, to be a just acknowledgement of the Creator's goodness and our Saviour's love.
Your Friend and Pastor,
STEPHEN H. BATTIN.
CHRIST CHURCH RECTORY, 1 Nov. 24th, 1849. 1
In 1850 Messrs. Henry Scott and Theodore Keese were elected Wardens. The Rector, Messrs. T. Keese and J. Feni- more Cooper represented the Parish in the Diocesan Conven- tion. A new organ was placed in the Church at a cost of $550. For the first time the Church building was insured for $2,000.
In 1851 Mr. Fenimore Cooper, who had recently become a communicant, was chosen Warden with Mr. Henry Scott. The total number of communicants at this time reported was 89, and the amount of offerings for all objects aside from the ex- penses of the Parish was $195.26. The Rector's salary was increased to $600. In September of this year occurred the death of Mr. Fenimore Cooper. To him, perhaps more than to anyone else, the Church owed a debt of gratitude for his unwearied zeal and energy in forwarding the best interests of the Parish.
The year 1853 showed an increase in the number of con- municants to 102. In the same year the front of the Church tower was remodeled to conform with the architecture of the other parts of the building. A spire took the place of the old steeple, which had become decayed. The roof was tinned and a new bell purchased-weight, 1,224 pounds. The total cost of these improvements was about $1,300.
At the close of his fifth year of Rectorship the Rev. Mr. Battin reports for that period : 73 baptisms, 36 confirmations, 40 marriages and 47 burials. Communicants added, about 55 ; received 35, removed 35, died 7. Total amount of money con- tributed, aside from the ordinary expenses of the Parish, $3,025.70.
At the election of Wardens and Vestrymen in 1854, the
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following gentlemen were chosen: Henry Scott and Theodore Keese, Wardens. Samuel Nelson, Wm. H. Averell, George A. Starkweather, George W. Ernst, Robert Davis, Richard Cooper, Henry Miller, Wm. A. Comstock, Vestrymen. Messrs. T. Keese, S. Nelson and G. W. Ernst were chosen delegates to the Diocesan Convention. The Convention report shows contribu- tions for Parish purposes, aside from salaries, $348.63 ; Dioce- san, $48; general, $65 ; total, $461.63.
The following year the only change in the Vestry was the election of L. C. Turner in place of Henry Miller.
In 1857 the same Wardens and Vestrymen were elected. The financial report of the Parish showed the receipts from all sources to be about $1,000 and the disbursements the same, viz .: Rector's salary $700, organist $50, sexton $39, fuel, lights and incidentals, $250.
In June, 1858, Rev. Mr. Battin resigned the Rectorship of the Parish and shortly after a call was extended to Rev. Ste- phen H. Synnott of New York, and the salary fixed at $600. Mr. Synnott commenced his duties in September. The Vestry which called Mr. Synnott contained the same members as those last recorded, excepting Dr. J. S. Sprague, who took the place of G. A. Starkweather.
The Rectorship of Mr. Synnott continued for eight years. During the whole of this period the Clerk of the Vestry failed to record any election of Wardens and Vestrymen, or any meet- ing of the Vestry. We have to look to other sources for the history of the Parish for these years, during which considera- ble advance was made. The number of communicants at this date was about 110. In 1859 the plain glass in the church windows was replaced by stained glass at a cost of $100. About this time also a fund was started for the erection of an iron railing to enclose the churchyard. The sum required was not completed until ten years later, when the present substan- tial and appropriate railing was put up at a cost of $1, 100. The money was raised mostly through the instrumentality of Mr. George W. Ernst, who also contracted for the work.
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In 1860 the main building of the present chapel was erected by the subscriptions of the congregation. The design was made by Mr. G. Pomeroy Keese, who secured the money required and supervised the construction The amount ex- pended was about $1,300.
Upon the death of Theodore Keese in 1858, Dr. J. S. Sprague was chosen Warden with Mr. Henry Scott. The Ves- trymen being : Samuel Nelson, William H. Averell, George W. Ernst, W. A. Comstock, G. Pomeroy Keese, H. M. Hooker, J. R. Worthington and A. A. Jarvis.
