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 17
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Several problems confronted the Vestry at this time. There was the old story of the subscription pledges not providing a sufficient sum to meet the current expenses of the parish, with accumulated arrearages amounting to about $700, including missionary pledges and interest on the parish house debt, to say nothing of the debt itself. The Vestry resolved to face the problem at once, and, with the co-operation of the congregation, especially of the women's society, clear up these arrearages, increase the pledges to a point where the annual deficit would be eliminated, and by active collection on account of both old and new pledges, place the parish on a firm financial foundation before it should be given in charge of a new rector. These propositions were cordially received, and with thorough harmony of purpose were completely car- ried out, together with an appropriation of several hun- dred dollars for improving the parish house, and a slight reduction on the old funded debt, bringing it down to $3,395.
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CHAPTER XV.
PROSPEROUS YEARS.
Calling of Rev. W. M. Sidener-Marked Revival of Interest-Par- ish Debt Extinguished-Large Increase in Communicants -- Growth of Sunday School-Enlargement of Parish House- Wells Memorial.
At at meeting of the Vestry held on August 25, 1909, a call was extended to Rev. William Martin Sidener to become rector at a salary of $1,200 and free living apartment in the parish house. The call was ac- cepted, and Mr. Sidener began his ministrations on Sun- day, September 10. The new rector was born at Sturgis, St. Joseph County, Michigan, near where Bishop Chase had made his temporary home, on August 14, 1874. He came to Findlay, Ohio, with his parents in 1889, and graduated from the High School in 1894, from Kenyon College four years later, and Bexley Hall in 1901, receiv- ing the degrees of B. A., M. A., and B. D. ; was ordained deacon by Bishop I,conard in 1901, and priest in 1902. His first charge was Trinity Church, Fostoria, until 1903, then becoming assistant at Christ Church, Detroit, until 1904; assistant at Christ Church, Fitchburg, Mass., until 1905; rector of St. Eustace and St. Hubert's, Lake Placid, N. Y., until 1908; and assistant at the Church of the Incarnation, New York, until 1909
Miss Anna Robinson, who had so faithfully filled the position of treasurer of the parish through a number of trying years, tendered her resignation, which was accepted by the Vestry with thanks for the good work performed by her. She was succeeded by John H. Peter- SO11.
William Anderson resigned his position as janitor
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PROSPEROUS YEARS.
on December 1, and was succeeded by William Hopkins, Mrs. Barnes, Mrs. Bundy, J. Moralee, Oliver Fishell and William Donnelly.
The zeal and energy of Mr. Sidener soon made itself manifest in the renewed life of the parish. The Sunday School began to increase both in numbers and interest, as did the Women's Auxiliary, the Altar Society, etc. A branch of the Girls' Friendly Society, the largest organiz- ation of girls in the world, was formed, and also a chap- ter of the Knights of St. Paul, for older boys and young men, and Leonard League for smaller boys. The Junior Auxiliary and "Babies' Branch," subsequently called Lit- tle Helpers, soon followed. The Women's Guild and Auxiliary with Daughters' branch and Altar Chapter en- tered upon vigorous work.
About the beginning of the Advent season the rector was attacked by rheumatism, which necessitated the re- newal of lay reading for several weeks, and the Christ- mas midnight service was celebrated by Rev. Father Kell.
The first annual banquet of the Knights of St. Paul was held on the evening of St. Paul's Day, January 25, 1910, which included the men of the parish generally. Upwards of 100 covers were laid, and an excellent menu was served by members of the Girl's Friendly Society and others. Addresses were made by the rector, Father Kell and others.
At a meeting of the Vestry held on January 31, the rector submitted a plan intended to pay off the old parish house debt, which had so long been an incubus. Several hundred dollars were at once promised for that purpose, and the rector was authorized to solicit pledges from the congregation to be redeemed at Easter. The result was an Easter offering of $2,221.25, which, with some receipts already noted, brought the indebtedness down to $1,126.99. This balance was wiped out by
4
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Thanksgiving Day, making the parish entirely free of debt. Contributions for other objects brought the year's disbursements up to $5,372.73, exclusive of minor ex- penditures by societies and individuals, not recorded. John Barthold was the convention delegate, and 315 com- municants were reported, including thirty-two confirmed on February 2. At a visitation on December 14, forty- three were confirmed, making seventy-five for the cal- endar year.
