USA > New York > Sullivan County > Monticello > The history of St. John's Episcopal church, Monticello, New York, for one hundred years, 1816-1916, compiled to commemorate its centenary; > Part 2
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).
13
On this memorable occasion the Holy Communion was cele- brated by the bishop, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. John M. Windsor and George D. Silliman. The instrument of donation was read by Major John Waller, and the sentence of consecra- tion by the Rev. E. C. Houghton of New York, who acted as chaplain to the bishop. Bishop Seymour preached the sermon.
In the afternoon, a reception was held on the lawn of Mrs. Bridges' residence, now the Rosary, at which the clergy, the church officers and invited guests were present. Addresses were made by Bishop Seymour, Rev. Mr. Silliman, and the Hon. Daniel B. St. John.
In the evening of the consecration day, Bishop Seymour confirmed a class of fourteen, nearly all of whom were adults. At this service, the Rev. Octavius Applegate, then rector of St. George's Church, Newburgh, preached the sermon. On the fol- lowing day, the Western Convocation of the diocese met in the church.
Shortly after the consecration, on June 3, 1885, Rev. Mr. Windsor resigned, and the vestry called the Rev. S. H. S. Gal- laudet. He came to Monticello in January 1886, but remained only until May of the same year.
During his rectorship, the roof of the church showed weak- ness and poor workmanship, leaks being almost constant. This was in part rectified, and the church was decorated in 1887 at a cost of almost $600.
The Rev. William F. Dickinson, M. D., succeeded Mr. Gal- laudet in May 1887, and, shortly after he came, the present rectory was built, a monument to the generosity of the Hon. Daniel B. St. John. Not only did Mr. St. John build the rectory without cost to the parish, but he gave ten feet of additional ground to the vestry in order to meet the requirements of the
14
REV. WILLIAM F. DICKINSON MAY 28, 1887-OCT. 1, 1895
size of the building. The rectory grounds were improved by grading and sidewalks in 1888.
Daniel B. St. John died in 1890, leaving behind him evi- dences of a life devoted to the cause of Christ and His Church. In his will he bequeathed to the parish the sum of $2,500.
Dr. Dickinson resigned in November 1891, but was recalled, and returned in February 1892. He remained until 1895. In April of that year he was succeeded by the Rev. David T. Howell. It was during his rectorate that Israel P. Tremain was taken to the rest of Paradise, a man who had served the Church with devotion for many years.
The next rector was the Rev. John A. Milbank, now rector of Freehold, New Jersey. He came in January 1899. In April of that year the electric lights were installed in the church, and in 1900 pew rents, which had been deemed advisable after the building of the new church, were abolished, and the envelope system started to make up the deficiency.
In 1901, Mr. Milbank having resigned, the Rev. Stephen Van Renssalaer, now of Washington, D. C., was called. For almost the whole of his rectorate ill health beset both him and his fam- ily. He resigned, but after the death of his wife returned. He remained until November 1905. His going was regretted by all, for he was a real man, and a real Christian. His personal- ity is indellibly impressed upon the parish.
It was during the pastorate of Mr. Van Renssalaer that William H. Cady, for years vestryman, clerk and treasurer of the parish passed away. He had faithfully served the parish, and had represented it many times in the Diocesan Convention. With his death began the passing of the vestry that had made possible the great progress of St. John's. One only is left, our senior warden, Major Waller.
15
On October 31, 1905 the vestry called the Rev. Walter Irving Stecher who was at the time rector of St. Timothy's Church, Brooklyn. Mr. Stecher came to Monticello at the end of the following month, and remained until his death. During Mr. Stecher's time much constructive work was accomplished in the parish. One of the first things which the new rector did was to organize an altar guild. This was done on February 12, 1906. At this meeting Miss Agnes D. Fairchild was appointed direct- ress, and this office she has held since that time, devoting much time to the care and oversight of the sanctuary, and the vest- ments of the clergy and choir. In her work as directress she has had the help of many able assistants, and it is to be ques- tioned whether any parish of its size has such an efficient altar guild as St. John's. The activity of the guild has a wider scope than is usual in most parishes, for not only do the young women care for the sanctuary and the clerical vestments, but they pur- chase the communion wine and altar breads, pay for the laun- dering of the choir vestments, and provide palms and candles. Their funds are derived from monthly dues, and by entertain- ments and sales.
