USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Williamsport > Chronicles of Christ Church Parish, Williamsport, Pa., 1840-1896 > Part 4
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In 1868 the Vestry of this parish received by deed from Mr. Samuel Lloyd, whose name is familiarly associated with that part of the city known as "Lloyd's Addition," the gift of a corner lot 50 by 100 feet, in what Mr. Wadleigh described as "a neglected but rapidly increasing part of the city." This lot was on the north-west corner of Almond and Meade Streets. A small frame chapel was at once erected here, and a school started. At the end of the first year of this school Mr. Wadleigh reported 18 teachers and 150 scholars as belong- ing to it. The Rev. Samuel Earp became associated with Mr. Wadleigh as his assistant, for six months, July 5, 1868, to January I, 1869, and it was largely due to his enthusiastic and painstaking efforts that the mission school and first services were successfully begun in November, 1868. This earnest man labored with great vigor to bring together the children of the neighborhood, which was then an unpaved and swampy region, where rubber boots were essential for comfortable loco- motion. Many of the children gathered by Mr. Earp were strangers to the names of God and Jesus except in profanity. Among the earnest lay workers in this noble mission of the parish in those early days may be mentioned the following Church-folk who are still actively identified with Christ Church : Mrs. V. S. Doebler, who taught the "infant school ;" Col. Embick, Mrs. Cyrus Heller, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Dayton, the former of whom was for some time superintendent of the school, Mr. J. J. Crocker, Mr. J. E. Jones, Mrs. C. V. Runkle, Mrs. George E. Shiffler, Mrs. C. M. Renaut, Mrs. A. M.
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Ganoung, Mrs. A. P. Perley, and Miss Elizabeth Logan.1 Thus was started the work which has since become St. Mary's Parish.
After Mr. Wadleigh had left the parish, Dr. Paret, in February, 1870, noted a membership of 12 Sunday School teachers and 100 scholars, with an average attendance of 60. He made it a point to be present every Sunday at 2:30 and to impart "systematic instruction" after Evening Prayer.
Mr. Wadleigh's rectorship was notable for the achieve- ments already recorded, and also for the influence of his strong and manly personality upon young men. He seems to have had exceptional power in winning and holding men, and from this time dates the earnestness of many of our most loyal and intelligent Churchmen of to-day. It is to be here remarked also that with his ministration may be said to have begun that era of "good Churchmanship" which has since characterized the parish. Since then the persistent type of teaching and practice has been what is commonly called "Moderate High Church."
The late Mr. J. J. Crocker records that "Mr. Wadleigh preached but once in my recollection in the high pulpit of the old church, and that on the occasion of his first visit; and never used the black gown, while Mr. Moore was accustomed to its use. Mr. Wadleigh preached extempore."
Mr. Wadleigh resigned his rectorship here, to take effect April Ist, 1869, in order to accept that of St. Luke's Church, Germantown.
1 Since the above paragraph was written Colonel Embick has removed to New York City, and Mesdames Dayton and Doebler and Messrs. Crocker, Jones and Dayton have been called to their rest.
THE RT. REV. WILLIAM PARET, D. D., LL. D. RECTOR 1869-1876
DR. PARET'S RECTORSHIP. 1869-1876.
DIVISION OF THE DIOCESE-THE PARISH IN PROSPERITY.
The Rev. Wm. Paret,1 D. D., of Elmira, N. Y., was promptly elected rector at a salary to be not less than $2,000 a year and the use of the rectory, and entered upon his duties May Ist, 1869. Obviously, the first work to engage his atten- tion would be the completion of the church building. The Vestry secured permission from the Standing Committee of
1 The Rt. Rev. William Paret, son of John and Hester Paret, was born in New York City, September 23, 1826. He prepared for college privately, and then entered Hobart College, from which he graduated in 1849 (D. D. 1867; LL. D. 1886). He was fitted for the ministry under the direction of Bishop William H. Delancey, and ordained deacon in 1852 by Bishop Chase, acting for the Bishop of Western New York, being advanced to the priesthood in 1853.
In 1852 he was called to the rectorship of St. John's Church, at Clyde, N. Y., where he remained till 1854. For ten years from that date he was rector of Zion Church at Pierrepont Manor, N. Y., and from 1864 to 1866 of St. Paul's Church at East Saginaw, Mich. He then was rector of Trinity Church at Elmira, N. Y., but resigned to accept the call of Christ Church, Williamsport. When he resigned this charge he did so to become rector of the Church of the Epiphany, Washington, D. C., where he remained till 1884, when he was elected Bishop of Maryland. He was consecrated in Wash- ington January 8, 1885.
