USA > New York > History of the Church of Zion and St. Timothy of New York 1797-1894 > Part 11
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ZION CHURCH.
The parish, having secured so desirable a church build- ing, was not long in attracting a large and attached congregation. Through their united efforts, under the energetic and zealous Rector, the deed of the site pur- chased for $70,000 was recorded April 4, 1867, subject to a mortgage for a moderate sum. Important mission work was soon undertaken by establishing a free chapel. A hall at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Twenty-fifth Street was secured and placed under the charge of the Rev. Dudley D. Smith, who proved, during his ministration of five years, a most faithful and efficient worker, and was regarded by his flock as their pastor, friend, and counsellor. During his connection with the chapel an industrial school was maintained and a large Sunday-school was gathered ; in fact the work merited and received the liberal support of the members of the parent church.
In 1869, the chapel work was conducted with much larger success in Rose Memorial Chapel in West 4Ist Street, east of Tenth Avenue, which was leased for the purpose. In 1873, the Rev. Dudley D. Smith resigned to accept a call elsewhere. He was succeeded by the Rev. George Howell, from Grace Church, City Island, Westchester County, who took charge February, 1874.
The Church of the Atonement, beginning so promisingly, was destined to but a brief existence. On Sunday, April 26, 1874, the Rev. William T. Sabine preached his farewell sermon, announcing his secession from the Protestant Episcopal Church. This letter of resignation, dated April
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REV. C. C. TIFFANY, D.D.
13th, was accepted by the Vestry the same day, to take effect May Ist.
A copy of the letter and of the action of the Vestry follows :
LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
TO THE CHURCH WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF THE CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT, MADISON AVENUE, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK :
" MY DEAR FRIENDS :
"The time has come for the surrender of my pastorate among you and the severance of my connection with the Church of which you are the official representatives. This action is taken, believe me, not without reluctance, sadness and many regrets, for to the Church of the Atonement and its dear people I am sincerely and tenderly attached. With the circumstances which have caused it you are all familiar. I tender herewith my resignation of the Rectorship to take effect May Ist. Accept my heartfelt thanks for all your courtesy, kindness, and forbearance. May the richest bene- diction of the Great Head of the Church ever rest upon you and the congregation for which you act.
" Faithfully and affectionately,
" Your friend and Pastor,
" WILLIAM T. SABINE."
III EAST I9TH ST., April 13, 1874.
The following is the response of the Vestry :
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" REV. WILLIAM T. SABINE :
" REVEREND AND DEAR SIR :
" The Vestry of the Church of the Atonement receive with very great regret your communication of this day resigning the pastorate thereof. They had hoped for a long continu- ance of the relations heretofore so pleasantly existing among us. Believing that you have come to an unalterable decision, we are reluctantly obliged to accept the same. We unitedly pray that the Great Head of the Church will continue to bless the Church which you have founded, and that both you and yours may receive an abundant measure of his grace.
" We are
"Very respectfully and affectionately,
" THE VESTRY OF THE CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT. "W. SUTTEN, Clerk."
April 13, 1874.
Many of those most interested in founding the parish for him some seven years before, went with him to join the First Reformed Episcopal Church.
At a meeting of the Vestry held the 25th May of the same year the following resolution was unanimously adopted, viz. :
" Resolved, That the Rev. Charles C. Tiffany at present in charge of St. Mark's Church, Boston, be and is hereby invited to assume the Rectorship of the Church at as early a date as his present engagement will permit."
When the Rev. Mr. Tiffany took charge of the parish,
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REV. C. C. TIFFANY, D.D.
May 25, 1874, he had in reality a new parish to build up from the remains of an old one.
The burden of debt which it inherited weighed heavily upon it, though it continued to maintain its efficient Mission Chapel in 4Ist Street, and carried forward all its church work successfully. For some time it was a question with the Rector and Vestry when and where they could move in order to build up a more permanent congregation without, on the one hand, going beyond the reach of that already secured, or, on the other, crowding upon a neighborhood at present sufficiently supplied.
The last Vestry of "The Church of the Atonement in Madison Avenue " :
Wardens.
Samuel Hawk, William Graydon.
Vestrymen. Frederic A. Potts,
Frederick W. Devoe, Joseph Hall, Robert Colgate, Jr., Louis Neilson,
Lyttelton G. Garrettson,
Thomas W. Scott, Henry A. Himely.