The present organ was installed, and dedicated on June 24, 1907. The organists on that day were Messrs. Frederick Den- nison and Philander Avery. On the previous day there had been an organ recital by Mr. Charles W. Fash of New York, as- sisted by Dr. O. Northway-Meyer, the Misses Mildred Starr, Clara Force and Elizabeth Chant, Mrs. C. G. Smith and Mr. J. Stanton Ennis. This organ was secured by subscriptions amounting to $968. to which was added the sum of $750. given by Mr. Andrew Carnegie.
On June 24, 1910, ground was broken for the Parish House. At this time there were present besides the members of the
16
REV. JOHN A. MILBANK JAN. 9, 1899-APRIL 8. 1901
congregation, the Rev. Messrs. Charles F. Canedy who threw up the first spadeful of earth, the Rev. T. G. Losee, rector of Wal- den, James M. Robertson, rector of Amenia, and the rector of St. John's. The building was completed, and opened on October 24th of the same year. The cost was $7,000.
Meanwhile, in November 1909, there had died Mr. Eli Wheeler Fairchild, one of Monticello's pioneers and a devoted vestryman of St. John's. He had not only been a faithful worker in behalf of parish welfare, but a generous contributor, and had represented the parish many times in convention. On Christmas Day 1911, the handsome lectern Bible now in use, was presented and blessed in his memory, the gift of his daughter, Miss Agnes Doll Fairchild.
Another faithful man, and vestryman went to his rest on May 31, 1912. This was the Hon. Timothy Bush, County Judge. He had been a staunch supporter of the parish, but the terrible calamity which befell St. John's in 1899, separated him with many others from it. His loss then to St. John's, and his loss to the community at his death, was a great one.
Under the direction of the rector of St. John's, missionary work was begun at White Lake and Forrestburgh, as well as at South Fallsburgh, the latter a flourishing work now being ser- ved under the supervision of the rector of Liberty. During 1912 this work was in the hands of Mr. H. Baxter Liebler, now a priest, and rector of Waukesha, Wisconsin.
The rector after a long and distressing illness passed to his rest on September 22, 1913. During the last months of his life, services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. George M. Geisel and Robert C. Masterton.
About a month after the rector's death, Mrs. Mary V. Z. Cady passed away. This volume would not be complete without
17
a mention of her generosity. She was one of the most loyal workers and liberal supporters St. John's Church ever had. In 1908 she was moved to give the parish an additional strip of land on the north side of the property in order that a side porch might be constructed and a driveway made possible.
The vestry now called in succession the Revs. George F. Bambach and Stephen F. Sherman, both of whom declined.
On Feb. 10, 1914, the Rev. Walter White Reid, of Sheldon, Vermont was called, and accepted. The present rector assumed charge of the parish on Passion Sunday, 1914.
"Their works do follow them."
.
18
REV. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER MAY 1, 1901-Nov. 6, 1905
1
Rectors of St. John's Church.
Edward Keaton Fowler,
George Dent Silliman,
Charles F. Canedy,
Gustave E. Perucker,
George W. West,
George H. Anderson,
John M. Windsor,
S. H. S. Gallaudet,
William F. Dickinson,
David T. Howell,
John A. Milbank,
Jan. 9, 1899-April 8, 1901.
Stephen Van Renssalaer,
May 1, 1901-Nov. 6, 1905.
Walter I. Stecher,
Walter White Reid,
Dec. 22, 1826-July 6, 1868. Nov. 18, 1870-May 22, 1873. Sept. 1, 1873-Oct. 24, 1876. Nov. 24, 1876-July 1, 1878. Feb. 5, 1879-August 1, 1880. Nov. 1, 1880-March 5, 1882. Sept. 23, 1882-July 1, 1885. Jan. 18, 1886-May 31, 1886. May 28, 1887 -- Oct. 1, 1895. Oct. 1, 1895-April 20, 1898.
Nov. 30. 1905-Sept. 22, 1913. March 29, 1914-
Ministers-in-charge of St. John's Church.
James Thompson,
1816.
John Brown,
1816.
Arthur N. Wrixon, 1869.
Pierity,
1869.
George Dent Silliman,
July 3, 1870-Nov. 18, 1870.
Assistant Ministers.
Charles Stewart,
1880, 1885.
George M. Geisel,
1913.
Robert C. Masterton,
1913.
19
307812F
The Wardens and Vestrymen who incorporated the parish.
Hon. William A. Thompson, John E. Russell,
Wardens.
Luther Buckley,
Levi Barnum,
William Woods Sackett,
Ira E. Smith,
Hon. Livingston Billings,
Charles Thompson,
Otto William Van Tuyl, John Lord,
Vestrymen.