In 1861 gas works were erected in the village, and in 1863 gas was introduced into the church, thus enabling the second service to be held in the evening. Previous to this date even- ing prayer had been said at three o'clock in the afternoon.
The report of the Parish made to the Convention of 1861 is as follows: Number of families, 90 ; of individuals, 408; baptisms, 30 ; confirmed, 24; marriages, 7 ; burials, 13; com- municants, 150. Sunday School : teachers and scholars, 145; Bible classes, 32. Celebration of divine service : Sundays 104, holy days 6, other days 17 ; total, 127.
Offerings : Bishop's salary, Sio; diocesan fund, $12 ; dioce- san missions, $47; theological education fund, $3 ; Faribault and Nashotah, including support of an Indian boy, $88 ; cloth- ing sent, $80. Domestic missions, $50.82 ; Foreign missions, $50.83. Cost of Parish Charity House, $1,000; for the poor of the parish, $25 ; for parish purposes, $107.57 ; church purposes in general, $195 ; alms at Holy Communion, $135.28 ; for Sun- day School, $9.08. Total, including salaries, $1,813.69.
This year the Parish Charity House was built, mainly thro' the exertions of Miss Susan Fenimore Cooper, intended as a home for widows and infirm persons who could pay but a nominal rent. Although the deed was taken in the name of the Vestry and is Parish property, the management has always
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been in charge of a committee of ladies. It is self-supporting, and no report is made to the Vestry.
In 1862 the parish was not represented in the Diocesan Con- vention. The contributions reported were : Parochial, $568.38, aside from salaries; Diocesan, $62.31 ; general, $281.18. Total, $911.87.
In 1863 Dr. J. S. Sprague and John Worthington repre- sented the Parish in the Diocesan Convention. The Rector re- ported : Number of families, 90 ; individuals, 400 ; communi- cants, 147. Contributions : Parochial, $1,102.44, of which $306.40 cost of introducing gas into the church; Diocesan, $73.87 ; general, $476.87. Total, $1,579.31.
The Rector reported the Parish in a prosperous condition, but "that no further growth of the church can be anticipated until an enlargement of the church building takes place," which was undertaken the following year, and completed in 1865.
During the year 1864 plans were made for the enlargement of the church. This was done by taking down the stone addi- tion erected in 1840, and constructing transepts and a new chancel, which was somewhat meagre in depth, owing to the limit of the church lot on the west. The ceiling of the build- ing was also raised several feet. The plans for these improve- ments were made by Rev. Charles Babcock, until recently Pro- fessor of Architecture at Cornell University.
The cost of the work, including carpets and chancel fur- niture, was about $8,400, of which sum the ladies of the Parish raised $1,250 for the interior fittings. As this was much the largest sum ever raised at one time in the history of the Parish, the subscription list of the contributors is herewith given as a matter of record. That there are odd amounts in several in- stances is accounted for by the fact that some of the sub- scribers made a second contribution at the close of the work, in order that there should be no debt-a commendable example worthy of imitation.
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. . .
List of subscribers to church enlargement, 1865 :
Samuel Nelson .. $1,000
Bingham & Jarvis. $50
William H. Averell. . . 1,000
G. M. Grant
40
G. Pomeroy Keese. . .
650
F. A. Goffe 40
Edward Clark
500
C. R. Bureh. 35
Robert P. Campbell ... 475
John S. Brown 25
J. R. Worthington. ..
450
W. A. Comstock 25
Henry Scott.
435
W. C. Keyes.
25
Mrs. MeIntosh
325
D. L. Birge
25
Alfred Clarke 300
D. A. Avery
25
A. A. Brown
300
Miss Susan F. Cooper ..
25
John Worthington
175
J. I. Hendryx.
37 50
George W. Ernst
225
Mary A. Babcock
25
Dorr Russell
125
J. G. Cooke.
25
George L. Bowne.
100
Mrs. Beggs
15
J. P. Sill
100
Mrs. R. Cooper
10
F. C. Johnston
100
Mrs. Haswell
10
A. A. Jarvis
100
H. Sturges.
10
G. A. Starkweather. . .
100
George P. Tucker
10
P. E. Johnston
100
W. H. Merchant.
10
H. M. Hooker
100
Theo. Sayles
5
Total
$7,132 50
The font, placed in the church at this time, in memory of the late Theodore Keese, was the first memorial given in the Parish.
