USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > A centennial history of Christ Church, Cincinnati, 1817-1917 > Part 7
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In the year 1912, the rector of Christ Church, having been granted a leave of absence, went in September to Rome, Italy, and on October I took charge of St. Paul's Church, for which he func- tioned as acting minister for seven months, until May 1, 1913, while during this period the Rev. Walter Lowrie, the rector of St. Paul's, coming to Cincinnati, in exchange, administered a corre- sponding service in Christ Church.
It is interesting and significant to compare or contrast the conditions of parochial life and usage in the Italian capital with those confronting an American rector engaged in developing a Free Church in a growing city in the democratic West. Mr. Nelson returned to his native land more con- vinced than ever, if that were possible, as he as- sured his people, of the value and worth of such work as they were trying to do, and of such an interpretation of religion, and such an application of it, as they were trying to make in Christ Church. He observed that "In Rome the min- istry is to individuals." That there "the Church has and can have but little, if any, relation to the
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community. Its members are not citizens, with the responsibilities and relations of citizens. I would not decry the value and need of this min. istry, and the right of man to look for it and ex- pect it. It is a universal ministry-a most neces- sary and vital and valuable one. But in America, and certainly in Christ Church, there is added the opportunity and privilege of a ministry by the Church, and by its members to the community as well. It is a ministry that brings vitality to the individual's faith and religious experience, and gives the Church the sense of playing a real and
individual part in the life of the time. × This thing we have come to call 'Social Service' is but the ancient love of our neighbor that Christ puts beside the love of God. And so, to keep the whole community to a higher plane of living; to be ready to help, in any possible way, to make the city cleaner, healthier, happier, juster; to co- operate with every sort of effort for these ends; to be interested in good government, in play- grounds, in the fight against tuberculosis, in the cleansing of tenements, in better schools, in effi- cient nursing of the sick, in promoting mutual ac- quaintance and friendliness among the people, is to be religious and believe in God."
After three years of efficient service as a mem- ber of the clergy, Rev. H. Boyd Edwards re- signed his position upon the staff, as assistant min- ister, to accept an appointment to St. Michael's Church, Milton, Massachusetts; and his place was taken in Christ Church by the Rev. James Monroe Collins, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and of the Philadelphia Divinity School.
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On All Saints Day, 1913, a memorial window of beautiful design was dedicated to Rev. Alexis Stein in an eloquent eulogy by the Rev. John Howard Melish, of Brooklyn.
Christ Church and the community in general suffered a severe bereavement on account of the sudden death of John Flack Winslow at his resi- dence in Cincinnati on April 4, 1913. Born in 1855, he was educated at Exeter Academy and Harvard University, and was also a graduate of Cincinnati Law School. The Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, summarizing his many accom- plishments in their affectionate tribute to his mem- ory; testify that, "Outside of his membership in the Vestry of Christ Church, it is fitting to record that Mr. Winslow was recognized as a lawyer of fine abilities; that he was a man of more than or- dinary attainments in genuine scholarship; that his wide and critical knowledge of art, literature, and affairs of every-day life made him a most con- genial and instructive companion to friends. In his death not only the Church, but the city of his home, has lost a true and patriotic citizen." To this testimony history may well add the words of his friend and pastor, who in a brief characteri- zation of Mr. Winslow says: "His clear judg- ment, his unfailing courtesy, his high ideals, his strong democracy were ever of invaluable service in the deliberations of the Vestry. He judged all questions by the highest standards. His friendship was a very precious possession and is a priceless memory."
In the same year her numerous friends and ac- quaintances, both within and without the wide circle of her Church associations, were over-
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whelmed with grief by tidings of the decease of Mrs. C. W. Woolley, one of the oldest members of Christ Church, and one who, from her child- hood, had consecrated her life to "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely."
Mrs. Woolley died May 9, 1913.
January 28th, 29th, and 30th, 1914, were gala days in the parish of Christ Church because of the very successful Parish House Festival, held during that period, which not only gave occasion for general rejoicing, but incidentally added about $11,000 to the Parish House Endowment Fund. The year was memorable also for the series of organ recitals, including a notable concert by Mr. Lemare, given partly in celebration of the acquisi- tion of a magnificent new church organ.
