USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > The history of Saint Luke's Church, Marietta, Ohio > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
"The fences on each road round the church" were ordered to be made new.
August 16, John Kendrick, Charles B. Hall, Dr. Trevor and G. Med- licott were appointed a committee to obtain subscriptions and take steps toward building a parsonage.
The Bishop said in his address in September, 1850, that he had vis- ited, among other places, St. Luke's, Marietta, without having candi- dates presented for confirmation.
PAROCHIAL REPORT OF 1850.
Baptisms-infants, 13. Communicaants-last reported, 48; added, by transfer, 2; suspended, 1; present number, 49. Marriages, 4. Buri- als, 2. Average number attending Rector's catechism class, 20. S. S. teachers, 4; scholars, about 25.
1
1
158
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE REV. D. W. TOLFORD.
The stated collections were quarterly, the first of the year.
The following sum has been raised and appropriated, viz : For Dio- cesan Missions and Education, $14.62.
I have resigned the Rectorship of St. Luke's, Marietta, and will re- move (D. V.) the ensuing October to Wheeling, Va., to take charge of the new Female Seminary in that place, to which charge I have been appointed.
D. W. TOLFORD, Rector.
The Rev. David Wilson ;Tolford was born in the state of New Hampshire, July 5, 1810. In his early manhood he was a practical prin- ter and edited a newspaper. He was also a strong Mason.
Coming to the West, he entered the Theological Seminary at Gam- bier, where he graduated in 1840, having been ordained Deacon by Bishop Mellvaine in October, 1839. His first Parish was that of St. John's, Ohio City, Ohio, of which he took charge at Easter, 1840; he had, however, after his ordination as Deacon, given his time to St. Matthew's Church, Perry, and Trinity Parish, Pleasant Tp., Knox Co. From Ohio City he came to Ma- rietta, in 1842, where he became Rector of St. Luke's, having · ben ordained . Priest by Bishop McIlvaine at Dover, Ohio, No- vember 18, 1840.# In 1841 he married Priscilla Mary Waring at Dayton. Three children were born to them, Lucy Ellen, Wilson Oliver and Flor- ence Harding, the latter at Marietta during his second rectorship. After leaving Marietta, in 1843, he was Rector of Grace Church, Cincinnati, Trinity Church, Troy, and St. Paul's, Green- ville, and was Principal of a Ladies' Seminary at Newport, Ky.
The Convention Journal of 1846 gives the following :
"Rev. D. W. Tolford reports that since his resignation of the par- ishes of Greenville and Troy, on account of ill health, he has ben en- gaged in teaching in the Female Seminary at Covington, Ky., and ren- dering occasional assistance to his clerical brethern in Cincinnati and the adjacent parishes of Covington and Newport. His health is now so much improved that he hopes to be able to take charge of a parish this fall."
* In the Convention Journal of 1841 Bishop Mellvaine says: "November 18th ( 1840) I visited St. John's, Dover, preached once, confirmed three and ordained the Rev. D. W. Tolford of Ohio City to the office of priesthood. the Rev. Mr. Bury pre- senting and the Rev. Mr. Granville with him assisting."
159
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE REV. D. W. TOLFORD.
He had no charge however until October, 1847, when he came to Marietta.
On leaving Marietta the second time he went to Wheeling, where he again took charge of a Ladies' Seminary. He was also connected for a time with a seminary in the city of Brooklyn. In 1855 he was in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and in 1860 in Berlin. He established three churches in that State. In 1962 he was in Iowa City. Iowa, and became Chaplain of the 10th Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was at the taking of New Madrid and Island No. 10.
Through the influence of Bishop Mellvaine he was appointed Hos- pital Chaplain at Columbus, O., September 17, 1862, and was mustered out August 4, 1865. He prepared a Roll of Students of Kenyon College, who served in the Army and Navy of the U. S. 1861-65.
He was appointed "Old Mortality", as he called it, and was in Ten- nessee making plats of graveyards and marking the graves of loyal soldiers. In Juni7 he was in Columbus.
In 1875 he was in Cresco, Iowa, whence he went to New York where he died December s. 175, at the house of his daughter Lucy, Mrs. Dr. Mackenzie and was buried at Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Tolford were very pleasant and social people. She is spoken of as a very excellent and remarkably attractive lady. He was a pleasant man and fond of being among his people. During his first rectorship, they lived on the upper side of Fourth street, in the house now No. 12S. She died June 21. 1571. He wrote occasional pieces of poetry, some of which were printed in the Gambier Observer while he was at that place. It is said that he sometimes gave his people some of his own verses in his sermons.
