USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > The church in eastern Ohio; a history with special reference to the parishes of St. Paul's, Steubenville, St. James's, Cross Creek and St. Stephen's, Steubenville > Part 15
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One of Mr. Grabau's first acts was to place the choir in the chancel with the newly purchased vocalion else- where described, and, being a musician himself, the serv- ices took a brighter hue. Daily Morning and Evening Prayers were inaugurated, and a young men's Bible class and club were formed under the supervision of J. B. Doyle, and the centre room of the parish house hung with pictures, the walls decorated, and a pool table placed therein, which for several years was a popular meeting place. The pictures were afterwards hung in the rector's study, where they still remain. The rector kept regular office hours at his study, a new incident in the parish his- tory, and the place wore a continuous business appear- ance, which was certainly a local "novelty."
Reference has been made to a service held at Toronto in May, 1890, with the view of establishing a
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mission there. The matter lay dormant until the sum- mer of 1893, when the field was canvassed by Mr. Gra- bau with such success that on September 27 a mission was organized under the name of St. Jude's. A second story room was fitted with proper furnishings, and when Bishop Leonard visited the place a class of fourteen was ready for confirmation. The choir and numerous mem- bers of St. Paul's congregation were in attendance, and the enterprise was started under exceptionally favorable auspices. The mission was served by Messrs. Grabau and Cogswell, and when the former left St. Paul's it was placed under the care of Rev. W. J. Williams, of Wells- ville, and served by a lay reader from the same place. It dwindled and was finally closed for the time being. A temporary mission was also carried on in one of the Mingo schoolhouses.
On the evening of All Saints' Day, after Choral Evensong, Rev. R. W. Grange, of Pittsburgh, preached to a large congregation, and a new brass Litany desk, one of the handsomest in the country, was blessed. It was the gift of Harry I. Doty in memory of his mother.
The first ordination in the new St. Paul's Church, and second in the history of the parish, was held on St. Thomas's Day, 1893, when Rev. C. K. P. Coggswell was advanced to the priesthood. Hymn 516, "Onward Chris- tian Soldiers," was sung as the processional, and the preface to the Ordinal was read by Rev. W. J. Williams, of Wellsville, followed by the Litany by Bishop Leonard. The Gospel was read by Rev. J. C. Taylor, of East Liver- pool, and the sermon by Archdeacon Brown, afterwards Bishop of Arkansas. He emphasized the position of the Anglican Communion as a true branch of the Holy Cath- olic and Apostolic Church, its present position and growth, presenting a basis of Christian unity as the rep- resentative church of the English-speaking race. 'The
REV. IL. IAR. GRABAU,
REV. GEORGE W. HINKLE.
IRON. WILLIAM M SIDENT
REV. J. W. FOSTER
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candidate was presented by Mr. Grabau, and he was vested with a silk stole, the gift of the girls' guild. Veni Creator Spiritus was intoned by the Bishop and choir re- sponsively, and the former was the celebrant in the Holy Communion which followed, Rev. Mr. Swope, of Wheel- ing also taking part in the service.
The Central Convocation of the diocese met in St. Paul's on Monday evening, January 22, 1894, and was largely attended, Mr. Williams, of Wellsville, being the preacher, speaking from the text, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." Rev. E. L. Kemp, of St. Timothy's Church, Massillon, dean of the Convo- cation, presided at the business meeting in the parish house the next day, and read a paper on Sunday Schools. Papers were read by Rev. D. F. Davies, of Mansfield, on "Work Among Boys," and Rev. H. M. Green, of Canton, "Confirmation;" Rev. G. F. Smythe, of Mt. Vernon, on "Guilds." Others present besides the local clergy were Archdeacon Brown, of Cleveland; Rev. J. C. Tay- lor, of East Liverpool, and Rev. L. H. Young, of Denni- son. At the conclusion of the morning session the women of the parish served a dinner, after which there were some interesting talks. In the evening there was a series of missionary meetings, Mr. Williams officiating at Toronto and Mr. Kemp at St. James's, while Archdeacon Brown and others conducted a most enthusiastic one at St. Paul's, the occupants of the chancel numbering. 33, including the choir. It appeared as though the Church in Eastern Ohio were waking to her responsibilities and preparing to advance all along the line.
