USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > History of St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, N.Y. : 1817 to 1888 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
1879.
Elijah Ford, formerly one of the vestry, died in March, 1879, at the age of seventy-four. He took great interest in the construction of the church edifice, and his legal advice and services were of much value to the vestry, and were freely given in addition to his liberal pecuniary contributions.
April 14. 1879, at the annual election, Rev. Dr. Shelton pre- siding, C. W. Evans and W. H. Walker were elected wardens, and John Pease, Dr. A. R. Davidson, L. C. Woodruff, G. S. Hazard, A. P. Thompson, M. B. Moore and Cyrus Clarke, vestrymen ;* William Y. Warren was appointed clerk, and J. W. Sanford treasurer.
May 12, 1879, the estimated receipts of the parish being much less than the proposed expenditures, the vestry fixed the salary of the rector at $1,000 and the associate rector at $2,500 for the year, from April I, 1879, to April 1, 1880, and for the music appropriated $1,500 per annum ; but it was subsequently agreed that the salary of the associate rector be fixed at $3,000, if satisfactory to him, instead of the $4,000 as was appropriated on March 30, 1878.
* This election resulted in a tie for the position of eighth vestryman between Messrs. Howard H. Baker and Sheldon T. Viele. By mutual agreement, a new election was not held to vote off this tie, and the vestry consequently continued throughout the year with seven vestrymen instead of eight.
124
History of St. Paul's Church.
July 10, 1879, the vestry resolved, that as on the 11th of September, 1879, the Rev. Dr. Shelton would have completed the 50th year of his services as rector, it was fitting that such an unusual event in the annals of the church in the United States should be marked by some suitable action on the part of the parish ; a committee was appointed to take such steps as were suitable to the proper observance of the anniversary. A communication was received from the Rev. S. H. Gurteen declining to accept a less salary than $4,000 per annum. The vestry resolved that a mortgage of $1,500 be executed on the rectory, in order to pay Mr. Gurteen the $4,000 per annum, and Mr. Gurteen agreed on his part to accept $2,500 for the year from April I, 1879, to April 1, 1880.
In a communication from Mr. George Alfred Stringer, to the "Church Kalendar," it is stated that the "fiftieth anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Shelton's pastorate was a memorable occasion. Among the dignitaries of the church present were the Rt. Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, Bishop of the Diocese ; the Rt. Rev. John C. Talbot, Bishop of Indiana ; the Rt. Rev. Dr. Fuller, Lord Bishop of Niagara, Ont., and others. It was on this occasion that Dr. Shelton withdrew from the active pastorate of the church. During the week that followed several not- able gatherings were held, all commemorative of his half century of service in St. Paul's parish. At a ministers' meeting, composed of thirty Buffalo clergymen of different denominations, formal con- gratulations addressed to Dr. Shelton were adopted. A reception was held at the rectory, September 15th, at which the Guild of St. Paul's Church presented Dr. Shelton with a large portrait of himself, painted by Mr. Sellstedt, Dr. A. R. Davidson making the presentation address.
"On this occasion the Rev. Dr. Shelton preached a sermon, in the course of which he said : - 'Our good predecessors reared this parish when opulence, as it is now seen, had no existence here. The costly vehicles which now fill our streets, the palatial houses of our merchants, were then unknown. They lived, if not in houses
1
€
THE REVEREND DOCTOR SHELTON, IN HIS 80th YEAR. Presented by St. Paul's Guild to Dr. Shelton in 1879, on the Fiftieth Anniversary of his Rectorate ; bequeathed by him to St. Paul's, and now in the Parish House. (See page 124.)
From the Painting by L. G. Sellstedt, N. A., 1877.
History of St. Paul's Church. 125
of hewn logs of the forest, yet in habitations which would now be eschewed. And as late as my own day the natives of the forest had their houses upon the borders of the village, and some of them, with their chiefs and great men, were often seen in our streets.'- Great must have been the contrast to the venerable rector, as he stood on that proud day in the pulpit of the beautiful church, whose building was a large part of his life-work, and looked down upon the large and attentive congregation. Great was the contrast and great was his gratitude, as he looked back to the slender beginning, when he preached his first sermon in the old frame church of St. Paul's to the forty-five families who then constituted the parish. His name and work are indissolubly connected with the entire history of the city of Buffalo." Dr. Shelton was that year chosen a delegate to the General Convention.
December 30, 1879, it was reported to the vestry that Mr. Henry Kip had paid over the funds in his hands to be applied to the payment of the mortgage debt on the German Mission Church, and the thanks of the vestry were thereupon tendered to Mr. Kip.
1880.
