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 16
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A grander sermon, of which the above is only an abstract, was probably never preached in St. Paul's, and was heard with breathless attention throughout.
At the night service after Choral Evensong the rec- tor made a short address, giving a condensed review of the history of the parish, and concluding with the follow- ing tribute to his immediate predecessor :
It was my privilege to know Mr. Grabau, and a more spirit - nally minded and self-sacrificing priest it would be most diffi- cult to find in the American Church. lle was intensely in earnest, and his one aim and purpose was to bring people to a realizing sense of the love of God for their souls and to show them how to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. He, like other faithful priests, could not understand how love to God could be nourished without devotion to and participation in the Great Sacrament of Love, the Holy Communion. He was misunderstood by some, and in what he conceived to be the interests of peace and harmony resigned the parish on Ash Wednesday, 1895. * The many vicissitudes through * which the parish has passed demonstrate to us clearly in this respect the guiding hand of God. From what He has done for us in the past. we can trust Ilim for the future. We can ex. claim with the Psalmist: "Peace be within the walls and plen teousness within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sake, I will wish thee prosperity. Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God. I will seek to do thee good."
Mr. Williams extended congratulations to his for- mer parishioners, and delivered one of his always able sermons, calling attention to the beneficent work of the Church, and the underlying motive, which was the per- sonality of Jesus Christ Himself.
Mr. Cogswell gave a sketch of the rise and growth of religious orders in the Church, and the Bishop dis- missed the vast congregation with the greater benedic- tion.
On the following evening a reception was given by the women in the parish house, where letters were read by absent members, and interesting reminiscences from Miss Mary O. Chase, of Gambier, who was unable to attend.
CHAPTER XIV.
DIVISION OF THE PARISH.
Petition for Separation-Consents Granted-Third Ordination Service-Fruitless Effort Towards Reunion-Fourth Ordi- nation-Imposing Services-Correction of Name-Death of Mrs. Hinkle and Rector's Resignation-Rev. J. W. Foster Called-First Midnight Service-Debt Reduction-Mr. Fos- ter Resigns-Finances Improved.
Amid the festivities of the centennial celebration there was one serious drawback. Those who had been dissatisfied with the situation at St. Paul's were conspic- uous by their absence, in fact, had already taken the nec- essary steps towards forming a separate parish. It was the hope of the new rector that his advent would serve to unite the different parties, and he no doubt honestly worked to that end. But, as previously intimated, other matters had become so interwoven with the situation that it could not be unraveled. Mr. Hinkle's ministations were not satisfactory to the dessidents, who continued to withhold substantial support, until finally the rector an- nounced that he did not consider himself longer bound by the limitations made when he entered upon his duties. This brought matters to a crisis, and in August, 1896, a petition signed by sixty persons was presented to the ec- clesiastical authority of the diocese ( Bishop and Standing Committe), asking permission to establish a new parish. The signers to this petition were Andrew A. Elliott, Charles and Joanna D. Gallagher, George E., Sarah B., Alex. B., Mary C., and Abbie F. Sharpe, W. M. and Eva I. Beall, James M. and Carrie U. Reynolds, George A., Sarah M. and Hetty Maxwell, Martha R. Marion, La- fayette, Mrs. 1. V., Sarah E. and Florence Elson, Agnes
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J. and J. B. Nicholson, Thomas and Charlotte M. Frith, Mary and Kate H. Thompson, Mrs. Alex. and Alex. Lee, William K. Robinson, Mrs. Mary Irwin, Miss E. A. Beatty, John and Ann A. Bustard, Rachel S. G. Elliott, Robert R., Mary M. and Marion Cox, William H. and Mary C. Garrett, Mrs. George, Helen, Clara and Alice Harper, Laura G. Parks, Mary H. and Jessie W. Brown, Elizabeth S. and Mary Wood, William H., John A. and Fannie Caldwell, Jane Armstrong, Elisha Hamilton, Sarah Irwin, Bertha and Mary McMurray, J. W. and Fay Jordan, William Thompson, James D. Gallagher.
Dr. Elliott, acting for the petitioners, in his letter forwarding the petition, says: "We do not claim that another parish is necessary here on account of the crowded condition of St. Paul's, but rather that after two years trial no reconciliation of the factions is possible. We ask in the interest of harmony and the welfare of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this city that the per- mission to establish the new parish be granted as speedily as possible."
