USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > History of St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, N.Y. : 1817 to 1888 > Part 29
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James D. Sheppard died in 1881, aged eighty-eight years. A brass tablet in the present St. Paul's Church records his long service as organist, and the bequest which he made to the parish. (See page 293.)
Robert Denton was the organist in Clinton Hall. Among the paid singers at this time appears the name of Mrs. Eager.
In April, 1851, although the new church edifice was not yet ready for occupancy, the lease of Clinton Hall was given up. The organ
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was removed from the hall to the basement of the rectory on Pearl Street, and was afterwards sold to the Presbyterian Society in Fredo- nia, N. Y., for $600. The members of the congregation attended Trinity and St. John's churches, and during the summer of 1851 the Rev. Dr. Shelton went abroad.
A new organ was needed for the new church edifice, and in May, 185 1, several persons agreed to loan the parish $2,500, for the purpose ; the organ was to be in place by the following October, and to be the property of these persons until paid for by the parish. This offer was accepted by the vestry.
The new edifice was consecrated on Wednesday morning, October 22, 1851. In the description of the new church, quoted earlier in this volume (page 70), from the Gospel Messenger, 1851, the organ is thus described : "The organ (a powerful and fine-toned instrument from the manufactory of House & Company, Buffalo), containing thirty stops, is placed over the vestry, at the east end of the north aisle, and in front of it is a space raised one step and enclosed, for the singers."
December 30, 1851, the vestry decided that the new organ placed in the church by the subscribers to the organ fund, and which cost $2,500, was satisfactory, and it was accepted.
The choir in the new stone church, from 1851 to 1857, was under Robert Denton as organist ; from 1853, George C. Rexford sang bass and was director and leader of the choir, which was the first paid quartette in St. Paul's. Among the names of the singers we find Miss C. L. Case of Syracuse, soprano ; Mrs. Elizabeth A. Cross, contralto, to July, 1854 ; Thomas F. Thornton, tenor, from September, 1852, to 1857 ; Miss Susan A. Boss, soprano ; Miss Amanda Allen ; in 1854, Miss Whiting, Miss S. Lucette House, contralto for several years ; Miss Emily H. Parsons, soprano, to May, 1855 ; Miss Helen S. Gillet sang for a few weeks in 1855, and later, Miss Deborah Scarborough was soprano to June, 1856 ; Miss M. R. Birge sang until 1857.
One thousand dollars was the amount appropriated for music for the year beginning at Easter, 1853.
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The Music, 1817-1903. 327
In March, 1855, the plan was mentioned of removing the organ from its position near the chancel to a gallery to be built in the west- erly end of the church. In 1856 this question was still under discus- sion. Mr. Upjohn, the architect of the church, was consulted, and advised against it as being injurious to the effect of the building as a whole. The feeling in the congregation was very strong against the change, and the vestry finally allowed the matter to rest for the time.
On June 14, 1857, Robert Denton resigned as organist of St. Paul's, and was succeeded in the position by Everett L. Baker, on June 21, 1857. George C. Rexford continued as director and leader of the choir, and Miss S. L. House continued to sing. Thomas F. Thornton resigned his position in the choir in 1857, being greatly occupied with superintending the installation of the chiming apparatus for the new bells of St. Paul's, and in pealing and chiming them.
In July, 1857, Mr. Dutton of Lockport sang tenor in the choir, fol- lowed, in 1858, by John G. Woehnert. Miss Anna Poole sang soprano, and Miss S. L. House, contralto.
In 1858 Horace F. Kenyon sang bass, Miss Martha Guild, soprano, Miss Julia Farr, contralto, and John G. Woehnert, tenor. Miss Guild left after about six months, and later the choir consisted of Miss. Mag- gie Smith, soprano; Mrs. George Woehnert, contralto; John G. Woehnert, tenor ; H. F. Kenyon, bass.