The Wardens of St. John's Church.
William A. Thompson, 1816-1848.
John E. Russell,
1816- ?.
Luther Buckley,
1832-1842.
Israel P. Tremain,
1842-1843; 1864-1882; 1885-1886.
Roderick Royce, M. D., 1843-1865.
Solomon Dewey,
1848-1855.
Hon. Jonathan Stratton,
1855-1864.
James Eldridge Quinlan, 1865-1874.
William H. Cady,
1875-1878; 1885-1892.
Samuel G. Thompson,
1878-1882.
John Waller,
1883-1885 ; 1886-1892; 1906-
Francis G. Snook,
1883-1885.
Abraham Olmsted,
1892-1906.
George Waller,
1892-1895.
Edward F. Thompson,
1895-
20
REV. WALTER I. STECHER Nov. 30, 1905-SEPT. 22, 1913
The Vestrymen of St. John's Church.
Roderick Royce, M. D., John Hill,
1831-1835; 1837-1843.
1831-1836.
Solomon Dewey,
1831-1837 ; 1838-1848.
William E. Cady,
1831-1850.
Randall S. Street,
1831-1839.
William Clarkson,
1831-1832.
Hon. Jonathan Stratton,
1831-1838; 1839-1847; 1848-1855.
Marshall Perry,
1832-1839.
Peter F. Hunn, Esq.
1833-1837.
Cyrus Grannis, 1835-1837.
Samuel G. Thompson,
1836-1878 ; 1883-1885.
Charles Broom,
1837-1839; 1841-1843.
Cholbe Royce,
1837-1840.
John Halstead,
1839-1841.
Isaac Barnum,
1839-1840.
Israel P. Tremain,
1840-1842; 1843-1865.
Henry Mead,
1840-1841; 1850-1851.
James Eldridge Quinlan,
1841-1865.
Ephraim S. Burnham,
1842-1875.
William F. Russell,
1843-1851.
Elijah H. Dewey,
1847-1857.
Frederick M. St. John,
1851-1873.
William H. Cady,
1851-1875.
Gideon Howard,
1855-1866.
Seth B. Allyn,
1857-1870.
Jacob L. Hasbrouck, M. D., 1864-1882.
John Waller,
1865-1882 ; 1885-1886.
Charles Barnum,
1866-1881; 1883-1885; 1889-1899.
Edward F. Quinlan, M. D., 1870-1889.
Abraham Olmsted,
1873-1878.
John K. Cooper,
1875-1890.
Henry A. St. John,
1875-1882.
Francis G. Snook,
1878-1882 ; 1885-1886.
George E. Bennett,
1878-1881; 1883-1884.
Hon. Timothy F. Bush,
1881-1895.
Albert E. Gillespie,
1881-1886.
George L. Frank,
1883-1889.
21
The Vestrymen of St. John's Church, continued.
Philander M. Avery,
1884-1889.
Eli McMillen,
1885-1886.
Clinton V. R. Luddington,
1886-1895.
David Watkins,
1886-1895.
James Turner, 1886-1889.
Frederick S. Newkirk,
1889-1890.
Samuel F. Adams,
1889-1892.
Moses Schoonmaker,
1889-1911.
Samuel B. Green,
1890-1899.
Floyd I. Pelton,
1890-
Edward F. Thompson,
1892-1895.
Moses C. Duryea,
1895-1896.
Robert McNickle,
1895-
Andrew Dunn,
1895-1899 ; 1901-1906.
William Nelson,
1895-
Eli W. Fairchild,
1896-1910.
George E. Marlow,
1900-1901.
Thornton A. Niven,
1900-1901.
Burton Royce,
1900-1903.
Silas W. Demarest,
1901-1905.
David S. Avery,
1903-1905.
Ralph B. Towner,
1905-1908; 1910-1911; 1915-
William W. Johns,
1905-1909.
Russell W. Allan, D. D. S.,
1906-1910.
Ernest G. Rundle,
1908-1912.
Henry W. Stratton,
1909-1910.
William F. Miller,
1910-1912; 1914-
Hon. Jacob M. Maybee,
1911-1913.
Hon. H. Blake Stratton,
1911-1915.
George W. Rockwell,
1912-1914.
George D. Pelton,
1912-
W. W. Woolley,
1912-1913.
Roger W. Sears,
1913-1915.
John T. Curtis,
1913-
Alois von Isakovics,
1915.
George H. York,
1915-
22
-
-
REV. WALTER WHITE REID MARCH 29, 1914-
Clerks of St. John's Vestry.
