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 20
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On Easter of that year Steubenville Commandery K. T. attended service at St. Stephen's and subsequently in 1912.
Messrs. Gallagher and Jordan were the convention delegates in 1900, and on June 4 a call was extended to Rev. Herbert L. Gaylord, a graduate of Bexley Hall, then a canon of Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland, at $1,000 per year, to take effect on September 1. This call was ac- cepted, and during the interim services were held by Dr. Davies, Dean Williams and others, there being a suspen- sion during July and August. At an episcopal visitation on October 24 six were confirmed.
REV. B. W. COWLING.
REV. HERBERT L. GAYLORD.
REV. E. B. REDUIESD
REV. ALFRED P. BISSELL
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When Mr. Gaylord arrived he followed his prede- cessor in charge of St. James's Church, and as Saturday, December 1, was the centennial anniversary of the defi- nite arrangement with Dr. Doddridge for services at Mrs. McGuire's, it was decided to commemorate the same. Accordingly on that day Morning Prayer and Ante Com- munion service were said in the present building, a good congregation participating. Mr. Gaylord preached from Isaiah I., 1: "Hearken to me ye that follow after right- eousness, ye that seek the Lord; look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged." Among other things he said :
In an age like this, of constantly multiplying activities and ceaseless change, it is a privilege that falls to the lot of but few men or women to be permitted to worship and praise Almighty God under the auspices of the same religious organization as their ances- tors did a century ago. *
* The name, the memories, this building and those graves belong to you; but the moral influence and religious impulse that breathe from these, like the sweet odors of the June rose, reach out beyond the contracted circle of their native garden spot, to purify and enrich the world.
The parish of St. James, like Israel of old, may look back to two faithful and devoted souls, whom I think it no irreverence to say, were its Abraham and Sarah. And if I might venture to pur- sue the Scriptural figure farther, it was Sarah who conceived the idea of starting the Church, and Abraham became its leader. These two unique and worthy characters in the early religious history of Ohio were the Widow McGuire and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge. That great missionary, directed by no ecclesiastical authority, but moved by his own deep zeal for the cause of the Master and love for his fellowmen, had crossed the Ohio, as early as 1796, holding occa- sional services at distant points. There is reason to believe that the infancy of St. James's dates as far back at least as 1798. The ear- liest accurate records, however, begin with the notice of its organ- ization on December 1, 1800. That meeting and all subsequent meet- ings and services were held at the house of Widow McGuire until the year 1816. It is, I hold, a mark of the high spiritual character of that good woman that where she went the services of the Church went with her. About the year 1809 she removed from her old home on the farm where the Infirmary now stands to Wayne town- ship, near Bloomfield. But in the year 1816 as a compromise be- tween the parties situated on the Fernwood side of the creek, the site on which we now stand, was purchased from a Mr. Dunlevy, etc.
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After a short historical sketch the preacher added :
The influence which this parish has wielded for good in the Diocese of Ohio, and among the early people of this community, can scarcely be overestimated. Her people have been faithful and devoted Christians and useful and worthy citizens. As I read the names of her many members, most of them synonyms for all that is good, and pure, and true, uprightness, integrity, honor; as I traced the brief items there recorded; baptisms, confirmations, mar- riages and burials, something came to my eyes that dimmed my vision, and forbade me to scan them longer. Their earthly trials and hardships, their disappointments and their sorrows; all these now lie in the bosom of the silent earth; but their smiles, their triumphs and their joys live on to cheer and inspire posterity, as the gentle zephyrs move to laughter the drooping leaves.
It was always a struggling work, and yet it was most successful. Ministered to by faithful pastors, who labored for small stipends, dividing their time and efforts between distant congregations, mak- ing their rounds on foot, or, if they were fortunate enough to own a horse, in the saddle. Toiling early and late, they suffered a tax upon their energies that would put many of us modern pastors to shame. I have been told that when ready money was wanting for the furtherance of any unusual religious enterprise, such as the pay- ment of the pastor's salary, or the building of a church, if it could not be obtained in any other way, products of the farm and the mill were loaded upon flatboats and floated down the rivers to New Orleans, and there sold for cash. Then the master of the cargo was compelled to return by water to Baltimore, Philadelphia or New York, and thence overland across the Alleghenies back again to Ohio. Do you suppose the present day Christian would undertake as great a task as that? Is there not a lesson of devotion and faith in that? Can we wonder that the religion of Jesus Christ, backed by such loyalty, was a power in this vicinity ?
