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A Centennial History of Christ Church, Cincinnati
William Henry Venable
Gc 977.102 C49v 1199538
M.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02279 6590
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/centennialhistor00vena
CHRIST CHURCH AND PARISH HOUSE
A Centennial History OF Christ Church, Cincinnati
1817-1917
BY WILLIAM HENRY VENABLE
CINCINNATI STEWART & KIDD COMPANY 1918
1199538
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION, -
5
I
THE FOUNDING OF CHRIST CHURCH, -
-
II
THE RECTORATE OF REV. J. T. BROOKE,
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30
III
FIFTY YEARS OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR,
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- 43
IV
AGENCIES FOR CHURCH AND PARISH WORK, -
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71
GROWTH OF THE FREE CHURCH,
V
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80
VI
MUSIC IN CHRIST CHURCH,
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APPENDIX
LIST OF RECTORS, WARDENS, VESTRYMEN, ETC.,
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ACT OF INCORPORATION, -
153
CERTIFICATE OF CONSECRATION, -
- 155
KENYON COLLEGE AND BISHOP CHASE, -
156
EXTRACT FROM ADDRESS ON "JESUS AND NATIONALISM," BY DR. W. S. RAINSFORD, MAY 17, 1917, -
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- 157
ADDRESS OF REV. FRANK H. NELSON, MAY 17, 1917, 164
FROM THE SERMON BY THE RT. REV. BOYD VINCENT, D.D., BISHOP OF SOUTHERN OHIO, ON "THE CONTINUITY OF THE CHURCH," MAY 18, 1917, - - - 168
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Introduction
T HE history of civilization is largely a record of man's efforts to achieve political and re- ligious liberty in order to organize and establish free institutions for the amelioration of society and of the individual. When the old Con- tinental Congress at its last meeting, availing itself of the opportune occasion for making a great forward movement in the moral and civil affairs of the world, signalized its wisdom by en- acting the body of law named with simplicity the Ordinance of 1787, liberty scored a permanent victory. For that later declaration of independ- ence assumed the fundamental principle that civil and religious liberty should be the basis upon which the commonwealths to be formed from the territory northwest of the Ohio river must build their constitutions and their laws. It proclaimed absolute emancipation of the conscience by pro- viding that no person in the region named shall ever be molested on account of his beliefs or his mode of worship. How immense was the poten- tial gain which accrued to the people of the Ohio Valley from the mere announcement of the gospel of universal toleration, can best be realized by comparing the prejudice and bigotry of the days of the Revolutionary War with the more generous spirit that prevailed later.
It is interesting to recall that in the historic year, 1787, Dr. William White, of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Provoost, of the State of New York,
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INTRODUCTION
went to England and were there consecrated as American bishops of the Episcopal Church. When they reached London, they were formally introduced to the church authorities by the Amer- ican Minister, John Adams. It is recorded that after some little delay, owing to the fact that Parliament was not then in session, the consecra- tion took place, Sunday, February 4, in Lambeth Chapel. The two archbishops, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and the Bishop of Peterboro "united in the solemn act of giving the apostolic succession to the American Church."
There is no personality more memorable and picturesque among those who figure conspicuously as itinerant preachers crying in the wilderness, than the Reverend Dr. Joseph Doddridge, who was born at Friend's Cove, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1769. He was or- dained priest by the Rt. Rev. Bishop White, in 1800, and he labored in Pennsylvania, West Vir- ginia, and Ohio, as missionary, establishing par- ishes, and became rector of a society in Zanes- ville in 1818. For twenty years prior to that date, we learn from a memoir by Narcissa Dodd- ridge, he had been preaching frequently in various places in eastern Ohio, and there he had formed a number of congregations which afterwards be- came members of the diocese of Ohio.
