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 13
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1829.
February 14. At a meeting of the vestry of the united Episcopal churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in the city of Philadel- phia, held agreeably to notice at the rector's house, on Saturday evening, the 14th of Febru- ary, A. D. 1829 ; present, the rector, the church wardens, and Messrs. Wayne, Pratt, Bring- hurst, White, Tryon, Nicklin, Miller, Percival and Lewis.
A duly certified copy of an act of the legis- lature of this commonwealth, entitled " An act
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for erecting Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in the city of Philadelphia, and St. James's Church in the same city, into two sep- arate corporations," passed the 5th of Febru- ary, 1829, was submitted to vestry, whereby it is, among other things, declared and enacted, " That the right reverend William White, rec- tor, Horace Binney and William Meredith, church wardens, and Caleb P. Wayne, Henry Pratt, George Bringhurst, Thomas H. White, Joseph Cooper, George Tryon, Philip H. Nick- lin, Daniel Smith, Joseph Sims, John Miller, Jr., William Phillips, Joshua Percival, Joseph R. Ingersoll and Lawrence Lewis, vestrymen, shall form, and they are hereby declared to be, a body politic and corporate, by the name, style, and title of 'The rector, church wardens and vestrymen of the united Episcopal churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, in the city of Philadelphia,' with the same powers, rights, authorities and privileges, which were possessed and enjoyed by the said two church- es under their original charter from the late proprietaries of Pennsylvania, before the build- ing of the said St. James's Church, and before the passing of the act of the nineteenth day of March, A. D. 1810, entitled ' An act enlarging and altering the charter, of the rector church
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wardens and vestrymen of the united Episcopal churches of Christ Church, and St. Peter's Church, in the city of Philadelphia, in the pro- vince of Pennsylvania,' and for other purposes therein mentioned."
1831.
June 1. The Rev. Dr. Kemper, (now Bish- op Kemper,) having been elected rector of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, Connecticut, tenders his resignation as assistant minister of the unit- ed churches, having held the office more than twenty years. He preached his farewell ser- mon on Trinity Sunday, May 29th.
"On motion of Mr. Binney, the following resolutions, being considered, are unanimously adopted :
Whereas the Rev. Jackson Kemper, one of the assistant ministers of the united churches, has tendered to vestry the resignation of his office, he having been elected rector of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, Connecticut :
Resolved, that Dr. Kemper's resignation be accepted ; and that the rector be requested to express to him the sense which the vestry en- tertain of his services during the term of their connection, a period of more than twenty years, in which these churches have witnessed in Dr.
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Kemper an example of unvarying devotion to . the duties of the sacred office, of untiring zeal in their conscientious discharge, and of the cheerful surrender at all times of his personal ease and convenience, to the welfare of the united churches.
The vestry part with Dr. Kemper, with sen- timents of affectionate respect, and pray that the blessing of heaven may attend him person- ally, and prosper his labours in his new con- nection.
Resolved, that as a mark of the esteem of the united churches for Dr. Kemper, the account- ing warden be instructed to pay him the sum of five hundred dollars, in addition to his salary for the accruing quarter."
" Resolved, that a committee of six be ap- pointed to consider the expediency of filling at this time the vacancy in the office of assistant minister occasioned by the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Kemper. Messrs. Binney, Hutchins, Nicklin, Meredith, Miller and J. S. Smith, were appointed.
" Resolved, that the same committee be au- thorized and instructed to consider and report as to the expediency of a separation of the churches, and if it shall be deemed expedient, to prepare and report a plan for that purpose.
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June 17. - " The committee report their opinion that a separation of the churches is ex- pedient ; and in obedience to their instructions, they report a plan and resolution for carrying it into effect."*
November 16. "The wardens report the votes of the congregations of the churches on the question of their separation, received agree- ably to a former resolution of vestry, from which it appears that in Christ Church there were 66 votes in favour of that measure, and none against it ; and that in St. Peter's Church, there were 74 votes in favour, and 5 votes against it. It is thereupon resolved, that Messrs. Binney, J. S. Smith and Wheeler, be a committee to prepare and report to vestry a memorial to the legislature, and a bill for car- rying into effect the separation of these churches."