Services of St. Paul's Day, 1911, were conducted by the rector, Rev. Father Kell, and Father Sturgis, of Wellsville, Rev. Mr. Redhead preaching at Evensong. The men's banquet was deferred until February 22, when an address was made by Rev. L. W. S. Stryker.
W. E. Jones was added to the Vestry in 1911, with Charles Specht, Sr., convention delegate. The report gave 459 communicants (418 resident and 337 commu- nicating) ; Sunday School scholars, 150, with 14 teach- ers. The Archdeacon reported that: "The mission of Holy Cross, Tiltonville, a small town on the Ohio River, in the southeastern corner of the diocese, was received as an organized mission at a meeting of the Board, Sep- tember 19 (1910). Prior to that time, the Bishop of the diocese having granted consent, under the leadership of Dr. and Mrs. Paul Morrison, communicants, a room had been rented and furnished, and services instituted. The mission has been greatly aided and encouraged by the Rev. William M. Sidener, rector of St. Paul's, Steuben- ville, and a student from Bexley Hall, J. A. G. Tappe. A thriving Sunday School is now in progress, four hav- ing been baptized and a class confirmed. The only other Christian body represented in the immediate community is the Methodist. There is room for this mission of the Church, and it is improving its opportunity."
A concrete sidewalk was laid around the church
RT. REV. FRANK DUMOULIN.
HOLY CROSS MISSION, TILTONVILAR.
PROSPEROUS YEARS. 213
property during the summer, a new iron fence placed on the south side, the gift of James Means, and the fence previously there moved to the north property line. Bishop Leonard visited the parish on November 12, and confirmed a class of twenty-three.
The annual banquet for 1912 was deferred from St. Paul's Day to the evening of February 12, in order to coincide with the meeting of the Cleveland Convoca- tion, which met, in Steubenville on that date. The par- ish house was neatly decorated with National colors ap- propriate to Lincoln's birthday, and the occasion was graced by numerous visitors. Rev. A. L. Frazer acted as toastmaster, and among the speakers were Rev. W. Ashton Thompson, of Lakewood, Cleveland; Dr. G. A. Ashman, of Wheeling, on "The Faithful Layman;" Rev. E. B. Redhead, and Rev. W. M. Sidener. HI. W. Nich- ols and G. B. Huff responded to the thanks and congrat- ulations of the visitors. Rev. Mr. Stryker and Arch- deacon Abbott concluded with congratulatory remarks.
At the next day's session two marked papers were read, one by Mr. Redhead on Marriage and Divorce, tak- ing the ground that the remarriage of any divorced per- son during the life of the other party was contrary to Scripture and should not be countenanced by the Church. Rev. I. E. Cooke, son of the great financier of the Civil War, made an address on Socialism, claiming that in that propaganda sufficient allowance was not made for the work done by the brain as well as the hands. By per- mission Miss Ella Reeves Bloor, a Socialist organizer, made a short address. There was a general discussion on missionary topics, and Rev. A. H. Bevans, of Fair- mont, W. Va., read a paper on Faith and Order. Dur- . ing the noon hour the women furnished an excellent lunch. A missionary meeting was held in the evening with addresses by Rev. Messrs. Stryker and Jenkins.
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The Vestry chosen at the ensuing election was com- posed of J. W. Forney, J. B. Doyle, John Barthold, Chas. Specht, Sr., Eli Castner, H. W. Nichols, James Means, John H. Peterson, J. H. Timberlake, Edward Jones, E. Y. Dougherty, John L. Means, S. L. May and Joseph Beatty. W. R. Burgoyne was elected the following year, bringing the number up to fifteen. A change in the can- ons conferring on the Vestry the duty of choosing the Wardens, Messrs. Forney and Barthold were elected. Messrs. Barthold, Castner and Doyle were the conven- tion delegates, and Rev. W. M. Sidener was appointed member of the Committee on Arrearages. The report gave 510 communicants, of which 461 were residents, and 376 actually communicating. Sunday School scholars, 166, with 15 teachers. Tiltonville reported fourteen com- municants and twenty-seven scholars. The Bishop in his address said: "In St. Paul's parish the long-stand- ing debt has been paid, choice memorial gifts have been installed, and great spiritual uplift is apparent. In St. Stephen's parish a commodious parish building has been completed, and I had the pleasure of dedicating it in April. I am so thankful to realize the earnest conditions that obtain in the old city on the Ohio River."