In July, 1859, a large majority of the vestry considered the removal of the organ to the west gallery as necessary ; but a number of the congregation were still strongly opposed to this, and six par- ishioners then offered to defray the expenses of the music up to Easter, 1860, if the vestry would allow the organ to remain in its posi- tion adjoining the chancel. The vestry agreed to this, and it was decided to engage a suitable leader, who, with the organist, should conduct the music and lead the congregation in singing the hymns, etc., and Horace F. Kenyon and John G. Woehnert gave voluntary assistance in singing in the choir for six months, for which they received the thanks of the vestry in April, 1860.
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History of St. Paul's Church.
This experiment of "congregational singing " lasted only six months. Miss Anna Poole and Miss Howell sang in the choir shortly after this time.
Mr. Kenyon fell ill in 1862, and S. E. Cleveland then took the position of bass.
The Gospel Messenger of April 23, 1862, has the following in regard to music at St. Paul's : "The Easter Festival of the Sunday School of St. Paul's Church, on Tuesday evening, attracted a very large number of old and young, sufficient to test the capacity of the church - the scholars alone numbering nearly five hundred. The music was the feature of the evening. The choir, which is one of the best in the country, was assisted by many of our vocalists, the whole being under the direction of Everett L. Baker. . Mr. Blodgett, the organist of St. John's, relieved Mr. Baker from his duties as organist during the evening. The solo singers were Miss Smith,
Miss Kimberly, Miss Hayden, Miss Ford, Miss Hollister, and Messrs. Tobias, Cleveland, Drake and Vining. . The Welcome Song was a beautiful improvisation, and was as unexpected as it must have been agreeable to Dr. Shelton, who had just returned to the city after sev- eral weeks' absence. It was arranged by the organist .... and sung by the 'Young Choir,' accompanied by one of Prince's new style organ melodeons, admirably played by Miss Edith Kimberly (afterwards Mrs. Wm. H. Walker). The chant, Passover, sung antiphonally, was magnificently rendered. The Carol, Last and First, consisted of six exquisite solos, by voices in different parts of the church." The paper also speaks of Hobart Weed in con- nection with the singing of the "Young Choir."
Everett L. Baker was the first organist in Buffalo to introduce the especially elaborate music at the Easter, Christmas, and other church festivals.
The change so long agitated was finally brought about, and the organ and choir were removed to the gallery recently built for them at the westerly end of the church, at the close of the year 1863.
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A small mixed choir was organized in 1864, and lasted four months. In addition to the regular quartette there were Miss Mary Hayden (afterwards Mrs. John B. Seymour), soprano ; Miss Julia Hayden (afterwards Mrs. Benjamin Hamilton), contralto ; Miss Hollister, Hobart Weed and Mr. Kenyon.
The treasurer's report for the year ending at Easter, 1865, shows the disbursements for music to have been $1,096.19.
At Easter, 1865, the choir was again reorganized. Miss Dellan- baugh (afterwards Mrs. John G. Wehnert), soprano ; Mrs. George Woehnert, contralto ; John G. Woehnert, tenor ; and George Woeh- nert, bass.
Referring to the Christmas music at St. Paul's, the Commercial of December 30, 1865, speaks of Everett L. Baker as organist, and of the singing of Mr. and Mrs. George Woehnert, complimenting the efforts of "the ladies and gentlemen of the choir," but says a quartette is not enough to fill so large a church. The same paper also refers to a recent evening service at St. Paul's, when the bishop preached, and the choir loft was filled with singers, who sang Luther's grand old hymn, " Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott," with fine effect, making the arches ring with the music. One of the critics said, " How much better music - outside of the ordinary chants - sounds from a choir loft, instead of from the floor of the church."
A feeling of dissatisfaction with quartette choirs would seem to have been somewhat general at this time. Bishop Potter of New York is quoted as denouncing "operatic singing " in the churches. A trial of boy choirs seemed to be a solution of the difficulty.
In March, 1866, the music committee of St. Paul's decided upon having a double quartette choir : Miss Sarah A. Barker and Miss Sill, sopranos ; Mrs. George Woehnert and Miss Ella D. Barker, contraltos ; John Woehnert and Mr. Kimball, tenors ; George Woehnert and Mr. Barker, basses. Everett L. Baker, organist and director.
