USA > New York > New York City > History of St. Stephen's parish in the city of New York, 1805-1905 > Part 8
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HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH.
of St. Stephen's Church should never be sacrificed for the rector's private interests, or in such a way as to make the extinction of the church certain."
A correspondent of the Evergreen Magazine (April, 1852), describes a visit to St. Stephen's Church, on an evening in January :
"As I entered the church, the first thing that struck my eye, in the arch above the chancel, was the sentence, "Holiness to the Lord," the letters formed of green in the most beautiful style; above this, as rising from the East, was the Star of Bethlehem; and below the in- scription was a gilded cross, encircled by a wreath of elegant flowers. From all parts of the ceiling depended large and heavy wreaths, formed in the most graceful festoons, which were relieved by others of smaller dimen- sions, suspended around the chancel. The pulpit and the altar rail were encircled by wreaths, which showed that they had been made with a strict regard to neat- ness and beauty. Upon the communion table was spread a cloth of the finest texture, upon which was inscribed, in letters of German text, "Do this in remembrance of Me"; the front of the gallery was festooned with wreaths of laurel, beneath which were the words, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given ; His name shall be Immanuel, the Prince of Peace"; on the front of the organ loft was a gilded harp, beneath which were the words, "Shout the glad tidings"; the front and rear of the altar were filled with natural flowers, and the whole presented an appearance that could not fail to impress the beholder with admiration.
"The beautiful evening service of the Church was read
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by the rector, the Rev. Dr. Price, in the most effective and solemn manner; and the chanting and singing by the choir were performed in a style equaled by few, and not excelled by any that I have heard in this city. The music of the organ evidently showed that it was touched by a master hand; but I could not say much in favor of the superior quality of the instrument. The rector then entered the pulpit to deliver one of a course of ser- mons to young men ; and although the edifice was filled to overflowing, the most breathless silence was observed; not a sound was heard except that which proceeded from the lips of the venerable rector; all were attentive; and as he proceeded with his discourse, I was led to think "this is no other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven." Truly did I say, "you are a happy peo- ple with such a shepherd to lead you in the path of piety and peace." His impassioned eloquence was equaled only by his apparent desire for the present and future welfare of his charge.
"As the congregation were about retiring, one of Chapple's Anthems was beautifully sung by the choir."
Among many services of public interest held in St. Stephen's Church, one, shortly before the old building was abandoned, may receive passing notice. It was the funeral service, January 12, 1866, over the remains of E. J. Purdy, a Supervisor of the City, a leading man in the Councils of Tammany. The journals of the day give an elaborate account of the funeral obsequies and state "that probably at no time has this or any other church contained, at one time, so many of our local dig- nitaries. The Mayor of the city, members of the Board
122 HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH.
of Supervisors, the Aldermen, the Councilmen, and heads of all City Departments were present. All the courts of the city had adjourned, and representatives of each body attended.
The Rev. Dr. Price delivered a funeral discourse which (probably because it did not please the politi- cians of the day) was criticised in these words: "The rector delivered a discourse on Christianity, its influence, progress, importance, and desirability. The address was entirely unobjectionable, but of no appropriateness to the occasion."
The last service in the old church on Chrystie Street, was held on Sunday, July 2d, 1866. The devotional parts of the service were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Higbee, of Trinity, and the Rev. Dr. Morris.
In the musical part of the service remarkable effi- ciency was displayed by Miss Steinbrenner, organist, Mrs. Abner S. Brady, soprano, Miss Forshay, alto, J. R. Thomas, basso, and Mr. Geary, tenor. The Rev. Dr. Price delivered "An Historical Sketch" of the Parish, in the form of a sermon, taking for his text, "For all our days are passed away in Thy wrath." (Psalm xc:9.)
At the close of this service the Lord's Supper was administered for the last time in the old building, which for three score years had stood on this spot. The build- ing had been sold, and was shortly to be demolished to give way to a block of tenement houses. The Rev. Dr. Price stated to his congregation that he had received a cordial invitation to have the congregation of St.
.
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THE SEVENTH RECTOR.
Stephen's worship in the Church of the Redemption in Fourteenth Street, but that arrangements were being made for the use of the French Church in West Twenty- second Street, where the regular services of the Church would be conducted by him at such hours as would not interfere with the French congregation worshipping in the same building.