This was an illusion soon to be dissi pated. The cloud which had begun to gather soon after Mr. Grabau's arrival was already considerably larger than a man's hand, and even at the Convocation meetings the absence of some members who had hitherto been active in Church
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work was noticeable. It is idle at this date to discuss whether a larger exercise of tact and conciliation on the part of the rector would have had any effect. Knowing his legal rights, and having the courage of his convic- tions, his temperament was such as did not admit of com- promise either of the matters in controversy or in the manner of their presentation. When it was suggested that a different course might be expedient the prompt re- ply was that it was expediency that crucified the Son of God. Thoroughly conscientious in his work. to him there was only one course, namely to do his whole duty as he saw it without regard to consequences. That he had the majority of the congregation with him, at least so far as maintaining his authority, was subsequently demonstrated, but it was also evident that the minority was neither small in numbers nor weak in influence. The result was that the parish became practically separated into two factions, those supporting the rector, and those opposed to him. Unfortunately personal and social mat- ters intruded themselves into the controversy, making each attempt at reconciliation more difficult. About this time Rev. Mr. Noakes, of Cleveland, who had aban- doned the Church and organized a Reformed Episcopal parish in that city, visited Steubenville, and endeavored to induce the dissidents to follow his example, but with- out receiving any encouragement.
The Vestry was about evenly divided, and it was very evident that there would be a contest for control at the ensuing Easter election. These expectations were fully realized when two tickets were placed in the field on the evening of March 26, and 156 votes were polled, the highest number on record at a parish election. The vote on Senior Warden stood 93 to 63 in favor of what was known as the rector's ticket, the following being elected : John P. Means, Senior Warden; Alfred Day, Junior
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Warden; S. C. Gill, George P. Harden, H. L. Doty, Arthur Dougherty, John Bishop, J. M. Barclay, F. S. Maxwell and J. H. Timberlake. Messrs. Day, Gill and Harden were on both tickets, and received practically the full vote cast.
At a meeting of the Vestry held on April 17 it was announced that Miss Ann Elliott, deceased, had be- queathed $400 to the parish, and a committee was ap- pointed to look after the matter. When the estate was settled up a year later the bequest had shrunk to $53.
Bishop Leonard visited the parish on April 24, and confirmed a class of ten persons. The result of the Eas- ter election had not restored harmony in the parish, in fact, had rather increased the tension. At 5 o'clock on that evening there was a called meeting of the Vestry to discuss the situation, there being present Messrs. Galla- gher and Beall, from the old Vestry, and James Means. The Bishop stated that the meeting was to grant a re- quest made by Mr. Gallagher and others in order to bring certain grievances before the Bishop, Rector and Vestry. Mr. Gallagher presented a paper in relation to alleged ritualistic views of the rector, his manner of administer- ing the Communion, doctrinal teachings, etc., but accord- ing to the Vestry minutes, "makes no specific charges." A general discussion followed, in which the Bishop said he was afraid this matter had become personal, and hoped that the gentlemen present would act in a Christian spirit and become united; that the rector, to overcome objec- tions, agreed to desist from retaining the cup at Com- munion and singing the Nicene Creed, thereby obliging him. After some further talk, Messrs. Beall and Galla- gher thanked the Bishop for giving them a hearing, and the meeting adjourned.
After Evensong a general meeting was called in the parish house for all who had a grievance, at which there
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was quite a large attendance. The Bishop occupied the chair and listened to the complaints, but advised the meet- ing that the spiritual affairs of the parish and conduct of the services were in charge of the rector, but that he would use his best offices towards restoring peace. and harmony. At the next meeting of the Vestry a letter was ordered sent to the Bishop thanking him for his efforts and ad- vice.
John P. Means and H. L. Doty were convention del- egates this year. Communicants reported, 264; Sunday School scholars, 119, with 13 teachers. St. James's, 14 communicants. As a rule those not sympathizing with the rector absented themselves from the services, and the next year the active communicant list was reported at 189, Sunday School, 85, with 11 teachers, and industrial school, 80, with 11 teachers.
During the summer the southern apartment of the Sunday School room, 19x35 feet, was fitted up as a chapel, the chair and lectern being removed thither, and the altar, candlesticks and prayer desk being the handi- work of David Peterson. The building of a rectory was discussed, but indefinitely postponed. The Bishop visited the parish on December 9, and confirmed a class of four- teen persons. He also blessed the new chapel, which has since been used for early Communions and week-day services. On February 6, 1895, Robert P. Fogg was elected sexton at $10 per month and rooms in the parish house.