The majority of the vestries of 1877, 1878 and 1879 were in favor of the measures advocated by the Rev. S. H. Gurteen, the assistant minister, but it was not fully known what all those measures really were. One of them, however, was quite revolutionary in its character, which was to have an associate rector - two rectors instead of one, two heads of the parish instead of one-and on March 30, 1878, the vestry actually passed the measure, and, to make it legal and binding, procured an act to be passed by the Legislature of the State of New York in 1878 ratifying and confirming the same. Mr. Walker, the junior warden, took legal advice on the subject and found that such an act could be set aside by the Court.
I26
History of St. Paul's Church.
There was a quiet but strong opposition in the congregation to Mr. Gurteen and his adherents, and at the annual election of wardens and vestrymen on Easter Monday, March 29, 1880, quite a large number of the voters assembled in the church edifice. Dr. Shelton, as the rector, presided at the meeting, and appointed tellers to receive and count the votes. The result of the election was a complete triumph of the conservative element in the congregation, and effectually silenced those opposed to Dr. Shelton. There were 135 votes cast, much larger in number than ever before. The average majority was about 90, and the following persons were elected : Charles W. Evans and William H. Walker, wardens ; John Pease, A. Porter Thompson, Albert J. Barnard, Dr. A. R. Davidson, Henry R. Howland, George A. Stringer, Howard H. Baker and Dr. Henry R. Hopkins, vestrymen. William Y. Warren was appointed clerk, and James W. Sanford treasurer.
At a meeting of the vestry, April 3, 1880, the resolutions formerly passed constituting the Rev. S. H. Gurteen an assistant rector and associate rector, were revoked, rescinded and annulled, and it was resolved that all connection of the Rev. S. H. Gurteen with St. Paul's Church and parish "be and the same is wholly terminated and ended."
May 6, 1880, William Y. Warren having resigned as clerk of the vestry, Theodore F. Welch was appointed to that office.
The Rev. Dr. Shelton recommended the Rev. Charles L. Hutchins to be the associate minister of the parish, and the vestry approved of his nomination. June 29, 1880, the Rev. Mr. Gurteen addressed a commu- nication to the vestry, stating that he had accepted a call to Trinity Church, Toledo, Ohio, and resigned his office as associate rector of St. Paul's Church, from and after September 1, 1880. This communi- cation was laid on the table. The Rev. Mr. Hutchins declined the position of associate minister. The Rev. J. W. Craig was invited to the position for three months, but illness prevented his acceptance.
July 29, 1880, the Rev. Mr. Douglass of Trinity Church, New York, was invited to be the assistant minister of St. Paul's Church, but
127
History of St. Paul's Church.
declined. September 9, 1880, the Rev. Dr. Shelton stated to the vestry that he had before determined to do away with the intoning of the prayers in the church services, but that he had found that the children had become very much attached to the service as it was, and in view of all the circumstances he deemed it wise not to make any changes against the wishes of a great many, as would be the case. He said he would have no objection to the chanting of the Creed, the Psalms, the Glorias and the Amen, but he thought the intoning of the prayers might be dispensed with. However, under the circumstances, he would with- draw all opposition from that time to the service as now conducted in that respect.
It was resolved by the vestry that the interests of the church and the interests of the Sunday-School required the efficient maintenance of a full choral service.
· 188I.
January 11, 1881, the Rev. Dr. Shelton called the vestry together and communicated to them his resignation as the rector of the parish, in the following letter read by him :
BUFFALO, January II, 1881.
I have asked you as a vestry to meet me this evening that I might resign the posi- tion I have so long held as rector of St. Paul's Church.
I do this from a sense of duty, considering that my day of usefulness, from age and infirmities, is essentially passed away. I wish to add that I consider you have borne with me in my great age longer than others would have done in this selfish and sordid age. But you will understand that I have not lost my interest in the parish nor with the individuals composing it. You will also bear in mind that I have no distrust, neither is there any want of the affectionate regard which I have so long had for every one of you. It is simply because I am sure that I promote the best interests, the peace and happiness as well as prosperity of the congregation by the act I now perform. But it is quite impossible for me to free myself from a situation of such grave importance without grief and distress.
My parish, which I now relinquish, has been to me my only care and the ceaseless object of interest for more than fifty-one years. It has always been a prosperous,
128
History of St. Paul's Church.
united and happy body of Christians. My many defects and infirmities have been borne with a uniform and kindly forbearance, and it has been at all times generous, kind and considerate.
I need not say that I have steadily inculcated the great and grand doctrines of the Christian religion according to the Catholic or universal teachings of the Church as expressed in her creeds, in her liturgy and in her history. Private opinion has had no weight.