From the changing character of the neighborhood, as already stated, it was apparent that the removal of the parish to a locality farther up town was desirable. The old church was well out of repair; the land on which it stood and the burial ground adjoining would command a good price for business purposes. As al- ready stated, the difficulties which the Church had to encounter arose from the influx of a foreign popula- tion, chiefly of Germans, of moderate means.
The rector tried the experiment of holding week-day services in the evening in a building on Fifth Avenue. These were well attended and gave indications that the Church would resume its former prosperity if it could be located in a part of the city more convenient for its communicants. Accordingly it was decided to remove the parish of St. Stephen's, and find a site for building in the upper part of the city.
After the Vestry had decided to sell the church property in Chrystie Street, it was necessary to remove all the bodies from the adjoining graveyard. Those who had friends buried therein were asked to transfer their remains to another cemetery. All bodies remain- ing unclaimed were removed by the Vestry (at an ex- pense of ten thousand dollars) and reinterred in Cypress
124 HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH.
Hill Cemetery, Brooklyn. The names of those so buried are given in the Appendix.
Early in June, 1866, the property was sold, and on the first Sunday in July, being the twenty-ninth anni- versary of the rectorship of Rev. Dr. Price, the last service was held in the old church, as already stated. St. Stephen's Parish was now. without a church home, . and became for many years a wanderer. For a while the congregation worshipped in the French Church Du St. Esprit in West Twenty-second Street.
Alluding to the necessity for a change of locality, the Rev. Dr. Price says in his "Historical Sketch of the Parish":
"It remains, then, only to state, that the abandon- ment of this edifice, and the removal of St. Stephen's Church, in its corporate character, to a more eligible position, has been determined, on the ground of abso- lute necessity. Nothing but necessity can excuse it, and nothing but its necessity would have obtained my sanc- tion. I deeply sympathize with those who mourn the removal of this old landmark, and more especially the removal of the honored dead from what was supposed, fifty years ago, to be their last resting place.
"Never has a work of this kind been conducted with more quietness and conciliation, or met with more sub- mission and thorough persuasion of its necessity. No serious objection has come from any party having any personal interest in the matter. The Vestry were unani- mous in their decision, and yet felt the most sincere de- sire, if possible, to avoid the change. I have done all
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in my power to retain the property for the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church, but in vain."
The congregation of St. Stephen's continued to oc- cupy the French Church for a year, but at the end of that time the Vestry decided to find a building wherein they could resume their morning service, which had been necessarily suspended.
A public hall in the building at the corner of Twenty- cighth Street and Broadway was hired for a year, and the regular services of the Church were resumed. The Rev. Dr. Price was indefatigable in his efforts, and in pastoral visiting, and the result was that a new congre- gation was gathered and once more prosperity attended the work.
On the first of May, 1868, however, it became neces- sary for the congregation to remove again; for exten- sive alterations and repairs were to be begun upon the hall, in which they were worshipping.
The rector of Trinity Church invited the congrega- tion of St. Stephen's, with its rector, to worship in Trinity Chapel, West Twenty-fifth Street, in conjunc- tion with that congregation. It was vital to the con- tinuance of parish life that services should be regularly held in some church; and although confusion was likely to arise, from the two congregations and two rectors worshipping together, yet the invitation was accepted, and the Rev. Dr. Price took part in the services of Trinity Chapel, alternating with the Rev. Dr. Swope, each Sunday.
This arrangement continued until Christmas, 1868, at which time, by mutual consent, St. Stephen's congre-
126 HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH.
gation withdrew from worshipping in Trinity Chapel. For four months no suitable place for worship could be found. The rector officiated in different churches, by invitation of their rectors, but this did not conduce to the growth of the congregation over which the Rev. Dr. Price was still the rector. On the first of May, 1869, services were begun in "Hope Chapel," East Twenty- ninth Street.
As this Chapel was in the building known as "The Home for the Friendless," its use for Church purposes could be had only on a Sunday, for service and Sunday school ; the Holy days falling within the week could not be observed, nor could the several organizations of parish workers be continued.
After two years' continuance here, the parish records show only six baptisms, five marriages, nine burials ; and about fifty communicants.
Mrs. H. Maria G. Price, wife of the rector, died in June, 1872, and was buried in Trinity Cemetery.
The organization known as St. Stephen's Parish was maintained and held its services in Hope Chapel until 1873. During a portion of that time the Rev. Dr. Price was ill for some months, and unable to officiate. Still the congregation did not lose hope, and continued bravely to hold together under most trying circum- stances, depending upon the services of different clergy- men.