The Easter, 1866, Sunday School Festival was a memorable one. The Sunday Schools of all the parishes in the city assembled at St.
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History of St. Paul's Church.
Paul's, and over fifteen hundred children were present, each Sunday School marching into the church with its especial banner. Bishop Coxe catechised the children and preached the sermon. The Easter Carols were excellently given under the direction of Everett L. Baker, the organ being played by Robert Denton. An innovation at this serv- ice was the playing of one of the carol tunes upon the chimes in the belfry, after which the children sang the carol, Easter Bells.
The choir of St. Paul's in 1866 was generally commended as being the best "the church has had for many a year," and giving very gen- eral satisfaction.
In March, 1867, Everett L. Baker resigned his position at. St. Paul's, after being organist there for ten years, and was succeeded by C. B. Schuyler. At the Easter Sunday School Festival in 1867, 1,600 chil- dren, representing the different Sunday Schools of the city, sang at St. Paul's. The music was spoken of as excellent. J. R. Blodgett con- ducted, and Mr. Schuyler presided at the organ. " Miss Sill led the
singing in a very spirited and pleasing manner."
The Easter
music at St. Paul's generally gave great satisfaction, especially the organ playing of Mr. Schuyler, whose engagement as organist termi- nated on that day. He was followed by W. W. Killip from Geneseo, an Englishman by birth, who came highly recommended for his skill in drilling choirs and his understanding of church music. Mr. Killip was also, for a time, instructor in languages at the Heathcote School, then on the north side of Niagara Street, between Carolina and Vir- ginia streets. A quartette was engaged, but it was decided to begin the training of a chorus of boys. The quartette consisted of Mrs. William O. Brown, Jr., soprano ; Miss Alice Wells, contralto ; P. Mac- farlane, tenor ; Horace F. Kenyon, bass. Mr. Schuyler became the organist of St. John's Church.
In May, 1867, "the experiment of a boy choir was tried in St. Paul's, .... and was considered successful for a first attempt. It will yet take some time before a cathedral service can be performed." This choir sang in the west organ gallery, and was not "vested."
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The Music, 1817-1903.
In 1867, Emil Telle sang tenor at St. Paul's ; Miss Stille was one of the principal singers there at that time, also Miss Sarah Barker. Mrs. William O. Brown was re-engaged. Hobart Weed first sang tenor in the regular quartette, and became a member of the music committee, about Easter, 1867. He has continued to take an active and most self-denying part in the maintenance and improvement of the music of St. Paul's from that time to the present.
In June, 1867, Mr. Killip left St. Paul's. Mr. Blodgett acted tem- porarily as organist.
December, 1867, it was said, "The New York City Episcopal churches have now generally adopted the boy choir. There are eleven of these now - the mania is spreading."
The Christmas, 1867, music at St. Paul's was conducted by J. R. Blodgett. Mrs. Brown, Mr. Telle and Mr. Kenyon sang solos. Mr. Kenyon had trained a chorus of boys who sang Gregorian chants, carols, etc., and he was much commended for his success in so short a time of training.
March 25, 1868, the vestry appropriated $1,600 for music for the coming year, and their thanks were voted to Hobart Weed and Henry Bull for efficient and most acceptable work as music committee during the past year. It was determined to make the reputation of St. Paul's choir the first in the diocese.
At Easter, 1868, S. C. Campbell, the well-known opera singer, was heard at St. Paul's ; Mrs. William O. Brown (Mrs. Imogene Brown) also sang, as a member of the choir. Lloyd's Te Deum was given by the quartette. "The boys under Mr. Kenyon's management were excellent." In the evening, Bishop Coxe preached, and the church was crowded, aisles and all. J. R. Blodgett was in charge of the Easter music.
At this time Mrs. Imogene Brown went, for a short time, to Chicago, and her place at St. Paul's was filled by Miss Louise Palmer. Mrs. Brown returned to St. Paul's a few months later.