But again the shadow of death overcast the House of God and brought sorrow to young and old. On February 13, 1914, the Church lost one of its most beloved members, Mrs. Louise N. Anderson. The rector in his annual letter ex- pressed the feeling of hundreds when he wrote : "It is hard to think of the Church as without her presence and help and enthusiasm. In all that concerned it she was most deeply interested, as indeed in all that expressed the higher life of the city. * She was one of the first asso- ciates in our branch of the Girls' Friendly So- ciety. She organized the Chorus Group, leading it herself for many years, and making it a center of musical interest and education. * Hers was a very noble life, and she ennobled life for all who knew her."
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Within less than eight months after the decease of Mrs. Anderson the Church suffered an over- whelming bereavement in the sudden death of her sister, Mrs. James Wayne Neff, who died Sep- tember 24, 1914. In the Year Book for 1914 the rector, again representing his parishioners and the community in general, wrote: "It was a very great shock to all of us in Christ Church, and an irreparable loss. Her intense interest in all that concerned the Church, her loyalty, her unflagging work for very many years, her effi- ciency, her cheer, her power of friendship, made her the beloved and trusted woman she was. * * * I hope that soon a way will be found, through some memorial, to perpetuate her mem- ory and that of her sister, Mrs. Anderson, for we who knew and loved them cannot think of the one without the other, so that the coming gen- erations shall know whence come some of the richness of spiritual experience that is theirs."
Still again the angel of death invaded the pale of Christ Church, summoning another beautiful character to the mystery of the hereafter. Once more the testimony of her friend and pastor shall be heard in memoriam: "In the death of Mrs. Lewis W. Irwin, Christ Church and all of us per- sonally have suffered a very great loss. From childhood a member of the parish, she grew in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through all her years. * *
* Until her health failed she was always present in her place in the church. She gave not only her time and strength, but her great ability, to the Benevolent Society, the Woman's Auxiliary, the Chancel Guild, the Sunday School, the Girls' Friendly
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Society, within the parish, and to the Children's Hospital, the Woman's Auxiliary, and the Girls' Friendly Society, outside of it. It was a most rare and noble life of service, and how she ac- complished so much, and so fully, is a continuing wonder."
The Rev. Mr. Collins resigned his position as assistant minister, October 23, 1915, to become assistant rector of Christ Church, Detroit, and the Rev. Thomas W. Attridge, a graduate of Cambridge Theological School, joined the cler- ical staff of Christ Church, Cincinnati, July I, 1915. He had been associated up to that time with the Rev. H. Boyd Edwards in Milton, Mas- sachusetts.
That the eighteen years which measure the period that has elapsed since the founding of the free system of managing the financial affairs of a church organization have not disappointed the expectations of the members of the Episcopal Society of Christ Church, Cincinnati, may be in- ferred from the recorded facts proving that the voluntary contributions to the Church and the Parish House within those years have been nu- merous and liberal beyond former example.
To render this general statement clear, there has been collected from the Year Books, begin- ning with that issued in 1899, an approximately complete list of the several gifts that have come to the Church from her grateful children. On May 1, 1899, Rev. Alexis W. Stein, then being rector, an Easter offering of $20,000 was enthu- siastically bestowed by the parishioners as a fund to provide for the building the first parish house.
On May 1, 1900, the wardens reported that a
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gift of $1,000 was contributed on Easter toward increasing the Endowment Fund, by Mr. Larz Anderson.
The Year Book of 1901, compiled by Rev. Frank H. Nelson, announced that a gift of $1,000 had been presented by Mr. W. A. Proc- ter in memory of his mother, to be expended in carrying on the work of the parish house. Mr. Procter donated the same amount annually for seven years-1901-1907.
It is recorded in the Year Book for 1904 that Mrs. L. H. Slade has continued her generous gift to the Endowment Fund, though the amount of the contribution is not stated. A year later, in her will, Mrs. Slade bequeathed $1,000 to the Endowment Fund.
The Year Book for 1905 announced that Mr. A. Howard Hinkle had given a camp on the Miami River, with a club house thereon, to the parish house.
About the same date the children of Mrs. Na- thaniel Foster, in memory of their mother, gave $4,300 for the Endowment Fund.
In 1905, Mrs. Sally B. Williams, fifty years a communicant of the Church, gave in her will $600-$300 to the Endowment Fund, and $100 to each of three of the organizations of the Parish House.