In this year a change for the better came. St. Stephen's Parish had a regular income, and also funds sufficient to buy or build a church, whenever opportunity might offer.
YAY Y
St. Stephen's Church, West 46th Street.
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THE SEVENTH RECTOR.
It was learned that the Church of the Advent in West Forty-Sixth Street (Rev. A. B. Hart, Rector), could be bought ; and early in the year 1873 arrangements were made whereby the two congregations of St. Stephen's and the Advent were consolidated. The Rev. Dr. Price became rector, and the Rev. A. Bloomer Hart associate rector. The name Church of the Advent was dropped, and that of St. Stephen's retained.
Once more, then, the parishioners had permanent shelter. But it is not possible that a coalition of two congregations could be accomplished without engender- ing ill feeling in many breasts. It was so here; and the inevitable result was the withdrawal of many people and of one of the clergymen. Dr. Price went abroad for several months, leaving the parish under charge of Mr. Hart. Soon after an election of new officers became necessary.
The election for wardens and vestrymen took place on Easter Monday, April 14th, 1873; and the follow- ing gentlemen were duly elected for one year, one-half the number being of the two former congregations:
Robert Hewitt, and H. B. Price, Wardens; Hiram Raynor, S. A. Bunce, Dr. C. A. Budd, B. L. Harsell, C. O. Billings, E. K. Linen, Charles Richardson, R. Hewitt, Jr., Vestrymen.
At a subsequent meeting, Mr. Hiram Raynor was elected Treasurer, and Mr. R. Hewitt, Jr., Clerk of the Vestry.
On October 4th, 1873, after the return from abroad of Rev. Dr. Price, the Vestry granted leave of absence
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HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH.
to the Rev. A. B. Hart, Associate Rector, in accordance with his request as here given :
GENTLEMEN :- With much regret, I ask of your kind- ness, leave of absence from the parish for six months, perhaps for a year.
As the Rector will need, and should have, aid in his work, I beg you to use for the employment of an assis- tant, the salary which would otherwise be due to me.
On November 4th, 1873, Mr. B. L. Harsell, asked of the Vestry information as to the property and present condition of the parish, in order that a full record of the same might be entered on the Church books.
The reply of the Vestry, through the Rector, was to the effect that the parish had owned the church and five lots on the southeast corner of Broome and Chrystie Streets. They now own lots Nos. 19 and 21 in Warren Street and No. 125 in Greenwich Street; also the pres- ent Church property in West Forty-sixth Street, a plot in Trinity Cemetery, and six plots in Cypress Hill Cemetery.
The rector receives for his salary the rent from the . three lots afore mentioned. The assistant rector re- ceives $1,200.00 a year, and the choir receives $2,500.
The assets of the Corporation are, say, $140,000.00 for the Church property in Forty-sixth Street, and the three lots above mentioned. There is a mortgage of $12,000.00 on the Forty-sixth Street property.
The present annual income of the parish is given as $3,750.00 per year, from the three lots of ground above described ; pew rents, $1,868.00 ; collections, $500.00.
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THE SEVENTH RECTOR.
The present annual expenditures are (say $9,000) as follows :
Rector $3,750.00
Assistant Rector 1,200.00
Choir 2,500.00
Sexton
300.00
Interest on mortgage
840.00
Incidental (coal, gas and sundries)
410.00
Upon the resignation of Mr. Raynor, Mr. R. S. Harsell was elected Treasurer on November 12th.
The parish has removed six times: from the corner of Broome and Chrystie Streets to the French Church in Twenty-second Street ; from the French Church to Fer- reras' Hall in Forty-second Street ; from Ferreras' Hall to Trinity Chapel in Twenty-sixth Street ; from Trinity Chapel to the Home for the Friendless; and from the Home for the Friendless to the present edifice in Forty- sixth Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
At the time of the removal from Broome and Chrystie Streets the parish had the proceeds of that property to- gether with lots 19 and 21 Warren Street and 125 Greenwich Street, also six lots in Cypress Hill Cemetery and lot 791 E in Trinity Cemetery ; also in addition some personal property, bell, font, etc. The same prop- erty was possessed at time of each removal.
The Deed of the Forty-sixth Street property was re- corded in New York L. 1243 p. 324, March 4th, 1873. Deed of 19 and 21 Warren Street and 125 Greenwich
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HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH.
