USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > A historical account of Christ Church, Philadelphia : from its foundation, A.D. 1695, to A.D. 1841 : and of St. Peter's and St. James's, until the separation of the churches > Part 11
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September 19. The, Rev. Mr. Blackwell 17*
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" having assisted Mr. White for some time past to the satisfaction of the congregation and vestry," the vestry elect him the assistant min- ister of the united churches, with a salary of £350. per year.
1782.
February 14. " The church warden is or- dered to make two pews of that called the governor's pew, and let them as soon as pos- sible."
" The committee appointed to provide stoves for both churches, report, that they have fitted up two stoves in each church, with a sufficient quantity of pipe, &c."
March 28. " It is unanimously resolved, that as Mr. Curtz has acted as organist to the churches for several years, gratis, Mr. John David is requested to make a genteel quart silver tankard, to be presented to him from the congregations of the united churches."
June 4. The vestry direct that " an orches- tra be erected in front of the gallery, where the organ stands, in Christ Church, for the con- venience of a number of singers ; provided it can be done genteelly, and the expense not ex- ceed thirty pounds." This was accordingly
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
done, and the work was finished in a few weeks.
" It being represented to the vestry that many pews lay vacant in the north gallery in St. Peter's church, owing to the present situation of the organ, and that a number of pews might be made where the organ now stands," a com- mittee is appointed to examine and report on the same. At a subsequent meeting, the committee report " that they are of opinion that the organ in St. Peter's Church would be much better situated by being placed at the west end of the church, in a gallery to be erect- ed for that purpose ; that the pulpit, reading- desk, &c., at present at the west end, to be removed to the east end of the church, and that they computed the expense to be about two hundred and twenty-five pounds."
1783.
August 7. Mrs. Duché leaves a legacy of £50. to Christ Church. The church warden reported that he had received the same from Mr. Duché, who expects the vestry will put four new windows' in the south side of said church, agreeably to a plan furnished by him.
December 23. " Mr. Pollard reported, that the windows in Christ Church are in very bad
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order, and cannot be repaired, and proposed that three new windows, be put in on the north side down stairs, and the old windows appro- priated to repair the windows up stairs." The church warden is authorized to procure curtains for the south windows of Christ Church.
1784.
April 30. A subscription paper is drawn up for the purpose of raising funds " to build a brick wall around St. Peter's Church burial ground, and to put new windows in the upper story of Christ Church." It was probably at this time that the first windows, which were of small panes of glass set in lead, were remov- ed to give place to the present windows.
May 24. A convention of clerical and lay deputies from the church in Pennsylvania, was this day held in Christ Church, in order to take some preparatory steps towards a general or- ganization of the Episcopal church. " The steps leading to this convention were originated by Dr. White, in the vestry of the churches under his parochial care."* Certain funda- mental principles of an ecclesiastical consti- tution were at this time agreed upon, which
* White's Memoirs of the Prot, Epis, Church, p. 84,
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
may be found in Bishop White's memoirs of the Protestant Episcopal Church, page 84.
July 29. The committee appointed by ves- try for the management of Christ Church Hos- pital, report ; " that the house made use of as an hospital is a small old building two-stories high, and much out of repair ;" that eight pensioners are lodged within this building, and that twelve others are boarded out, at the expense of the institution ; that the whole expense for the - twenty pensioners is £432., which would not be so, great, if a suitable building were erected for their accommodation.
October 27. " The vestry being informed that many persons wish to see an academy in- stituted in connexion with these churches," appointed a committee, who, at a subsequent meeting, November 8th, made the following report :
" The committee appointed at the last meet- ing of vestry, report; that the design of insti- tuting an academy of the protestant Episcopal church in this city, is in their opinion expedient and practicable ; and for carrying it into exe- cution, they recommend that a subscription be encouraged by the vestry ; and that all per- - sons who shall, on or before the first day of
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January next, have subscribed at least ten pounds to the intended seminary, be invited to meet in Christ Church on the day above men- tioned, in the forenoon, immediately after divine service, to enact fundamental laws and elect visiters for the government of the same. And they further recommend, that it be declared to the subscribers, as essential to the intended seminary, that it shall be under the government of sixteen persons, every one of whom shall either be a clergyman of some church of the protestant Episcopal communion, now, or here- after being in this city, or within five miles thereof ; or he shall be qualified to be elected a vestryman in one or more of the said churches, and have either subscribed the sum of at least ten pounds to the said seminary, or received his education therein, and left it with an honour- able certificate of his conduct and proficiency." Signed,
WILLIAM WHITE.