An act for erecting the two churches into separate corporations was passed in January following.
1832.
January 25. At a meeting of the members of the late vestry of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's, held at the house of the
* See Appendix.
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rector of the said churches, " Mr. Meredith, the late accounting church warden, communicated to the meeting an act of the honourable legisla- ture, entitled 'An Act for erecting Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in the city of Philadel- phia into separate corporations,' approved by the governor on the day of January, in- stant, which had been passed agreeably to a memorial which had been presented to the legis- lature to that effect.
" The members of the late vestry in their re- cording of this act, look back on the proceed- ings of the said churches during the more than seventy years of their union, (having been for nearly sixty years under the spiritual guidance of their present rector, the Right Reverend William White, for nearly fifty-three of which he has filled that office,) with gratitude to Al- mighty God for the uninterrupted harmony by which their union has been distinguished.
" It is an additional satisfaction to them, that the separation now taking place, has not been occasioned by unpleasant feelings or by discon- tent in any, but has been produced by the con- viction, that in distinct corporations the interest of the churches will be most effectually pro- moted.
" Accordingly, while they resolve themselves 21*
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into two vestries, agreeably to the provisions of the act, it is with prayer to Almighty God, that in their characters of two churches, there may be a continuance of the blessing hitherto vouch- safed to them in union."
The two churches being now erected into separate corporations, by the act above named, an election of vestrymen was holden in Christ Church, "Agreeably to charter and ancient usage," on Easter Monday, April 23, 1832; and in the afternoon of the same day, " the ves- try-men chose Henry I. Hutchins to be one - of the church wardens, and the rector chose Horace Binney to be the other church warden."
April 30. "The Sunday collections of box- money in the church were agreed to be abol- ished."
June 6. "Resolved, that the office of clerk be abolished, on the 10th day of July next."
June 29. The Rev. John W. James, rec- tor of Christ Church, Meadville, is elected an assistant minister, " during the lifetime of the present rector, and until the Easter Monday following his decease."
Mr. James accepted, and entered on his new duties the September following.
November 7. The Rev. Dr. Abercrombie tenders his resignation as assistant minister of
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Christ Church, which is accepted. He had held that office more than thirty-eight years ; hav- ing been elected to it in June, 1794. The ves- try voted to the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie, on his resigning his charge, an annuity of six hundred dollars for life ; and St. Peter's Church did the same.
1834.
March 1. A three story building on Har- tung's alley, (now Le Grange street) adjoining the north west corner of the church ground, is rented by vestry for a term of years, from the 1st of March, 1834; and fitted up for the use of the Sunday schools.
May 7. " The committee appointed on the 7th April last, on the subject of altering the galleries, &c., report, that they have given dili- gent attention to that object, and submit for consideration of vestry the following letter* from Mr. Thomas U. Walter, architect, receiv- ed in answer to their inquiries.
" Resolved, that the committee be continued, and that they be authorized to alter the galle- ries, by the introduction of slip pews ; and to remove the organ back, in such manner as may appear most advisable." Nothing further ap- pears to have been done by this committee until January, 1836.
* See Appendix.
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1835.
June 3. A committee of vestry is appointed to have ten or more vaults constructed in the burial ground on the corner of Arch and Fifth streets.
June 25. " On motion of Mr. Binney, the. following preamble and resolution were adopt- ed; Whereas it is deemed expedient to erect a new organ in Christ Church, of sufficient power for the church, and of such workmanship and materials as to insure durability, Resolved, that the committee on music be authorized to enter into contract for such an organ, and that they be authorized to dispose of the present organ for such price as they deem proper, to be applied in part to the payment of the new organ."
For a particular account of the instrument which was purchased by authority of the above resolution, see Appendix.
1836.
January 25. The committee on re-seating the church, taking down and rebuilding the galleries, &c., made a report in favour of adopt- ing certain plans submitted by Thomas U. Wal- ter, Esq., architect. "On motion, resolved, that the committee be authorized to carry into
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effect the plans reported by them." The im- provements were commenced in June follow- ing.