Statistics from Parochial Reports during the fourteen years of its existence :
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Baptisms .
. 206
Confirmed
. 269
Marriages .
89
Burials
. I28
EARLY HISTORY OF THE SITE PURCHASED BY THE CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT IN MADISON AVENUE.
N 1850, Grace Church purchased, for $6000, a plot of ground having a frontage of 74 feet on Madison Avenue by a depth of 95 feet on Twenty-eighth Street, and erected thereon a brick church cruciform in shape. The exterior appearance, by reason of its rough construction, suggested great age, the contrast being the more pronounced in com- parison with the modern and substantial edifices then in course of erection in the vicinity. The interior presented a very inviting aspect. The object of its projectors was to make it a chapel of ease to Grace Church. It was known as Grace Chapel, and placed under the faithful, edifying, and successful ministry of the Rev. Edwin Harwood, an assistant minister of Grace Church (now Doctor of Divinity and Rec- tor of Trinity Church, New Haven). Failing in the object for which it was projected, it reverted to another organiza- tion.
On April 19, 1852, with the concurrence of Grace Church,
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CHURCH OF THE INCARNATION.
the congregation became incorporated under the title of the Church of the Incarnation, and continued to worship in the same building, which was freely offered to them by Grace Church. The Rev. Edwin Harwood was chosen Rector. Upon his return from Europe, in October, 1854, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, he resigned his charge.
March II, 1855, the Rev. Henry E. Montgomery, D.D., became the second Rector. The success of the parish under his ministration led to the appointment during the following year of a committee of the Vestry to confer with the corporation of Grace Church with a view to purchasing the site. Negotiations were speedily concluded by which the site was secured for the moderate sum of $20,000- a price far below its market value. Not only was this gen- erous concession made in the price, but the terms of settle- ment were also made very accommodating, as is shown by the date of the deed, June 24, 1859. Upon the execution of contract, extensive interior alterations were made, and the seating capacity was greatly increased by erecting galleries in the transepts and by enlarging the organ loft.
To comply with the terms of the purchase it became necessary to resort to a sale of the pews by public auction. Messrs. H. H. Leeds & Co. conducted the first auction sale, October 15, 1856; the subsequent and final sale was by Messrs. Thomas R. Minturn & Co.
Amongst those attached to the parish during its early history, the writer recalls the following names :
EARLY HISTORY.
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Hon. John Duer. Hon. Murray Hoffman.
Hon. William Jay. Christopher F. Bourne. John Davenport. George F. Nesbitt. William Floyd Tompkins.
Joseph B. Vandervoort. Charles H. Smith.
Samuel M. Valentine, M.D.
Henry T. Jenkins. Charles F. Alvord. Commodore Matthew C. Perry.
August Belmont. Hon. John Jay. Robert E. Livingston
William Tracey.
Charles De Luze.
Clement Jewett. Henry A. Oakley
Charles E. Milnor. John H. Earle. Phillip Pritchard. George L. Jewett. Louis F. Therasson.
E. Montague Travers. John W. Harper. William Hustace. Henry Eyre. Alfred R. Whitney. Charles Ely. Lewis S. Thomas. Charles M. Leupp. William Hegeman. Samuel G. Ogden. Lemuel Arnold. William B. Clerke. William B. Crosby. John F. Butterworth. Judge Mumford.
REV. CHARLES C. TIFFANY, D.D. THE SEVENTH RECTOR.
D R. TIFFANY was born in the city of Baltimore, being the youngest son of Comfort and Laura Tiffany. The family is descended from English Puritan ancestors, who settled at Rehoboth (afterwards Attleborough), Massachusetts, previous to the year 1660, and from whom the various branches of the family now bearing that name have come down. Dr. Tiffany was prepared for college by Mr. John Prentiss and Mr. Horace Morrison, successively head masters of the collegiate department of the University of Maryland, commonly called Baltimore College. He entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1846, and was duly graduated as Bachelor of Arts in 1850. He took the degree of Master of Arts in 1853. He received from his Alma Mater the hon- orary degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1884. After his graduation in 1850, he studied in the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass., where he was graduated in 1854. He spent the two subsequent years in Germany, hearing lectures, being entered as student successively at the Universities of Halle, Heidelberg, and Berlin, and having the privilege
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Rev. Charles C. Tiffany, D.D.