Meantime the disaffected portion of the congrega- tion for the most part still held aloof, and it being im- pressed upon Mr. Grabau that he was an obstacle to the reunion of the parish and a settlement of its difficulties, on February 27 he addressed the following letter to the Vestry :
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I herewith tender you my resignation as rector of St. Paul's parish, the same to take effect March 1st, 1895. In asking that this take effect at once I realize that it is unusual, but I know that you will agree with me that a continuance, even for thirty days, of my ministrations would neither be satisfying to you nor tend to heal wounds which now seem to be mortal. We will therefore waive the mutual rights in the matter of thirty days' notice. I think also that under the circumstances I have a right to ask you to grant me three months salary from March 1st, or - $400. This is tendered you after mature deliberation, and must be absolute and final.
The Vestry met on the following evening and ac- cepted the rector's resignation, increasing amount re- quested to $500, which now placed the parish debt at about $5,500. The girls' guild also presented him with a purse as a friendly testimonial.
Mr. Grabau conducted services the following Sun- day, and went to Cleveland, where, by appointment of the Bishop, he took a temporary place as one of the cathedral canons. Afterwards for a short time he served in Trinity parish, New York, when he received a call to Trinity Church, Plattsburg, in the diocese of Albany. Here he remained for about fifteen years, when he re- ceived and accepted a call to Bethesda Church, Saratoga Springs, a parish of 790 communicants, whose previous rector had served for over forty years. His relations in that diocese have been most pleasant, and he has usually been one of the clerical deputies to the General Conven- tion.
The Vestry was re-elected at Easter with but little opposition, but the task before it was not an easy one. While it was sustained by the majority of the parish, yet it was confronted with the desirability of avoiding what threatened to be a permanent division, of selecting a rec- tor whose Churchmanship would not only be satisfactory to the constituents who had placed the members in office, but having sufficient breadth and tact to reconcile the op-
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position and heal the sores occasioned by past differences. In addition there was the incubus of a large indebtedness and high scale of expenses to be carried by a decreased revenue. But they went to work without delay, by cor- respondence with the Bishop and others to meet the situa- tion. Arrangements were at once made for maintaining regular services without interruption. Clergymen were obtained temporarily as far as possible, and during the summer the congregation was very acceptably served by Rev. J. D. Donahoo, of Missouri, then visiting his former home at New Cumberland, W. Va. During the intervals lay reading was conducted by H. B. Grier. Mr. Timber- lake resigned from the Vestry, and J. B. Doyle was elected to fill the vacancy on June 16.
After canvassing the merits of different persons, the Vestry finally on September 17, 1895, extended a call to Rev. George W. Hinkle, formerly rector of Grace Church, Cleveland, and at that time of St. Michael's par- ish. Maryland, at a salary of $1,200 per year. Mr. Hin- kle was not unknown to St. Paul's congregation, having officiated here on one or more occasions, and was highly recommended by Bishops Leonard, Whitehead and others. He was an exceptionally able preacher, second to none who had filled St. Paul's pulpit, a good reader, an earnest worker, and a strong, conservative Church- man. It was believed that if anyone could solve the diffi- cult problem of restoring unity he was the one to do it. Mr. Hinkle visited the parish on St. Michael's and All Angels' Day, which happened to fall on Sunday that year, celebrating the Holy Communion and preaching at both services, which were full choral, as had been the custom. At the close of Evensong he made a short address to the congregation, stating that he would return the call to the Vestry, and if renewed he would carefully consider it, but if he came he must be rector of all and not part
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of the congregation. He returned the call to the Vestry the next day, which was at once unanimously renewed. Negotiations were then opened with representatives of the dissatisfied section as to what changes were necessary to insure their support, and an understanding was reached whereby the office of Morning Prayer was to be said in connection with the celebration of the Holy Com- munion on the first Sunday of the month, the cup was to be delivered into the hands of the communicants, the Nicene Creed to be said instead of sung, Choral Even- song to be had only once a month, with possibly some other minor matters. The rector reserved the right, how- ever, on high festivals to have everything just as he thought best, to which cordial assent was given. Formal acceptance of the rectorship was presented at Vestry meeting held October 11, at which time seventy-nine an- nual pledges aggregating about $200 were presented from persons who had not subscribed at Easter. Mr. Hinkle began his ministrations here on All Saints' Day, 1895.
Mr. Barclay having died on February 4, 1896, his place on the Vestry was filled by D. W. Beall at the en- suing election. IT. L. Doty and Alfred Day were the convention delegates. Communicants reported, 210; Sunday School scholars, 75, with S teachers. An episco- pal visitation was had on March 17 when twenty-four were confirmed. This was followed by a visitation by Bishop Peterkin, of West Virginia, on July 10, with a confirmation class of twenty-six. George Barthold, Jr., succeeded Mr. Dougherty the next year on the Vestry.
