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 9
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resolved, that the school house and chamber over it should not be let, but left to the rector to make such use of as would best serve the conveniency of his family ; so that the library belonging to the churches should be where it is, and be well taken care of, and the lower room be made use of by the vestry for their meetings, whenever they should want to meet upon business.
" The rector and church wardens are desired to get the catalogues of the old and new libra- ry, and see that the books are all in their places ; and when examined, a true and perfect catalogue is to be made out, and entered in the vestry book.
" It was then moved by the rector, that the vestry would consider what steps should be taken to have Mr. Sturgeon's place filled up ; and several things were mentioned, but nothing concluded upon."
December 2. The Rev. Mr. Peters declines receiving any further salary, until the churches have paid off their debt of £900., which was incurred by the finishing of St. Peter's Church.
1767.
January 12. " The organ in Christ Church being finished, the same was carefully examin-
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
ed by the governor, Mr. Bremner the organist, and several others, who were deemed to under- stand such work, in the presence of the rector and church wardens, and other members of the church; and they reported, that the work in every part of it was not only well and faithfully done, but that the expense had exceeded the estimate, upon which the original contract was founded ; and that for this reason, the maker, Mr. Feyring, ought to receive some proper al- lowance."
June 15. It was represented to the vestry, that Christ Church was " much out of repair, both within and without ; that it wanted white- washing and new painting ; that a great deal of the glass in the windows was broken, and the leads for the most part wanted repair, and to be soldered again," &c .; but there being no funds in the treasury, "the rector offered, if the vestry would procure and overlook the workmen, to advance the necessary cash;" which was agreed to. " Mr. Anthony Denor- mandie proposed to white-wash the church for forty pounds, to paint it for the sum of sixty- five pounds, and to repair the glass and new lead the windows for twelve pounds ; and to do it so that for five years together, he would
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keep the windows in repair for five shillings a year. The vestry agreed to his proposals."
1768.
February 16. "The trees planted in the church yard belonging to the new church, hav- ing been wantonly cut down by some malicious persons, a reward of five pounds is offered for their detection.
" The streets leading to St. Peter's Church, not being paved, are often so bad, that peo- ple cannot come to church; therefore, the rector, church wardens, and such of the mem- bers of the vestry as will join with them, are - desired to lay this matter before the commis- sioners for paving the streets, and request that that part of the city may be paved."
September 5. "The rector informed the vestry that there was to be an Indian treaty held at Fort Stanwix, for the settlement of a boundary line between the Indians and his majesty, and other matters of importance ; and that the governor and council had desired he would attend it, from a belief that his long experience in Indian affairs would enable him to be of great service there ; and as he thought with them, that he might be of some service, being personally acquainted with Sir William
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
Johnson, and having received letters from Mr. Croghan, Sir William's deputy, expressing their opinion that his attendance would be ser- viceable, he had consented to go; and Dr. Smith was so good as to promise to do his duty in his absence. The vestry unanimously expressed their satisfaction, and kindly said, they were a little fearful it would be too great an undertaking, considering the rector's state of health."
1769.
August 14. By the will of Mrs. Mary An- drews, one' hundred pounds had been left for a monument, and also for a pulpit, in Christ Church. The rector now informed the vestry, that £33. 7s. 9d. had been expended for a monument to Mrs. Andrews, and that he had in his hands the balance, amounting to £66. 12s. 3d., which he was ready to pay over to the church wardens, " so soon as they had con- cluded on a form for a pulpit, and the place in church where it should stand."
Whereupon, " Resolved, that a new pulpit be forthwith built, and that plans for the same be prepared and laid before the next vestry." At the next meeting, a plan was submitted by John Folwell, which was approved, and the 14*
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vestry contracted with him to make it for £70. It was to be placed " at the front of the com- munion table, and as near it as could be done, without incommoding the approach to it."
October 23. The fence around the church burial ground in Arch street, being quite out of repair, a subscription paper was opened for a brick wall around the same; and Mr. Peter Turner, one of the vestry, immediately sub- scribed one hundred pounds for that object.
The wall was commenced early in the fol- lowing spring, and completed in 1772, at an expense of more than seven hundred pounds.