An eloquent tribute was paid to the devoted minis- ters who had served the parish, and the following inci- dent was related of Mr. Gray, who, with his faithful wife, conducted the Sunday School about 1854:
Whatever the test of his faith, he never faltered. Retiring one night hungry and with heavy heart for his suffering family, he did not doubt the merciful providence of his God; though there was nothing to eat in the house, he and his family devoutly, as usual, met in prayer. In the morning, a Mr. Hanlon, without suspicion, or suggestion from anyone, drove up to the door of the parsonage with a wagon load of wood and an abundance of food.
The number of communicants that have from time to time been identified with the parish is much too large to enumerate
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even if it were well to do so. I might say, however, that there have been on the register as high as 106 in good standing. That was in 1842. Since that year the shifting of the population, fre- quent changes by removal and losses through deaths, have re- duced the number, so that we now have a comparatively small parish; and yet who will dare to say that the efforts of the saints that have gone to their long home have been in vain? Who will dare, in the face of such a glorious history, to ques- tion God's presence in it? In closing, my friends, let me point you to these examples of faith, of courage and devotion; let me turn your thoughts to the welling self-sacrifice and gracious humility of these blessed saints of God for your consolation in the hours of doubt, and for your warning in times of, pride. The list as it stood at the time of the first meeting in the year 1800, one hundred years ago today: George Mahan. William Whitcraft, Eli Kelly. George Halliwell. William McConnell, John McConnell, Benjamin Doyle, Joseph Williams, John Long, Mary McGuire, John McKnight, Frederick Allbright, William McConnell, John Scott, George Richey, Moses Hanlon.
Messrs Gallagher and Jordan were the convention delegates from St. Stephen's in 1901, the report showing ninety-three communicants and sixty-five Sunday School scholars, with ten teachers. Mr. Jordan was added to the Vestry, bringing the number up to seven. Eight were confirmed on January 3, 1902.
The death of Charles Gallagher on October 5, 1901, and that of Dr. A. A. Elliott, who had succeeded him as Senior Warden, on June 11 following, caused important changes in the Vestry. As finally reconstructed it in- cluded W. H. Garrett, Senior Warden; George A. Max- well, Junior Warden; J. M. Reynolds, W. M. Beall, J. W. Jordan, A. B. Sharpe and J. B. Nicholson. S. C. Gill, G. E. Sharpe and J. W. Gill acted on finance and build- ing committees.
The project of building a permanent church edifice on the corner of Fifth and Logan streets, which had been broached during Mr. Cowling's administration, and placed in abeyance at his resignation, was taken up in earnest soon after Mr. Gaylord's arrival. An appeal for subscriptions meeting with an encouraging response,
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plans were submitted by Mr. Hall, of Cleveland, for a Romanesque structure of pressed brick with chancel, spire and stone trimmings, to seat 250 people. It was estimated that the cost would be $8,368, exclusive of glass and furnishings. The plans were accepted with some modifications, and work was begun early in 1902. On Thursday, June 26, the cornerstone was laid by Rev. Messrs. Gaylord and Grange, the ceremonies including the 132d Psalm, Creed, Lord's Prayer, Collects, Lesson, Ezra III., 10-11, and Psalm 136. Mr. Gaylord read the list of articles to be inclosed, which contained the names of all the parishioners since the organization, Sunday School members, parish societies and contributors, Bible, Prayer Book, Hymnal, city papers June 11 and 25, pre- ceding parochial report, 1902 coins and list of rectors.
Mr. Grange struck the stone three times, and de- clared it laid in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. He followed with an address congratulating the parish on what it had accomplished. The influence of any church depended on the character of those who composed it. The people will support a church when they see the grace of Christ at work within it, and he urged this idea upon his hearers. Reference was made to his pleasant relations with Steubenville peo- ple in years gone by, and he feelingly touched upon the loss which the parish had suffered in the recent deaths of Mr. Gallagher and Dr. Elliott.
By a vigorous prosecution of the work the new structure was made ready for occupancy by Christmas Day, when it was opened with the usual services of that festival, the Holy Communion being, of course, the chief office. Congratulatory remarks were made by the rector, and the feast was especially one of joyful thanksgiving. The structure is about 67 feet outside length, of which the chancel with its rounded apse takes about 20, the width
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of the nave being some 30 feet. A graceful spire with belfry rises from the southwest corner, where is the main entrance, with sacristy and organ chamber on each side of the chancel. The furnishing is oak, and the nave is lighted by six wide lancet windows with large rose win- dow at west end. Six short lancets lighten the chancel. The cost of the building and furniture outside of memo- rials and special gifts from individuals amounted to $12,- 497.83, on which there remained an indebtedness of about $3,000, which by 1911 was reduced to $1,000.