After April 12, 1868, Charles H. Beare of Utica became organist
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History of St. Paul's Church.
at St. Paul's. Mrs. Imogene Brown, soprano, and Miss Alice Wells, contralto, were retained. Mr. Telle resigned, also Mr. Kenyon. It was decided to have the quartette and a boy choir, as usual.
In May, 1868, Mr. Beare was obliged, on account of ill health, to give up his duties for a time, and Mr. Schuyler was engaged as organ- ist for three months. In July, 1868, Mr. Beare being no better, resigned as organist, and in July, 1869, he died, aged twenty-eight years. During the short time his health permitted him to play he gave entire satisfaction. On the resignation of Mr. Beare in July, 1868, J. R. Blodgett was appointed organist, and Mr. Kenyon continued as conductor and teacher of the boy choir.
Mr. Cooper, "a tenor from Utica," sang at this time at St. Paul's ; Miss Anna Mischka sang soprano, followed in September by Miss Pit- kin of Buffalo, afterwards Mrs. John V. Tifft.
At Christmas, 1868, the music was conducted by J. R. Blodgett. Alfred H. Pease directed the rendition of his Bonum Est. Solos were sung by Mrs. Imogene Brown and Miss Wells, and at the close of the service the boy choir sang " Hark, the Herald Angels Sing."
Early in 1869, Mrs. Imogene Brown left St. Paul's choir, going later to New York City, where she sang with great success at Christ Church, St. Bartholomew's and other New York churches, command- ing large salaries and being much appreciated. Mrs. Brown's sweet voice and exquisitely clear enunciation are held in grateful remem- brance by those who were fortunate enough to hear her. Many more recent singers seem to forget that the stately and beautiful liturgy of the church is intended to be plainly "understanded of the people." In some of the modern choral services, highly praised by musical critics, the words of the service are quite unintelligible.
At Easter, 1869, Mr. Van Vliet, formerly of St. Peter's Church, Rochester, became organist of St. Paul's. Mr. Yerkes, bass ; Miss Wells, contralto ; John G.Woehnert, tenor. " The boys will be retained and retrained, and a volunteer chorus choir formed in addition to the paid quartette." Miss Reynolds sang soprano, followed in May by
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Miss Joyce. In July, 1869, Mr. Van Vliet was obliged to resign on account of ill health, and during the summer his place was temporarily filled by Mr. Witherspoon and Mr. Whitney of Burlington. The Christmas, 1869, music was under the charge of Charles W. Sykes as organist and director. There was a chorus in addition to the regular quartette.
On January 9, 1870, the new organist at St. Paul's, H. G. Gilmore, took charge, with a choir exclusively of men and boys, the boys paid, the men mostly volunteer. At Easter, 1870 (April 17th), the new male choir sang for the first time, consisting of thirty boys and twelve men, including Doctors H. R. Hopkins, M. B. Folwell, G. C. Daboll, and Messrs. George J. Sicard, Hobart Weed, Edward C. Walker, Richard R. Cornell and others. This choir was not "vested," and sang in the west gallery. The Commercial says : "The attendance at St. Paul's on Easter was immense - many turned away ; the boys were inclined to shout too much, but the music generally was very good." September I, 1870, H. G. Gilmore resigned as organist, and was succeeded imme- diately by Lucien G. Chaffin, M. A., formerly an instructor at Hobart College. Mr. Chaffin was an able musician, and was also, in 1870-71, instructor in Latin, Greek and German, and from September, 1871, to August, 1874, head master of the Heathcote School, Buffalo.
At this time the keyboard of the organ was reversed, so that the organist could sit with his back to the organ and face towards the chancel end of the church.
The Christmas, 1870, music was rendered by the choir of men and boys, under the direction of L. G. Chaffin, organist, as was that of Easter, 1871, and was much commended. Later in April it was decided to retain twelve of the boys and to add six or more mixed voices.
In January, 1871, a quartette was formed at St. Luke's Church, consisting almost entirely of former members of St. Paul's choir : Miss Forsyth, soprano ; Miss Wells, contralto ; Hobart Weed, tenor ; and F. W. Fiske, bass. Mr. Fiske was shortly followed by George J. Sicard. Joseph Mischka was organist at St. Luke's.