The changing opinions and views, both of doctrines and practice of others, have not been followed, because I have believed the Church to be supreme and infinitely above all novelties, both in practice and in doctrine.
You have ever heard this great and fundamental truth, that God made and fash- ioned and gave authority, as well as all truth which is necessary to salvation, to the Church, as He did to the movements of the heavenly bodies, which He first formed and then put in motion and gave them laws which were to last as long as they had being.
I need not say that I have cherished these views sacredly, believing in them not- withstanding the denials, the errors, the confusion of the religious world, all of which would come to an end if these views were adopted. I do not desire to express my great humility, which is felt when I look upon the errors and mistakes of a long life now soon to end. But I wish to say that your indulgence, and that of those who have gone before you, have had much to do with the prosperity and harmony of the church, both in the past and the present.
I must trust that God will pardon what has been done so imperfectly, considering that He has intrusted so many and great and sacred duties to earthen vessels.
Without intending to go more minutely into all that can be said, I respectfully subscribe myself as your old and long-tried friend.
WILLIAM SHELTON.
The reading of the letter called forth many strong and earnest expressions of love and affection to the Doctor, and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
WHEREAS, The Rev. William Shelton, D. D., has, in consequence of advancing years and the infirmities of age, presented to the vestry his resignation of the rector- ship of St. Paul's Church ; therefore,
Resolved, That we receive this announcement with profound sorrow, but we recognize in it the same devotion to the church and to the parish which has always characterized the action of our revered pastor and friend.
Resolved, That in accepting this resignation we do so with the earnest hope and wish that Dr. Shelton, as honorary rector of the parish, will remain with us so long
THE REVEREND DOCTOR SHELTON IN THE CHANCEL OF ST. PAUL'S. February, 1881, in his 83d year.
From a photograph by H. McMichael.
History of St. Paul's Church. 129
as life shall last. That he will continue to occupy the rectory endeared to him, to his family and to ourselves, by so many sacred associations - that he will go in and out among us, dispensing the holy offices of religion as health and strength may permit.
Resolved, That we wish to express, however feebly and imperfectly, our apprecia- tion of the great ability, the noble and generous conduct, and, above all, the Christian faith and earnestness, as well as the marvelous fidelity to the poor, the sick, and the afflicted, which for more than fifty years have been exemplified by the Rev. Dr. Shelton in this parish. Whenever any effort was to be made involving self-sacrifice, he has always led the way with a courage and liberality which have ensured success. By the vestry and the congregation these qualities and these sacrifices can never be forgotten. They will remain the chiefest treasures we possess, and they will leave an impression upon this parish which will not be effaced.
Resolved, That the clerk of the vestry and other proper officers of St. Paul's. parish be and are hereby instructed to execute to the Rev. Dr. Shelton a life lease of the rectory.
Resolved, That no clergyman shall be called to the rectorship of this parish with- out the free and hearty concurrence and consent of the Rev. Dr. Shelton.
The following letter was addressed to the Rev. Dr. Shelton by the Bishop of Western New York :
SEE-HOUSE, BUFFALO, January 12, 1881. My Dear Dr. Shelton : -
On reaching home this morning I learned of your resignation, and read the inter- esting correspondence in " The Express."
It is a correspondence highly creditable to all concerned. On your part, you retire, prompted only by your own anxieties for the welfare of your beloved St. Paul's, in view of abated physical strength ; but every word of your letter is vigorous proof of an intellect unimpaired, and rings with the characteristic tone of your life-long testimony for Christ and His Church. I thank you for such a letter ; it will be read throughout the land, by churchmen generally, with feelings of honorable pride in a rectorship extended through half a century, and laid down with such dignity, while yet there is promise of years of remaining usefulness among those who have grown up under your pastoral care.
And on the part of your people, what a testimony to your fidelity and to their appreciation of your life and character ! I was pleased with their tribute to your spirit of devotion to the Master. That you are still to be with them ; still to be seen in your place a pastor and priest ; still to reside in the rectory, going in and out among a whole community that delight to do you honor : all this deprives the event of the pang inseparable from such changes as involve seeing the face of a friend no more.
130
History of St. Paul's Church.
And I thank God, in these days of fickle fashions and caprices, that to St. Paul's parish will ever belong the credit of such a protracted record. More than fifty years, and only one rector ! Six-and-thirty periods like this would reach back to the days of the Apostles. May every blessing attend the residue of your ministry and your life. Accept my assurance that I count it an honor to subscribe myself,
Rev. and dear sir, your friend and diocesan,
A CLEVELAND COXE. To REV. DR. SHELTON, ETC.