The memorials include a beautiful window copied from Millet's "Sower," to Dr. Elliott from a member of the family, brass eagle lectern to the same from the Girls' Guild, altar cross and vases to Mr. Gallagher from his family, sterling silver Communion service from Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Gill , wine cruet from Mrs. Albert Dean, mar- ble font and cover, ornamented with maltese crosses and the sentence, "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism," from Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Gill; private Communion service, memorial to Mrs. Anna B. Scull; alms basins, Mrs. George W. McCook; altar vases to S. C. Gill from his widow. A beautiful electric lamp for the sanctuary has lately been added by Mrs. J. W. Gill.
Much credit is due to both the women's and girls' guilds for their valuable work towards the new building and in maintaining the parish.
On January 1, 1903, the rector's salary was ad- . vanced to $1,300, and the first confirmation service held in the new church was on April 14, when a class of six- teen was confirmed, the largest so far in the history of the parish. The first person baptized in the new font was Mrs. Gill-Kirk, on April 1, 1903; the first marriage in the new church was that of M. A. Woodward and Olive B. Gamble, on October 9, 1903; the first funeral, that of Mrs. Mary W. Brown on May 6, 1903.
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Joseph B. Nicholson, W. M. Beall and J. W. Jordan were the convention delegates, and the report gave 130 communicants and sixty-five Sunday School scholars, with ten officers and teachers. The delegation voted neg- atively on the resolution in reference to the name of the Church.
Messrs. Maxwell and Jordan were the convention delegates in 1904, and on August 1 Rev. H. L. Gaylord presented his resignation to take effect on September 1 following, which was accepted. 'The parish had pros- pered under Mr. Gaylord's administration, and he left as a legacy a pretty church, well furnished and nearly all paid for. He accepted a call to Rochester, Pa., and sub- sequently to Canandaigua, N. Y., where he still resides.
The vacancy was not filled until November 11, when a call was extended to Rev. E. B. Redhead, a graduate of Gambier, then rector of Grace Church, Ravenna. This call was accepted, and Mr. Redhead arrived in Steuben- ville about January 1.
Messrs. Jordan and R. R. Cox were the convention delegates in 1905. The report gave 146 communicants and forty Sunday School scholars with seven teachers. Mr. Redhead reported four services held at St. James's during the preceding year, six communicants, five fami- lies and approximately fifteen baptized persons. Six were confirmed in St. Stephen's on November 26. On the opening of the new church B. Guider had been en- gaged as janitor at $5 per month, and on July 31, 1905, Mrs. Brown was engaged at an increase of $3 per month during the winter.
The organists previously noted were succeeded by Earle H. Fisher, Miss Grace Dawson, who resigned on May 9, 1904, Mrs. Grace Williams, Miss Madge Wint- ringer and Mrs. E. B. Redhead, who became musical di- rector soon after Mr. Redhead's arrival. The project of
ST. STEPHEN'S TEMPORARY CHAPEL ..
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH AND PARISH HOUSE.
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ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.
procuring a suitable pipe organ was broached soon after the completion of the new church, and on September 27, 1903, plans for such an instrument were submitted to the Vestry. Other matters, however, pushed this aside, but now the matter was taken up in earnest. The result was the installation on the evening of April 5, 1906, of an ex- cellent instrument costing $1,357.35. Dedicatory exer- cises were conducted by Bishop Leonard, who confirmed a class of five on that occasion.
This instrument, from the factory of A. B. Felge- maker, Erie, Pa., has two manuals of five octaves each, with base pedals of two and one-half octaves. The reg- isters are eight in number, divided as follows: Swell- violin diapason, 8 feet ; stop diapason, 8 feet ; æolina, 8 feet ; flute harmonique, 4 feet ; great-melodia, dulciane, open diapason; pedal, bourdon, 16 feet. Mechanical stops-tremolo, octave coupler, great to pedal, swell to pedal, swell to great, foot swell.
Cement sidewalks were laid around the church this year, and W. M. Beall was the convention delegate. The report gave 120 communicants and thirty-nine Sunday School scholars, with eight teachers. For Cross Creek Mr. Redhead reported ten communicants and fifteen serv- ices during the year. W. Henderson was Senior War- den; A. Maley, Junior Warden; John Rinker, Clerk ; J. Cunningham, Treasurer.
On April 11, 1907, W. M. Beall was elected Junior Warden to fill the vacancy caused by the death of George A. Maxwell, and Robert Cox was added to the Vestry. Later A. B. Sharpe was chosen Treasurer, and Mr. Rey- nolds, Clerk. Convention delegates were Messrs. Beall, Cox and Jordan. Communicants reported, 134; Sunday School scholars, 45, with nine teachers. Cross Creek, Hayes White, Senior Warden. Thirteen services were held during the year. On May 19, thirteen were con-
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firmed at St. Stephen's. In the fall the church basement was fitted up for the parish societies.
During the Lenten season of 1908 sermons were de- livered by a number of visiting clergy, and on March 30 Mr. Hopkins was appointed janitor. On April 24, ten were confirmed. Messrs. Jordan and Cox were conven- tion delegates. Communicants reported, 164; 31 non- resident, communicating, 106; Sunday School scholars, 56, with nine teachers. Services at Cross Creek, 18.
Mr. Beall was elected Senior Warden on June 1, 1909, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Gar- rett; Mr. Jordan was made Junior Warden, and Frank Ault added to the Vestry. Ten were confirmed at the Bishop's visitation on October 24.
Mr. Cox was the convention delegate in 1910; com- municants reported, 178; dormant 33, non-resident 30; Sunday School scholars, 58, with nine teachers. Sunday services at Cross Creek, 16; celebrations of Holy Com- munion, 3.
Bishop F. K. Brooke, of Oklahoma, visited the par- ish on March 21, 1911, and confirmed twelve. Messrs. Nicholson, Bell and Jordan were the convention dele- gates; resident communicants, 162; non-resident, 30; Sunday School scholars, 53, with eight teachers. Sun- day services at Cross Creek, 13; Holy Communion, 2.
Not long after the completion of the new church it became evident that greater facilities were needed for . carrying on the work of the parish. The basement could be used to a certain extent, but its resources in that re- spect were limited. Consequently along with the diminu- tion of the debt a building fund was started for the erec- tion of a parish house and rectory. By the spring of 1911 matters had progressed sufficiently to warrant the preparation of plans for such a building. The rectory idea, however, was dropped, and plans presented by Rob-
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ert J. Peterson were accepted providing for a structure 72x32 feet, containing an assembly room 3312x30 feet with stage at east end and small room on each side for kitchen, etc. Guild and class rooms were provided at the west end, looking on Fifth street. The building was to be of pressed brick and correspond in architecture to the church, with which it is connected by a corridor 14 feet in length by 8 feet wide. On July 30 the Vestry author- ized a contract with the Steubenville Building and Lum- ber Company for the erection of the parish house for $6,9558, the entire cost of construction and furnishing being $7,500. The new building was formally opened on the evening of April 24 by Bishop Leonard after serv- ice in the church, at which nine were confirmed. The dedicatory exercises were simple, and were followed by a general reception. At this time new doors were placed at the tower entrance of the church, and the interior re- decorated ..
On Easter Day of that year the members of the choir were vested in cassocks and cottas, and thereafter had the regular processional and recessional hymn from and to the parish house.
The parish meeting this year on May 6 was espe- cially interesting, including reports from H. B. Grier, Superintendent of the Sunday School; Mr. Beall, Treas- urer of the Building Fund; Mrs. Jordan, President of the Women's Auxiliary ; Mrs. Beall, Treasurer of the Ladies' Guild; Mrs. Emma J. Ault, President of the Chancel Guild, and Mrs. A. B. Sharpe, of the Girls' Guild. Messrs. Beall and Nicholson were convention delegates ; resident communicants, 171; non-resident, 34; Sunday School scholars, 50, with nine teachers; indebtedness, $2,000.
On May 20 Mr. Reynolds was chosen Junior War-
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den in place of Mr. Jordan, deceased, and Alfred Day was elected to the Vestry.
Mr. Cox was the convention delegate in 1913. Com- municants reported, 206, including 45 non-resident and 32 dormant; Sunday School scholars, 40, with six teach- ers ; indebtedness, $1,500. St. James's, 14 communicants, 14 Sunday services, including four celebrations of Holy Communion.
Having received a call to St. Andrew's Church, Elyria, Mr. Redhead, on June 7, presented his resignation to the Vestry to take effect on September 1 following, which was accepted with unfeigned regret. A sound and conservative Churchman, a faithful priest and a scholarly gentleman, he had won the affections of his people and the respect of all who knew him. A reception tendered him and his estimable wife previous to their departure was attended not only by his own parishioners, but by many others.
Rev. Messrs. Davies and Streibert, of Gambier, con- ducted Sunday services during autumn, and on Novem- ber 10 the Vestry extended a call to Rev. Allen Percy Bissell, of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Columbus, at a salary of $1,500 and rectory. Mr. Bissell accepted the call to take effect on January 15, 1914, occupying the rented rectory at 622 North Seventh street. Mr. Bis- sell was born at Afton, N. Y., September 15, 1882, and came to Columbus with his parents five years later. After completing the courses in the Columbus schools he at- tended Williams College, Massachusetts, where he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1904. While ' serving as stock broker's clerk in New York City, he re- signed his position and entered Bexley Hall, Gambier, to study for Holy Orders. Graduating three years later with the degree of B. D., he was ordained deacon by Bishop Vincent, May 24, 1908, and served as missionary
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at Dresden, Madison and New Lexington. He was or- dained priest at the Cincinnati Cathedral on June 6, 1909, and was rector of the Church of the Epiphany, Urbana, for about a yearing, coming to the Church of the Good Shepherd on March 12, 1911. Here on September 25, 1912, he was married to Miss Virginia B. Wiltberger:
Bishop Leonard visited St. Stephen's on December 7, 1913, and confirmed four.
Mr. Bissell was welcomed most cordially by his new parishioners, a large reception being given him at the parish house. He at once inaugurated various plans of church work, among other things, having a series of social betterment lecture on Sunday evenings during Lent, sim- ilar to those already reported at St. Paul's. Mrs. Schnell- baugh succeeded Mrs. Redhead at the organ, and the choir has been enlarged and strengthened. At the May election the Vestry was enlarged to thirteen members, composed of William M. Beall, Senior Warden; James M. Reynolds, Junior Warden; Frank Ault, Clerk; A. B. Sharpe, Treasurer; Robert R. Cox, Alfred Day, Joseph B. Nicholson, J. H. Williams, C. P. McFadden, L. R. Killmyer, F. V. Groesbeck, Harry Irons, J. E. Collins. The convention delegates were Alfred Day, Paul McFad- den, W. M. Beall, and the report showed :
Families, 120; baptized persons, 299 ; communicants last reported, 206; added by confirmation, 4; by letter, 7; otherwise, 10; total gain, 17; present number, 239; resi- dent communicants, 193; actually communicating, 176; dormant, 17; non-resident, 34; address known, 28; un- known, 6. Baptims, infants, 8. Marriages, 1. Burials, 3.
Services, Sundays, 62; Holy days, 9; other days, 18; total, 89. Holy Communion in public, 14; in private, 2 ;' total, 16.
Sunday School pupils, 59; officers and teachers, 8; total, 67.
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Receipts, open offerings, $350; Easter offerings, $300; pledges for current support, $2,040; special dona- tions, $114; income from endowment, $15; parish socie- ties, $40; Sunday School, $16; total receipts, $2,875.
Disbursements, salaries and expenses, $2,096; local charities, $28; payment of debts, $200; interest, $88; total parochial, $2,412.
Disbursements, Diocesan Convention Fund, $36.94; Diocesan Mission Fund, $70; Church Home, $23; Arch- deacon's salary, $10; total Diocesan, $139.94. Disburse- ments, general missions, $46; domestic, $6; total, $52.
Grand total disbursements, $2,603.94.
Property-Church and parish building, sittings free, 225; indebtedness secured by mortgage, $1,350; value of property, $40,000; endowment, $100; insurance, $8,500.
A kindergarten department has recently been added to the Sunday School in charge of Miss Ella Holliday.
Since the organization of the parish, pabtisms in the same have numbered 120; confirmations, 92; marriages, 41 ; burials, 90.
Mr. Bissell, as had his predecessors, took up the work at St. James's with the hope that by regularity of services this ancient parish might at least be kept alive. Hayes White is clerk of the parish, and Conrad Rinker, treasurer.
The expectations excited upon the arrival of Mr. Bissell have been fully realized. An able preacher and earnest worker, he has aroused new enthusiasm in the hearts and minds of his parishioners. All available space in the church edifice is occupied, and projects of enlarge- ment are now under consideration. It has been suggested that transepts be thrown out on the north and south sides of the building and the main part extended eastward. This would not only give a material increase in the seat-
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