But the most celebrated of the early Protestant Episcopal missionaries pioneering to the Great West is the one whom Rev. J. A. Spencer, in his "Sketch of the History of the Protestant Episco- pal Church in the United States of America," graphically characterizes in the following words : "In the good providence of God, there was a man,
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INTRODUCTION
named Philander Chase, whose heart was turned in this direction. After considerable experience in missionary labors in various quarters, Chase set out for Ohio in 1817, determined to give himself to the work of an evangelist in that part of the United States. His labors were blessed, and he seemed to be the very man for the work to be done; hence in 1819 he was consecrated Bishop of Ohio. Every kind of labor and toil came upon him, but he bore up under it all. Yet the deep consciousness that, if the Gospel was to be preached, there must be men to do it-men, too, educated and trained for this special work, in a new country and among new settlers-pressed heavily upon his mind, and caused him to revolve anxiously what he was to do in such a state of affairs. He concluded to visit England, and to beg for means to found a college and seminary in Ohio for the education of young men for the min- istry. The voyage was undertaken (though its expediency was doubted by many), and Bishop Chase obtained in all some thirty or forty thou- sand dollars in aid of his much cherished object. He returned home in July, 1824, and during the next two years was busily engaged in laying the foundation of Kenyon College and the Theolog- ical Seminary at Gambier (both names being derived from prominent donors to the cause). In due time the college went into operation, Bishop Chase assuming the presidency. Not long after, however, there arose differences of opinion between him and the professors as to the extent of the bishop's powers in this office. The con- vention of the diocese sustained the professors, which led to an immediate resignation by the
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INTRODUCTION
sturdy old man, not only as president of the col- lege, but also as Bishop of Ohio. This was in September, 1831, and the case of his resignation came before the General Conference of 1832. The House of Bishops pointedly censured aban- donment of the diocese under such circumstances ; but in order that the Church should not suffer harm, the bishops united with the other house in approving the election of Dr. C. P. McIlvaine, who was consecrated Bishop of Ohio, October 31, 1832."
When in January, 1818, a convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Ohio was held at Columbus, the entire representation consisted of only two clergymen in full orders and but nine lay delegates. These eleven men unanimously resolved: "That we, the members of this Conven- tion, are in communion with the Protestant Epis- copal Church of the United States of America, and that we do adopt the general constitution and canons of said Church."
In an address made to Bishop Chase at Worth- ington, Ohio, on June 2, 1819, just one year after his election to the Episcopacy, his clergy, number- ing but two persons, Rev. Samuel Johnston and Rev. Intrepid Morse, fervently declared that, with no ordinary feelings, they adverted to the present situation of the Church in the West. Said they : "It is a rose planted in the wilderness; may it be watered with the dews of Heaven."
More than a year before the few but devout representative men who composed the first Epis- copal Convention in the State, assembled to form Ohio into a diocese and to elect a bishop, the organization of the Parish of Christ Church,
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INTRODUCTION
Cincinnati, occurred on May 18, 1817. At that time the town had a population of about nine thousand inhabitants and was described as a bright, beautiful little city, the metropolis of Ohio. "It extended," according to accurate testimony, "from the river to Sixth Street, and from Broad- way to Walnut Street, and not much beyond those limits. The houses were interspersed with vacant lots not yet sold, which were covered with grass." Mr. Timothy Flint, himself a clergyman, on his way to the Mississippi Valley and the far South where he did missionary work, visiting the young "Queen City" in 1816, observed that the society in and about the place seemed to be copied after the New England pattern. In one of his letters he remarked that the people had "the same desires for keeping up schools, for cultivating psalmody, for settling ministers, and attending religious wor- ship, as in the East." He noted that the ladies had formed a Bible and charitable society and that the town had a character for seriousness, good order, and public spirit.
It appears that prior to the organization of the first Episcopal parish in Cincinnati, four other denominations of Protestant Christians had estab- lished societies and erected houses of worship in the city, namely, the Presbyterians, the Metho- dists, the Baptists, and the Quakers.