The following editorial appeared in the Buffalo Courier of January 12, 1881 :
THE RETIRACY OF DR. SHELTON.
"Rev. Wm. Shelton, D. D., the veteran rector of St. Paul's, retires from his charge after having officiated in the same pulpit for fifty-one years ; and the love and esteem of his parishioners and all others who know him follow him into retiracy. His advanced age entitles him to the rest he has for some years sought. As a minister of the gospel and a man, he has met his obligations faithfully and well. A man of great physical and mental stamina ; strong willed, independent and aggressive ; broad and liberal in his views, he has always been known alike for his fearlessness and honesty and his devotion to his church. He has fought the battle of life with rare courage - but few men have ever been better equipped for it ; and he lays down his armor like a true soldier, conscious that he has never dishonored his cause. In the history of the city he has been a grand old landmark, which, once removed, can never be replaced ; but he is with us still, in good health, and in the full possession of his faculties ; and that he may be spared to us these many years, is our sincerest wish."
April 12, 1881, at a meeting of the vestry, it was stated that the parish owed a floating debt. It was resolved that $1,200 be paid to the Rev. Dr. Ingersoll for his officiating in the church services for the past year. The wardens reported that the Rev. Mr. Gurteen had sued the parish for $625 for past services, but it was contended that nothing was due him, and the suit was not prosecuted.
April 18, 1881, at the annual election, Charles W. Evans and William H. Walker were elected wardens, and John Pease, A. Porter Thompson, A. J. Barnard, Dr. A. R. Davidson, George A. Stringer, Henry R. Howland, Howard H. Baker and Dr. Henry R. Hopkins, vestrymen ; Theodore F. Welch was appointed clerk, and James W. Sanford treasurer.
I31
History of St. Paul's Church.
June 25, 1881, the committee appointed in 1878 to ascertain the then indebtedness of the parish and to obtain subscriptions for the payment therefor, reported to the vestry that there was due at Easter, 1878 :
To the Rev. Dr. Shelton, for arrears of salary, . $5,237.95
To the mortgage on the parsonage, 4,700.00
Other indebtedness,
2,488.27
$12,426.22
The committee reported that subscriptions had been made to pay the same, as follows :
Rev. Dr. Shelton, $5,000.00
Cyrus Clarke Vandeventer, $100.00
William H. Walker,
1,000.00
G. A. Hibbard, 100.00
A. Porter Thompson,
500.00
Wm. Meadows, 100.00
G. S. Hazard,
500.00
F. W. Scott, 100.00
S. G. Cornell,
500.00
Esther M. Squier, 100.00
L. C. Woodruff, .
500.00
G. A. Stringer, 100.00
J. L. Kimberly,
250.00
Mrs. G. F. Lee, . 75.00
George N. Burwell, .
200.00
Frank Kimberly, . 50.00
George E. Hayes,
200.00
Gertrude S. Talcott, 50.00
Mrs. G. H. Bryant,
200.00
Agnes Squier,
50.00
I. R. Brayton,
50.00
John Pease,
50.00
Lætitia P. Viele, .
200.00
Agnes Warren,
150.00
The Misses Kimberly,
150.00
J. C. Nagel, . H. R. Howland,
50.00
Andrew Brown,
125.00
E. L. Kimberly, .
25.00
J. F. Demarest,
100.00
E. S. Warren,
25.00
George Meacham,
100.00
C. G. Curtiss, .
25.00
M. B. Moore,
100.00
C. M. Howe, .
25.00
G. A. Scroggs,
100.00
O. B. Howe, . 25.00
T. Guilford Smith,
100.00
Howard H. Baker, 25.00
H. R. Hopkins, .
100.00
Mrs. J. L. Talcott, . 25.00
Sheldon T. Viele,
100.00
Henry Bull,
25.00
William K. Allen,
100.00
Mrs. J. G. Guenther, 25.00
50.00
Cyrus Clarke, .
100.00
William H. Glenny, Jr.,
100.00
Daniel Penfield,
25.00
A. R. Davidson, James Sweeney,
50.00
50.00
In memory of Carlos Cobb, by his daughter, 200.00
M. Powers Fillmore, 100.00
Charles W. Evans, 500.00
I32
History of St. Paul's Church.
Mary E. Walker,
$25.00
Stephen Walker,
$6.25
Edward Dows,
20.00
Mrs. Brent,
5.00
M. S. Burns, .
15.00
T. D. Sheridan,
5.00
C. K. Remington,
15.88
William Johnson,
5.00
S. L. Porter,
15.00
Miss H. M. Abel,
5.00
Sanford C. McKnight, .