DT THE -
-
C.C. Lefaux
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REV. C. C. TIFFANY, D.D.
to sit as learner at the feet of Tholuck, Julius Müller, Rothe, Twesten, and Nitzsch. Returning to America, he was settled as Pastor of the First Church in Derby, July 15, 1857, in charge of which he remained until February, 1864, when he resigned, and shortly after entered the army as chaplain of the 6th Connecticut regiment, U. S. V. He served as chaplain until the end of the war, and was present at the capture of Fort Fisher. Having suffered from severe illness, consequent to attendance upon the returned prisoners from Virginia and North Carolina, he spent the year after the war, 1865-6, in travelling abroad, visiting Egypt, Mt. Sinai, the Holy Land, and Greece, as well as portions of the continent of Europe.
During this tour he became a candidate for Holy Orders in the diocese of Rhode Island, in which State his father resided at that time. On his return he was ordained deacon by Bishop Thomas M. Clark, D.D., in July, 1866, and was advanced to the priesthood in November by the same Bishop, in Grace Church, Providence, R. I. In October he took temporary charge of Christ Church, Germantown, dur- ing the absence of the Rector (the Rev. Dr. Atkins) in Europe, and continued there until the summer of 1867. In December, 1867, he became Rector of St. James Church, Fordham. In 1871 he resigned, and accepted a call as assistant minister of Trinity Church, Boston, upon the Greene Foundation, in charge of their Chapel, known as St. Mark's Church. In 1874 he received a call to the rectorship of the Church of the Atonement, in Madison
12
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Avenue, New York, where he remained until its union with Zion Church, in 1880.
Upon the decree of the Supreme Court uniting these cor- porations, the Rev. Charles C. Tiffany was unanimously elected to the rectorship at a meeting of the Vestry held April 2d.
This biographical sketch is resumed at the close of the history of the Church of Zion and Saint Timothy. On referring thereto it will be noticed that on May 22, 1894, the Rev. Dr. Tiffany was chosen " Archdeacon of New York," thereupon he severed his official relation as " Rector Emeri- tus" of the combined parish. The biographer, therefore, is not restrained from drawing a closer portraiture of the last Rector of Zion Church.
Dr. Tiffany is one of those men whose personal appear- ance gives an immediate insight into both his disposition and principles. Looking at him one will not mistake him in either of these particulars. Most striking of all is his composure and unstudied dignity. Having taken his part in the preceding services, we see him composedly ascend to his place in the pulpit. His face is serious and intellectual, showing in every feature something which impresses the beholder with his amiability as well as mental and moral strength. It is a countenance that gives expression to a tenderness of heart, united with a firmness of principle, a grasp of thought for higher scholarship, and also a full con- sideration of the practical and common-sense matters of life. It is one which shows that he has laboriously and zealously
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sought for all the gifts that scholarship could give, while he has not neglected to exert an influence in the things which are essential in gaining the attention and confidence of his fellow-men.
His manner is always friendly, but dignified. The impulse is never for any one to make free with him, but there is the quick desire to confide in him and rely upon his friendship. Among his parishioners he has always established a relation in which they held to him with an influence born of this per- sonal respect, confidence, and love, and he holding to them by the most tender and earnest sympathy arising from a fellowship of faith and interest in their welfare.
His sermons are often in part, or wholly, unwritten, amply premeditated always, argumentative in style, comprehensive and graceful in diction, and most devout in tone. He writes and speaks with a clear perception in regard to every thought and statement, and he uses language which is always effective, and often eloquent. His gestures, while not frequent, are well-timed and appropriate. He receives the undivided attention of his hearers, and at the conclusion of his sermon there is a feeling on the part of the hearer that the text has been fully elucidated, that every question has been answered, and that something more has been done in the preaching of God's word to make faith clearer and Heaven nearer. At the same time there is a realizing sense that there has been no striving for undue effect, but a ser- mon has been delivered which has illustrated in the highest sense the dignity, impressiveness, and influence of the pul-
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pit. While his sermons are as varied as the themes which have suggested them in a long ministry, all are perfect as lucid interpretations of the doctrines of the Church and of moral duty. But it may be said that the great force of these sermons, as it is of the whole ministerial career of the man, is the vivid impression which is found in them, and in him personally, of the love of Christ.