Street recorded in N. Y. L. 211, p. 492, December 14th, 1826. Deed of 4 lots in Cypress Hill Cemetery recorded in King's County L. 760, p. 381, May 9th, 1867. Deed of 2 lots in Cypress Hill Cemetery recorded King's County L. 760, p. 379, May 9th, 1867. Deed of plot in Trinity Cemetery recorded in N. Y.
On March 13th, 1874, the Committee of the Vestry appointed to secure the services of a clergyman to assist the rector during the absence of the Rev. Mr. Hart, reported that they had engaged the Rev. Prof. John J. Roberts, of New York.
Prof. Roberts was a graduate of the University of North Carolina (1838) and received the honorary de- gree of Doctor of Divinity in 1879. He was ordained deacon in 1846 and priest in 1848 by Bishop Ives. He was Professor of French Language and Literature in his Alma Mater, and has been engaged in educational and parochial work in New York for the past forty years. At St. Stephen's he had the title of Associate Rector and was invited to be present at the vestry meetings.
Rev. Dr. Price reported that he had removed from Trinity Cemetery the bodies of the members of his fami- ly buried therein, and had interred them in the cemetery at Hempstead, L. I.
In April, 1874, the Treasurer reports that only 26 pews in all have been rented, in whole or in part, of the 86 in the church; and that there exists a deficit of be- tween eleven and twelve hundred dollars in the treas- urer's books.
On April 16th, 1874, the Vestry ordered that "the
AVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL
MAJESTY OF THY GLORY
---
St. Stephen's Church, West 46th Street.
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THE SEVENTH RECTOR.
room next the robing room of the Church be cleaned, the floor covered with matting, or carpet, a good stove put up, and otherwise suitably prepared for the use of the Vestry, the ladies' society, or other proper use, and that the same committee procure the bell belonging to this Corporation now in the French Church, Twenty- second Street.
Retrenchment in Parish expenses was found to be absolutely necessary, and on April 22d, 1874, the Vestry voted a yearly salary of $2,500.00 to the rector, "pro- vided and on condition that he surrenders, annuls, can- cels, and destroys any paper, document, instrument, writing or agreement, which he holds that binds this Corporation to any agreement with him, the Rev. Dr. J. H. Price. The Rector after due consideration, "for the sake of peace and harmony," expressed his willing- ness to accept and comply with the resolution, if passed. The motion, being duly seconded, was carried, the Rector not voting.
Financial difficulties overtook the Church at this time, and to protect themselves a mortgage of $17,000.00 was placed upon the premises situated on the north side of Forty-sixth Street in said city, distant 220 feet east of Sixth Avenue ; being 40 feet wide front and rear, by 100 feet 5 inches in depth on each side.
In the following year, May 20, 1875, the Vestry, recognizing the fact that the income of the Church had greatly diminished, passed the following resolution :
"That the Rector and Associate Rector shall receive for their services as such, whatever monies there be re- maining in the hands of the Treasurer, after paying
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HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH.
the necessary expenses, said monies to be equally di- vided between the Rector and Associate Rector, and to be paid them quarterly: this resolution to take effect from date, and to continue at the pleasure of this Vestry."
The Chair protested against the passage of this reso- lution, and a breach then occurred between the rector and Vestry which added greatly to the discomfort of each party. All efforts at reconciliation were un- availing, and after consultation with the rector, it was found impossible to arrange matters satisfactorily. At last, to bring matters to a crisis, on June 10th, the Vestry formally requested the resignation of their rector.
The reply of Dr. Price, addressed to the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Stephen's Church, is as follows :
"Having deliberately considered the matter and be- ing thoroughly persuaded that both legally and morally, I occupy an impregenable position, and therefore can afford to waive an appeal to human tribunals and refer to the judgment of God, I respectfully resign the Rec- torship of St. Stephen's Church, the resignation to take effect on Tuesday, the 2nd day of November next.
"Your obt. servant,
"JOSEPH H. PRICE."
Oct. 22, 1875.
The Vestry at a meeting October 22nd, accepted Dr. Price's resignation and unanimously elected as his suc- cessor, the Rev. A. Bloomer Hart. The following is his letter of acceptance:
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THE SEVENTH RECTOR.