Mr. Tolford had a brother who, with his family, resided for a time in Marietta.
The portrait is copied from a miniature on ivory done by Mr. Sulli- van and loaned to the author by Mr. W. O. Tolford, now residing in Columbus.
NOTE OF MR. TOLFORD TO JAMES H. GREENE. Thursday Morning.
My dear Friend.
I have been thinking about you & the conversation we had the other evening, & am convinced from the experience you gave me, that you ought not to hesitate about coming to Baptism, &c. There appear to be voices calling you away from the world, & hands un- seen here, beckoning you to the cross. Come, if you think you can, prayerfully, & may God bless you.
Affectionately,
Your Pastor,
D. W. TOLFORD.
Mr. James Greene. ?
1
Let me know before service.
160
THE FIRST QUARTER OF A CENTURY.
Mr. Tolford continued to officiate in St. Luke's until September, 1850, and his second rectorate may be said to have completed the first quarter of a century after the organization of the parish, a period cov- ered by six rectorates, amounting in all to something over fourteen years, and vacancies of about ten years. in all.
. The fluctuations in the number of Communicants are noticable.
Mr. Wheat says ( Report of 1833) there were 29 admitted to the Com- munion, 22 of whom were admitted by himself. He left 61.
Mr. Haensel found 43 and left 39.
: Mr. Bonnar found 44 and left 45.
Mr. Tolford found 35 and left 47.
Mr. Winthrop found 40 and left 53.
Mr. Tolford the second time found 53 and in 1850 reported 49, of whom the present Rector found 40.
These figures are taken from the Reports. The Parish Register shows the whole number of Communicants to September, 1850, to be 136, of whom but 40 remained at that time.
"But there is danger in numbering Israel. It may minister either to pride or discouragement. Statistics are not the true measure of the spiritual. Things outward attract the attention; they are in the plane of sense, and flesh can estimate them. But there is an unseen work, of which all the outward is but the scaffolding. In this souls are built up in the faith ; in this the Spirit of Christ within is strengthening and teaching the heart how to work outward in the tone and temper of the life. One demoniac was a "legion"; and one with Christ in him is a host. God reckons not by numbers, but by grace."-Dr. Boyd's Semi- Centennial Sermon.
CHAPTER IV.
THE PRESENT RECTORATE AND THE BUILDING OF THE NEW CHURCH.
The Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me; I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
I Kings, 9, 3.
-
Entering then Thy gates with praises, Lord, be ours Thine Israel's prayer ; "Rise into Thy place of resting, Shew Thy promised Presence there!" Let the gracious Word be spoken Here, as once on Sion's height, ."This shall be My rest for ever, This My dwelling of delight."
Fill this latter house with glory Greater than the former knew; Clothe with righteousness its Priesthood, Guide its Choir to reverence true ; Let Thy Holy One's anointing Here its sevenfold blessing shed ; Spread for us the heavenly Banquet, Satisfy Thy poor with Bread.
-REV. JOHN ELLERTON.
THE PRESENT RECTORATE AND THE BUILDING OF THE NEW CHURCH.
1-0
N St. Paul's Church, Mt. Ver- non, on the Tenth Sunday af- ter Trinity, 1850, being August 4, the Rev. John Boyd was ordained Deacon by Bishop McIl- vaine. He was born at Hillsboro, Ohio, Decem- ber 6, 1823, the son of John Boyd, M. D., who was the first physician in Highland County, having settled there before Ohio was a State.
---
164
THE REV. JOHN BOYD TAKES CHARGE.
He was educated at Kenyon College and graduated in 1844. In 1850 he graduated from the Theological Seminary at Gambier.
As Deacon he took charge of St. Luke's, Marietta, September 8, 1850; the Vestry having invited him to the same in the month of June previous. (See page 157.)
February 22, 1852, he was ordained Presbyter by Bishop Mellvaine in Trinity Church, Cincinnati, which was then under the charge of the beloved Father Gray and is now (1883), with Emmanuel Church, under the charge of Dr. Boyd's son, the Rev. J. Milton Boyd.
He married Miss Eliza Sharp at Hillsboro, November 4, 1845.