The heating stoves which had, with one exception, done service in the church and parish house since the erection of those buildings, having become antiquated and worn out, the Vestry took up the matter of a new system, resulting in a contract with The Consolidated Heating Company, of Wellsville, for the erection of a furnace in the basement of the parish house with a sys- tem of 5,000 feet of steam radiators attached, for $2,400 with some building changes to cost $150 extra: The work of installation was done during the summer and fall, and paid for by special offerings.
Bishop Leonard visited the parish on April 24, 1912,
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PROSPEROUS YEARS.
confirming thirty-two, and again on December 3, con- firming twenty-six. The latter date was the tenth anni- versary of the rector's ordination to the priesthood, and was made the occasion of special services, Mr. Stryker preaching in the morning on "The Christian Family," and reception in the parish house after Evensong.
The Christmas exercises, beginning with the mid- night Eucharist, were unusually interesting. The "Feast of Lights," inaugurated on the feast of the Epiphany several years previous by Mr. Foster, was enlarged upon. A pyramid was formed in the parish house, an acolyte first bringing a lighted candle as a symbol of Christ, the light of the world. This was placed at the top of the pyramid. Twelve choir boys in their vestments then brought candles which were lighted from the central flame and represented the Holy Apostles receiving the light of the Catholic faith from Christ. Nineteen chil- dren then brought candles which were lighted from the "Apostle's" candles, representing the bright shining of the Incarnation throughout nineteen centuries. Then every child in the school brought forward a candle to be lighted and these were placed on the pyramid to show that they were all "Light Bearers" of Christ, and ready to help extend the Glad Tidings which the Angels pro- claimed on the first Christmas morn.
The annual banquet of the Knights of St. Paul was held on January 30, 1913, the feature of the evening be- ing an address, by Rev. Thomas Jenkins, of Fremont, Ohio.
On April 15 the rector and some members of the congregation attended the consecration of St. Stephen's Church, East Liverpool. At a meeting of the Vestry on May 7 the rector's salary was advanced to $1,800, and an arrangement ratified by which the Woman's Club of
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
the city should hold its meetings in the parish house at a yearly rental of $100, the money to be applied to the rec- tor's charity fund.
Messrs. Barthold, Specht and Forney were the con- vention delegates, the report showing 548 communicants, 472 resident, and 407 actually communicating. Sunday School scholars 181, with 26 teachers. An adjourned session of the convention was held at Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland, on October 2, at which Rev. Frank DuMoulin was elected Bishop Coadjutor, and consecrated December 6 following.
The General Convention which opened at the Ca- thedral of St. John the Divine in New York on October 8, brought together an unusual representation of those who had formerly been connected with St. Paul's. Among them were Rt. Rev. C. D. Williams in the House of Bishops; Rev. Messrs. Grabau, Foster and Benedict among the clerical deputies, and Thomas S. Wood, of Duluth, among the lay deputies. During the absence of Mr. Sidener in New York at this time Rev. R. P. Ernst, of Salem, had charge of the parish.
A confirmation service was held on December 7 with a class of sixty, the largest in the history of the parish.
Service was held at St. Paul's on the evening of Jan- uary 21, 1914, in the interest of religious education. Earnest addresses were made by the Rev. Franklin Cole Sherman, of Akron, on "The Responsibility of the Home;" and the Rev. William A. Thompson, of Lake- wood, recently deceased, spoke on "Organization by De- partments." After the service in the church the congre- gation adjourned to the parish house, where the meeting took the form of an Institute with opportunity for dis- cussion and questions, led by the Rev. G. I. Foster, of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Cleveland. The teachers of the Sunday School served refreshments.
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PROSPEROUS YEARS.
The fifth annual banquet of the Knights of St. Paul was given on February 17. After the supper Mr. Sidener, who acted as toastmaster, introduced John W. Wood, of New York, Secretary of the Board of Missions and edi- tor of the "Spirit of Missions." He made an eloquent and earnest address that enthused and inspired all pres -- ent. He spoke on the duty of men to their own parish and community and to the larger missions of the Church. at home and abroad. Rev. Robert Kell made an informal address and dismissed all with the blessing.
In the spirit of the resolutions adopted by the Gen- eral Convention of 1913, the rector procured a series of lectures on social and economic reform, with stereopticon views, which were given in the parish house on Friday evenings during the following Lent. Cottage services were also held at Toronto during Lent on Wednesday evenings.
On May 3, 1914, Rt. Rev. James H. Van Buren visited the parish and confirmed fourteen candidates.