Copies of these documents were sent to the rector of St. Paul's with the suggestion by the Bishop that con- sent be given to the formation of the new parish, as Steu- benville was now a city of at least 14,000 people, and hence another and smaller parish could easily be main- tained. There would be no friction between the two rec- tors, and in time the breach would be healed. Mr. Hin- kle, on behalf of himself and Vestry, promptly assented to these suggestions, and authority was given to organize the new parish on condition that its place of worship should not be within a mile of St. Paul's. The petition- ers desired to lease a building on the corner of Franklin and Fifth streets, formerly used as a Presbyterian mis- ion chapel, and this proving to be slightly within the mile limit, Mr. Hinkle, with the concurrence of all the mem-
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bers of the Vestry, on September 14, gave consent to its use by the prospective parish. A few days later this con- sent was enlarged to permit "erecting a church building in any part of the city north of Logan street," which was a fraction over half a mile above St. Paul's. The subse- quent history of the new organization which took the name of St. Stephen's is given later.
The Girls' Guild of St. Paul's during Thanksgiving week gave an opera, "Princess Bonnie," which netted $225 to be applied on the parish debt.
The third ordination in St. Paul's parish was held on December 7, 1898, when Rev. A. C. Jones, of Wells- ville, and Rev. S. Fison, of Berea, were advanced to the priesthood. The processional was Hymn 507, "The Son of God Goes Forth to War," and the academic hoods of the clergy and vestments made a brilliant color spectacle. Mr. Hinkle read the preface to the Ordinal, and Rev. Frank DuMoulin, rector of Emmanual Church, Cleve- land, and son of the Bishop of Niagara, preached the sermon. The impression at that time was that the preacher would make his mark in the Church, an opinion which has since been fully verified. Shortly after this ordination Mr. DuMoulin was called to St. Peter's Church, Chicago, and when Dr. Williams left Cleveland in 1905 to become Bishop of Michigan, he was succeeded at Trinity Cathedral by Dr. DuMoulin, who in turn was consecrated Bishop Coadjutor of Ohio on January 8, 1914, in one of the most imposing ecclesiastical functions ever witnessed in this country. While residing in Chi- cago Dr. DuMoulin married Miss King, granddaughter of Martin Andrews, a former Vestryman of St. Paul's, Steubenville.
Canon O. E. Watson, of Trinity Cathedral, now of Gambier Seminary, presented the candidates, and Bishop Leonard was the celebrant in the Eucharist which fol-
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lowed. Rev. E. W. Cowling, of St. Stephen's, read the Gospel, and Rev. N. S. Thomas, of Wheeling, now Bishop of Wyoming, the Epistle. Rev. Messrs. Mar- shall, of Wellsburg, and Weary, of East Liverpool, also participated. The offering was devoted to the theological seminary at Gambier. At the close of the two hours' service the women served luncheon to the clergy in the parish house.
H. B. Grier succeeded II. L. Doty as Vestryman in 1899, but he resigned, and C. C. Long was chosen in his place. Messrs. Grier and Maxwell were the convention delegates from St. Paul's, reporting 220 communicants and 75 Sunday School scholars, with 10 teachers.
At the regular meeting of St. Paul's Vestry held on April 4, 1899, Dr. F. S. Maxwell made a statement concerning a conversation with H. B. Grier relative to a suggested reunion with members of St. Stephen's parish, whereupon the following was presented and adopted :
At a regular meeting of the Vestry of St. Paul's Church held this Tuesday evening. April 4. 1899. Dr. F. S. Maxwell re- ported a conversation he had with Mr. H. B. Grier with refer- ence to what action St. Paul's Vestry would take towards re- ceiving back the members of St. Stephen's organization should a disposition be found among them so to do. Upon hearing this the Vestry immediately passed the following resolution unanimously :
Resolved, That it is the sense of this Vestry, representing the sentiment of the congregation of St. Paul's, to extend to the members of St. Stephen's parish a cordial invitation to re- turn to St. Paul's permanently and assure them a warm wel- come.
Several informal conferences were held without reaching any definite result, and at the meeting on May 2 the secretary presented the following communication :
At a called meeting of the Vestry of St. Stephen's Church held Monday, April 244, 1899. a resolution passed by the Vestry
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of St. Paul's Church was read, and its receipt is hereby acknowl- edged. The following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That the resolution passed by St. Paul's Vestry April 4, 1899, has been considered by the Vestry of St. Steph- en's Church, and that should the Vestry of St. Paul's Church desire to take any further steps in the spirit of that resolution we will receive it in a Christian spirit and give it due considera- tion.