During the rectorships of Messrs. Grange and Wil- liams, members of the St. Andrew's Brotherhood from Cleveland and Pittsburgh visited the parish for the pur- pose of urging the formation of a local chapter, but noth- ing definite was done in this direction until after Mr. Hinkle's arrival, when a branch was formed which oper-
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ated for about a year. It was succeeded by a junior branch, which was quite successful, but lapsed in the course of time, so the brotherhood is not at present rep- resented in Steubenville.
The buildings on the lot north of the church being .out of repair, they were given to B. Mettenberger for removal, and the lot enclosed with a neat iron fence, afterwards extended around the church.
As related in the opening pages of this volume, Church services were held at Steubenville, then known by the name of Fort Steuben, soon after the coming of Dr. Doddridge to this part of the country in 1792. The exact date of the first service here was not known, but it was known that by 1796 the offices of the Church were regu- larly performed here, and hence it was decided to hold a centennial commemoration of that fact. While Dr. Dod- dridge doubtless visited here during the spring and sum- mer, yet it was concluded that autumn would be the most convenient time for this celebration, and, accordingly, Sunday, October 11, was fixed as the date. Large con- gregations were present at all the services, including sev- eral descendants of Dr. Doddridge.
The exercises began with an early celebration of the Holy Communion in the chapel by Rev. C. K. P. Coggs- well, of St. Andrew's Church, Baltimore, formerly assist- ant at St. Paul's, being assisted by the rector, and Her- bert W. Nichols as server. Full Choral Communion fol- lowed at 10:45, the service being Morley in G, with Tours's Nicene Creed in F. The anthem was the beauti- ful one, "As Pants the Hart," from Spohr's Crucifixion, with Master C. Earl Quimby as soloist. Rt. Rev. W. A. Leonard, Bishop of the diocese, was celebrant, with Rev. Mr. Hinkle as deacon, and Rev. C. D. Williams, of Cleve-
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land, former rector, as sub-deacon. Bishop Leonard was the preacher, taking his text from Haggai II., 9:
"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts."
After a review of the circumstances under which the proph- ecy was made the Bishop proceeded to pay a tribute to Rev. Dr. Doddridge and the parish located here in this romantic valley on the green banks of this winding river and among the refined and intelligent generation who have been nurtured here, as a religions center and home in which the ancient verities have been regularly and faithfully taught and the holy sacraments have been rightly administered. Its children rise up to-day and call it blessed, and this entire community will, I am confi- dent, pay its tribute of gratitude to this venerable mother. She has reared noble sons and loving daughters, and whether they be in the flesh or in the land of light, this festal day is one in which all join as in a full Te Deum. This parish, too, has been singularly fortunate in its pastors. They have been men of gen- tle breeding, pious conversation and consistent living, and they have been faithful as stewards and diligent as priests. And they to this day, some in Paradise and some in distant parts of the earthly vineyard, with onr brother beloved (would that I might with propriety speak in this presence of his loyal, patient, steady, loving labors) these shepherds of the flock, are devoutly rejoicing in the approval of the great Shepherd and King. For the light that illumines the pathway of the past has taken a new brightness and enlarged the circumference of its radiance, and it is burning with the increased glory of the Most High who has condescended to have his dwelling place among men. And. my brethren, this beautiful temple, with its manifest improve- ments, its complete equipment, its ornate and beautiful behokl- ings is illustrative of the present status of our Anglo-Catholic heritage, in this land of intelligence, and prophetic of the days that are nigh at hand. The outlook of the parish is typical of the outlook of the Church. What a singular privilege is ours this day. We who are the descendants of the fathers, and the inheritors of those pioneers and progenitors who first. estab- lished this parish and this diocese! To look back over one hun- dred years of life and experience is to examine with interest the historic records of a community and to study the trials, tribulations joys. successes and achievements of several gen- erations. It is a duty and an opportunity that we should accept reverently for its triumphs and even for its mistakes. No man may read his own or contemporary record aright. We can only accept the results. It is impossible for ns to know the cares, the anxieties, the perplexing problems, the experiments, the lov- ing petitions, the solemn determinations that have moved the
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century life of this society of souls. Policies that seemed blameable to the men of one generation become glorious in light of later days. Actions and undertakings that provoked criticism at the time of their inception are ften the laurel crowned when the cycle has moved around its orbit. You and I are quite incompetent to pass judgment or to scrutinize the results, we must leave that to God. To look back one hundred years is to stand with the venerable and loving Bishop Philan- der Chase, misjudged, antagonized, even pursued by his oppo- nents. But to-day we applaud and take pride in his indomita- ble will, his large vision and splendid enterprise. To look back one hundred years is to stand with that gentle. patient, humble minister of Christ. Rev. Intrepid Morse, who for nearly 50 years went in and out among his people. There were very decided differences of opinion and contradictions of policy and even con- flicts of judgment in those more than forty years. It would be surprisingly strange if this had not been the case. But to-day the memory of so just and pious a priest of God is blessed here, and his chief monument is the gracious accomplishment of these days in which we are dwelling. This is so in the cen- tury of the Nation's life, and it is true of the diocese and of the parish. But the foundations were laid in faith, and they are sure and they point ever upwards, and they are the indices of the greater work still remaining to be done for man and for our Divine Lord.