February 12. A letter was laid before the vestry, from Miss Sarah Hutchins, together with the title deeds for a ground rent for $10663 principal, or $64 per annum, together with one year's interest due on the same, a donation from her to Christ Church ; " which," she says, " I give to this venerable church in consequence of my strong attachment to it. This gift to be disposed and taken care of by the vestry, so as to promote the best interests of the church. I request this gift to form the basis of a school fund under the hope, by the blessing of God, that it ยท may in time, with the assistance of other gifts to the same fund, enable the church to own a suitable place for the schools of the church." The vestry passed a vote of thanks to Miss Hutchins, for her very munificent gift.
June 1. The largest, or tenor bell in the chime, fell during the winter of 1834-5, and was broken; it was therefore necessary to have it sent to England, to be recast at the same foundry in London, where it was originally made, more than eighty years before. The treble bell was sent out with it, to enable the founder to give the new bell the proper
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tone. They had now been returned, and placed in the steeple ; and the committee, to whom the matter was entrusted, " congratulate the vestry and congregation on the success of Thomas Mears, of London, in giving us a bell, hand- some in shape, and superior in tone to the old bell." The committee also " state to vestry, the good feeling and interest manifested to our church and city, by Messrs. Harrold & Sons, of Birmingham, and Messrs. Thomas and John D. Thornly, of Liverpool, in their correspond- ence ; obtaining the permission of the British government for importing and exporting, to and from England, the two bells free of duty ; re- ceiving and forwarding, and having the broken one re-cast, without any charge of commissions, or interest on advances. The whole amount of expenses, from the taking down, to the being replaced in the steeple, is about $375."
July 17. The venerable Bishop White, rec- tor of Christ Church, St. Peter's and St. James's, departed this life, in the 89th year of his age. The interesting circumstances attending his de- cease, are thus narrated by his biographer, the Rev. Dr. Wilson.
"On Sunday, the 17th of July, between eleven and twelve o'clock, A. M., during the morning worship of the church, and soon after the prayer had as usual been offered for him, and probably
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at the very time when, from some of the churches, it was ascending on his behalf before the throne of God, surrounded by his own fam- ily, composed of his son, his only surviving child, and his grand-children, who had paid to him unwearied attention, (his other friends who were usually with him having gone to attend the public worship,) he expired without a sigh or groan, so calmly, that the period of his disso- lution could not be marked by his attendants .*
" On the day of his funeral, there was volunta- rily a general suspension of business. In par- ticular, the stores were for the most part closed in the streets through which the procession was to pass, as were many also in other parts of the city. The public authorities, the various lite- rary, charitable and religious bodies, the clergy and members of the different christian churches, united in paying respect to his memory. And the good order and silence of the many thou- sands who thronged the streets, besides the great number composing the funeral proces- sion, were a striking manifestation of the pub- lic sentiments."+
* The bishop's death took place at his dwelling-house in Walnut street, No. 89, above Third street. It had been his residence since his return from England, in 1787, after his consecration ; more than fifty years.
t Rev. Dr. Wilson's Memoir of Bishop White, p. 267, 268.
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The following account of the funeral solem- nities, is taken from " The Missionary," a reli- gious journal of that day, published in Burling- ton, New Jersey.
FUNERAL OBSEQUIES.
The funeral of Bishop White took place, from his late dwelling, 89 Walnut street, on Wednesday morning, July 20, 1836. The arrangements were admirably directed by Isaac Roach, Esq., of St. Peter's Church.
The procession formed but a small part of the immense concourse of persons who were collected to pay their last tokens of respect to the deceased and universally beloved bishop. It has been estimated that upwards of twenty - thousand persons were congregated to participate in the mournful rites of the occasion.
The following was the order of the procession,-
Sextons. Rev. Dr. De Lancey, Rev. Messrs. Sheets and James, as the officiating Clergy. Bishop of the Diocese.
Rev. Mr. Bull,
Rt. R. Dr. M&Coskry,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Doane,
Pall Bearers,
HIEr Pall Bearers.
| Rev. Dr. Abercrombie,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Kemper,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Bowen. Family. Physician to the Family. Clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church, as Mourners. Wardens of Christ Church, St. Peter's and St. James's, as Mourners. Vestrymen of the same, as Mourners.