The windows in the south transept to Mr. and Mrs. Feni- more Cooper, were the first memorials of this character, and were a part of the reconstruction.
During the Rectorship of Mr. Synnott the number of fam- ilies increased from 60 to 108, and the number of communicants from 110 to 177. At no previous period had so much been added to the increase and improvement of the church property.
In 1866 Mr. S. Bayard Fish represented the Parish in the Convention, and the Rector reported the total contributions of the year at $9,943.05, of which $8,952.77 was for the enlarge- ment and refitting the church building.
Mr. Synnott resigned the Rectorship in the autumn of this year, and a few months later the Rev. D. Hillhouse Buel was chosen as his successor, taking charge the following Easter, the Rev. William H. Williams officiating during a portion of the interim.
At the election of Wardens and Vestrymen, in 1868, the
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following gentlemen were chosen, viz .: Henry Scott, Samuel Nelson. Wardens, W. H. Averell. George W. Ernst, W. A. Comstock, J. R. Worthington, J. P. Sill, G. P. Keese, H. M. Hooker, A. A. Jarvis, Vestrymen.
At this date the total income of the Parish from pew rents and collections was reported at $1,707.38-the salary pledged to the Rector being $1,300. For the first time in the history of the Parish the Vestry was divided into committees having charge of the church building and chapel, the churchyard and rectory, and the renting of pews. The ladies of the Mite So- ciety were requested to take charge of the interior of the church, "giving it such attention as ladies can best render, in order that it may be kept clean and in good order for service."
The present Altar Guild is the successor of this initial duty.
On the 7th day of November, 1868, a meeting of the Vestry was held for the appointment of delegates to the primary con- vention of the new diocese in northern New York, to be held at St. Peter's Church, Albany, on the 2d day of December following. Messrs. George W. Ernst, G. Pomeroy Keese and J. P. Sill were chosen, the two former attending. The minutes of the Vestry also show a receipt for SSoo, being the amount contributed by the Parish towards the endowment of the Epis- copate in the new diocese. At the session of the church in December the diocese was organized and took the name of Albany, its chief city, and elected Rev. William Croswell Doane, D. D., as its first Bishop.
As the year 1868 was the last in which the Parish reported to the Convention of the Diocese of New York, and as the report exhibits in full its working under the Rectorship of Rev. Mr. Buel, it is here given in full : Families 106, individuals 450, baptisms 24, confirmed 36, marriages 7, burials 10, commu- nicants 170. Holy Communion administered on the first Sun- day in the month, and on every Holy Day, for which there is a special preface. Children in the Parish Sunday School, So ; at the County House, 40; Bible classes, 30. Divine service twice
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on Sundays, on every Holy Day, every Friday in the year, and every day in Lent.
Contributions : Episcopal fund, $10 ; Episcopal fund, Dio- cese of Albany, $753; diocesan fund, $19.50 ; missions of the diocese, $20 ; missions in the new diocese, $101.88 ; theological education, $120; aged and infirm clergy, $16.51 ; mission to the Jews, $15.02 ; St. John's Church, Portlandville, $36; St. Mat- thew's Church, Unadilla, SITO; Memorial Church, West Bur- lington, $117 ; Bible and Prayer Book Society, $12; for Bishop Tuttle, Utah, $316 ; Bishop Clarkson, $15; Nashotah, $25.44 ; Fairbault, $25; Pacific Mission, $26; Domestic Missions, $191 ; Foreign Missions, $63.26 ; Freedmen, $63.35 ; for Sunday School, $75.43; Thanksgiving Hospital, $70.67; Communion offerings, $151.99; for the poor, $256.68; repairs of church, $801.39 ; clothing sent south, $200. Total, $3,612.12.
As a matter of interest and record the contributions of in- dividuals in the Parish toward the endowment fund of the Dio- cese of Albany is herewith given, as being the largest sum raised at one time for an object not parochial, $800 in all :
Samuel Nelson. $100
W. H. Averell $100
Edward Clark
100
D. Hillhouse Buel 50
Henry Scott
25
J. R. Worthington 25
A. A. Jarvis. 25
J. P. Sill 25
Alfred Clarke 25
G. P. Keese 28
The Misses Cooper.