Rev. E. K. Fowler, 1831-1832.
Peter F. Hunn, Esq.,
1833-1837.
William E. Cady,
1837-1850.
William F. Russell,
1850-1851.
William H. Cady,
1851-1876.
Israel P. Tremain,
1876-1878.
George E. Bennett,
1878-1880.
Henry A. St. John,
1880-1883.
Edward F. Quinlan, M. D.,
1883-1888.
David Watkins,
1888-1892.
George Waller,
1892-1893.
Samuel B. Green,
1895-1899.
Charles Barnum,
1899-1900.
Burton Royce,
1900-1903.
Floyd I. Pelton,
1903-1906.
Russell W. Allan, D. D. S.,
1906-1911.
Hon. J. M. Maybee,
1911-1913.
George D. Pelton,
1913-
Treasurers of St. John's Church.
Rev. E. K. Fowler,
1831-1835.
William E. Cady,
1835-1876.
John K. Cooper, 1876-1883.
John Waller,
1883-1885.
William H. Cady,
1885-1892.
Samuel B. Green,
1892-1899.
Abraham Olmsted,
1899-1905.
Robert McNickle,
1905-
23
Delegates to the Diocesan Convention representing St. John's Parish.
1847. James E. Quinlan,
William E. Cady.
1850. Wm. F. Russell,
Wm. H. Cady.
1851. E. H. Dewey,
Wm. H. Cady.
1852.
Wm. H. Cady.
1853. Wm. H. Cady.
1854. Wm. H. Cady.
1855. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain.
F. M. St. John.
I. P. Tremain,
James E. Quinlan.
Seth B. Allyn.
Seth B. Allyn.
1860. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1861. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1862. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1863. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain, F. M. St. John.
1864. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1866.
Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1867.
Wm. H. Cady,
James E. Quinlan,
F. M. St. John.
1868. Wm. H. Cady,
John Waller,
Samuel G. Thompson.
1869. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1871. C. V. R. Luddington, Esq.
F. M. St. John, Charles Barnum.
1872.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq.
Wm. H. Cady,
Edw. F. Quinlan, M. D.
1876.
J. L. Hasbrouck, M. D. I. P. Tremain.
1877.
J. L. Hasbrouck, M. D. I. P. Tremain,
Wm. H. Cady.
1878. John Waller,
J. K. Cooper,
I. P. Tremain.
1879. John Waller,
F. G. Snook,
I. P. Tremain.
1880. John Waller,
E. F. Quinlan,
I. P. Tremain.
1883. I. P. Tremain,
John Waller, Wm. H. Cady.
1884. John K. Cooper,
John Waller,
Wm. H. Cady.
1885. C. V. R. Luddington, Esq.,
John Waller,
Wm. H. Cady.
1886. C. V. R. Luddington, Esq.,
John Waller,
John K. Cooper.
1887. C. V. R. Luddington, Esq., John Waller,
John K. Cooper.
1888. C. V. R. Luddington, Esq.,
John Waller, John K. Cooper.
1891. C. V. R. Luddington, Esq.,
John Waller, David Watkins.
1892. C. V. R. Luddington, Esq.,
John Waller, Edw. F. Thompson.
1856. Wm. H. Cady,
1857. Wm. H. Cady,
1858. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain,
1859. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain,
1865. Wm. H. Cady,
I. P. Tremain, F. M. St. John.
24
Delegates to the Diocesan Convention representing St. John's Parish, continued.
1893. John Waller.
1894.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq.,
Edw. F. Thompson.
1897.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1898.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1899.
Abraham Olmsted, Eli W. Fairchild.
Eli W. Fairchild.
1900. 1901.
Andrew Dunn,
S. W. Demarest.
1902.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1903.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1904.
Andrew Dunn,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1905. 1906. 1907.
John Waller,
Edw. F. Thompson, R. W. Allan, D. D.S.
1908.
John Waller,
Floyd I. Pelton,
R. W. Allan, D. D.S.
1909. John Waller,
Floyd I. Pelton,
R. W. Allan, D. D.S.
1911. John Waller,
Hon. J. M. Maybee,
R. W. Allan, D. D.S.
1914. John T. Curtis,
John Waller,
Floyd I. Pelton.
1915. John T. Curtis,
R. B. Towner,
Alois von Isakovics.
25
John Waller,
Edw. F. Thompson,
R. W. Allan, D. D.S.
Andrew Dunn,
R. B. Towner, W. W. Johns.
Abraham Olmsted,
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.