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History of St. Paul's Church.
In May, 1871, Mr. Chaffin resigned from St. Paul's. He was suc- ceeded by William Kaffenberger, the choir consisting of a quartette : Miss Anna Mischka, soprano ; Mrs. W. A. Sheldon (formerly Miss Julia Sweet), contralto ; F. W. Bindemann, tenor ; and A. B. Kellogg, bass. The Commercial says : "The chorus choir and boys have scat- tered like chaff in a high wind." The Commercial's musical notes state that from July 21, 1871, the choir of St. Luke's alternated with that of St. Paul's at the two churches, until October Ist.
During the summer of 1871, Miss Clute, afterwards Mrs. Seiden- striker, took Miss Anna Mischka's place in the choir, Miss Mischka returning (as Mrs. Blackmar) in November.
At Christmas, 1871, the quartette at St. Paul's was as follows : Mrs. Blackmar (formerly Miss Anna Mischka), soprano ; Miss Emily Mischka, contralto ; F. W. Bindemann, tenor ; A. B. Kellogg, bass ; William Kaffenberger, organist.
At Easter, 1872, Miss Edith Wheaton was soprano, and Mrs. Scho- field (formerly Miss S. L. House) contralto. In January, 1872, Mr. Chaffin became organist at St. Luke's, but immediately after Easter, 1872, he returned to St. Paul's, succeeding Mr. Kaffenberger as organ- ist. The quartette at St. Luke's disbanded. Miss Alice Wells came back to St. Paul's, as did Mr. Weed, who, with Dr. Daboll, sang tenor, with C. M. Curtiss as bass. Later, in April, Miss Lizzie Forsyth became soprano at St. Paul's. In May, 1872, at Whitsunday, a chorus choir was added to the regular quartette, consisting, among others, of Mrs. Daboll, Miss Kimberly, Miss Cowden, Mrs. A. R. Davidson, Miss Persch, Miss Bessie Coxe, Dr. G. C. Daboll, Dr. Hopkins, Mr. Woodworth, E. C. Walker, Robert Palen, Richard R. Cornell and others. This was the beginning of the famous chorus choir, which was at once organized into a choral society. A note on the pro- grammes at this time says : "Those having good voices and ability to read plain music fairly, and desirous of entering the choir, are invited to address St. Paul's Cathedral Choir."
This chorus choir became very popular among the younger mem-
The Music, 1817-1903. 335
bers of the congregation, and the list includes the names of sons and daughters of many of the principal families in the church. The choir was entertained socially at the homes of prominent parishioners, and from time to time concerts were arranged in Buffalo and in neighbor- ing towns, at which the choir sang for the benefit of struggling par- ishes. The constant practice required and given resulted in the marked proficiency of the organization as a whole, and in valuable musical training for the individual members. Among the names in the large chorus choir in 1873-'74-'75, etc., were : Mrs. G. C. Daboll, Mrs. John B. Seymour, Mrs. R. Kendrick, Mrs. George Coit, Mrs. A. R. Davidson, the Misses Emelie Flach (afterwards Mrs. Leonard Dodge). Serene Kibbe, Addie Cowden, Kate C. Remington (after- wards Mrs. James Nuno), Isabella P. Keene, Minnie Smith, Hattie Lay, Alice C. Barton, Rebecca Jones, Bessie Cleveland Coxe, Sara Reming- ton, Minnie Atwater (Mrs. Lyman), Isadore Spencer, Minnie Mixer, Lucia Welch, Nellie Sage, Gertrude Sidway (afterwards Mrs. Chaffin), Bessie Bird, Mary Cleveland Coxe, Julia Atwater, Asenath C. Holmes, Leonora Godwin, Kittie Thompson, Emma Burtis, Lillie Lyman, and Dr. Daboll, Edward C. Walker, Robert Palen, Dr. Charles Cary, Trumbull Cary, William Woltge, Dr. H. R. Hopkins, C. K. Remington, Frank W. Fiske, Stanley B. Cowing, Robert Codd and many others.