Their children are Mary, now Mrs. Hale, Alice (deceased), Ellen, Rev, John Milton, and Florence.
At the prompting of Bishop Mellvaine, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by Kenyon College, June 27, 1866.
In 1865, 1874, 1877 and 1880 he was a deputy to the General Conven- tion. .
In this Diocese he has been an Examining Chaplain, a Trustee of the Theological Seminary and Kenyon College, one of the Ecclesiastical Court, and in 1867 and 1873 he was appointed one of the Committee on the Division of the Diocese.
The year 1883 marks the third of a century since Dr. Boyd took charge of St. Luke's, making his rectorate longer than that of any other clergyman now in this Diocese, with the exception of Dr. Burr's, at All Saints', Portsmouth, which was thirty-five years. The Rev. Intrepid Morse was Rector of St. Paul's, Steubenville, forty-three years.
Of the clergy in the Diocese at the time of Dr. Boyd's ordination but eight remain, four* in the Diocese of Ohio and fourt in the Diocese ·of Southern Ohio. None of the latter have at present any parochial cure.
He is fifth in order of continuous residence in this Diocese and ninth in the whole State. He is the only clergyman in the State of Ohio now holding the same parish he had in 1850, and, so far as known, this is true including all churches and sects.
REPORT OF THE REV. JOHN BOYD, IN SEPTEMBER, 1850.
According to the requirement of the Canon I would report that af- ter my ordination I preached at St. Paul's, Mt. Vernon, on the 10th Sunday after Trinity, and on the 11th Sunday after Trinity, at St. Luke's, Granville, after which I performed no more services until the 15th Sunday after Trinity, at which time I took the charge of St. Luke's, Marietta, where I have regularly performed my duties until the present. During my ministry here, there has been one marriage solemmized and one child baptized. My predecessor, the Rev. D. W. Tolford, will re- port the state of the Parish.
St. Luke's was not represented in the Convention.
* Rev. Drs. Muenscher, Bronson, Burton and Rev. Mr. French. -
+ Rev. Dr. Burr, Rev. Messrs. Sturges, Nash and Cumming.
.
165
A PARSONAGE BUILT.
December 26, the Vestry met at the house of the Rev. Mr. Boyd : committee appointed to ascertain the terms on which a house and premises for a Parsonage can be procured.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO BUILD A PARSONAGE.
J. E. Hall,
Mrs. Jackson.
John Hall,
Mrs. Skinner.
C. B. Hall,
A. L. Guitteau.
John Kendrick.
Dr. Trevor. (conditionally) .
Danl. Greene,
Mrs. Lovell. 100
D. G. Mathews,
John Howes.
- 10
M. P. Wells.
Dr. Fuller. 3
G. Medlicott.
Ladies' Circle. in 2 years,
47
Mrs. Backes.
-
Rev. Mr. Boyd,
1551. January 13. Messrs. Guitteau, Hall and Kendrick appointed to contract for and superintend the erection of a dwelling house and suitable outbuildings, as a parsonage, and to have power to purchase in the name of the Parish a lot on which to erect the parsonage house, the expenditures for house, lot and improvements not to exceed twelve hundred dollars.
March 1. Committee authorized to build on the church lot if thought expedient.
Easter Monday. April 21. A. Nye and J. Kendrick were elected Wardens and A. L. Guitteau. Chas. B. Hall, Hugh Trevor, Graydon Medlicott and John Arnott. Vestrymen.
The pews were then leased for the ensuing year as follows :
No. 1. M. P. Wells,
$15
No. 3. Mr. Sullivan.
5
2. A. Nye.
14
25.
Mr. Richards.
4. C. R. Rhodes,
10
5. Mrs. Jackson,
10
6. J. E. Hall,
15
29. D. B. Anderson,
10
8. Mrs. Skinner,
15
31.
( C. B. Hall &)
15
12. Mr. Benedict,
14
33. W. L. Rolston.
11
14. Dr. H. Trevor,
14
35. Mrs. Buell.
10
16. J. Kendrick,
10
37.
Mr. Fulton.
10
7. Mrs. Sisson.
3. Mr. Reckard.
5
9. John Howes,
11
32. Mr. Medlieott,
12
11. Mrs. Stephens,
34. Mrs. Lovell.
15
13. Misses Clarke,
36. Hale & Covey.
12
( Mr. McFarland.
12
40. J. E. Hall,
17.
( Mrs. Jones & ,
4l. A. L. Guitteau.