'The informal conferences already mentioned having shown that there was no probability of coming to an agreement, the matter was not further pursued.
J. B. Griffith succeeded Mr. Long as Vestryman in 1900, and Messrs. Forney and Doyle were convention delegates. During this year the Girls' Guild contributed a special fund of $325 towards the support of the parish, and it was due to that organization and the women's society, together with the efficient management of the treasurer, Miss Anna Robinson, that the parish was en- abled to tide over the financial depression for a number of years and meet all current obligations. By request the baccalaureate sermon to the graduating class of the Steubenville High School was preached by Mr. Hinkle after Choral Evensong on Sunday, June 17, the church being crowded to the doors with people standing in the aisles. Like all of Mr. Hinkle's efforts, the sermon was a masterly effort.
Knights Templar, Knights of Pythias and Elks at- tended services at times in a body. It may be noted that probably the first service of this character held in Steu- benville was on Thanksgiving Day, 1876, when the Knights Templar, under command of Capt. James H. Blinn, attended St. Paul's in a body. The elevation of swords at the reading of the gospel was specially im- pressive. Services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Pitts, and the sermon was by Rev. Dr. Washburne, of Grace Church, Cleveland, who perished in the dreadful railroad disaster at Ashtabula bridge on the evening of December
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29, 1876. Visits of Knights Templar were subsequently repeated on Easter, 1898, 1903 and 1904.
The parish was represented in convention in 1901-2 by Mr. Forney, and on June 9, of the former year, Rev. William A. Grier, of this parish, who had been ordained deacon at Gambier, on Sunday morning, June 24, 1900, was advanced to the priesthood. The services of this day were the most imposing in the history of St. Paul's, the musical portion being treated more at length in the chapter specially pertaining to that subject. The preface to the Ordinal was read by Mr. Hinkle, and the candi- date was presented by Rev. Mr. Watson, canon of Trin- ity Cathedral, Cleveland. Rev. John Mockridge, of De- troit, a relative of Mr. Grier, preached the sermon, 'and after singing the hymn, "Oh, "Twas a Joyful Sound to Hear," Bishop I,conard proceeded to the celebration of the Holy Communion, which was full choral. Mr. Mock- ridge read the epistle, and Mr. Hinkle the gospel, the newly ordained priest assisting in delivering the elements to the people. In the evening the Bishop, who had vis- ited St. James's in the afternoon, confirmed a class of nine, with a congregation that packed the church.
At a meeting of the Vestry held on February 6, 1903, a communication was received from the women's society proposing the redecorating and recarpeting of the church, which was carried out at an expense of about $700, the walls being repainted, sentences restored, crosses at west end and between the side windows, etc.
The Vestry elected at the May election, consisting of nine members, included John P. Means and Alfred Day, Wardens; George P. Harden, John Bishop, John Bar- thold, J. W. Forney, J. B. Griffith, Charles Specht and Joseph B. Doyle. The convention delegates were Messrs. Bishop, Barthold and Doyle, it being the first time in many years that the parish had a full representation.
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DIVISION OF THE PARISH.
The parochial report gave 197 communicants and 80 Sunday School scholars, with 10 teachers. Total re- ceipts and offerings for all purposes were $3,683.79, of which $1,000 was for repairs and improvements, and $55 towards reduction of parish debt.
The General Convention of the Church, which met in San Francisco in 1901, appointed a committee, of which Bishop Whitehead, of Pittsburgh, was chairman, to take into consideration the "change of name" for the Church requested by the Diocese of Milwaukee, on the ground that the title "Protestant Episcopal" was objec- tionable for several reasons, and report its finding to the next General Convention. That committee, before mak- ing any recommendation, requested the expression of opinion from each diocese and missionary district as to the desirability of any change, and, if so, what should be substituted as the Church's legal title. At the Diocesan Convention of 1903 the Bishop called attention to the matter, and while conceding that the present name was not "euphonious," deprecated hasty action in the matter. Resolutions from the Cleveland Clericus and Toledo Convocation were presented and referred to a committee consisting of Rev. A. I. Frazer, St. John's Church, Youngstown; Rev. G. H. McGrew and Rev. E. W. Worthington, St. Paul's and Grace Churches, Cleveland, and Messrs. Robert West, W. M. Reynolds, and A. A. Strong, which committee the next day, May 13, unani- mously reported the following for consideration and without recommendation :
Whereas, The General Convention, through its joint com- mittee appointed at San Francisco, has requested the conven- tions of the various dioceses to express an opinion as to the name of the Church; therefore,
Resolved. That the Convention of the Diocese of Ohio hereby approves the present movement for "the better naming of the church."