Mrs. Mary M. Emery bore the expense of building the new parish house and gave the lot upon which it stands. Year Book, 1906, states that Miss Mary Hanna gave the free use of her home on East Fourth Street, pending the erection of the parish house.
Mrs. Mary Lee Cassily (Year Book, 1907).
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by her will gave 300 shares of First National Bank stock, valued at $75,000, the income from which is to be used for missionary work carried on by the parish.
At about the same time the children of Dr. and Mrs. N. P. Dandridge, as a memorial to their parents, presented the Church with an additional silver flagon for the communion.
In 1908 anonymous subscriptions amounting to $1,000 were given toward paying the cost of a new altar.
Mrs. Larz Anderson, in memory of her de- ceased husband, Larz Anderson, in 1908 gave $500 for the purchase of flowers for the Chil- dren's Easter Festival. "This beautiful custom (of supplying flowers for the Children's Easter Festival) was originated by Mr. Anderson, and it is most fitting that through all the years to come his name should be most intimately con- nected with the festival."
In 1909 Mrs. Mary Cleneay Johnstone and Mrs. H. Q. Cleneay, as a memorial to their mother, Mrs. G. W. Cleneay, gave to the Church four sets of prayer books and hymnals for the altar and clergy stalls.
Rev. and Mrs. C. K. Benedict, in memory of Mrs. Olivia Procter, gave in 1909 $1,000 for the parish house. The same amount, and in the same beloved memory, has been given annually since.
The Misses Guerin gave in 1910 "Two large and handsome brass altar vases" to the Church.
The Year Book for 1910 records that "two gifts of money have started a much-needed En- dowment Fund for the maintenance of the parish
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house": (1) $100 from Mr. Benj. W. Strader and (2) $10,000 from Mrs. J. S. Neave, in memory of her husband.
In 1911 the Year Book records, as a memorial to Mrs. Virginia Harriet Van Voast, by her daughter, the gift of a Bible for the lecturn-a very handsome edition of the Revised Version.
In 1912 the Year Book mentions an unusual number of generous offerings. Mrs. Otto Stein gave a beautiful prayer book and Bible for use in the pulpit and consecrated to the memory of Helen Louisa Stein.
Miss Leona C. Frank donated $100 to the En- dowment Fund, also in memory of Helen Louisa Stein.
Mrs. A. Howard Hinkle gave $10,000 to be known as the A. Howard Hinkle Fund, the in- come of which is to be given the rector for his discretionary fund for the present. Ultimately it is to be appropriated to the maintenance of the Church.
Mrs. W. P. Anderson gave $300 to the En- dowment Fund in memory of Rev. Alexis W. Stein.
Mrs. J. F. Winslow gave a lot in Spring Grove Cemetery in memory of her sister, Sally Coles Stevenson Colston. The lot is to be reserved as a place for the proper burial of the Church's poor.
Dr. Frank Brunning, by his will, left $1,000 to the Church, the income of which goes to the maintenance of the parish house.
Mrs. Mary M. Emery, in 1912, presented the Church with a magnificent new organ, which was installed in 1913.
The church was furnished with an entire new
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floor and appropriate carpeting by the senior warden, Mr. Frank J. Jones, and Mrs. Jones, in 1912.
Mrs. A. Howard Hinkle, in 1913, deeded to the Church the Athletic Field in the Miami Val- ley, rebuilt the fence around the property, and erected a club house.
The Year Book for 1914 records the presenta- tion by Mrs. H. Q. Cleneay and Miss Sarah H. Woolley, in memory of their mother, Mrs. Wool- ley, of two carved oak kneeling stools.
Mrs. Mary M. Emery provided for ice-water drinking fountains throughout the parish house and on the street in front of the building, and for the replacement of chairs in the auditorium of the parish house. She also added to the fund started by Miss Ida Liebenberg the amount sufficient to complete the new tile floor in the vestibule of the church.
On November 26, 1916, the congregation of Christ Church decided to raise $25,000 by sub- scriptions to build a chapel on property in the rear of the church recently purchased and given to it by Mrs. Emery.
One of the most accomplished, highly esteemed, and public-spirited citizens of Cincinnati, a man endeared to all who were in any way related to the work of Christ Church and parish house, was William Lytle Foster, who died at his home, Oak and May Streets, Walnut Hills, January 31, 1917, aged fifty years. The lines of the poet Halleck may be applied to him with literal pro- priety :
"None knew thee but to love thee,
Nor named thee but to praise."