15
7 Mrs. Conkins ,
2. Mr. Arnott.
October S. The parsonage was finished and occupied.
October 13. Mr. Guitteau elected Treasurer and Mr. Mediicott, Secretary. , Mr. Guitteau authorized to effect an insurance on the par- sonage.
PAROCHIAL REPORT, 1:51.
The Minister would report, in addition to statistics, that by the favor of God he has not in a single instance been disabled by sickness from duty, but has regularly officiated twice every Sabbath. He has found his people kind and affectionate, and he trusts, zealous and ex- emplary. His relations towards them thus far have been pleasant in the highest degree.
During the present year the Parish has erected a comfortable recto- ry on the Church lot : an example worthy to be imitated by all the Western parishes, which desire to see their minister pleasantly situated in a residence that he can, to some extent call his own.
JOHN BOYD, Minister.
10. Misses Stone,
10
D. Greene.
:N. F. A. Wheeler,
15. Misses Mcfarland. )
166
PAROCHIAL REPORTS OF 1852 AND 1853.
St. Luke's was represented in the Convention by the Rev. John Boyd.
1852. Easter Monday, April 12, Arius Nye and John Kendrick were elected Wardens and G. Medlicott, John Arnott, C. B. Hall, A. L. Guit- teau, M. P. Wells, Vestrymen. "Mr. G. Medlicott having declined and withdrawn his name, Mr. C. R. Rhodes was elected to fill the vacancy."
May 7th, C. R. Rhodes appointed Secretary and A. L. Guitteau, Agent and Treasurer of the Parish.
June 23. Resolved that Chas. B. Hall and Pomeroy Wells be a committee authorized to perfect by a written contract the proposition of Messrs. Rittenhouse & Conner for painting the church; and that Chas. R. Rhodes be a committee to solicit subscriptions for repairing and painting the church.
June 26. Resolved that the one hundred dollars given to the Vestry by the ladies of the congregation be placed in the hands of the Vestry committee for repairing the church.
(For about six weeks during part of July and August, while the re- pairs were going on, the Services were held in the Library Hall.)
November 3. Committees were appointed to shingle the roof of the church, and to insure the parsonage to the amount of $600 or $700 -- and the church to the amount of $1400 or $1500.
PAROCHIAL REPORT OF 1852.
Baptisms-infant, 1; adult, 2. Confirmations, 7. Marriages, 2. Burials, 3. Communicants-last reported, 48; increased, by admission, 7; by transfer, 9; lost, by death, 1; by removal, 2; present number, 61. Sunday School-children, 30; teachers, 6. For Bishop's salary, $13.
I think God is looking graciously on us.
JOHN BOYD, Rector.
The Parish was represented by the Rector in the Convention.
1853. January 19. Resolved that the eagle face of a dime be the corporate seal of the church.
July 5. A. L. Guitteau was elected Treasurer and Charles R. Rhodes, Secretary.
The Pastor's salary was increased from $400 to $500.
November 16. Geo. W. Dodge elected Treasurer in place of Mr. Guitteau resigned.
PAROCHIAL REPORT OF 1853.
(For statistics see table on a subsequent page. )
Numerically we are weaker than at the last report, but in point of union, interest and activity, we are much stronger. Bro. Strong, agent for Diocesan Missions, remained with me one Sabbath, and preached for my people-the second instance of my pulpit being filled for me since I have been here, a period of three years. Thus completely are we isolated from all sister parishes; thus seldom does the countenance of a brother minister cheer mne.
JOHN BOYD, Rector.
The Rector represented the Parish in the Convention.
1854. Easter Monday, April 17th. Officers elected : Arius Nye, S. W., John Kendrick, J. W., C. R. Rhodes, C. B. Hall, M. P. Wells, F. A. Wheeler, A. L. Guitteau, Vestrymen.
167
SUBSCRIPTIONS TO BUILD A NEW CHURCH.
SALE OF PEWS, EASTER, 1854.
No. 5. M. P. Wells,
$15
No. 40. J. E. Hall,
$15
9. C. R. Rhodes,
15
2. D. Barber,
10
11. J. E. Hall,
15
39. W. S. Nye,
12
13. Arius Nye,
15
37. C. B. Hall for Mrs. Buell,
25
15. C. Barker & Stone,
8
35. Mrs. Jackson & Stephens,
21
17. J. Kendrick,
15
33. Capt. Greene,
.25
19. H. Trevor,
15
31. C. B. Hall,
15
21. W. F. Curtis,
18
38. F. A. Wheeler,
15
23. Mrs. Van Allen,
-
36. J. E. Hall,
14
12. Mrs. Sisson,
21
34. A. L. Guitteau,
16
14. Mrs. Lovell,
32. J. R. Cooke,
15
16. W. L. Rolston,
21
30. G. Medlicott,
14
18. Miss Ann Clark,
16
29. Mr. Eveleigh,
10
20. Mr. Stan wood,
16
-. E. W. T. Clark,
10
June 5. C. R. Rhodes elected Secretary, John Hall, Treasurer.
A fence ordered to be built in front of the church under the super- vision of the Rector. . The afternoon Service was changed to the hour of 7 P. M.
The Rector was present in the Convention of the Diocese and says in his report for 1854, "In the course of the last year, God has visited us with his quiekening Spirit, by whom the living received new life, and of the dead, thirteen were awakened, most of whom were young."
1855. Easter Monday, April 9. At a Parish meeting Arius Nye and John Kendrick were elected Wardens, and A. L. Guitteau, F. A. Wheeler, M. P. Wells, C. B. Hall and C. R. Rhodes, Vestrymen.
April 23. Secretary and Treasurer of the previous year re-elected. Messrs. Kendrick and Guitteau elected delegates to Diocesan Convention.
The former was present in the Convention.
1856. February 11. At a meeting of the Vestry at the house of the Pastor; the Rev. John Boyd tendered his resignation as Reeter of St. Luke's Church, "which after the expression of mutual regrets and the assurance of the Pastor that he was convinced his duty required a change of his field of labor, was by vote of the Vestry accepted and the Secretary requested to notify the Bishop of the same."
February 17. The Vestry met at the Church.
"Resolved that the resolution of the Vestry at their last meeting, accepting the resignation of the Pastor, be reconsidered.
Resolved that the Vestry will not accept the resignation of their present Pastor."
February 22. The Vestry met at the Rectory. Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen all present.
"On motion Resolved, Whereas certain members & adherents of St. Luke's Church have kindly proffered to the Church the following subscriptions of money for the purposes therein specified, viz. :
"We, the undersigned, agree to pay the sums of money by each of us hereto subscribed and placed by us opposite our respective signatures to the Treasurer of the Religious Society and Parish of St. Luke, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Ohio at Marietta, known as St. Luke's Church, in the manner following, viz. : 20 per cent. of said sum on the first day of May, A. D., 1856; and 20 per cent. on the first day of May of each year thereafter, without interest, until the said sum of money is paid in full, for the purpose of purchasing a lot in said town of Marietta and erecting such building or buildings thereon for the re- ligious purposes of said Parish, as said Church may determine.
L
168
PARISH MEETING, 1856.
Daniel Greene,
$1511
Cotton & Buell.
$100
J. E. Hall.
A. L. Guitteau.
100
M. P. Wells,
W. F. Curtis.
100
Chas. B. Hall,
D. & J. Anderson,
W. L. Rolston,
J. E. Hall. Jr.
100
Chas. R. & J. R. W. Rhodes,
Geo. Benedict.
100
D. G. Mathews,
J. F. Huntington,
B. W. Lovell,
A. T. Nye. Jr.
100
John Hall,
David Alban,
50
McCoy & Stevens,
C. B. Wells,
100
Stone for Church from my land, W. P. Skinner,
G. Geren.
50
Geo. S. Jones.
50
Edward W. Buell,
150
Elias Eveleigh,
That the Vestry of St. Luke's Church receive the said subscriptions and that it will most cordially co-operate with its signers in consumma- ting the object and design of the same:"
The resolution was amended by adding "upon conditions hereafter to be specified by the Vestry." and carried, Arius Nye voting in the negative and protesting against the action of the Vestry.
M. P. Wells was elected Secretary in the place of C. R. Rhodes, re- signed. J. E. Hall. W. L. Rolston and A. L. Guitteau were appointed "an executive committee to act in the name of the Vestry in ascertaining what building sites can be purchased. their prices. terms of payment, amount of land, when possession of same can be obtained-the above terms to be in writing-and report to the Vestry at their next meeting.
March 3. The committee reported that they had not yet been able to procure a suitable site for the new church edifice. M. P. Wells was substituted on the committee in the place of A. L. Guitteau.
March 5. It was resolved to purchase a lot of J. O. Cram situated on Putnam street. "if no other suitable lot can be obtained by the first day of May next."
Messrs. Rolston, Guitteau. C. B. Hall and J. Kendrick were ap- pointed a building committee to procure designs &e. for the new church edifice.
It was resolved to give the Pastor a vacation of nine weeks each year.
The Secretary was instructed to write to the Vestry of St. Mary's Church, Hillsboro, the reasons why this Vestry cannot accept Mr. Boyd's resignation.
Easter Monday, March 24. 1:56. At the Parish meeting, J. E. Hall was elected Senior Warden. A. L. Guitteau. Junior Warden ; and F. A. Wheeler, Chas. B. Hall, M. P. Wells. W. L. Rolston, J. Kendrick and Chas. R. Rhodes, Vestrymen.
SALE OF PEWS.
No. 5. M. P. Wells, $20
No. 3. C. B. Hall.
9. C. R. Rhodes,
15
3. Whiffing & Win.,
17
11. J. E. Hall,
31. J. Kendrick.
18
13. A. Nye,
16
2. Mr. Eveleigh,
10
15. S Misses Stone
S. F. A. Wheeler.
15
17. Geo. Benedict,
3%. A. L. Guitteau,
19. A. S. Nye,
:
34.
Misses Clark.
21. Mrs. Trevor,
2. David Alban,
16 50
12. Eli Hall,
G. Medlicott.
15 :
14. Mrs. Lovell,
Mr. E. Hall & Creel.
12
16. Barker & Mathews,
1. C. B. Hail.
5
18. W. L. Rolstou,
Mrs. Cadwallader.
6
20. Mrs. Curtis.
Misses MeFarland,
39. Mr. Jenvey,
Mr. Richards,
10 5
37. 'Mrs. Buell,
40. Mr. Neilson.
15
1& Mrs. Bennet
169
LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE.
At a Vestry meeting the same day C. R. Rhodes was elected Secre- tary and A. L. Guitteau, Treasurer.
April 30. Chas. R. Rhodes was elected Treasurer of the New Church Fund. The Treasurer was requested to procure notes for the amount of the deferred subscription, bearing interest if possible. Mr. Slocomb was instructed to make an. estimate of his plan of the new church building.
May 16. The building committee was authorized to close the bar- gain for the purchase of the Crawford lot.
July 5. The Vestry accepted the plan of the exterior of the church building exhibited to them by Mr. Slocomb, and resolved to purchase the Crawford homestead of Jas. S. Stowe for the sum of $1750; $500 on the first of November and the balance in three years with eight per cent. interest. Mr. M. P. Wells was "authorized to dispose of the pres- ent buildings on said lot."
July 19. Nelson Alcock was employed to furnish the imaterials and do the stone work of the new church building at $2.50 per day. C. B. Hall was appointed to have the church lot surveyed. The proposition of Ireneus A. Geren, Wm. Moore and Thomas F. Jones to furnish the brick and to do the brick work at $6.25 per thousand, to be done aecor- ding to the specifications, was accepted with $10 additional for wetting the brick. Messrs. C. B. Hall, C. R. Rhodes and M. P. Wells were made a committee to arrange and close the above contracts.
August 2. "Resolved that Mr. W. L. Rolston be superintendent of the new church building, with full power to employ such persons and make such contracts as he may deem expedient."
Two reasons for building the new church were: first, the old church was rather small and in some respects inconvenient ; there was no space on the lot to build a Sunday school room, nor could the church be well enlarged; second, it was then thought to be too far up town for the convenience of the congregation, most of whomlived in the lower part of the town.
The plan accepted by the Vestry was that of the present church, belonging in style to the Early English period of Gothic architecture.
The corner stone of the new church building was laid by the Rev. John Boyd, on Wednesday, September 9, 1856, at 6 o'clock, P. M., ac- cording to the Form put forth by Bishop Griswold, the musical parts being sung by the choir. In the corner stone were placed a Bible, Praver Book, Bishop Mellvaine's Charge on Preaching Christ and Hin Crucified, Bishop Mellvaine's No Priest, No Altar, No Sacrifice but Christ, and Ryle's tract entitled The Cross; also the Address made by the Rector on the occasion. These were carefully sealed in a tin box, placed in the stone and covered with another stone before nightfall.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.