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I The Founding of Christ Church
B ISHOP CHASE gives the following graphic account of the circumstances attending the organization of the First Episcopal parish in Cincinnati, May 18, 1817. He says: "Dr. Drake, whose book, descriptive of that rising city (Cincinnati), had attracted the writer's notice, received him kindly, and made pro- vision that he should preach at the brick meeting-house with two steeples the next day. The congregation was large and attentive, and at the close of the service the writer ob- served that if there were any present friendly to the Episcopal Church and desirous of forming a parish attached to her communion in that city, he would be glad to see them at Dr. Drake's im- mediately after the sermon. Repairing thither, there was a goodly number of the most respect- able inhabitants, and among the rest was our late chief magistrate, * then known by his favorite name, 'General Harrison.' This dis- tinguished gentleman at that time took an active part in promoting the institutions of religion in Ohio, and God raised him, by an unusual una- nimity of suffrage, to the presidential chair of his country. May the same divine goodness continue to bless all the presidents of these United States, so that all things being settled on the best and surest foundations, may insure to our country
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THE HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH
'peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, to the latest generations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.' "
The residence of Dr. Daniel Drake was located on East Third Street, lower side, near Ludlow Street. Those who assembled there after attend- ing the religious service conducted by the Rev. Mr. Chase, in the Presbyterian Church, organized a meeting the proceedings of which are carefully preserved in the written "Records" of Christ Church, the first entries of which are here tran- scribed :
"Be it remembered, that, on the Eighteenth day of May in the year of our Lord, one thou- sand eight hundred and seventeen, the Rev'd Phi- lander Chase, late rector of Christ Church in the City of Hartford, State of Connecticut, preached and pronounced divine service according to the Liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this town of Cincinnati.
"Immediately after service he explained his views in coming into this State of Ohio and the success which had attended his labors in collecting and organizing churches to the glory of God and the good of human souls.
"Whereupon the following Instrument of Pa- rochial Association was drawn up for signature, viz. :
"We whose names are under written, deeply impressed with the truth and importance of the Christian Religion, and anxiously desirous to pro- mote its influence in the hearts and lives of our- selves, our families and our neighbors, do hereby associate ourselves together, and thus form a parish by the name, style, and title of the Parish
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FOUNDING OF CHRIST CHURCH
of Christ Church in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, State of Ohio, in communion with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, whose Liturgy, Constitution and Canons, We do hereby adopt.
"Signed, Ethan Stone, Griffin Yeatman, Wil- liam H. Harrison, Ar. St. Clair, Junior, James Taylor, Elijah Bemiss, Richard Fosdick, Thomas Danby, Wm. Ruffin, Thomas Henderson, Edward Horrock, George Williamson, James Chambers, Joseph Walker, Jacob Baymiller, William M. Worthington, William M. Alexander, S. D. Baldwin, Luman Watson, William Jones, R. D. Richardson, Hugh Lloyd."
Before the momentous meeting of May 18, 1817 adjourned, or, in the language of the min- utes, "dissolved," the twenty-two representative citizens who had signed the "Instrument of Pa- rochial Association," proceeded to elect as Secre- tary of the parish, William M. Worthington ; Ethan Stone and Elijah Bemiss, as Wardens; William H. Harrison, William Ruffin, Richard Fosdick, James Taylor, and Griffin Yeatman, as Vestrymen, these officers to serve until Easter Monday, A. D. 1818. Ethan Stone was unanimously chosen delegate to represent Christ Church in a convention of the Protestant Episco- pal Church in the State of Ohio, to be holden at Columbus on the first Monday in June, 1818. The zealous work of organization completed, and plans discussed for future practical realization of their cherished projects, the founders of what was to become a potent factor in the religious, social, and civic development of the Queen City of the West, dispersed to their several homes,
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THE HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH
thrilled and strengthened by a consciousness of exalted purposes sure to be accomplished by the co-operation of sincere men and women pledged to the service of God and man. Historical in- quiry into the character and lives of the persons who labored to establish the parish confirms the conviction that they were good and faithful serv- ants who amply deserve the plaudit, Well Done ! They were men of affairs, conservative American citizens, who, feeling that the individual naturally owes a duty to the community in which he dwells, and to the city and the country which sustain his private career, took pride and pleasure in par- ticipating in the moral responsibilities of public life, carried on by means of institutions.
Inevitably the Vestry, as soon as the parish was organized, realized the necessity of providing a suitable place of worship. At first the congrega- tion met together in a large room of a cotton fac- tory on Lodge Alley. Afterwards the Presbyte- rian Church, a frame building which stood on the corner of Fourth and Main Streets, was used as a place of assembly, and after Easter, in March, 1818, a Baptist Meeting House on West Sixth Street was occupied at first on lease, though the property was purchased in 1821, the year in which the Church was incorporated. The Wardens, Ethan Stone and Elijah Bemiss, reported to the Vestry, April 28, 1818, that they had extended to the Rev. Samuel Johnston, of Buffalo, N. Y., a call to supply the clerical office for one year. This call was accepted, but prior to the installa- tion of the first rector, March 23, Rev. Mr. Cooper conducted the services. It was stipulated, at the beginning, that Mr. Johnston was to be
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CHRIST CHURCH, 1818-1835
FOUNDING OF CHRIST CHURCH
allowed a salary of seven hundred dollars, a sum which within a few years fell to five hundred dollars and even less. Truly a day of small be- ginnings financially, and of stringent economy ! The amount received for the sale of fifty-four pews in the Sixth Street church in 1820 was but eight hundred and ninety-one dollars.