Bishop Paret married, in 1849, Miss Maria G. Peck, and subse- quent to her death, Mrs. Sarah Haskell (1900). He is the author of a number of works, among which are "St. Peter and the Primacy of the Roman See," "The Pastoral Use of the Prayer Book," "The Place and Function of the Sunday School in the Church," and "The Method and Work of Lent." By his counsel and influence a new Diocese of Washington was, in 1895, created out of the Diocese of Maryland, at which time he, in accordance with his preroga- tives, chose the remaining Diocese as his own, in which he has been Bishop for twenty-five years. [Ed.]
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CHRONICLES OF CHRIST CHURCH PARISH
the Diocese to sell or mortgage such property of the corpora- tion as might be necessary to raise funds for the prosecution of the work already under way. At the same time it was re- solved to build only a part of the tower for the present. The Dorcas Society in the meantime was raising money for the chancel furniture, and subsequently, at the suggestion of the Vestry, devoted what remained in hand towards the pipe organ. This was built by J. G. Marklove, of Utica, N. Y., at a total cost of $2,000. ( ?)
The first service in the new church, our present house of worship, was held on the morning of Christmas Day, 1869, the Rev. Dr. Paret officiating.
It is interesting to note that the first visitation of the Bishop (Dr. Stevens) to the new church was made on the even- ing of July 10, 1870, when he confirmed a class of 47. The first person on whom he laid hands on this occasion was Miss Elizabeth Logan. Here, too, should be recorded the equally interesting visit of the Bishop on Wednesday, October 12th, of the same year, when several persons were ordered deacons and several others advanced to the priesthood. Among the latter was the Rev. 'Arthur Brooks, Rector of Trinity Parish, whose brother, the already distinguished Phillips Brooks, of Boston, preached the ordination sermon.
The weekly routine of the parish at this time embraced services in Christ Church every Sunday at 10:30 A. M. and 7:00 P. M .; on the first Sunday in the month at 9:00 A. M. ; every Wednesday, with lecture, at 7:00 P. M .; every Friday at 10:00 A. M .; on holy days at 10:00 A. M .; in the "mission chapel," every Sunday at 2:30 P. M .; Sunday School at the church at 9:00 A. M .; choir rehearsal, Wednesdays at 8:00 P. M. ; sewing school at the chapel every Saturday at 2:00 P. M., and "friendly meetings" every Friday evening. The average attendance at the last named was 25 girls.
Summarized in a few sentences, the history of the present church building up to this time was as follows: It was first suggested by the Rev. Mr. Moore in 1862. The first contribu- tions towards its erection came from two concerts and a fair
CHRIST CHURCH : INTERIOR
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DR. PARET'S RECTORSHIP
held in the spring and summer of 1864, the joint sum of which amounted to about $1,400. On June 1I, 1866, the Vestry de- cided to build. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop Stevens on June 27, 1867. When a memorandum of indebtedness was made the month after the church had been opened for service, it was found that $16,889 was due. Of course, the building could not be consecrated while this remained unpaid. The Vestry resolved to sell the old church and the school house for $5,000, which sum should be applied to the floating debt of the parish. Soon after this property was offered to the German Romanists for $6,000, but they refused to take it unless they could get the rectory too.
In 1869 or 1870 Dr. Paret had appointed Dr. William F. Logan1 as Rector's Warden. Dr. Logan refusing a reappoint- ment in 1873, Dr. Paret then appointed Mr. James Van du Zee Brown2 as his successor.
1 Dr. William Fullerton Logan was born in Jacksonville, West- moreland County, Pa., August 14, 1826, and prepared for college at Dr. McCloskey's Academy, at West Alexandria. After graduating from Washington College, Washington, Pa., he studied medicine at Freeport, Pa., under Dr. Borland, and then took the four years course at the Western Reserve Medical University, Cleveland, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1851. He practiced medicine for some years in Freeport, Pa., and for a short time in Watertown, Wis., moving to Williamsport in 1859, where he purchased a drug busi- ness, in which he continued till shortly before his death, December 20, 1892.
While in Freeport he married, April 29, 1851, Louisa Weaver, by whom he had three children, Harry W., Elizabeth and Mary Emily.
He was prominent in civic affairs; was president of the Wild- wood Cemetery Company, a member of City Councils and twice elected Mayor (1867 and 1878). He was appointed a member of Governor Bigler's staff, with rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and during the Civil War acted as examining surgeon. He was in- terested in Masonry and a charter member of Baldwin II Com- mandery, No. 22, Knights Templar.
Dr. Logan was a member of Christ Church Vestry from 1863 till 1891. He was appointed Rector's Warden in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, but in 1873 refused a reappointment.