Except at church festivals, the chorus choir sang at the Sunday morning services only ; at the evening services the music was gener- ally rendered by a double quartette.
Numerous churches in Buffalo and in neighboring towns have prof- ited by the fine musical instruction given at St. Paul's, many of the singers so trained being able later to take prominent positions in other choirs.
Mrs. Kendrick was a soloist for a short time, in June and July, 1872.
In November, 1872, Hobart Weed, for the music committee, reported to the vestry that the organ, which had been in use for twenty-one years, was in bad condition and that a new one was required. It was decided to raise funds by subscripton for a new organ.
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History of St. Paul's Church.
At Christmas, 1872, in addition to the regular quartette, a mixed chorus of thirty voices rendered the music, under the direction of the organist, L. G. Chaffin. A harp was also introduced.
Commenting on the Easter, 1873, music at St. Paul's, the Commer- cial says : " The Easter music at St. Paul's was more important than ever before. . . .. Sir Henry Smart's Te Deum was sung. A more powerful organ is needed for so large a chorus, and one is to be forth- coming. Immense congregation at Easter."
In April, 1873, the vestry returned their thanks to Hobart Weed and Dr. G. C. Daboll for their services on the music committee, and $1,700 was appropriated to pay for the music for the coming year. William H. Walker and Howard H. Baker, from the organ committee, reported that they had obtained subscriptions from forty-five members of the congregation, amounting to $6,555, and that a contract had been made with E. & G. G. Hook & Hastings of Boston for a new organ, to cost $7,500, to be in place by September 1, 1873. The Buffalo Courier of September 12, 1873, gives a full description of the new organ at St. Paul's, " now being put up in the church." It was known as size No. 20, with three manuals, and there were 2, 196 pipes. The organ was as modern in construction and equipment as could be made at the time. The design was in harmony with the architecture of the church ; the case was twenty-two feet in height and nineteen feet four inches in width, and twelve feet six inches in depth, the highest of the displayed pipes rising ten feet above the case. The same paper further says : "The choir has been enlarged to about forty voices, and, although not quite complete, has already secured much of the best local talent of the city."
After Easter, 1873, Miss Alice Wells, the contralto singer, went to New York, but Miss Forsyth continued as soprano until September Ist, when she went abroad, and some years later, became the wife of Signor Hugo Augier. Miss Ella P. Conger became the con- tralto singer in April, 1873, Miss Lottie Snow of Warsaw substituting for her until June, 1873. Miss Belle Brown of Lockport sang soprano
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in September and October ; and after November Ist Miss Frances Dav- enport of Geneva became soprano, but could sing only one Sunday on account of illness. Miss Davenport never regained her health, and died not long afterwards. Mrs. George Coit kindly consented to take her place in the quartette, and sang until January, 1874, when Mrs. G. F. Staylin of Worcester, Mass., became the solo soprano at St. Paul's.
In 1873, Hobart Weed and Dr. G. C. Daboll constituted the music committee, and at Easter, 1874, in their report to the vestry, they said : " Mr. E. C. Walker is entitled to great credit for the interest taken in the choir ; we ask you to associate him with us on the music commit- tee." This was accordingly done. In July, 1873, one of the Buffalo papers says : "At morning service to-morrow . . will be ren- dered the Inflammatus, solo and chorus from the Stabat Mater. This is the last singing of the chorus choir until September. ... The success of the choir since its formation has been beyond all expectation, and the music rendered has been of a truly cathedral character."
The Commercial of October 4, 1873, says : " Hook's workmen have finished St. Paul's organ."
Ex-President Millard Fillmore died March 8, 1874, and on March 12th were held the funeral services at St. Paul's. Mrs. Staylin being ill and Miss Conger away, the choir was composed of Miss Christine Dossert, soprano ; Miss Rose Anderson, contralto ; Mr. Curtiss and Mr. Weed, and the chorus choir. The service was very beautiful and impressive, and a muffled peal was rung on the bells. Miss Dossert took Mrs. Staylin's place for some weeks, at this time.
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