The Rev. Samuel Johnston, first rector of Christ Church, who ministered its clerical affairs from March, 1818, until August, 1827, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, August, 1787. He was a son of Captain Samuel Johnston, who was drowned at sea. We learn from an authentic source that the son "was placed in a counting house in the city of New York, but having predi- lections for the Christian ministry, he retired from mercantile pursuits, and entered Union College, Schenectady, New York, where he subsequently graduated." He later attended the General Theological Seminary, New York City. After his ordination he did missionary work for the Episco- pal Church in western New York. He organized the Parish of St. Paul's in Buffalo in 1817. At the time when he entered upon his duties as rector of Christ Church, he was in his thirty-first year.
Mr. Johnston was a delegate to the convention of Episcopal clergymen which met at Columbus, Ohio, in June, 1818, about eight months before the State became a diocese, and the Rev. Phi- lander Chase was elected its first Bishop. To this Convention, Mr. Johnston reported: "The Church at Cincinnati, which was organized un- der the zealous labors of Rev. Mr. Chase, is flour- ishing. Many of the congregation are regularly brought up in the Church, familiar with her doc-
THE HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH
trines and alive to her interests. Many families, for want of our services, have heretofore con- nected themselves with other denominations. But we may safely say, that there are about fifty Episcopal families who regularly attend divine worship. They are remarkably attentive to the service, and the responses are made with anima- tion and propriety. Several of the congregation appear to be impressed with the great duty of making their calling and election sure. The hope is indulged that the seed sown may be watered with the showers of divine grace, nourished with all goodness and produce fruit unto holiness."
That the spirit of devotion which the rector discerned in his people was practical and sincere was evidenced by the prompt and energetic man- ner in which they set about creating those agen- cies that must co-operate with the clergy in every well-organized Church. "Some members of the organization," wrote the pastor, "deserve com- mendation for their zeal in cultivating sacred music. A good choir is formed, and the style of their performance is very creditable to themselves and the congregation. The music will be still further improved when an organ, which is now ex- pected, shall have arrived." The Sunday School was established in 1818, and that most service- able association, "The Ladies' Benevolent So- ciety," began its vigilant ministrations as early as the year 1819. This was the forerunner of the "Helping Hand" Society, and of other indis- pensable organizations now forming integral parts of the "Woman's Auxiliary."
Instinctively the members of the newly-formed parish felt it to be a sacred and imperative duty
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FOUNDING OF CHRIST CHURCH
to make provision for the sepulture of their dead. Among the first acts of the Vestry was one author- izing Arthur St. Clair, Jr., son of General St. Clair, to procure a certain piece of ground for a place of burial for the deceased of the Church,- a lot situated on the east side of Elm Street, north of the present Twelfth Street. This lot, meas- uring 66 feet by 100, was purchased, costing $3,000, and the care which it entailed upon the Church was great, as the records amply testify. The office of Superintendent of the Burial Ground was an important position. It is interesting to find the minutes of a Vestry meeting held more than ninety years ago, telling that Dr. Dan- iel Drake and others volunteered to raise funds by private subscription, for the purpose of setting out trees around and in the Presbyterian and the Episcopal burial grounds, and for the enclosures of the same with a suitable wall, or otherwise, and erecting stiles over the same. Responding warmly to the generous proposal of Dr. Drake and others, the Vestry resolved, "That this Board do consent and highly approve of the same, and so far as the burial ground of this Church is inter- ested therein, do hereby appoint Rev. Samuel Johnston, Richard Fosdick, and John P. Foote a committee to receive funds therefor and super- intend and carry into effect the improvements aforesaid."