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He was a member of a family distinguished in the early history of the Ohio Valley, and espe- cially in Cincinnati, a son of Dr. Nathaniel Fos- ter and Mrs. Josephine Lytle Foster, a nephew of General William Haines Lytle, the poet, a grandson of Robert Todd Lytle, and a great- grandson of General William Lytle, Surveyor General of the Northwest Territory, and the only brother of Mrs. Charles J. Livingood.
Mr. Foster was graduated from Williams Col- lege in the class of 1890. A most accurate and vigilant man of practical affairs, Mr. Foster was identified with several successful business enter- prises, having been secretary of the Blymyer Bell Foundry Company, in which he was a stock- holder, and for ten years he was superintendent of the American Telephone and Telegraph Com- pany. A sympathetically appreciative sketch of his career, published (with a portrait) in the Social Service News, records that he lived his whole life in Cincinnati and devoted his best strength and energies, his fine gifts and true- hearted faith to the service of his city. "A mem- ber of Christ Church," this testimony adds, "he served it first and last and always. A member of the Vestry, secretary of the parish, treasurer and teacher in the Sunday School, a member of the Executive Committee of the Men's Club from its start in 1900, and of the Century Club, he yet found time and place for service in the larger life of his city. He was a member and treasurer of the Hospital Social Service Asso- ciation, of the Executive Committee of the Bethany Home for Boys, one of the hardest and most faithful workers in each of the campaigns
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for federated giving of the Council of Social Agencies, and a member of many other organi- zations. He took his freedom from business not as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but for helping the common life.
"A man of the purest personal character, deeply and sincerely religious, of unshakable in- tegrity, of great modesty, courteous always under all circumstances to all people, his death removes from the city a kind of man Cincinnati can ill afford to lose."
When, in April, 1917, it was officially an- nounced that the Government recognized the ex- istence of a state of war, arraying our country against Germany, the Vestry of Christ Church, at a regular meeting, adopted the following reso- lution :
"Whereas, The Congress of the United States hath, by resolution, declared that a state of war exists between our country and the Imperial Ger- man Government, which resolution has been ap- proved by the President; and,
"Whereas, By this momentous step our coun- try is made a participant in the war that is waging on the continent of Europe ;
"Now, therefore, we do recognize in said declaration a call to our country to do the work that God has in store for it to do in defending Christianity, protecting the innocent, expanding civil liberty, and opening wide the gateway to an earlier and more enduring peace; and our prayer is that these ends be accomplished speedily."
The meeting took further action by the motion :
"Be it resolved, by the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Episcopal Church, of Cincinnati, Ohio,
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that the rector be, and he is hereby authorized, to offer to the authorities of the United States the use of the parish house, and to pledge to the authorities the services of the members of the parish for such service as they are capable of ren- dering.
"Be it further resolved, that the rector be authorized to place this offer before such authori- ties as will render it effective, the details of the use to which the parish house shall be put to be left entirely to the rector's discretion."
On July 6, 1917, the following preamble and resolution were adopted by the Vestry :
"Whereas, The Reverend Frank H. Nelson, our beloved rector, has been made chaplain of a Hospital Unit to serve our soldiers in the present war; therefore be it
"Resolved, That this Vestry does heartily ap- prove the patriotic course he has taken, and does assure him that his salary as rector of this Church shall suffer no diminution in consequence thereof, and that he is granted the necessary leave of ab- sence."
The hundredth anniversary of the founding of Christ Church was commemorated in a celebra- tion beginning on Saturday afternoon, May 12, 1917, and lasting an entire week. The varied program of social rejoicing and special centennial service was carried out as officially announced, opening with a dramatic, historical pageant play given in the auditorium of the parish house, the seventy-five or one hundred characters repre- sented on the stage personated by boys and girls belonging to the Sunday School, in appropriate costume, presenting a picturesque appearance,
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and performing their parts with pleasing effect under the skillful, artistic direction of Miss Doro- thy Sattler, author of the play, which was a charming résumé of leading events in the history of Christ Church and of Cincinnati within the century. Among the striking pictures repro- ducing local scenes was the interior of Dr. Daniel Drake's parlor, in which Bishop Chase organized the Parish of Christ Church, May 18, 1817.