The corporation for the relief of the widows and children of clergymen, in the communion of the church of England, in America, held their first meeting in Christ Church, on the 10th October, 1769, when Dr. Smith, provost of the college, preached a sermon ;* after which a collection of £40. was made to the funds of the corporation.
1770.
June 11. " The rector acquainted the ves- try that the pulpit was finished according to contract ; that John Folwell had done it well, and that it was universally admired."
* See Smith's Works, vol. ii. p. 385.
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
This is the same pulpit which is now in the church. The cost of pulpit was £70 .; reading desk, £20. 2s. 10d., painting, £18.
September 10. " Mr. Jonathan Brown, mer- chant, was so good as to give an order to the rector on the vendue-master, for two hundred pounds, profits on goods sold to him, that had been deposited in the public warehouse, belong- ing to the merchants associated to prevent the importation of English goods ;" the money to be at the disposal of the vestry.
December 10. " Mr. church-warden Hop- kinson having been so obliging as to perform on the organ at Christ Church, during the ab- sence of Mr. Bremner, the late organist, the vestry unanimously requested of him a contin- uance of this kind office, until an organist should be appointed, or as long as it should be convenient and agreeable to himself. Mr. Hop- kinson cheerfully granted this request."
Mr. John Bankson was appointed organist of St. Peter's Church.
1771.
April 30. John Penn, Esq., lieutenant gov- ernor of the province, being about to return to England, the rector, wardens, and vestrymen, waited on him with an address of thanks, " for
-
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the many public as well as private testimonies of his regard for the interest of the church of England in this city." To which the governor returned an affectionate answer; assuring the vestry that he should " always rejoice at the prosperity of the church of England, and that nothing shall ever be wanting on his part, to encourage and support it in America, and more particularly in this city and province."
" The governor desired Mr. Duché to print the sermon he had preached before both con- gregations, on the death of the late proprietary, Richard Penn, Esq." This sermon, which was preached April 21, 1771, may be found in the Loganian library, together with several other sermons by the same author.
May 20. The vestry pass a vote of thanks to Mrs. Margaret Edwards, for her present to the churches of "two surplices, which were finished with her own hands, and much admired for their neatness and elegance."
June 4. The steeple of Christ Church hav- ing been thoroughly examined by Mr. Robert Smith, the builder, is found to be "in a most ruinous condition," and " in danger of an im- mediate fall." The vestry, therefore, engaged Mr. Smith to procure workmen and materials, and have it forthwith repaired. The whole
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
expense of repairs on the steeple alone, amount- ed to £644. 2s. 10d.
October 19. A meeting of the vestry was called this day, to prepare an address to the new governor, who had just arrived. The ad- dress is as follows :-
" To the honourable Richard Penn, Esq., lieutenant gov- ernor, &c.
The humble address of the rector, church wardens, and vestrymen of the united congregations of Christ Church and St. Peters, in the city of Philadelphia.
May it please your honour,
We most heartily join in the general satisfaction which your safe arrival in your government gives the good peo- ple of this province. Whilst every religious denomination expects, from your known character, a just and affectionate regard to their respective societies, we have a most pleas- ing assurance that you will never be wanting in extending your protection and goodness to our church, of which you are a member. We sincerely wish you a continuance of health, and that you may enjoy all the benefits which arise from an upright and steady administration.
Signed in, and by order of, vestry,
RICHARD PETERS, Rector.
Philadelphia, October 19, 1771."
1
To the above, the governor returned the following answer:
" Gentlemen,
I thank you for your affectionate address. You are per- fectly right in thinking that I can set a just value on the
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church to which I belong, without losing a proper regard for every other religious society.
As a member of the church of England, therefore, you may be assured I shall always rejoice in every opportunity of promoting the prosperity of that branch of it which is under your particular care."
1772.