The growth of the Sunday School, and especially the division into primary, intermediate and senior grades, had made an enlargement of accommodations for carry- ing on this work imperatively necessary. Temporary arrangements were made by placing the primary scholars in the rector's living quarters, and the seniors in the church, but it was apparent that this could only be a makeshift. Accordingly Messrs. Peterson and Clark were - requested to prepare plans for an addition to the parish house, which were submitted early in November, 1913, the estimated cost to be about $7,500. On the evening of No -. vember 26, at a social meeting of the men of the parish, $5,000 was subscribed for this purpose, which was after- wards increased to $7,000. With some alterations the plans were approved, but when bids were called for it was found that the improvement would cost upwards of
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
$10,000. As the congregation had had considerable experi- ence in carrying indebtedness in the past, this put a tem- porary damper on the project, but, as usual, the women came to the front, and pledged themselves for an addi- tional thousand dollars, which encouraged the Vestry to go ahead. It may be remarked here that while there were a number of liberal contributions, the work would hardly have been made possible at this time had it not been for the very generous donation of $2,000 by S. L. May, a temporary member of the parish. A building commit- tee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Forney, Barth- old, Specht and May, and by June 22 the final contracts, including practically everything except lighting fixtures, were closed as follows: Guy Johnson Contracting Com- pany, general contract, $8,725; Barthold Bros., plastering (estimated), $400; Frazier Plumbing and Heating Com- pany, plumbing, etc., $414; Steubenville Stone Company, cementing basement floor, $55; total, $9,594. The Sun- day School undertook to do the furnishing.
Ground was broken for the new structure on June 12, and by July 1 the foundation was completed. At this writing, September 15, the building is under roof, and the inside finish is well under way. The general contract calls for completion by October 15, 1914, but the proba- bilities are that it will be nearer Thanksgiving or Christ- mas.
The new structure joins the old parish house at the northeast corner, extending eastward 63 feet 5 inches with a width of 25 feet 4 inches. Underneath the whole is a 9-foot basement with a laundry 21 feet 4 inches by 121/2 feet, and boys' recreation room 46x211/3 feet, fitted with 30-gallon steam boiler, toilet, etc. In place of the small kitchen of the old building there is a new one on the first floor about 22x13, and a kindergarten apartment 411% x22 feet. The height of this story is 13 feet, and the sec-
BAPTISTERY, ST PAUL'S.
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PROSPEROUS YEARS.
ond 10 feet. In the latter is a class room 1314x1512 feet with double doors opening into a social room, 4612x22 feet. A fire escape will be provided at the rear. The building can be reached from the old parish house both above and below, and in addition on the south side is a one-story annex 934x11 feet, connecting with the old cor- ridor, and divided into two small apartments, one of which can be used as an office and the other as a vestibule with a door facing a concrete walk leading to Fourth street. The interior woodwork is maple and Georgia pine, and the massive stone of the outside is in keeping with that of the church. Triple windows in each story face Fourth street, and the working space of the old par- ish house is more than doubled.
The annual picnic on June 24 was an exceptional one. Through the generosity of James Means, as had been the case for several years past, the members of the Sun- day School were furnished free transportation, and a special train was run over the W. & L. E. R. R. to Wheeling, where electric cars were taken to the park, five miles distant. Here they were joined by Sunday Schools from the parishes at Wheeling, Bellaire and Martins Ferry, and a most enjoyable day was spent.
Notwithstanding the long prominence of the Wells family both in the Church and civic affairs, until recently no special memorial to any of its members had been placed in their parish church. Accordingly, when the Misses Wells expressed their desire to provide such memorial the announcement was received with gratification both on account of those commemorated and the enrichment that it would make to the beauty of the church edifice. This memorial took the form of a heavy rood beam of black walnut, with the cross and figure of the Saviour above, and from which were suspended seven sanctuary lamps of beautiful design and finish. On the front of the beam
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
are the Greek letters, Alpha and Omega, and the whole design makes a most magnificent entrance to the choir and sanctuary. The centre lamp in front of the altar gives a ruby glow when lighted, and the others are more of a golden order. The memorial was blessed with im- pressive services on the third Sunday after Trinity (June 28), and the rector in his sermon, after a brief sketch of the Wells family, among other things said :
"The word 'rood' is from the Anglo-Saxon, and means the Holy Cross on which Christ was crucified. Usually it is placed in the entrance of the choir, where it may be seen from all parts of the building. It is placed on a screen (or on a beam, as we have it), spanning the chancel arch. How ancient these rood beams are is un- certain, but they were plentiful in Western Christendom by the thirteenth or fourteenth century, and numerous in- stances still remain in England and elsewhere. Usually they were made of wood and richly carved. At the time of the Reformation many rood beams and screens in Eng- land were destroyed, although many remain to the pres- ent day. They were not disturbed under Henry Eighth, as some might suppose, but were destroyed in large num- bers under his successors. Many of these are now being restored, and it is an interesting fact that the rood beam in Wells Cathedral, England, has been restored very re- cently.