As was to be expected, the people of Christ Church and their first rector sympathized with Bishop Chase and his strenuous efforts to establish an Episcopalian Seminary in Ohio; and when that heroic leader's bold action in going to England to solicit contributions to assist in the great enter-
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THE HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH
prise he had so much at heart, drew severe criti- cism from Bishop White and others in high au- thority, involving Bishop Chase in many contro- versies, the zealous people who so recently had been organized into a parish were quick to defend the man in whom they had perfect confidence, and therefore, in November, 1823, they reported "A Declaration and a Protest," of which five hun- dred copies were printed to be sent to the bishops and clergymen of the Episcopal Church all over the United States.
In December, 1824, the Episcopal Church and the community suffered a lamented loss by the re- moval from Cincinnati to New England of Edward Hallam, whose departure called forth from the Vestry this tribute of high regard : "Resolved, that the thanks of the board be presented to Mr. Ed- ward Hallam, late one of the Wardens of Christ Church, for his long, steady, and faithful service and attention to the interests and welfare of the Church: that the board reciprocate to him the most unfeigned sentiments of esteem and friend- ship with earnest prayer for his prosperity and happiness."
The relations between those who administered the business affairs of Christ Church and its rec- tor, at first so cordial and harmonious, were, for various reasons, destined to be disturbed by notes of discord. One just cause of impatience on the part of the minister was the unstable tenure of his position, which notwithstanding its sacred character was rendered undignified by the fact that according to the rule of the Vestry, a re- election of the rector was required annually. As Dr. Stanger remarks in a sketch of the early his-
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tory of Christ Church, this condition insisting upon the minister "having a new call and a new scale of salary made every Easter Monday," was reasonably resisted.
Though the scale of salary was set exceedingly low, the Church soon fell in arrears of pay to their pastor. In those days it was difficult, in the West, to command ready cash even for the dis- charge of the most urgent debt of honor. Mr. Johnston found himself obliged, repeatedly, by word of mouth and in writing, to call attention to his pecuniary embarrassments. At a meeting held July 25, 1822, a letter was laid before the board by Mr. Jolley, from the rector, requesting that the Vestry should make some arrangements for a speedy liquidation of a part of his salary; and a suggestion made by Mr. Jolley that in consequence of the letter the Wardens had deemed it expedient to convene the Vestry to "take some order thereon." On November 5, 1823, a Committee appointed to ascertain the state of accounts be- tween Rev. Samuel Johnston and the Church, made a report, "that there was due to him on a balance of account existing previous to incorpora- tion of the Church, including interest, the sum of $1,206.57, and the further sum of $150.74 on account of his salary to October 1, 1823.' Owing to a communication from Mr. Johnston, concern- ing his financial affairs, it was voted by the Vestry on Sept. 4, 1824, "That General William Henry Harrison and William J. Jones be a committee to procure subscriptions for the purpose of paying the rent of Mr. Johnston's dwelling house."
The mutual irritations produced by difficulty and delay in adjusting money matters, though
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painful, were not so serious as the irreconcilable differences which divided the pastor from the Vestry on vital questions of conviction and Church policy. A written communication from Mr. Johnston on the desirability of enlarging the church edifice met with no favor from the gentle- men to whom it was addressed, but they disposed of the rector's appeal by voting it inexpedient to act upon his advice. A suggestion made more than once by Mr. Johnston, that he should be regularly inducted as rector of the parish and that the church should be consecrated, was dis- regarded on the assumption that the ceremonies proposed were inexpedient at that time. When, on July 1, 1826, the Vestry being apprized that their pastor desired to ascertain the opinion of the board on the expediency of taking up a collection in the church for the benefit of the American Colonization Society, that opinion was given in the following words: "Resolved, as the opinion of this board, that the present condition of the finan- cial concerns of the Church, and the many and heavy calls upon the members of the congrega- tion to objects indispensable to the prosperity of the Church, would not at this time justify a col- lection for the purpose proposed."
During the nine years and some months in which Mr. Johnston officiated with ability and zeal, as rector of Christ Church, the relation ex- isting between him and some of the most influen- tial members of the Vestry, became more and more strained, until in July, 1827, for what par- ticular provocation the records do not reveal, the Vestry, at a special meeting "Resolved, as the opinion of the board, that the temporal and spirit-
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