January. Doctor John Kearsley died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years; "an an- cient, worthy, and useful member of the church." His name appears among the vestrymen, as early as April, 1719 ; and he continued to hold a seat in that body, either as warden or vestry- man, for a period of fifty-three years; always taking an active interest in all the affairs of the church. He left by his will a very large part of his estate, both real and personal, in trust, to the corporation of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's, to found that charitable institution known as " Christ Church Hospital,"" for the support of ten or more poor or distressed women, of the communion of the church of England, or such as the said corpo- ration and their successors shall deem such ; preferring clergymen's widows before others, and supplying them with meat, drink and lodging, and the assistance of persons practis- ing physic and surgery."
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
June 19. The rector informed the vestry, that the whole pastoral duty of both churches had been performed by himself and Mr. Duché, since Mr. Sturgeon's resignation ; that " the duty was too heavy to be performed by any two persons;" and that his own health was such, that it was not probable he should be able to officiate for some time. " Under this exigency," he says, " several, I may say almost all, have turned their eyes on two young gen- tlemen, Mr. Coombe and Mr. White, who were both born and educated in this city, both of excellent moral characters, and known abilities ; both in full orders, and licensed by the bishop of London for this province. You, gentlemen, I believe, think with the congregations, as I likewise do, that an immediate assistance is wanted, and that a fairer opportunity of having it can never offer." "The vestry agreed that two assistant ministers were necessary ; ex- pressed their good opinion of the merits of Mr. Coombe and Mr. White, and their desire to in- vite them as assistants, if ways and means could be devised to raise money for their support; the present revenues of the churches being barely sufficient to provide for the rector and Mr. Duché."
The further consideration of this matter was
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postponed, until an accurate statement of the church funds could be obtained ; and a com- mittee was appointed for that purpose.
November 16. The committee on the state of the funds, report, " that for five years back, the total sums received by the church-wardens, average annually, £831. 3s. 9d."
The Rev. Dr. Peters again urges the neces- sity of having two assistant ministers appointed, and informs the vestry that since their meeting in June, Mr. Coombe and Mr. White had fa- voured him with their assistance, and had given the congregations and himself great satisfac- tion.
After serious deliberation, " it was unani- mously agreed, that the rector should be desired to confer with Mr. Coombe, and Mr. White, and know of them on what terms they would be satisfied to become assistant ministers."
23. The rector laid before the vestry the following letters, in reference to the subject of the last meeting.
November 21, 1772.
Dear and Reverend Sir,
I find myself a good deal at a loss how properly to an- swer your polite letter. A desire to avoid the appearance of covetousness, and every thing that may look like driving a bargain, in a concern where our motives should be the
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
most generous on both sides, would urge me to undertake the service of the church on almost any terms ; but my particular situation and wants represent it to me in the light of duty not to involve myself and my connexions in poverty, through a mistaken notion of disinterestedness. Sir, every gentleman in your vestry is a better judge of what can sup- port a family decently, than I can be supposed to be. They have already provided salaries for assistant ministers, at a time when the expenses of living were much more reason- able than they are at present ; and having these facts be- fore them, I rather wish a proposal on their part, than offer a demand on mine.
I sincerely thank you for the wish you express that no time may be lost in bringing this affair to a conclusion, and am,
Dear Sir, your most obedient, affectionate servant,
TH. COOMBE.
Rev. Dr. Peters.
Reverend and Dear Sir,
I return you my thanks for your obliging manner of communicating to me the minute of vestry, made on the 16th of this month. After mature consideration on what is there proposed, it is my opinion that it will be more honourable, both for the gentlemen of the vestry and for myself, if the sum to be given towards my support be first named by them ; because it will depend on the state of their funds, of which they are much better judges than I can be ; and I am persuaded that they will make no pro- posal, which I shall not readily acquiesce in. I hope, Sir, you will do me the favour, when you communicate this answer, to thank the gentlemen of the vestry in my name, for the good opinion they have expressed of me, by invit- ing me to the office of an assistant minister among them,
15
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before my return from England. In whatever situation it may please Providence to place me, it will always be my endeavour to cultivate their esteem.
I am, reverend sir, with great respect, Your affectionate humble servant,
November 22d, 1772. WILLIAM WHITE.
Rev. Dr. Peters.
November 30. In a letter from Mr. White, of this date, and now laid before the vestry, he expressed his readiness to "officiate in the churches," and to "be always satisfied with what they can afford to offer from their regu- lar funds, and not expect to receive any part of what may be raised by some new way."