25
J. G. Buel 25
G W. Ernst
25
J. I. Hendryx 15
Mrs. McIntosh 15
Mrs. R. Cooper 10
H. M. Hooker 15
Mrs. Babcock 10
D. A. Avery
10
G. A. Starkweather 10
F. A. Goffe
10
W. C. Keyes & Son 10
G. M. Grant.
10
W. H. Merchant
5
J. H. Noble
5
Mrs. Pomeroy.
5
Adrain Foote.
5
P. E. Johnson. 5
C. R. Burch 5
S. Crippen ..
5
S. S. Edick
5
A Lady.
5
John Worthington.
5
Mrs. J. L. White.
5
Miss Laura White
5
H. Sturges. 5
Mrs. Turner. 3
Theo. Sayles 2
T. B. Smith.
1
Church Collection 23
Total
$ 800
In 1870 an act of incorporation of the Orphan House of the Holy Saviour was obtained in the Legislature, and it be-
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came a recognized diocesan institution. Although general in its character, yet, as it is situated within the limits of this Parish it is entitled to notice here. In October of this year the first building was dedicated by Bishop Tuttle, acting for the Bishop of the diocese.
The report of the Parish for 1870 shows the number of families to have been 102, individuals 455, baptisms 9, confirmed S, communicants 170, Sunday School scholars 160, teachers 18.
Contributions : Parochial, $2,414.87 ; diocesan, including $1,037 to Orphan House, $1.601.37 ; for missions, $738; miscel- laneous, Bible and Prayer Book Society, and box of clothing sent south, $251. Total, $5,005.24.
The minutes of the Vestry for this year show the presenta- tion of white and red altar hangings and book marks by Mr. G. Pomenoy Keese, the embroidery being by Miss Emily Dou- bleday, a gift from her.
In 1871 occurred the death of Dr. W. A. Comstock, for many years a member of the Vestry and Clerk of the same. His place was filled by the appointment of Frederick I .. Palmer as Clerk and Treasurer, and by the election of Dr. F. U. John- ston as Vestryman.
In April, 1872, the Rev. D. H. Buel resigned the Rector- ship of the Parish. The minutes of the Vestry of this year show a contribution of the congregation of $75 toward the edu- cation of Theodore A. Snyder, a student for the ministry at Annandale.
In July, 1872, the Vestry extended a call to Rev. P. A. H. Brown, an assistant minister in Trinity Parish, New York, to the Rectorship, which was accepted, and Mr. Brown immedi- ately entered upon his duties. At this meeting Mr. Keese pre- sented to the Vestry the sum of $1,000, being a legacy from his father, the late Theodore Keese. The same was ordered to be entered on the books of the Treasurer and to be known as the "Keese Fund," the income to be used toward the Rector's salary and for the repairs and improvement of the Church property, in accordance with the terms of the legacy.
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....
On the occasion of the election of the Rev. Mr. Brown to the Rectorship, the Wardens of the Parish made a request to the Bishop for his installation. This was the first occasion in the history of the Parish of the use of this office of the Church.
The next Diocesan Convention was held on the 15th of January, 1873, at St. Paul's Church, Troy, Messrs. Ernst, Keese and Johnston, being the delegates. The Rector reported for the year 1872, 67 baptisms, 4 marriages, and 14 burials; num- ber of communicants 185. Offerings: Parochial, $2,974.19; Diocesan, $1,018.42 ; general, $1,296.72; total, $5,289.33 ..
In August, 1873, occurred the death of Mr. Wm. H. Averell. Although never a communicant of the Church, he served for 51 years as a Vestryman. This is believed to be the longest record of official service in the history of the Parish. Mr. Averell was an active and interested member of the congrega- tion, and contributed liberally of his means when occasion required.
On the 5th of November following, Mr. Edward Clark was elected by the congregation to fill the vacancy in the Vestry caused by the death of Mr. Averell.