10.00
Mary A. Coit,
5.00
William Savage,
10.00
W. Y. Warren,
3.00
Mrs. B. F. Smith,
10.00
J. M. Haight,
3.75
Total, $12,808.88
Collection, Easter, 1878, .
119.93
Total collected, up to June 25, 1881, on above indebtedness, . $12,928.81
The committee reported that they had paid all of the above indebt- edness of $12,426.22, and several small items, and in addition had paid $490 on the principal of the new $1,500 mortgage, which had been placed by the vestry on the rectory since the organization of the committee, leaving a present indebtedness on the said mortgage of $1,010.
Mrs. Eliza Hamilton, widow of Henry Hamilton, and one of the oldest residents of Buffalo, died in October, 1881, in the seventy- seventh year of her age. Henry Hamilton was one of the vestry, and also one of the wardens of St. Paul's, and died in September, 1852, aged fifty-five. Benjamin B. Hamilton of Buffalo, and Claude Hamilton of San Francisco, and Caroline, widow of the late Frank E. Coit, sur- vived their mother. Mrs. Hamilton was a parishioner of St. Paul's for nearly sixty years.
October 29, 1881, the vestry resolved to tender a call to the Rev. Chauncy C. Williams of Augusta, Georgia, to be the rector of St. Paul's Church, at a salary of $4,000 and an allowance of $500 for the expenses of his removal to Buffalo.
December 3, 1881, the vestry agreed to have a platform placed in part of the chancel, and to extend the chancel floor so as to accommo- date the surpliced choir.
I33
History of St. Paul's Church.
1882.
January 7, 1882, the committee reported that the Rev. Mr. Williams had visited the parish, and that he had been generally liked, but had declined the call for the reason that his wife's health rendered it necessary to remain in a warm climate.
In the latter part of January, 1882, the vestry called the Rev. John W. Brown, D. D., the then rector of Trinity Church in Cleveland, Ohio, to the rectorship of St. Paul's, Buffalo. He had visited Buffalo and preached in St. Paul's on Sunday, January 30, 1881, and was very acceptable to the congregation, but his people in Cleveland were very unwilling to have him leave that city. Under certain circumstances, as improved parish accommodations, he concluded to remain with them, but subsequently these improvements were not made.
At a meeting of the vestry, February 11, 1882, the committee having in charge the selection of a new rector, reported that they had visited Detroit, and were pleased with the Rev. Dr. Worthington of that city. He accepted their invitation to visit St. Paul's in Buffalo, and officiated and preached one Sunday, but gave no encouragement that he would accept a call, as influential members of his own congregation wished him to remain in Detroit. He was afterwards elected Bishop of the Diocese of Nebraska.
Mr. Wm. H. Walker of the Finance Committee stated to the vestry that, including the mortgage on the rectory, the parish would be in debt at Easter, 1882, only in about the sum of $1,400, and that $600 was already pledged towards paying this sum, provided the entire amount were raised by Easter.
February, 1882, $500-bequest for a memorial window in the Sunday School - was paid to the vestry, by the executor of Mrs. + Elizabeth Staats Seymour.
Some years previous to her making the bequest, a Sunday-School building separate from the church was contemplated, and a consider-
I34
History of St. Paul's Church.
able sum was provided for it ; but the project was finally abandoned and the money was used in fitting up the basement room under the church as a chapel and Sunday-School room. On the receipt of Mrs. Seymour's bequest, which was paid by her executor in February, 1882, the room was much enlarged at an expense of more than $2,500, and made to communicate by a stairway with the interior of the church ; an additional window was cut in the northerly end of the stone founda- tion on Erie Street, and in it was placed the memorial window to the deceased sons of Mrs. Seymour. The window not only beautified the chapel and Sunday School, but was also very useful for light and ventilation. The vestry passed a resolution on February 11, 1882, of its desire to put on record its appreciation of the gift from one who was for many years an honored and beloved member of the parish.
The Rev. Dr. Courtland Whitehead of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, having received an informal call to the rectorship, visited and offici- ated at St. Paul's Church on Sunday, February 27, 1882. His ser- mon was very acceptable to the congregation, but, after giving the subject mature deliberation, he declined the position. He was after- wards elected Bishop of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and removed to that city.
Dr. George E. Hayes, formerly one of the vestry, and a liberal contributor to the building of the church edifice, died in April, 1882, at the age of seventy-eight. He was one of the oldest members of St. Paul's Church, having come to Buffalo in 1829. He was twice married, his last wife surviving him. Harriet, his daughter by his first wife, married the Rev. Charles H. Smith, Rector of St. James' Church, Buffalo.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.