-
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, as Mourners. The Clergy of various Denominations. Wardens and Vestrymen of the Protestant Espiscopal Churches. Candidates for Holy Orders.,
Trustees and Faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. Governor of the State of Pennsylvania. Judges of the United States and State Courts. American Philosophical Society. Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen. Select and Common Councils.
Protestant Episcopal Academy. Society for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania. Protestant Episcopal Diocesan Sunday School Society. Bishop White Prayer-book Society. Philadelphia Bible Society. Prison Discipline Society. Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. Institution for the Blind. Philadelphia Dispensary. Other Institutions with which the Bishop was connected. Episcopalians. Citizens.
Large numbers of the Episcopal clergy were in atten- dance. We noticed among them, many from the towns in the immediate vicinity, and also from New York and Baltimore. The Right Rev. Bishops Bowen of South Carolina, Onderdonk of Pennsylvania, Doane of New-Jer- sey, Kemper, Missionary Bishop for Missouri and Indiana, and McCoskry of Michigan, were present. The Right Rev. Bishops Bowen, Doane, Kemper, and McCoskry, at-
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tended as pall-bearers, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Abercrom- bie and the Rev. Mr. Bull, two of the oldest presbyters present.
All the Episcopal Clergy were habited in their official robes and attended as mourners. A large number of the city clergy wore, in addition to their robes, a black scarf as a badge of mourning. Besides the clergy of the Epis- copal church, there were collected a great number of min- isters of other christian denominations. Nearly the whole- of the church was filled with the clergy and vestries of the various churches.
The procession having arrived at Christ Church, where the services were to be performed, the body of the venera- ble man was placed in the middle aisle before the chancel. The church, which was undergoing repairs, had been ar- ranged with great propriety and fitness, under the direction of a committee of the vestry, for the solemnities of the occasion, and was hung with the sable habiliments of wo. Indeed, the effect was heightened by the partially disman- tled state in which the building was, as harmonizing with the scene; while the substitution of benches for the high and inconvenient pews, afforded greater accommodation to the numerous audience, which it displayed to the best ad- vantage. The introductory sentences were read by the Rev. Mr. Sheets, the services in the church were conducted by the Rev. Dr. De Lancey, and a sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. H. U. Onderdonk, from the 1st Job, 8th : " Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil ?" After the sermon was delivered, the procession proceeded to the family vault of the bishop, in the grave-yard adjoining the Church, where the body of the lamented patriarch was returned, " earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," to slumber till
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
the morning of the resurrection. The service at the grave was performed by the Rev. Mr. James, assistant minister of the church.
On the day after the bishop's decease, a meeting of the clergy in Philadelphia and the vicinity, was held in St. Stephen's church, at which, with those of the city, were present, the bishop of New Jersey, the Rev. Professor Turner, of New York, and the Rev. Mr. Russell of Dela- ware. The bishop of the diocese presided. Resolutions of condolence with the family were passed ; as also to at- tend the funeral as mourners, and to wear crape on the hat, and crape scarfs in the desk for six months. Resolutions of condolence, on the part of the bishop and clergy of New York, assembled at an episcopal visitation, at Rye, and from several of the vestries in the neighbouring dioceses, have already come in ; in all which cases, we observe the determination to hang the churches with black. St. Mary's Church, in this city, was clad in mourning weeds, on the Sunday following, when Bishop Doane preached a sermon in commemoration of the senior of our church, from Pro- vers iv. 18. " The path of the just is like the shining light ; which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
July 21. The Rev. John W. James, the assistant minister, was this day unanimously elected rector of Christ Church, but survived his venerable predecessor only four weeks. While the church was undergoing repairs, Mr. James embraced the opportunity of visiting his family and friends at the west, and had reached Huntingdon, upon the canal, on his way to
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Pittsburgh, when he became so ill that he was taken to an inn, where he died, on Sunday morning, August 14th, 1836. On receiving in- telligence of his death, a special meeting of the vestry was called, and resolutions were passed expressive of their deep sorrow for the sudden bereavement which the church had sustained, and their high estimation of the piety, talents, zeal and devotedness of their late estimable rector. His remains were removed from Hun- tingdon to Philadelphia, by order of the vestry, in conformity with his dying request, and de- posited in a vault upon the north side of Christ Church yard, near the tomb of Bishop White.