GENTLEMEN :- To your communication made orally on the 31st ultimo, and since in writing by the Chair- man of your Committee, informing me that on October 22nd I was unanimously elected to the Rectorship of St. Stephen's Church, in this city, I have the honor to reply, and beg you to say to the Vestry, that in reliance on the divine aid, I accept the office to which they have chosen me, and trust that in fulfilling its duties I shall have their kind sympathy and co-operation in all good works.
Believe me very faithfully and affectionately yours, A. B. HART.
November 16, 1875.
To Messrs. 'James Blackhurst, Francis C. Hall, Ed- win K. Linen, Committee.
Mr. Hart's salary was fixed at $1,800.00 per annum, "from which amount he may provide his own assis- tant."
After resigning St. Stephen's Parish in 1875, the Rev. Dr. Price retired to private life. As opportunity afforded he assisted his brother clergymen, but never assumed another parochial charge. For many years his home was at the Ashland House in this city, the pro- prietor of which proved a most valuable friend to him in his declining years.
Dr. Price had held the longest rectorship of any in St. Stephen's Parish; a period of thirty-eight years. He gave the best years of his life to the work, and bore bravely the many vicissitudes through which the parish passed. Bowed down by many afflictions, domestic and public, the closing years of his life were sad, but his faith was unwavering.
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HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH.
He died at the Ashland House on Saturday, October 29th, 1887. His funeral took place from Calvary Church on Monday, October 31st. Bishop H. C. Potter officiated, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Satterlee, rector, Rev. Dr. Beach, rector of St. Peter's, Rev. Dr. Tuttle, of St. Luke's, Drs. Eigenbrodt and Buel. Others present were Bishop Walker, Dr. Richey, Dr. Wildes, Dr. Mulchahey and Dr. Brewster. The interment took place at Hemp- stead, L. I.
An oil portrait of the Rev. Dr. Price was presented to St. Stephen's Church in 1899, by Mr. Jas. L. Mor- gan. It was painted by Donald Alexander in 1853. It is from this painting that the portrait here given was copied.
Bishop H. C. Potter, in his address to the Convention of the Diocese of New York, 1888, said :
"The Rev. Dr. Joseph H. Price, at the time of his decease was the senior presbyter of the Diocese. Dr. Price had retired from the active work of a ministry in which he had long served with honor and fidelity, but to the last his services were at the command of his breth- ren, to whom he endeared himself by many graces. Identified with the earlier history of the Diocese, and long surviving most of his contemporaries, he cherished to the end an unswerving love for his mother the Church, and was happiest when serving at her altars. It is pleasant to remember now that the Diocese was able, through its Aged and Infirm Clergy Fund, to do some- thing to cheer the closing days of our venerable brother. and I hope the interests of that Fund will not cease to have a warm place in the hearts of clergy and people."
Abram Bloomer Hart.
The Eighth Rector : Reb. A. B. Hart.
1875-1891
HE eighth rector of St. Stephen's Church was Abram Bloomer Hart, who was born in New York City, March 20th, 1810. He was gradu- ated from the General Theological Seminary in 1833, but had been ordained deacon by Bishop Onderdonk in 1832. He served his diaconate in St. Andrew's Church, Harlem, and was ordained to the priesthood July 6th, 1834 in that Church, and soon thereafter became its rec- tor, where he remained until 1841. Having received a call to become rector of St. Andrew's Church, Appa- lachicola, Florida, he removed to that city in 1841, and remained six years. During his residence in Florida he was a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, and was also elected a deputy to the General Convention cf 1844.
Having resigned the rectorship of St. Andrew's, he returned to New York, and was received into that Dio- cese by transfer, in 1847.
The certificate of incorporation of the Church of the Advent was submitted to the Diocesan Convention of New York, and that parish was admitted into union with the Diocese, on September 30th, 1847. The rector of the new parish, the Rev. A. Bloomer Hart, together
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HISTORY OF ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH.
with Messrs. Thos. W. Horsfield, and Chas. T. Platt, lay delegates from the Parish, took their seats in Con- vention. The Rev. Dr. Price was the preacher of the sermon before the Convention which received this young church into union with it; little dreaming that in later years, it was destined to be absorbed into the parish of which he was then the rector. This was the second meeting of the Diocesan Convention since the suspen- sion of Bishop Onderdonk, and the senior presbyter of the Diocese, the Rev. Thomas Lyell, rector of Christ Church, New York, presided.
Mr. Hart was a man well known in the literary cir- cles of the Church. He was editor of the publications of the Church Book Society and publisher in German of "The Youth's Friend."
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