BENJAMIN WYNKOOP. MATTHEW CLARKSON. JOHN CHALONER. GERARDUS CLARKSON.
Measures were immediately taken to carry the above plan into effect.
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
1785.
April 3. The following wholesome resolu- tion was passed at a meeting of the vestry this day, viz : " Resolved, that the clerks be desired to sing such tunes only as are plain and familiar to the congregations; the singing of other tunes, and frequent changing of tunes being, to the certain knowledge of this vestry, generally disagreeable and inconvenient; and that the church wardens be directed to notify them of the same."
May 20. It is ordered, that the house occu- pied by the pensioners of Christ Church Hospi- tal be rebuilt, thirty-four feet deep, and three stories high. This house, which was No. 111 Arch Street, remained until 1838, when it was torn down, and the present building, now occu- pied by the rector of Christ Church, was erect- ed upon the site.
May 23. The first convention of the Epis- copal church in the state of Pennsylvania, met this day in Christ Church, and formed an act of association of the clergy and congregations in the state. The Rev. Dr. White presided in this convention. Of the first twenty-nine annual diocesan conventions, all but one were held in Christ Church.
July 21. The committee appointed to re-
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pair St. Peter's church, are directed to cause the aisles to be paved with bricks.
Very considerable repairs were made on both ' churches this year, the estimated cost of which was more than a thousand pounds.
September 27. Agreeably to appointment, the first general convention was held in Christ Church this day, and the Rev. Dr. White was chosen president. The convention consisted of " clerical and lay deputies, from seven of the thirteen United States, viz. from New York to Virginia, inclusive, with the addition of South Carolina."* The acts of this and the follow- ing conventions are recorded in their printed journals.
1786.
June 21. The general convention again met in Christ Church, and Dr. White preached the opening sermon. Seven of the thirteen states were represented, as before.
September 14. At a diocesan convention held this day in Christ Church, the Rev. Dr. White is unanimously chosen bishop of the dio- cese of Pennsylvania, and the sum of three hundred and fifty pounds currency is voted to
* White's Memoirs of the Prot. Epis. Church, p. 22.
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
defray the necessary expenses of the voyage of the bishop elect to and from England; and it is further resolved, that the said sum be raised by the several churches in the diocese. Of this sum, one hundred and sixty pounds were to be contributed by the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's, as their fair proportion. October 30. Dr. White sailed for England, to obtain Episcopal consecration. The day before sailing, he preached, by anticipation, a thanksgiving sermon in Christ Church .* The Rev. Dr. Andrews is engaged by the vestry to officiate in the Rector's absence. Previous to his departure, the following address was deli- vered to Dr. White, by order of the vestry.
" We the church wardens and vestrymen of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in the city of Philadelphia, in vestry met, take this occasion of expressing the satisfaction we feel at your being nomi- nated to the sacred office of a bishop.
Whilst we congratulate the church in gene- ral, upon the prospect of a complete organiza- tion within itself, which the independence of the United States of America has rendered
* This sermon, which was printed, is in the Loganian Library, 1901, O. The day set apart for public thanksgiving was several days subse- quent to Dr. White's sailing.
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essentially necessary, we particularly felicitate ourselves upon the irreproachable moral cha- racter of the person now chosen to fulfil the duties of that éminent station, whose exempla- ry life, and soundness in the christian faith, we have no doubt will, in future, dignify an exalted, as it has hitherto adorned a more humble sta- tion in the church of Christ.
The perfect harmony which has ever subsist- ed between you and the churches under your care, has deservedly endeared you to them, and will render them anxious for your safety in the voyage you are about to undertake. Our un- ceasing good wishes will accompany you, and we sincerely pray that it may please divine providence to restore you safe to your native land, and to the flock committed to your charge.