During this year a subscription was made of somewhat over $2,000, for a new organ. Of this amount Mr. Edward Clark contributed #800, accompanied with the request that the organ be placed in the east end of the Church. It was subsequently erected in the southeast corner, adjoining the front entrance.
In December of this year the Parish lost both its Wardens by death, Hon. Samuel Nelson and Mr. Henry Scott, and within five days of one another. The former had held the office for fourteen years and the latter for twenty-seven.
The Rector reported the Parochial contributions of the year at 84,489.20, of which $2,000 was represented by the new organ ; diocesan at $995, and general, $686. Total, $6,171.48.
At the election on Easter Tuesday, 1874, the following offi- cers were chosen : George W. Ernst, John R. Worthington, Wardens ; J. P. Sill, Edward Clark, W. T. Bassett, G. P. Keese, H. M. Hooker, S. W. Nelson, C. F. Hendryx, C. R. Burch, Vestrymen.
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In September of this year Rev. Mr. Brown resigned the Rectorship, to take effect on the 15th of October following. On the 14th of November a call was extended to the Rev. Brady E. Backus, then an assistant minister of St. Peter's Church, New York, at a salary of $1,400, and the use of the rectory. Rev. Mr. Backus accepted the call and soon after entered upon his duties.
During this year a silver alms basin and altar vases were presented to the Parish by friends, not members of the same. Their names are recorded on the minutes of the Vestry. The cost of the gift was $110.
The Rector reported the statistics of the Parish for the year 1875 : Baptisms 26, confirmed 22, communicants 192. Contributions : Parochial, $3,747.80, of which church repairs $1,241.45 ; diocesan, $706; general, $259. Total, $4.613.50.
In September, 1875, a Diocesan School for Boys, under the name of Bede Hall, was opened in the building known as Sunnyside, now owned by Mr. D. H. Gregory. While not offi- cially connected with this Parish, the School had one or more Clergymen of the Church in the faculty, and a good deal of missionary work was carried on in the vicinity. The Parish at Portlandville especially, was cared for almost entirely for a year. Much assistance also was rendered directly in the Parish of Christ Church. The School was established at an unfortunate time, during the years of financial distress in the country, and had an existence of two years only.
In February, 1876, Rev. Mr. Backus resigned the Rector- ship of the Parish. At a meeting of the Vestry held at this time a communication was received from Hon. R. R. Nelson requesting permission to erect a memorial tablet to the late Justice Nelson, the same to be placed on the wall of the Church above the family pew ; the tablet being a gift from his chil- dren. The request was granted.
At a meeting held on the 27th of March, a call was extended to the Rev. John W. Kramer, M. D., as Rector; this call was declined. At the Easter election of this year, George W. Ernst and John R. Worthington were chosen Wardens, and Edward
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Clark, H. M. Hooker, A. A. Jarvis, H. Sturges, W. T. Bassett, C. R. Burch, D. A. Avery and Frederick L. Palmer, Vestrymen.
In June following, a call to the Rectorship was given to Rev. W. W. Lord, D. D .. then of Edenton, North Carolina, which call was again repeated at a meeting held July 27th.
Dr. Lord accepted the call and entered upon his duties.
H. Sturges, G. P. Keese and A. A. Jarvis represented the Parish at the Diocesan Convention of 1877. The only change in the Vestry of this year was that of G. P. Keese in the place of C. R. Burch.
In January, 1878, occurred the death of Mr. J. R. Worth- ington, for several years Junior Warden of the Parish. At the subsequent Easter clection Hezekiah Sturges was chosen to fill the vacancy, John Worthington taking his place in the Vestry.
The report made to the Convention this year shows : Num- ber of families 130, baptisms 20, confirmed 28, communicants 212. Contributions: Parochial, $2,524.38 ; diocesan, $503.24 ; general, $405.66. Total, $3,433.28.
In 1879 the Wardens and Vestrymen were without change. The Rector, Dr. Lord, who had been called on a salary of $1,400, voluntarily relinquished $200 of the same, the income of the Parish having been reduced during the past two years. The Sexton's salary was also reduced at the same time. The con- tributions reported this year were: Parochial, not including pew rents, $409. 52 ; Diocesan, $239. 56 ; general, $507.69.
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