"The Cross is ever the Christian's symbol of the Lord's self-sacrificing love. We should never be ashamed of the Cross of Christ; never ashamed to have it in our churches, or before our eyes; never should we under-esti- mate its value as a Christian symbol. Christians in all ages have loved to gaze upon the Cross of Christ because it means to them that by His death Christ takes away all guilt, and the eternal penalty which sin deserves from all those, who, through His holy religion are made partakers
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PROSPEROUS YEARS.
of His merit. It is your privilege and mine to glory in it. What a help to our devotion it is. Not that we worship the wood of the Cross, or put our trust in any material thing. But every ornament about the altar helps to re- mind us of our dear Lord, the cross, the crucifix, the can- dles, the lamps, help us to think of His saying, 'I am the way, the truth and the life.' The Cross is the way by which He leads us to the Father. The lights in the chan- cel remind us that He said, 'I am the Light of the world.' Seven lamps burning before the altar, remind us of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, as our beloved Bishop re- minded us in an address made in this church at a recent confirmation service. Fire is a symbol of God's presence. God is Light. These lamps recall the vision of St. John, when he saw Jesus and the Throne of God, and the seven lights before the altar, as recorded in the Revelation of St. John, the Divine.
"Let us never doubt that these aids to worship and devotion are well-pleasing in God's sight. They are the outward expression of the love of God and of the rever- ence which burns in our hearts. God is pleased when we try to make our worship rich and beautiful, the very best we can offer. May many souls be drawn to this place, now and in future years. May many be blessed by medi- tating upon the lessons taught in this beautiful memorial. We are all children in a way, we love beautiful things. May the crucified Christ be ever lifted up among us ; may we glory in the Cross of Christ; may He be our light un- til we are fitted to join 'with Angels and Archangels and all the company of Heaven' in the never ending worship of God and the Lamb."
The removal of Mr. Jones from the city left a va-, cancy on the Vestry which was filled by George B. Huff. Messrs. Barthold, Forney and Specht were the conven- tion delegates, and the rector was a member of the mis-
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THE CHURCH IN EASTERN OHIO.
sionary committee of the diocese, and also of the commit- tee on religious education. He was also the celebrant at the Eucharist on the second day of the convention. The parish report was as follows :
Families, 448; baptized persons, 1,076; communi- cants last reported, 548; added by Confirmation, 60; by letter, 7; otherwise, 20; total added, 87; lost by letter, 21; deceased, 13; excommunicanted, 2; total lost, 36; net gain, 51; present number, 599; resident communicants, 518; actually communicating, 425; dormant, 93; non- resident, 81 ; address known, 78; whereabouts unknown, 8. Baptisms, infants, 37; adults, 19 ; total, 56. Marriages, 9. Churchings, 3. Burials, 36.
Services, Sundays, 165; Holy days, 65; other days, 106; total, 325. Holy Communion in public, 118; in private, 14; total, 132.
Sunday School, officers and teachers, 26; pupils, 186 ; total, 212.
Receipts, missionary offerings, $177.47; open offer- ings, $155.83; Easter offerings, $1,288.60; pledges for current support, $2,463.75; special donations, $450.80; income from endowment and rents, $318; parish societies, $567.67; Sunday School, $656.01; Women's Auxiliary, $99.28; Communion alins and Rector's Fund, $644.02; total, $6,821.43.
Disbursements, salaries and expenses, $2,643.66; local charities, $310.65 ; payment of debts, $120; Sunday School support, $355.79; repairs, $519.61; total paro- chial, $4.469.61.
Disbursements, Diocesan Convention Fund, $34.83; Diocesan Mission Fund, $95; Education, $301.73; Ohio Church Building Fund, $5; Church Home, $150; S. S. Thanksgiving offering, $50; St. John's Orphanage, $70; total Diocesan, $706.56.
NI GIOT . JHL
THE BEAUTY
UTY . OF . HOLINESS
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