Passing from local matters the Bishop proceeded to a short sketch of the Church at large, and its early struggles in this country. From 1776 to 1830 this branch of God's Church seemed to be but a despised sect of Nazarenes. and it has taken each of the years, years of confidence and faith, since 1830. to bring her life into that kind of touch with the general life of our great land, that will approve to all men the superior beauty and value of her system where so many rival systems have fourished. I believe that I am correct in stating that in our great Eastern cities and centres of power and thought it is not Romanism, nor Methodism, nor Presbyterianism whose masters and whose influence predominate, but that the Anglo-Catholic Church-our American Episcopal Church-is the most potent factor in controlling and molding public and private opinion. So that to-day, rising with the rich and strong glow of this clos- ing century; and standing against the background of the past our precious church is found in the presence of all the religious communions, calmly, majestically. lovingly with her hands stretched out, offering a bond of unity and of peace, which is already bringing to her the approval and the glory of her God, and I see this leaven of Catholic truth and order working in the seething mass of our Western life. In this restless, almost uncontrollable civilization our Church has quietly made her way. She stirs up no unwholesome excitement. She has no mission of fanaticism or radicalism, but as a conservator of truth and a peace giving, tender, helpful friend, she has been and is content
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to patiently labor, ever presenting the faith and sacraments, and never faltering in her walk and work. I can see what the out- come will be, nay, I know what it is already, and with no opti- mistic vision can foretell for the West the latter glory of this church's service. "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength," and sometimes it is even "strength to sit still." And you and I must be content with the performance of our own duty well done, leaving issues with "Him who sitteth over all, our God forever." The late Archbishop Taite, of Canterbury, was wont to say that during his ministry. he had seen the Church pass through many crises unscathed and unharmed, and that "we have much need for something changeless to rest upon in these changeful and ever anxious times." And this is a characteristic of the Church, changeless because She is the Body of Christ. What a solid comfort comes to the devout Chur-4 man as he realizes this. He finds that opinions of men and of factions and parties vary and are set aside as obsolete, he sees governments rising, flourishing. decaying and dead. He notes the remarkable diversity in literary styles and standards all the way down from Chaucer to Tennyson, he regards the mutability of that code which in each generation attempts to criticise art and her masters and pupils, he is amazed at the constant fluctu- ations, the recurrent ebbs and flows of the rules of science, and then he turns to the Church and finds her ever the same; just like his mother, older it is true than when he clambered on her knee, wiser, r'per, fitter for another world, but the same dear mother and friend, guide, teaching the same creeds, reading the same Bible, refreshing souls with the sacraments and minister- ing with the same Apostolic hands to her loving children. ** Sometimes we grow restive-under the slowness of the Church's developmen., I confess that I do as I see her compelled to wait aside. perhaps humiliated, as the more brilliant and noisier pageants go by. But you and I, my brothers, have nothing to do with results. We have but to work and pray. You and I have no right to fret and worry over small confirmation classes or small congregations or meagre attendance at Holy Com- munion. We have but to toil, and wait for the increase from God, confident as to the ultimate mission of our Church to the intelligent, strong humanity all about us. So absolutely filled with hope that is based upon a knowledge of the Church's char- acter, her historic continuity, back of English transmissions, back of the Reformation, back of the Papal identification, back of St. Augustine and Kent. back of Arles and St. Alban's, back to St. John and to Jesus Christ that the look forward is aglow with the fulllfiment of the Prophet's vision, and resplendent with the promise of the Lord Himself, and that onward gaze to each should show the latter glory to be greater than anything the Fathers dreamed of, a glory filling the Church and Nation, bringing contentment to united Christians of every name, the harmonious dwelling together of brethren. this is the peace that passeth all understanding.
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