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Resolved, That the Convention of the Diocese of Ohio de- sires that the determination of the time for taking such pro- posed action, if it be taken, together with the suggestion of what shall be a more adequate title, be left to the judginent of the General Convention, under the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
The resolutions were ably championed by Rev. Messrs. Worthington and McGrew, of Grace and St. Paul's Churches, Cleveland; L. E. Daniels, of Toledo, Profs. Stone and Streibert, of Gambier, and others, the opposition being led by Dean Williams and Rev. Mr. Stearley, of Emmanuel Church, Cleveland.
Mr. Williams offered the following substitute, which was tabled :
Resolved, That in the opinion of the Convention of the Diocese of Ohio it is inexpedient at this time to make any change in the legal title and name of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
The vote on the preamble and resolutions as reported by the committee stood as follows: Clergy, ayes, 32; noes, 21. Lay delegates, ayes, 22; noes, 26. Although the ballot showed a majority of the convention present in favor of the resolutions, yet they were lost by a non- concurrence of orders. It may be added that when a similar proposition came before the General Convention at Cincinnati in 1910, a like condition prevailed. The total vote showed a majority of the deputies to be favor- able to the change, but concurrence of the laity failed by one vote. In the interests of harmony the matter was passed over without action by the New York Convention of 1913. The rector of St. Paul's, with Messrs. Bishop and Doyle, voted for the resolutions, and Mr. Barthold in the negative. St. Stephen's Church, Fast Liverpool, voted in the affirmative.
On motion of Mr. Hinkle, J. B. Doyle was elected member of the Educational Committee of the diocese.
ANGEL OF THE RESURRECTION, JAMES MEANS MEMORIAL.
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DIVISION OF THE PARISH.
An interesting event of the convention was the lay- ing of the cornerstone of the new Trinity Cathedral on the afternoon of the 12th. The rector and delegates took part in the services, and the cathedral choir banner was borne by Master Hayes Worstall, of St. Paul's choir.
Mr. Ilinkle continued to occupy the old rectory for sometime after his arrival, afterwards removing to 529 North Fourth street, where, on August 4, 1901, his wife, Caroline, died after a protracted illness, and a requiem celebration of the Holy Communion was held on the 7th in connection with the burial service at which Rev. A. L. Frazer was the celebrant. Other clergy present were Rev. J. N. Brittingham, of Wheeling, and Rev. H. I .. Gay- lord, of St. Stephen's, Steubenville. The service was full choral, Prof. H. W. Matlack presiding at the organ. Mr Hinkle's mother and sister kept house for him until in November, 1903, when he unexpectedly received a call from Christ Church, Waterloo, lowa, which, after care- ful consideration, he decided to accept. Accordingly, on November 18 he tendered his resignation to the Vestry, to take effect on December 15 following. The resigna- tion was accepted with reluctance and expressions of sin- cere and deep regret, saying that "During the eight years of his rectorship he has endeared himself to all the mem- bers of this parish and of the entire community by his dignified manner, his social qualities, his ability as a preacher and his entire devotion to all who were in need, sickness, or any other adversity."
A largely attended farewell reception was given Mr. Hinkle at the parish house, at which he was presented with a purse, which was followed by receptions by sev- eral fraternal organizations and others, indicating the position which the recipient had won in the community.
Mr .. Hinkle came to St. Paul's at the most critical period in the history of that parish. While the formal
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separation did not take place until after his arrival, yet the breach was already made beyond human power to repair. What he did accomplish was to keep the parish from further disintegration and maintain its credit in a dignified ritual, pulpit oratory and good works generally. During his rectorship current expenses were provided for, and a material reduction made in the parish indebt- edness. A parish paper was also published at this time. Mr. Hinkle has made several visits to his old charge, where he has always met with a cordial reception. He has been likewise successful in his new charge.
The departure of Mr. Hinkle caused no break in the services, Rev. J. W. Bedford-Jones, of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Columbus, officiating the following Sun- day and Rev. D. F. Davies, of Gambier, on Christmas Day and the Sunday following. Arrangements were then made with Rev. J. W. Foster, of Hobart, in the Dio- cese of Albany, to take charge during January, and be- fore the month was out he was called to the rectorship at a salary of $1,350, afterwards increased to $1,500.