Signed in, by order, and on behalf of the vestry, this twenty-third day of October, 1786.
JOSEPH SWIFT. TENCH COXE. Church wardens,
To this address Dr. White returned the fol- lowing answer.
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
Gentlemen,
I request you to accept of my sincere and hearty thanks, for the affecting instance of your esteem now given me. Under my sense of the difficulties of the station to which I am nomi- nated, I find great encouragement in know- ing that the appointment is satisfactory to the representatives of the congregations, with whom I have so long lived in perfect har- mony.
The testimony given by this vestry in favour of my past life and conversation among them, cannot but have arisen in a great measure from their being disposed to think favourably of their ministers. Yet in case of my return, it will be an additional obligation on me, to endeavour to deserve their regard ; and at any rate, it will be an incentive to those who shall succeed me in the pastoral duties of these churches.
Give me leave, gentlemen, to assure you, that yourselves, and the congregations repre- sented by you, will be always near to my heart ; and that, during my absence, I shall not forget to offer up my prayers to the throne of grace on your behalf ; at the same time that I desire to recommend myself to yours, as well for the prospering of the important object of my voyage, as for my due discharge of the
-
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duties which it may be the occasion of my as- suming.
WM. WHITE.
Oct. 23d. 1786.
The following notification of Dr. White's in- tention to depart for England, to obtain conse- cration, was read in the several churches in the city, viz .: Christ Church, St. Peter's and St. Paul's. -
" Whereas the most reverend the archbish- ops of Canterbury and York, among other in- stances of their pious regard for the welfare of the protestant Episcopal church in these states, have required the persons, who shall offer them- selves in England, to be consecrated bishops of the said church, that their intentions of so offer- ing themselves be previously published in the churches where they respectively reside ; to the intent that if there be any error in religion or viciousness of life, rendering them unmeet for the holy office of bishop, the same may be made known ; and whereas the reverend Wil- liam White, D. D. and rector of these churches, hath been duly nominated to the office of bishop of the protestant Episcopal church in this state, by the said church in convention, and is soon,
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
with permission of Almighty God, to proceed to England, there to present himself for consecra- tion ; Therefore, the above is now notified to this congregation, who are hereby solemnly called on to declare any impediment they may know, on account of which the Reverend Doc- tor William White ought not to be consecrat- ed to the holy office of bishop."
Subsequent to the above, the following certi- ficate was prepared and signed.
"In vestry of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, in the city of Philadelphia, on the 23d day of October, 1786.
We, the church wardens and vestrymen of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, in the city of Philadelphia, do hereby certify, that the notification afore- going was publicly read immediately after divine service, in Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in this city, on Sunday the twenty-se- cond instant; and that no objection was then, or has since been made, to our knowledge, to the consecration of the Rev. William White, D. D., and rector of these churches, to the office of bishop of the protestant Episcopal church in this state, to which he has been elected by the
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unanimous suffrages of the convention of the said churches. And we do further declare, that whilst we gratefully acknowledge the pious caution manifested by the right reverend the archbishops and bishops of the church of Eng- land, in so carefully guarding the first appoint- ments to the episcopacy in America, we con- gratulate the protestant Episcopal church in this state, on the election of the reverend Doctor White to this sacred office ; who, dur- ing a period of fourteen years that he has offi- ciated as rector, or as assistant minister, in the churches we represent, has uniformly supported the character of a learned, orthodox, pious and zealous minister of our church ; and is, in our opinions, every way qualified to fill the most important offices therein.
In witness whereof we have hereunto sub- scribed our names.
Jos. SWIFT.
TENCH COXE. Church wardens.
Will'm Adcock. Jos. Bullock.
Robert Towers.
Francis Gurney.
Joseph Claypoole. Will'm Hall.
J. Swanwick. Geo. Bickham.
Adam Hubley.
Wooddrop Sims.
Benj. Wynkoop.
Saml. Powell.
Peter De Haven.
John Morris.
John David.
Vestrymen.
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
1787.