" After this letter was read, the rector once more set forth the necessity of assistants, and the merits of the two candidates; and for the . encouragement of the vestry in their present consultation, he acquainted them, that in case they were elected, he would, during his incum- bency, give to each of them one hundred pounds per annum, so long as they should continue in the service of the vestry. On this offer of the rector, the vestry then Resolved, that the Rev. Mr. Coombe, and the Rev. Mr. White, should be assistant ministers of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's, during the plea- sure of the vestry; and they are both accord-
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
ingly received and admitted as assistant minis- ters."
" Resolved, that a salary of two hundred pounds per annum shall be given to the Rev. Mr. Coombe, by the churches.
" And whereas the vestry are sensible that the same salary ought to be allowed to the Rev. Mr. White, yet, as he has so generously and earnestly expressed his desire not to re- ceive more than the church funds can allow, and will be content, as they are informed, for the present, with one hundred and fifty pounds : Resolved, that the annual sum of fifty pounds be paid out of the church funds to the Rev. Mr. White, over and above the rector's gift of one hundred pounds per annum."
Thus was formed a connexion between these united churches and two young citizens of Phil- adelphia ; which, in the case of one of them, was to continue, with uninterrupted harmony, through a period of more than three score years. There is a delightful satisfaction in looking back to the auspicious commencement of Mr. White's ministry. The promise of fu- ture usefulness then given, was more than real- ized. He, who entered on the duties of an assistant minister of Christ Church and St. Peter's, some years before the American revo-
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lution, has almost just now departed from our midst ; beloved, revered, venerated by all ; and, . by unanimous consent, looked up to, as the father of the Protestant Episcopal Church in these United States.
"NOMEN IN EXEMPLUM SERO SERVABIMUS EVO."
1773.
November 2. " The church warden reported the miserable state of the windows in Christ Church, and the great expense the churches were put to in the repairs; that the two win- dows at the west end were examined, and found 1 totally incapable of repair; that Mr. Duché had made a draught of some sash windows, that would answer the purpose, and be done in the cheapest manner." Two sash windows for the west end of the church were directed to be made without delay.
It appears that all the windows of Christ Church were at this time made of small panes of glass set in leaden frames. It is much to be regretted that these windows had not been preserved until the present time, to add to the antique beauty of this venerable edifice.
1774. February 7. A committee having been ap-
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
pointed at a previous vestry-meeting, to raise by subscription" the sum necessary to make up one of the assistant minister's salary, report unfavourably to this mode of raising a support for their clergymen, and recommended, as the only effectual method, " the raising the pew money in both the churches."
" The committee further reported, that there was a very general satisfaction expressed at the vestry's appointment of the two assistants, as well as a solicitous concern that they should be retained and supported."
A committee was appointed to devise a plan for an equitable increase of the pew rents, and to lay before the vestry a statement of the pre- sent income and expenditure of the churches.
At a subsequent meeting of the vestry, Feb- ruary 28th, this committee presented the fol- lowing statement of " the church revenues and expenses, together with the plan upon which the proposed augmentation of the pew money is to take place."
" Present state of the revenues and expenses of Christ Church and St. Peter's."
Average of pew money for four last years, £556. 1s. 10d.
Ditto of box money for ditto, 206. 4 4
Breaking ground, suppose 30. 0 0
792. 6 2
15*
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Amount carried over £792.6 2
Rent of parsonage ; repairs, taxes, &c., de- ducted,
60. 0
0
Rector's ground rent,
74. 0
0
£926.6 2
Deduct the last two items appropriated to
the rector,
134. 0 0
Amount of unappropriated church funds, £792. 6 2
Mr. Duché receives -
- £350
Mr. Coombe - - 300
Mr. White -
- - 150
Officers' salary, - . -
134
Annual repairs, -
- 50 948. 0 0
Annual deficiency,
£191.13 10
To meet this deficiency, it was proposed to raise the pew rents 50 per cent., which would yield, in both church- es, £229, of which £126. 10s. were in Christ Church, and £102. 10s. in St Peter's. The following plan will show the amount of rents at that time, and the proposed increase.