Throughout his ministry the spirit which has glorified his soul and penetrated into every word that he has written and uttered, is his intense conviction of the truth of a Redeemer, and his purpose to preach it as the only source of human happiness and means of salvation.
And as he stands in his sacred place, so solemn in his language, so earnest in his manner, one can see that he seeks to impart to the hearer his own steadfast reliance on the life and teachings of the Master. This has been the in- spiration which has nerved him in every duty of his active ministry, and it is the holy light which now falls upon his steps in the calm evening of his career.
On the First Sunday after Easter, April 4, 1880, the in- augural service of the consolidated parishes was held in Zion Church. The event was one not soon to be forgotten by those participating, as it was the harbinger of the peace and harmony that have ever since prevailed. All the mem- bers of the Vestry, and almost, if not quite, every member of the Church of the Atonement joined in the movement, so that, together with the congregation of Zion Church, the church building was completely filled.
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The revenue of the parish rapidly increased, and for the first time in its history exceeded expenditures. The float- ing debt was paid, and the mortgage debt largely reduced by the net proceeds ($27,000) from the sale of the Church of the Atonement, which was sold for $60,000. In fact, one strong parish, comparatively out of debt, was secured to the diocese in the place of two sorely encumbered. A new career of prosperous growth seemed to await the parish at the opening of its eighth decade, with the hopeful prospect of restoring Zion to its former lustre, so that its future might no longer be doubtful.
Under its energetic Rector, the parish was soon vivified into the true type of a working church. The chapel of the Church of the Atonement, on Forty-first Street, was con- tinued under the name of Zion Chapel. Several societies were organized in the parish church, a brief mention of which, as also of the chapel, will hereafter appear. The very encour- aging aspect of the church, and the promising future referred to in the first annual address of the Rector, encouraged the parishioners to undertake extensive improvements and alter- ations in the interior of their church, so as not only to remove its soiled and faded appearance, but to beautify the house of God. The committee having the work in charge, after con- sulting architects, recommended the decoration of the chancel ceiling and walls, the painting of the body of the church, the coloring of the nave and aisles, the reconstruction of the organ, a chancel window, west window, aisle and clerestory windows, corona lights, and the removal of the gallery.
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The very generous contribution of the congregation, amounting to $7500, together with many memorial gifts, were amply sufficient to accomplish all that was undertaken. The chancel window, a remarkable work of art, symbolical of Mount Zion, the Heavenly Jerusalem, was executed by Messrs. Heaton, Butler, & Bayne, of London, who were aided in the treatment of the design by the Rector, while visiting Europe in the summer of 1881. It was presented by the late Mr. Samuel Hawk, in memory of his wife. The lights of the former chancel window, with the exception of the central light (representing the Saviour) which was broken in handling, were removed to the large western window, the figures of the evangelists were placed in the four large com- partments. The eight memorial aisle windows were trans- ferred to the smaller mullions.
The illuminated verses and inscriptions on the chancel walls were covered by the decorators.
Mr. John W. Harper presented, in memoriam, a brass lectern, beautiful both in design and execution, upon the condition that if Zion Church should at any future time change her location, it should revert to the donor or his heirs.
Mr. William S. Hawk presented a very handsome brass pulpit.
The rectory, having been completely renovated the pre- ceding year, and the Sunday-school or chapel building dur- ing the following year, the entire architectural group became still more impressive and attractive.
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REV. C. C. TIFFANY, D.D.
In 1882, the parish received, under the will of Mr. Samuel Hawk, a legacy of $5000, " to be invested by the Rector and Vestry of Zion Church as a permanent fund, and the income arising therefrom to be applied to promote the benevolent work of the Church." The income has always been applied to the relief of the needy of church and chapel.
A movement was auspiciously commenced in 1884, tend- ing to cancel the remaining mortgage debt on the conse- crated church edifice. By the generous contributions of the parishioners (amounting to $15,000) this movement was carried forward to a successful and gratifying issue, except- ing only that the mortgage of $7000 held by Trinity Church remained. The Vestry, desirous of declaring their church free from all mortgage debt, petitioned the corporation of Trinity Church to discharge from record the aforesaid mort- gage, or transfer the same as a lien upon the rectory. This application could not be granted for reasons which appear in the following letter from the Comptroller of that Corpo- ration :
"We hold many mortgages upon Churches upon the same terms as this one, and while recognizing with pleasure the sound financial condition of Zion Church, the Vestry is unwilling to make an exception in any of our Church mortgages upon which interest is not paid. I make this brief explanation in order that you may appreciate our position and regret that we cannot consistently comply with your request."