February 4. Sunday. Dr. White was this day consecrated bishop of the diocese of Penn- sylvania, in the chapel of the archiepiscopal palace at Lambeth in England. Among the few persons present on this interesting occasion, was his old friend and associate, the former rector of Christ Church, the Rev. Dr. Duché .*
May 7. The vestry considering the galleries of Christ Church insecure, direct small pillars to be placed between some of the large columns, to support the galleries.
May 28. Bishop White having returned from England, he this day held an ordination in Christ Church, for the first time, and admit- ted Mr. Joseph Clarkson to the holy order of deacons. On this most interesting occasion, the Rev. Dr. Magaw, rector of St. Paul's church, and vice provost of the university of Pennsyl- vania, preached the ordination sermon. A printed copy of this sermon is preserved in the Loganian library. In the dedication to Bishop White, the author remarks, that " the occasion which required its being delivered was GREAT and DELIGHTFUL." And at the conclusion of his discourse he says, " a new era hath opened
* White's Memoirs of the Prot. Epis. Ch. p. 137.
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in our church, that will be remembered forever. Our Episcopal system is completed ; the first fruits of so distinguished an event come for- ward on the present day. I join with thousands to meet and welcome the blessing."
August 6. A committee is appointed to at- tend to the painting of Christ Church steeple.
October 11. The rector reported to the vestry, that Mr. John Swanwick had presented an episcopal chair to the church, (probably St. Peter's,) and that Messrs. Wooddrop and Jo- seph Sims had given a baptismal font and a communion table cloth. Whereupon a vote of thanks to those gentlemen was passed by the vestry.
December 3. The Rev. Joseph G. Bend, residing in New York, is elected assistant min- ister of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's, " more especially to relieve the rector of the weight of parochial duty incum- bent on him; which he must find it difficult to attend to, in consequence of his duty as bishop." Mr. Bend accepted, and continued an assistant in the united churches until June 1791, when he resigned.
1788.
April 10. A committee of vestry is appoint-
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
plan an alteration of the chancel and reading desk in Christ Church, and to carry the same into effect." The object of this was to make room for some additional pews.
November 3. "The rector laid before the vestry a plan of a free school for boys, to be under the care of the trustees of the Episcopal academy, intended to include, when sufficient funds should be raised, a sunday school, as also a school for girls ; and confirming a proposi- tion for charity sermons to be preached annu- ally, to assist in the support of the same. Whereupon, resolved, that the rector and assis- tant ministers of these united churches may annually, in the month of May, preach sermons for the benefit of the said charity schools ; and in consideration that equal care should be ex- tended by the well disposed to both sexes, this vestry earnestly recommend, that this school be extended to girl's from the beginning; and that the money arising from the sermons above mentioned, be applied towards supporting the whole."
In the above record we find mention made of a sunday school, several years before the Philadelphia Sunday school society, which is supposed to be the first institution of the kind in this country, was formed. Of the Philadelphia
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Sunday school society, instituted 1791, Bishop White was first president ; which office he re- tained until his death.
1789.
January 22. A resolution of thanks is passed by the vestry to " Mr. Gostelowe, for his generous gift of a mahogany communion table, and the making of a font for Christ Church."
Upon the cover of the font is this inscrip- tion, viz. :
THE GIFT OF
JONATHAN GOSTELOWE,
Cabinet Maker, Philadelphia, TO
CHRIST CHURCH, JANUARY, 1789.
January 31. The vestry direct that a new gallery be erected over the chancel in St. Pe- ter's Church, for the purpose of receiving the organ ; and that six pews be made in the north gallery, where the organ now stands. A com- mittee appointed for this purpose, report that the estimated expense will be £110, "to build
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
the said gallery, remove and put up the organ, finish the six pews in the place where the organ now stands, and find all necessary mate- rials for the purposes aforesaid."
April 16. The following letter was laid be- fore the vestry :
" Sheriff Hall, on Wappoo, four miles from Charleston, South Carolina, January 28th, 1789.