2 James Van du Zee Brown was born in Hartford, Washington
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CHRONICLES OF CHRIST CHURCH PARISH
An event of momentous interest to all our parishes and missions throughout the central part of the State was the division of the Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1871, and the erec- tion of a new Diocese. This step had, of course, been under discussion for a long time. It was first brought forward in the convention of 1866, the year after the organization of the Diocese of Pittsburg. Owing to the absence of the Bishop (Dr. Stevens), on account of sickness, from this and the convention of the following year, the matter was postponed. In the meantime, however, a committee on division had been appointed, which reported in 1867, and was continued to the
County, N. Y., March 2, 1826. He was educated in the common schools of Washington County, and when 17 years of age learned the printer's trade. Upon his coming of age he, with his father, purchased a flour mill at Angelica, N. Y., but in 1851 moved to Wellsville, N. Y., where he immediately engaged in mercantile business. He moved to Williamsport in 1859, purchasing the Upde- graff and Herdic flour mill, which he operated till 1866, when he sold out in order to devote his entire time to the lumber industry. As a member of the firm of Thomas & James Thompson, and later of Brown, Early & Company, he was exceedingly successful; but subsequent to 1881 his operations were confined to the West. In 1864 he became interested in the Williamsport Water Company (with which the Citizens Water and Gas Company is affiliated), and was made its president two years later. When he took charge the company financially was in a precarious condition, but under his guidance it soon became prosperous and continues so to this day under his nephew, Henry D. Brown, who succeeded to the presidency on his death. In 1861 Mr. Brown married Carile Cone Higgins, who died November 16, 1902. Mr. Brown survived his wife about two years, dying, without issue, December 8, 1904.
Mr. Brown was a vestryman of Christ Church from 1863 to 1904 (Rector's Warden 1873 -- 1901; Vestry's Warden 1901-1904), but will live most prominently in the memory of the city as the donor of the magnificent endowed library that bears his name. The Rector of Christ Church is, ex-officio, a member of the library's Board of Trustees. Mr. Eckel was the first rector of Christ Church to sit on this Board, and in the chapter dealing with his rectorship more detailed mention of the library will be found.
A window to the memory of Mr. Brown was unveiled June 4, 1906. His nephew, Edmund B. Piper, was elected to the Vestry in 1904 and annually re-elected till he left the city in 1907. [Ed.]
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next year. In 1868 the subject came up in dead earnest as a "burning question." The committee on division made an exhaustive report through the Rev. Dr. M. A. DeWolfe Howe. The action of the convention was spread over three days, dur- ing which the convention became deeply involved in various conflicting motions, amendments, and substitutes. The final outcome was the adoption of a resolution consenting to a di- vision on the "fourteen county line," but with such impossible conditions annexed as practically to defeat the end in view. This failure Bishop Stevens deeply regretted, because of the serious impairment of his health. By his address of 1870 the subject was freshly introduced to the convention, and he spe- cifically requested the division of the Diocese. The question of the dividing line was, as is usually the case, the point of con- tention. This had occasioned defeat before, and the Bishop expressed himself ready to consent to any line of division, pro- vided the original Diocese should contain not less than the five counties of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Bucks. It is interesting to learn that previously (April 22d) the Vestry of this parish had adopted a resolution that "the interests and growth of the Church imperatively require a division of the Diocese as at present constituted, and that it is the deliberate and earnest judgment of this parish that such division should be on the five-county line." The convention, acting on the Bishop's suggestion, adopted this line, and the division was finally effected by the consent of the General Convention in 1871. The Primary Convention of the new Diocese met in St. Stephen's Church, Harrisburg, on the 8th of November following. Our parish was represented by the rector (the Rev. Dr. Paret) and Messrs. James H. Perkins, John White, and Oliver Watson. The Lord Bishop of Lich- field (Dr. Selwyn), the Very Rev. Dr. Howson, Dean of Ches- ter, and two other English priests, were honored guests of the occasion, the Bishop of Lichfield preaching the sermon. The name of "Central Pennsylvania" was selected for the new Diocese after a number of other names, including "Williams- port," had been rejected. The Rev. Mark Antony DeWolfe
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Howe, D. D., of Philadelphia, and the Rev. George Leeds, D. D., of Baltimore, were nominated for the Episcopate, the name of the latter being placed before the convention by Dr. Paret. Dr. Howe was elected on the first ballot. His conse- cration took place in St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia, on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28th, 1871, the Rev. Dr. Paret, rector of this parish, being one of his two attendant presbyters. Pledges amounting to $2,160 had been made in this parish towards the endowment of the Episcopate of the new Diocese. The first annual convention of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania met in Christ Church, Williamsport, June 11-13, 1872.
During Dr. