USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > The history of Saint Luke's Church, Marietta, Ohio > Part 13
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As Deacon he accepted a call to St. Paul's, Utica.
He was advanced to the Priesthood by Bishop McIlvaine, on the 2nd of October, 1839.
Mr. Bonnar served in the Ministry at Akron, Homer, Utica, Cuya- hoga Falls and Zanesville. His last charge before he came to Marietta was Cuyahoga Falls. After leaving Marietta he took charge of Christ Church, Hollidaysburg, in the Diocese of Pennsylvania, July 29, 1842; removed to Philadelphia in 1843, where he became assistant in St. James Church. He served there until 1850, when he became assistant to the Rector of St. Peter's, Philadelphia, the late Bishop of New Jersey. In June, 1857, he removed from Philadelphia to New York City, where he was Priest in charge of the "Madison Street Mission," as it was called. In September, 1858, he removed again to Ohio, taking charge of St. Pe- ters, Ashtabula. Here he remained, giving full proof of his ministry, during fourteen years. In 1872 he went to Maryland in charge of All Hallows' Parish, Anne Arundel County, one of the oldest parishes in the country ; the bell and silver of the old church were the gifts of Queen Anne of England. "Here, after nearly eight years of labours, having suffered during the last year from a severe stroke of paralysis, he fell asleep on St. Peter's Day, 1880, aged almost 72 years, full of vigour and activity until within a few days of his death. His ministry was full of labours."
The following letter was received by the author in answer to a re- quest for some reminiscences.
137
LETTER AND OBITUARY OF THE REV. JAMES BONNAR.
All Hallows' Rectory, Davidsonville, A. A. Co. Md. May 14th 1880.
Dear Sir,
Your favour of the 1st inst. came duly to hand, but Icd. not, at once, reply. Of course it is agreeable to know that there are those who have kind recollections of us in Marietta. There are still some there of whom we have very kind recollections, and nothing but such.
I should be glad to give you any items that might be of service to you, but I can hardly undertake it. More than a year and a half ago, I was stricken with paralysis, and, as you see, have still to try to use my left hand, which I cannot always do.
My first visit to S. Luke's was at the request of the Bp. & un- der his direction, at Christmastide, 1839. Took the charge and got to M. and entered on the duty on Quinquagesima Sunday, 1840, being March Ist. Wound up my service there on the 4th Sun. in Lent, 1842, being March 6th, and left M. on Friday, the 11th.
Photographs I have not other than the one I send, which was taken in 1562.
Should I be able to do any thing more, allow me to do it here- after.
I am, Dear Sir, Yrs. truly JAMES BONNAR.
A few weeks after the receipt of this letter the author received pa- pers containing the following notices of the death of Mr. Bonnar :
DIED.
BONNAR-On St. Peter's Day, Tuesday, June 29th, at the Rectory, Da- vidsonville, entered into rest, the REV. JAMES BONNAR, B. D., Priest, and Rector of All Hallows' Parish, Anne Arundel County, Mary- land. He sleeps in Jesus. May he rest in peace.
OBITUARY.
The Rev. JAMES BONNAR, for eight years Rector of All Hallows' Parish, Anne Arundel county. died on the 29th of June at 4 a. m., at the Rectory, after an illness of some 10 days.
Our Parish again mourns the loss of a beloved Rector. A few short years since death removed from our midst the Rev. Cameron F. McRae to whom all were endeared.
Mr. Bonnar succeeded him in charge of the Parish and was blessed with a strong constitution and robust health which promised a long life of usefulness.
He was an earnest. hard working, conscientious christian-faithful, exact, zealous and laborious in the performance of his duty. Omitting nothing, forgetting nothing, neglecting nothing.
A ripe scholar, devoted to books, he reasoned logically and elucida- ted every subject. Kind, gentle and unostentatious in his piety, all could approach him, confident of a sympathizing listener and an effect- ive counsellor. All Hallows' mourns him as Rector, Priest and friend. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 2nd of September, 1810, consequently was 70 years of age, lacking 2 months and 2 days.
He was invited to take charge of our Parish by the unanimous vote of the Vestry on the Ist of September, 1872. His letter of acceptance
138
PARISH MEETING, 1842.
was dated on the 10th of the same month, and on Sunday the 15th he paid us a visit and held divine service at the Parish church.
Having removed his family here from Ashtabula, Ohio, he officiated for the first time as Rector on the 20th of October, at the chapel, it being the third Sunday in the month. On the 1st of December, 1873, he was regularly instituted as Priest and Rector, Bishop Pinkney officiating.
For nearly five years succeeding, he was in the enjoyment of per- fect health and performed his laborious duties with zeal and ability and with that regard for exactness which so singularly distinguished him.
On Sunday morning 10th of November, 1878, whilst dressing, he was stricken with paralysis of his right side. His great will and energy of character assisted him in rallying and partly recovering from this sad affliction. After a tedious confinement, to one of his active tem- perament, he was again able to perform the duties of his divine calling.
He attended the Diocesan Convention, held in St. Peter's church, Baltimore, about one month ago and took part in the deliberations, be- ing ever zealous for the welfare of the Church he loved so well and in whose ministry he had spent over forty years of his life.
The weather during the session was intensely warm and may have developed the sickness which caused his death on the 29th of June. .
No word of mine ean add anything to the simple grandeur of a fife full of Christian charity, piety and labor.
A true soldier of the Cross has gone to his rest-may his example continue to guide us.
Davidsonville, 1st July, 1880,
ONE OF THE VESTRY.
At a Parish meeting Easter Monday, March 28, 1842, Arius Nye and D. H. Buell were elected Senior and Junior Wardens, and Joseph E. Hall, Abner L. Guitteau, John Kendrick, Frederick A. Wheeler, Daniel Greene and Joseph Barker, Vestrymen.
On the same day the Vestry chose D. H. Buell, Secretary of the Ves- try and Parish and also Treasurer and agent in reference to the Ministe- rial fund.
April 21, 1842, Bishop MeIlvaine visited the Parish and confirmed five.
August 30, the Secretary was directed to reply to letters, viz: from Rt. Rev. Bishop Mellvaine, Rev. Mr. Armstrong of Wheeling, and Rev. Mr. Reynolds of Delaware, informing them of the inability of the par- ish to employ a clergyman at present, for want of pecuniary nwans."
Friday, November 4th, the Vestry met "to take into consideration the employment of a clergyman."
"A letter having been received from the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of the Diocese, addressed through the Wardens to the Vestry", in which he "recommended to the vestry the Revd. David W. Tolford, as Rector of the Parish ; " " Resolved that the vestry do invite Rev. David W. Tol- ford to the pastoral and clerical charge of the church and parish of St. Luke's in Marietta, as the Rector thereof, pledging to him a salary of three hundred and twenty-five dollars per anmim, exclusive of any further sum which may be obtained from the Diocesan Missionary fund.
Resolved that the Junior Warden do address, in behalf of the ves- try, a letter of invitation or a call to the Rev. D. W. Tolford, informing him of their proceedings in the premises, and the amount of salary
139
THE REV. DAVID W. TOLFORD TAKES CHARGE.
pledged as above, and that the same be enclosed in a letter or under cover to the Bishop."
.. The Twenty-sixth Sunday after Trinity, November 20, 1842, the Rev. David W. Tolford took charge of the Parish.
November 21st the Vestry met. "The Rev. Mr. Tolford having ar- rived in the parish. on motion resolved that the pew rents growing due for the second half year be appropriated as a part of the minister's salary.
On motion resolved that the salary of the Rev. D. W. Tolford be four hundred dollars, including the sum of seventy five dollars to be de- rived from the missionary fund of the Diocese, as proposed by the Bishop."
Bishop Mellvaine says in his Convention Address, 1842: "I have granted letters of dismission to the Rev. James Bonnar to the Diocese of Pennsylvania." "The Rev. David W. Tolford has resigned the charge of St. John's, Ohio City" and "has since taken the Rectorship of St. Luke's Church, Marietta.
At the Special Convention at Newark, in December, 1842, St. Luke's was not represented.
We, the Subscribers, agree to pay to the Wardens and Vestry of St. Luke's Parish, Marietta, annually, the sums annexed to our names, to be by theni expended in procuring the services of a clergyman to be settled in sd Parish. The money so subscribed shall be paid, one half at the time when the clerical services to be procured shall commence, the other half at the expiration of six months from such time. It shall be at the option of any sub-criber to consider the money subscribed as going to pay off his or her pew rent.
D. H. Buell, three months board or
$20.00 in money.
J. Kendrick,
20.000 do.
J. E. Hall, 25.
W. Holden,
Barker, 20.
Danl. Greene, 15.
Barber. 10.
Jas. H. Greene, 10.
Arius Nye,
N. Ward, 10.
A list showing the occupants of seats in the church and the amounts they paid for them.
No. 1. Arius Nye. $15.
$10.
2. Rector of the Parish,
5. Chas. B. Hall, 10.
19. & N. Fitzhugh, 18. 6. J. E. Hall. 15.
7. Mrs. Skinner, 15.
9. W. Hokien, 15.
11. A. L. Guitteau, 10.
13. Mrs. Russell, 10.
31. Capt. Greene, 10.
. 33. Mrs. Jackson, 10.
15. Misses Ward, 12.
No. 16. Miss Barker, 17. Mrs. Robinson,
18. G. M. Reed, D. Barber )
20. Misses Stone, 6.
26. John Arnot, 5.
30. Mr. Armstrong, 5.
14. J. Kendrick 10.
A. L. Guitteau, $10.
A. Jackson, 10.
Ellen H. Lewis, 5.
Betty W. Lovell. 5.
McFarland, 10.
35. Mrs. Lovell, 10.
140
THE REV. EDWARD WINTHROP TAKES CHARGE.
Easter Monday, April 17, 1843, Arius Nye and D. H. Buell were elected Wardens, and Daniel Greene, J. E. Hall, John Kendrick, A. L. Guitteau, Wm. Holden and F. A. Wheeler, Vestrymen.
October 19th. F. A. Wheeler was elected Secretary and J. E. Hall Junior Warden. in place of D. H. Buell. deceased.
November 4th. "The Rev. D. W. Tolford having tendered his res- ignation of the Rectorship of St. Luke's Parish, it was, on motion, ac- cepted, to take effect on the 19th of November, 1843." (The 23rd Sun- day after Trinity.)
November 13th. "Resolved that the Rev. Edward Winthrop be and he is hereby called to the Rectorship of St. Luke's Church, at a salary of three hundred dollars a year, together with the missionary stipend appropriated to this Parish by the Bishop, so long as it shall continue.
Resolved that the Secretary with the assistance of Mr. Tolford com- municate to Mr. Winthrop the resolution of the vestry."
A further account of Mr. Tolford will be found in his second Rec- torate beginning on St. Luke's Day, 1847.
The Reverend Edward Winthrop took charge of the Parish Novem- ber 23, 1843.
At the Convention of September. 1843, at Harcourt Parish, Gam- bier, St. Luke's was represented by the Rector and Frederick A. Wheeler.
PAROCHIAL REPORT.
Rev. D. W. Tolford, Rector, reports to the Bishop that when he took charge of the Parish, November 20, 1842, he found upon the Parish Register the names of 35 Communicants. There have since been added, by return to the Parish 1, removal to the Parish 1, new members 10, present number 47. Baptisms-adults 2, infants 4-6, Funerals 4. Col- lected for Bishop's salary $30. Missions 822. By the Ladies, towards the purchase of an organ and payment of Church debt, 110. Communion offerings 28.623. Diocesan Fund 12. Total 202.683. The Rector has reason to be encouraged.
Assessment for the next year for the support of the Bishop $20; for contingent expenses $5.
Easter Monday, April 8th, 1844, at the Parish meeting, Arius Nye was elected Senior Warden and F. A. Wheeler, Junior Warden. Daniel Greene, J. E. Hall, Win. Holden, John Kendrick, A. L. Guitteau and John Arnot, Vestrymen. F. A. Wheeler, Secretary; Wm. Holden, Treasurer. A. L. Guitteau, agent in reference to M. F.
July 16th, Arius Nye, J. Kendrick and A. L. Guitteau were ap_ pointed delegates to the Convention.
Wyllys Hall, Jr., was invited "to officiate as permanent organist of St. Luke's Church."
Charles Cockin was employed "to make the fires in the church du- ring the season."
Action was taken in regard to the Rector's salary for another year. In 1844 the Parish was represented by the Rector in the Convention at St. Timothy's Church, Massillon. . The Bishop stated that he had con-
------
Edward New Shop Rector of It Jako
143
PARISH MEETING, 1845.
firmed 11 persons at St. Luke's, Marietta. (In Canon Carus' Memorials of Bishop Mellvaine is a letter of the Bishop to his daughter, written at Steubenville, (Saturday) March 23, 1844, in which he says, "I shall not have the happiness of hearing from home till Tuesday next, when I ex- pect to be at Marietta.")
PAROCHIAL REPORT OF 1844.
Rev. Edward Winthrop, Rector, reports to the Bishop, that when he took charge of this parish on the 23d of November, 1843, he found upon the parish register the names of 40 Communicants in regular standing. There have since been added, by return to the communion 1, by restoration after suspension 1, by removal to the parish 2, now . communicants 8, present number 52. Number of persons confirmed . by the Bishop on the 26th of March, 1844, 11. Baptisms, adults 2, in- fants 2-total 4. Marriages 2. Funeral 1. Sunday Scholars 25 to 30, ' Teachers 5.
The Contributions of the parish have been as follows :- For the Salary of the Bishop and Contingent Expenses of the Diocese $25.50: of which $25, the amount at which this parish was assessed, was duly re- mitted to the Treasurer. Communion Alms $41.84. Monthly Offer- ings $28.48. By the Ladies for the Greek Mission $8. The Ladies have also raised about $240 to complete the sum requisite for the purchase of an organ. Total $343.32. In addition to this, there have been some contributions to the Sunday School.
The Parish was assessed for the next year: Episcopate Fund $20, Contingent Fund $5.
SCHOOL.
The Spring Term of Miss Jaquith's School will commence March 13th in the Episcopal School House. Tuition for primary studies $3.50, for higher branches $5.00.
Feb. 12, 1845.
At a Vestry meeting Feb. 20, 1845, a committee was appointed "to examine and report to the vestry at the next meeting what repairs and improvements are necessary to be done in and about the church." "It was unanimously resolved that it is expedient for the parish to return to the plan of weekly offerings, and that the Rector be requested to bring the subject before the congregation at some suitable opportunity." The Rector called the attention of the vestry to the necessity of procur- ing a room for the purpose af holding meetings during the week.
March 3d. The expense of repairs required was found to be from ten to fifteen dollars. Mr. Nye offered the use of the Lecture room for the purpose of holding weekly lectures for the sum of seventy-five eents a month.
Easter Monday, March 24, 1845, at the Parish meeting these officers were elected: J. E. Hall, S. W., F. A. Wheeler, J. W., J. Kendrick, William Holden, A. L. Guitteau, John Arnot and A. S. Nye, Vestrymen.
March 25th. F. A. Wheeler was chosen Secretary and Treasurer of the Parish and A. L. Guitteau, Agent M. F.
July 24th. J. E. Hall, J. Kendrick and F. A. Wheeler were elected delegates to the Convention of the Diocese. The Rectors salary was fixed at $430.
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.
144
PARISH MEETING, 1846.
PAROCHIAL REPORT OF 1845.
The Rev. Edward Winthrop, Rector, reports to the Bishop, that in view of the temporal and spiritual condition of the parish, he has rea- son upon the whole to feel encouraged. The congregation not only join with ardor in the exercises of public worship, but there are many, we hope, who to the service of the lips, add what is of far more impor- tance, the deep and abiding homage of the heart. At sundry times du- ring the past year, the Lord has visited us with the gracious tokens of his spiritual presence. There has been much seriousness among the communicants, and sometimes a spirit of effectual and prevailing prayer for the outpourings of the Holy Ghost, which has made the word of the Lord sharper than a twoedged sword. Though there have been but few conversions from among the impenitent, they nevertheless listen with great attention and interest to the preaching of the Gospel, and if the Church is only faithful to itself, in supplicating for the blessing of God and the effectual influences of his grace, our friends who are still out of the ark of safety, must ultimately be brought in. The efforts of the rector have therefore, to a great extent, been directed to elevating the standard of piety in the Church, and building up the Communi- cants in their most holy faith.
The rector is gratified to say, that he is constantly receiving many and multiplied proofs of friendship and affection from his parishioners, and though their offerings are not so large as they could wish, if their means were more extensive, yet those offerings are rendered to their servant in Christ with a willing heart. In addition to preaching regu- larly on the Sabbath, he has during the past year conducted a monthly missionary meeting, and also expounded in a weekly lecture the whole of the prophetic Scriptures of Daniel and St. John. together with other portions of the Sacred Word. May the Lord sanctify us through the truth, and speedily accomplish the number of his cleet, and hasten his coming and kingdom, that all nations may se; his glory, and all the earth be filled with his praise. The statisties of the parish are as fol- lows :- Baptisms, infants 4. Marriages 4. Burials 4. Communicants, added 4 ( two of them new communicants, and two on certificate, lost by discipline 1, by death 1, by removal 1. Present number of Com- municants, as enrolled on the parish register 53. There are several oth- ers who occasionally commune, but the rector not having received the certificate required by the Canon, has not vet recorded their names. In addition to a liberal provision for the salary of their minister, the parish has during the past year relinquished all aid from the Board of Mis- sions, and contributed to various benevolent objects about $260. The Lord be praised for his abounding goodness and merey.
The convention met in Christ Church. Cincinnati, and St. Luke's was represented by the Rector, and John Kendrick and F. A. Wheeler.
The Treasurer states that he received from the Rev. C. L. F. Haen- sel, Quebec, $32.26 for the Education fund.
At a Parish meeting at the church Easter Monday, April 13, 1846, J. E. Hall was elected Senior Warden, F. A. Wheeler, Junior Warden, and A. L. Guitteau, J. Kendrick, M. P. Wells, William Holden and John Arnot, Vestrymen.
April 16. F. A. Wheeler was elected Secretary, M. P. Wells, Treas- urer, and A. L. Guitteau, Agent M. F. Arius Nye, John Kendrick and F. A. Wheeler were elected delegates to the Diocesan Convention.
1 1
145
MR. F. A. WHEELER APPOINTED LAY-READER.
LICENSE OF A LAY-READER.
.
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Whereas it is provided, in the 9th Canon of the Diocese of Ohio, that "none shall be considered as authorized to officiate as a Lay-Reader in this Diocese, except in cases of particular emergency, without a writ- ten license from the Bishop," and further, that "Lay-Re. ders shall, in all cases, conform to the provisions of the 11th Canon of the General Convention," wherein it is provided that the Reader shall submit to all the regulations which the Bishop may prescribe: shall not assume the dress appropriate to elergymen ministering in the congregation ; shall officiate from the desk only: shall conform to the directions of the Bishop as to the sermons and homilies to be read : shall not deliver : er- mons of his own composition; nor, except in cases of extraordinary emergency, or very peculiar expediency, perform any part of the service when a clergyman is present in the congregation : Therefore, we, the undersigned, Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, do hereby license and ap- point Mr. F. A. Wheeler, who is a communicant in full standing of the parish of St. Luke's Church, in the Town of Marietta, ( and who has been duly recommended ) to officiate as a Reader in the Parish of St. Luke's, Marietta, in the reading of the morning and evening services of the Protestant Episcopal Church, as the same are appointed in the Book of Common Prayer, and also in the reading of Fermons or Lc(- tures in the congregation, subject to the restrictions above written, and until such time as this license shall be either returned, or with drawn.
And the said F. A. Wheeler is hereby directed, to confine his selec- tion of discourses, or other like matter, to be read, exclusively to the fol- lowing books, viz : The Homilies; the two volumes of Select Family and Parish Sermons, selected by the undersigned, and published by I. N. Whiting, Columbus; two volumes of Sermons by Rev. Charles Bradley, published by Appleton, New York ; two volumes of Fermons by Rev. Edward Cooper: two volumes of Discourses by Rev. S. H. Ting, D. D., New York, and the sev ral volumes of Lectures and Sermons by the Rev. Henry Blunt, published by Hooker, Philadelphia. In this selec- tion, no judgment is intended to be implied concerning books exeluded : A departure therefrom will forfeit this license.
Given under our hind this eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty six.
CHAS. P. MCILVAINE.
November 24th. "J. E. Hall, J. Kendrick and F. A. Wheeler were appointed a committee to make such arrangements in regard to the sing- ing, securing the services of an organist &e. as they shall deem necessary and expedient."
At the Convention in August, 1846, at St. Peter's, Delaware, St. Luke's was represented by the Rector, and was assessed for the Episcopate $25; for General fund $5.
Bishop Mellvaine states that he had visited St. Luke's, Marietta, and confirmed one person.
PAROCHIAL REPORT OF 1846.
Rev. Edward Winthrop reports to the Bishop, of baptisms, adult 1, infants 10, total 11 : confirmati ns 1 ; communicants added by certifi- cate 1 ; by profession 3: total 5; lost by death 1 ; removal 1 ; withdrawn 1; total 3; present number of communicants as enrolled 54; marriages 3; funerals 3. Contributions to various benevolent objects about $120.
146
THE REV. EDWARD WINTHROP RESIGNS.
The name of Edward Winthrop appears as a member of the Society for the relief of Widows and Orphans of Deceased Clergymen of the P. E. Church in the Diocese of Ohio.
Easter Monday, April 5, 1847, the Rector and Senior Warden being absent, the Parish meeting was opened with prayer by the Junior War- den. Arius Nye was elected Senior Warden, F. A. Wheeler, Junior Warden, and J. E. Hall, A. L. Guitteau, Charles Sullivan, W. S. Nve and C. J. Sheppard, Vestrymen ; and other business was transacted. The same day the Vestry chose W. S. Nve, Treasurer, F. A. Wheeler, Secretary, A. L. Guitteau, agent M. F.
Tuesday in Easter Week, April 6, 1847, the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Winthrop performed in Parkersburg the burial service of the Rev. Thomas Smith, who had been for about four years Rector of Trinity Church in that place. Bishop Meade says he "was buried beneath the vestibule of the church, at his own request, the reason being assigned that, as he felt himself to be a poor sinner, he wished to be trampled under the feet of all who entered the house." Mr. Smith is said to have dug his own tomb in the church and arranged for its proper drain- age with his own hands. When the present stone church was built, the wall came directly over the grave, which, at the request of Mr. Smith's relatives, was not disturbed but the wall was arched over it.
In June, 1847, the Rev. Eli Wheeler, brother of Mrs. F. A. Wheeler, visited Marietta and on the 11th of the month administered the Sacra- ment of Baptism at Beverly. He remained here three or four weeks,
Thursday evening, April 29, 1847, the Vestry met at the house of the Rector.
"The Rev. Edward Winthrop, Rector of the Parish, presented to the Vestry a communication, resigning the Rectorship of said Parish, which on motion was accepted, and the communication ordered to be placed on the minutes."
To the Wardens & Vestry of St. Luke's Church, Marietta, Ohio.
Marietta, April 29th, 1847.
Gentlemen.
Having received a unanimous call to the Rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, Ohio, which I have felt it my duty to accept, I hereby resign the Rectorship of St. Luke's, Marietta, said resignation to take effect on the 24th of May, 1847; when I shall have labored in this parish just three years and a half, a period which I shall always remember with lively interest, and which will ever be endeared to me by the sympathy and friend- ship that I have experienced. through the blessing of Providence, from a grateful and affectionate people.
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