To our worthy Bishop, Mr. White, to the Rev. Mr. Blackwell, and my old friend Robert Towers :
I am now sick, but I believe not to die at this time ; and farther hope to live until I can settle my affairs to my mind ; and as this is a beginning, and you approve of my offer, it may be a part done which I could wish was finished. There is that lot in Fifth street, and that, No. 4 from Schuylkill, with somewhere about five hun- dred pounds, in possession of my old friend John Drinker. The whole I leave to the use of Dr. Kearsley's bounty, to the poor distressed wi- dows, for a continual succession until time shall be no more; paying forty S. M. dollars every three months, brought and delivered in my hands, and not for me to run after it. The titles of the lands are with my friend John
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Drinker, who I have informed by letter; and if you approve of my offer, the conveyance may be made out and executed; the sooner the better. I expect you three to act a just part by me, and if I receive that sum every three months, I shall be satisfied. I shall conclude, as I am weary, and you know my mind; and subscribe myself,
Your affectionate well-wisher.
JOSEPH DOBBINS.
N. B. It is my request that the money, in the hands of my friend, may not be taken from him while he gives sufficient security, and pays the interest. After my death the annuity ceases."
Besides the above munificent gift to Christ Church Hospital, Mr. Dobbins, at his decease, in 1804, " left all his estate, real and personal," amounting to several thousand dollars, to that institution.
April 23. The pew rent arising from both churches is reported to be £836. The rector's salary is £400, Dr. Blackwell's £350, and the Rev. Mr. Bend's £275.
November 11. A copy of Walton's Poly- glot Bible, 6 vols. folio, and a copy of Castell's Lexicon, 2 vols. folio, are presented to Christ Church Library by the Rev. T. Preston, rector
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
of Chevening in Kent, England ; for which valu- able present, the rector is requested to return to Mr. Preston the thanks of the vestry.
1790.
November 26. A committee appointed at a previous vestry meeting, to provide a pew in Christ Church, for the president of the United States, now " report that they have obtained a double pew in the middle aisle of said Church," by the removal of the former occupants. "The rector and church wardens are requested to wait on the president, after his arrival, with the key of the said pew." This pew, Washing- ton and his family continued to occupy, for six years ; until his retirement from public life, and consequent removal from the city.
1791.
June 27. " The rector laid before the vestry a letter from the Rev. Mr. Bend, resigning his place as assistant minister in these churches, in consequence of his election to the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, Maryland. The vestry, in receiving and accepting the resigna- tion of Mr. Bend, take the opportunity of de- claring their entire satisfaction with his services in their connexion. The rector desires that his concurrence in the testimony now borne may
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be recorded, and they unite in wishing Mr. Bend every happiness, spiritual and temporal, in the station on which he is now entering."
1794.
June 9. The Rev. James Abercrombie is elected an assistant minister of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's.
December 29. "This vestry - sympathizing with the Lutheran congregation, in their late calamity of the destruction of their church by fire, empower the rector and church wardens to make an offer to the said congregation of the use of Christ Church, in the afternoons, or in the evenings, of Sunday, or partially in either of the said parts of the day, as shall be most conveni- ent to the said congregation. And further, the rector and church wardens are empowered to make an offer, in regard to any other days in the week, according to their discretion. Re- solved, that a copy of the above be attested by the accounting warden, and sent to the corpo- ration of the Lutheran Church."
1797.
February 28. " An address to the president of the United States, (George Washington) was read and approved of," and a committee was
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
appointed to wait on him and learn when it would be convenient for him to receive said address. " Resolved, that the rector and two church wardens be a committee to wait on the president elect, (John Adams) after he has en- tered on his office, to offer him the pew in Christ Church, hitherto occupied by the president."
April 24. The following preamble and reso- lution were proposed, in vestry meeting, and ordered to lie over until the next meeting of vestry : "Whereas, the president's pew in Christ Church will only be occasionally occu- pied by the president of the United States, Re- solved, that the Right Rev. Dr. White be requested to make use of the same, reserving the right of accommodating the president of the United States at such times as he shall choose to attend."
From 1797, until the year 1806, nothing ap- pears on the records of the vestry, which is deemed of sufficient importance to introduce in this history.
1806.
May 20. A committee was appointed " to consider the ways and means of building an- other church," to be united with Christ Church and St. Peter's.
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At this time there were only three Episcopal churches in the city : viz., Christ Church, St. Peter's, and St. Paul's; none having been erected since 1761, when St. Peter's was con- secrated ; a period of forty-five years.
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