" CHRIST CHURCH."
Adv. 50 per ct.
30 pews in the middle aisle, at 40s .= £60.
£90.
33 pews under the gallery, at 40s .= 66.
99.
14 pews in front galleries, at 60s .= 42. 63.
Governor's pew 160s .= 8. 12.
4 pews of 4 places at 10s.
at 40s .= 8. 12.
Nos. 16, 17, 49, 50
Nos. 30 and 36, 3 places each at 10s .= 3. 4. 10
22 wall pews below stairs, at 60s .= 66. 99.
£253. 379. 10
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
£253.
379. 10
50 per cent. advance on pews, 126. 10
£379.10
April 4. Easter Monday. The above ad- vance on the pews was adopted.
July 12. " Resolved, that the king's birth- day should be one of the days included in the agreement made by the vestry with the ring- ers ; and that they should not for the future ring on King Charles's restoration day."
" The vestry having considered the very great loss arising to the churches from the sit- uation of the organ in St. Peter's Church, nearly one half of the north gallery being on that account incapable of being let, it was re- commended to the members to procure a list of the subscribers to that organ, in order to obtain their consent to have it taken down and laid carefully by, till it should be sold."
November 17. A legacy of £500. is left by Thomas Turner, to the rector, &c., of the united churches, "to be by them put out at interest, and the interest money arising there- from to be from time to time applied to the use- and repair of the said churches."
1775.
June 15. " The rector acquainted the ves-
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try that the continental congress having insert- ed a publication in this day's gazette, recom- mending Thursday the 20th day of July, as a day of general humiliation, fasting and prayer, through all the American provinces, requested they would give him their advice with respect to his own conduct. The vestry very readily told him that they knew the sense of the con- gregations in this matter, and assured him it would be universally expected by them that he should comply with the recommendation; and that if he did not, it would give great offence ; and as this was the unanimous opinion of the vestry, he declared his own sense of the mat- ter, and told them that the churches should be opened on that day, and divine service per- formed, and that there should be proper prayers and services, suitable to such a solemn humiliation, and notices should be given there- of in both churches next Sunday."
On the day appointed, the members of the continental congress assembled in Christ Church, when the Rev. Mr. Duché preached before them an appropriate sermon, entitled " The American Vine ;" from Psalm 80th, verse 14th. This sermon was printed the same year, and may be found in the Loganian library, together with another sermon by the same
1
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OF CHRIST CHURCH.
Rev. author, preached July 7th, 1775, breath- ing the same spirit, and entitled "The duty of standing fast in our spiritual and temporal lib- erties."
September 23. The Rev. Dr. Peters this day resigned his rectorship of the united churches, in consequence of bodily infirmities, having held the office thirteen years ; with how much usefulness and acceptance will appear from the following address to the vestry, on accepting his resignation.
Reverend Sir,
Permit the church wardens and vestrymen of the united Episcopal churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's, in the city of Philadel- phia, in vestry met, to take leave of you in the most affectionate manner, and to assure you with great sincerity, that we shall ever recol- lect with pleasure the happy union and peace that prevailed in the congregation during your rectorship. We thank you, sir, for the pious zeal you have ever exercised in your ministry to these churches, and gratefully acknowledge your distinguished liberality to them upon all occasions. We very much regret your loss of health, which induces you to resign your charge as rector, and take the liberty to assure you,
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that our warmest wishes for your health and happiness will ever attend you."
To this the doctor replied in a brief address, thanking them " for the affectionate manner in which they were pleased to take leave of him," and assuring them " that he should retain as kind and as cordial a love for, and regard to them, as if he was still their rector; and should be glad of every opportunity to show the reality of his affection for them." On the day following, which was Sunday, 24th, he took leave of the two congregations.
September 25. Upon the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Peters, the Rev. Jacob Duché, the senior assistant minister, was unanimously chosen rector ; and it is a fact worthy of re- cord, that the rector and both assistants, Mr. Coombe and Mr. White, were all natives of Philadelphia. It is not often that prophets are so highly honoured in their own country.
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