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ZION CHURCH.
Zion Chapel continued to occupy the premises at Rose Memorial Chapel in West Forty-first Street formerly used for the Chapel of the Atonement.
The work has been maintained at an annual expense of $2500, contributed by members of the Parish church and by offertories at the chapel. Mr. (since Rev.) John G. Faw- cett, who for a brief period faithfully and acceptably labored for this chapel, while under its former connections, generously offered to continue his relation and duties there- with without compensation, which offer was gratefully accepted. He remained in charge until Christmas-day, 1882. Then the Rev. Percy Barnes was appointed, who, after a brief connection, was succeeded in 1884 by the Rev. Isaac C. Sturges. The latter was elected an assistant minister of Zion Church, in charge of Zion Chapel, Octo- ber, 1884, and began his labors February 12, 1885. Under his earnest and effective ministrations, wise judgment, constant and acceptable visitations, and rare gift of under- standing human nature in its every phase, the chapel has attained so great a measure of success as to render its sup- port by voluntary offerings a most cheerful privilege.
The Sunday-school of the chapel is, and has been for some time, in charge of Mr. William S. Collins as superin- tendent, and is doing most excellent and admirable work. There is practically no limit to the work in that overcrowded section of the city, save in the helpers to carry it on.
The school now numbers between four and five hundred pupils, with a staff of twenty-eight efficient teachers. There
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REV. C. C. TIFFANY, D.D.
are two Bible classes, the one for men being taught by Dr. W. C. Jarvis, whose scientific knowledge and wide reading make his lectures especially valuable and interesting. That for women has had the continued services of Mr. Robert L. Harrison. As he is well equipped both in law and Bible study, uniform success has attended his instructions. He has also rendered invaluable aid as a lay-reader at the chapel.
In January of 1887, a club was organized for the social benefit of the young men connected with the chapel, as also of those living in the neighborhood. It was opened under the name of St. Cuthbert Club, at 416 West Forty-first Street, and soon afterward removed, by reason of the increasing mem- bership, to No. 335 of the same street, where it is domiciled in more cheerful rooms, which are carpeted and thoroughly furnished. It has a library, games, and apparatus for the gymnasium, all supplied through the liberality of a member of Zion Church who is the President of the Club.
The rent and other expenses are met in part by the dues of membership, and in part by outside help.
In March, 1890, the Rev. Mr. Sturges, for reasons satis- factory to himself, tendered his resignation. The Vestry very reluctantly acceded to his wishes, considering this severance of relation as a great loss to the chapel. He became connected with the New York City Mission Society.
The action of the members of the chapel upon this occa- sion best illustrates the esteem in which he was held.
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COMPLIMENTARY RESOLUTION.
"At a meeting of the committee of the congregation of Zion Chapel, New York, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
"WHEREAS, the Rev. J. C. STURGES has deemed it advisa- ble to resign the charge of Zion Chapel and to accept a call to another field of spiritual labor; therefore,
" Resolved, That by his practical, forcible sermons and satis- factory work in pulpit and desk he has been very acceptable to his people.
" Resolved, That by his patient and unceasing labor in the face of many and great obstacles and discouragements, he has brought this work to a very satisfactory condition, with good congregations, large Sunday-school and Bible-classes, numerous clubs and guilds well established, and that owing to his excellent judgment and knowledge of practical affairs, our chapel is in a better financial condition than ever before.
" Resolved, That he has led us on to better things, not only by his precepts, but by the example of his patient, steadfast and godly life.
" Resolved, That in periods of danger and death from con- tagious disease he has never shirked his duty, and in the discharge of such duty has been brought very near to death.
" Resolved, That he has been a true pastor and friend to all, and that we shall never forget his kindness in hours of
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sorrow, nor his many helpful deeds and favors, pleasantly and cheerfully rendered.
" Resolved, That by his patient labor and cheerful, pleasant manners, he has endeared himself to every member of his flock, and that it is with sincere regret that we sever the ties that have so long bound us together.
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