December 7. The committee on the repairs and improvements of the church, report, that the work is now completed, and that divine worship was held in the church on Sunday, No- vember 27th, the Right Rev. Henry U. Onder- donk, D. D. bishop of the diocese, officiating morning and afternoon.
They further report, that the whole interior of the church has been repaired, the walls and ceiling re-plastered, the floors, galleries, stairs and pews made entirely new ; the wood work, walls and ceiling, painted in the best manner ; the aisles, stairs and passages, covered with carpets ; the pews lined and stuffed with curled
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
hair; and two furnaces constructed under the west end of the church; and that the whole work has been done as near the plan directed by the vestry as practicable.
The committee on repairs, &c. were Moses Kempton, John White, Ellis Clark, and Bank- son Taylor, Esqrs.
1837.
February 2. At a meeting of the vestry this day, the death of Mr. Bankson Taylor having been announced, it was "Resolved, that this vestry hold in grateful remembrance his active and useful services as a vestryman of this church, and sympathize with his family in the loss they have sustained."
March 6. At a special meeting held this day, " the committee appointed to nominate to vestry a suitable person as rector of this church, report the Rev. Benjamin Dorr of New York, as a suitable person for that high and important office. On motion, Resolved, that a special meeting be called for Thursday afternoon, 9th instant, at 4o'clock, for the purpose of going into the election of a rector."
March 9. " On motion, Resolved, that the vestry do now proceed to an election of rector for this church, (the notices having stated that 22*
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the meeting was convened for that purpose,) the tellers report, on counting the votes, that there were ten (the whole number now consti- tuting this vestry,) voting for the Rev. Benja- min Dorr, of New-York, now secretary and general agent of the domestic committee of the board of missions of the protestant Episcopal church ; he is therefore declared unanimously elected rector of this church."
"Resolved, that a committee be appointed to proceed to Baltimore, to meet the Rev. Mr. Dorr, who is to be there by appointment on the 12th instant, and inform him of his election, and solicit his acceptance." Messrs. Kempton and Nicklin were appointed the committee.
March 25. " The committee appointed by vestry to go to Baltimore to meet the Rev. Benjamin Dorr, and to notify him of his elec- tion to the office of rector of Christ Church, report, that they went to Baltimore on the eleventh instant, and found that the Rev. Mr. Dorr had changed his arrangements, and gone to Virginia; but understanding that a letter would reach him at Richmond, they wrote to him in that city, informing him of his election and of the proceedings of the vestry in that matter. A copy of the committee's letter ac- companies this report."
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
Baltimore, March 12th 1837.
Rev. and Dear Sir,
You will fully appreciate the feelings of anxious concern, and deep religious responsibility, with which the vestry of Christ Church have endeavoured to fulfil the duty of se- lecting a successor to the late pious and venerable Bishop White, who filled the office of rector of that church for so many years ; of whom, and also of his excellent assistant and successor, the church was last year deprived by death.
For some months, the congregation have been without the aid and comfort of a visible shepherd, and have anx- iously awaited for the good time when their heavenly Father would vouchsafe to send them a faithful minister, to lead them in the way of holiness.
The vestry, impressed with the belief that your reli- gious, intellectual, and moral, qualifications are such, as em- inently to qualify you for that holy office, and believing also, that the hearts of the congregation are ready to re- ceive you, did, on the 9th instant, unanimously elect you rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia.
We annex the proceedings of vestry in relation to your election, and earnestly request of you an early and favour- able answer to our letter.
We remain, reverend and dear Sir, with the most sin- cere respect and affection,
Your friends and servants, MOSES KEMPTON. PHILIP H. NICKLIN.
To the Rev. Benjamin Dorr, at Richmond, Va.
* That part of the Committee's letter which relates to salary, and other pecuniary matters, is omitted.
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