The music accompanying this delightful enter- tainment by the junior organizations was fur- nished by the orchestra of the Conservatory of Music, under the leadership of Mr. Tirindelli.
The second day of the celebration, Sunday, May 13, was devoted to appropriate centennial services in the church, beginning in the morning with corporate communion of the parish, fol- lowed by an address by the rector, the Rev. Frank H. Nelson.
An inspiring sermon, suitable to the occasion, was delivered by the Rt. Rev. Charles D. Wil- liams, D. D., Bishop of Michigan, based upon the two texts: "Greet the Church that is at their house," Romans 16: 5; and "The Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth," First Epistle to Timothy 3:15. The main theme of his discourse was the foundation and spirit of the modern Church, which, the speaker declared, must be a living, dynamic and vital, not a static institution; she ought to inspire all her children with a burning zeal for public righteousness and common service ; she is set here as the pillar and ground of truth.
In the afternoon, at 4 o'clock, a "Children's Service" was held, when an address was made
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by the Rev. William H. Poole, St. Paul's Church, Jackson, Michigan. Mr. Poole had been assist- ant minister in Christ Church, 1906-1910, and he was much honored and loved in Cincinnati. His subject, "Nehemiah Building the Walls," was very attractively presented, his appeal con- cluding with the words: "This old Church has stood here now for a century; and we mean by the Church, not the building, but the congrega- tion. It has been its purpose to help develop men and women as to their bodies, their minds, and their souls. You are now members of this con- gregation. It is your duty to help build the wall as well as to take advantage of its defense. If you go out from here week by week and play your part well among those with whom you mingle, as you are clean and straight and industrious and honest in your daily work, as you do something to make the world better, that is outside your regu- lar occupation as you work constantly and con- tinuously for all that is good, you will be like Ne- hemiah, builders of walls that will defend the city, the community, and the nation against their ene- mies."
The sermon of the evening of Sunday, May 13, was by the Rev. J. H. Melish, rector of Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn, New York, who was assistant minister in Christ Church for the years 1900-1904. His topic was, "The Holy City," suggested by the text, "And I saw the Holy City," Rev. 21 : 2. Mr. Melish impressively discussed some aspects of the ideal life of American cities of to-day, summing up his conclusions in these sentences :
"Had the men of yesterday foreseen that these
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cities would grow to their present proportions, would they not have planned some things very differently? Shall not we who suffer from their short-sightedness also profit by it, and, with the inevitable future in mind, so build that our chil- dren shall rise up and call us blessed? We can build its homes and factories, its streets and playgrounds and schools so that physical health and artistic beauty shall be attained no less than utility. We can lay the foundation of civic hon- esty and integrity so strongly and firmly that it will carry every public service in which the con- munity may care to undertake, with honor and respect. It lies within our power to achieve just social order wherein every man shall receive the full product of his toil and no man shall be de- prived of an opportunity to eat his bread in the sweat of his brow. Ours, too, is the opportunity to increase and multiply the spirit of compassion which shall some day make the community the 'union of all who love in the service of all who suffer.' These four qualities of health and beauty, of honesty, of justice and compassion, now seen so often apart and at times antagonistic, belong together, like splendid jewels set in a diadem. They form together the Holy City."
Monday evening was appropriated to an im- portant social event, a reception for all the people connected with the parish as well as invited guests. They assembled in the auditorium of the parish house, which was beautifully decorated for the oc- casion with trailing smilax, floral adornments, flags, and bannerettes. An orchestra, screened by a lattice embowered by vines, supplied music.
The receiving line included the clergy and the
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vestry, with their wives and a few other specially distinguished persons. Between the hours of eight and ten the company adjourned to the church to listen to the reading of several letters from prominent men and to several short speeches. Complimentary letters were received by the rector from the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Rt. Rev. Daniel S. Tuttle, D. D., St. Louis, Missouri; from the Rt. Rev. Robert A. Gibson, D. D., Bishop of Virginia, who from 1887 to 1897 was the rector of Christ Church; and from Bishop F. K. Brooke, of To- peka, Kansas, a son of the Rev. John T. Brooke. After reading these communications to the audi- ence, Mr. Nelson delivered an extremely inter- esting and illuminating address on the develop- ment of Christ Church within the one hundred years from its founding to the present day. This address was followed by a brilliant and humorous reminiscential and highly suggestive speech from Mr. Edward Colston.
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