At the succeeding election J. B. Doyle was chosen Senior Warden, and H. W. Nichols to the vacancy on the Vestry, becoming secretary. Mr. Doyle was conven- tion delegate.
A pleasant incident of this spring was the presenta- tion of a diamond ring by members of the Vestry to Miss Anna Robinson as a slight recognition of her valuable services as treasurer of the parish.
While the subject of restoring the old English cus- tom of Midnight Eucharist on Christmas Eve had been discussed, it remained for Mr. Foster to introduce the office at St. Paul's this year (1904). The attendance was unusually large and the service so impressive that it was received with general favor. So in each succeeding year
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DIVISION OF THE PARISH.
"On Christmas Eve the bells were rung, On Christmas Eve the Mass was sung ; That only night of all the year Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear."
Mr. Foster also permanently restored to the high altar the two ancient eucharistic lights representing the divine and human nature of our Lord, and during his rectorship reverences towards the altar, and sign of the cross were made general.
A mission was held during the week preceding St. Paul's day by Rev. Mr. Lloyd, of Uniontown, which was fairly well attended, and a substantial reduction made on the debt as reported below. Mr. Lloyd after- wards joined the Roman Communion, but after a short experience there returned to the American Church.
On March 27, 1905, the Bishop visited St. Paul's, and confirmed a class of twenty-three. At the ensuing election James Means was added to the Vestry, and John H. Peterson succeeded Mr. Bishop, who removed to Erie, Pa. Charles Specht and Alfred Day were the con- vention delegates. The annual report showed 208 com- municants, 74 Sunday School scholars, with 10 teachers; payment on debt of $767.99, and receipts and expendi- tures for all purposes, $3,746.14.
Eighteen were confirmed on April 5, 1906, and the convention delegates were Messrs. Forney and Doyle. The total receipts and expenses for the year were $3,186.16, of which $324 was applied on payment of debt. The rector also inaugurated a fund towards building a rectory, which amounted to $400, now on interest.
Mr. Foster spent two months in Canada during the summer, the parish being left in charge of Rev. J. Hance White, of New Jersey, who died at Palenville, N. J., on November 11, 1911, aged 60 years.
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Twelve were confirmed on March 19, 1907.
At the May election Eli Castner succeeded Mr. Griffith on the Vestry, Mr. Specht being the convention delegate. The report gave 251 communicants, Sunday School scholars, 89, with 13 teachers. The debt was re- duced $200, and offerings for all purposes were $3,- .189.54. The consecration of Trinity Cathedral, Cleve- land, on September 24, was attended by the rector and Mr. Doyle.
John Barthold was the convention delegate in 1908. Communicants reported, 255; Sunday School scholars, 88; teachers, 11. Indebtedness, $3,615. During this year services were held at Toronto and Tiltonville, and the former mission was the recipient of a bequest from Andrew J. Burch, of Empire, amounting to $400 for a church building fund. The money was placed on inter- est, and now amounts to $500. T'en persons were con- firmed on December 2.
Early in 1909 Mr. Foster received a qall to St. Luke's Church, Marianna, Florida, and, believing that a change would improve the health of his family, his res- ignation was tendered to the Vestry on February 16. It was accepted, and shortly after Mr. Foster left for his new charge, accompanied by the good wishes of friends and a substantial testimonial.
It was determined that there should be no interrup- tion of Sunday services, and a license having been issued by the Bishop to the Senior Warden, as lay reader, the choir offices were said or sung regularly throughout the spring and summer, it being necessary to close the church but one Sunday during that period. Of course, a priest was obtained when practicable, especially for celebrating the Holy Communion, and Rev. Father Danner, of Pitts- burgh, since deceased, visited the parish several times, especially on Palm and Low Sundays. July 4 coming on
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DIVISION OF THE PARISH.
Sunday, Rev. George Lamb, of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, celebrated, and preached a patriotic sermon, summariz- ing the prominent part which the Church and Church- men had taken in the Revolution and in establishing our Government.
Each Sunday after Evensong there was an illus- trated talk in the parish house on the American Church and its history.
The parish was also visited by Archdeacon Abbott and Rev. H. E. Cooke, of Cleveland; Rev. Father Kell, of East Liverpool, and others, among whom was its present rector.
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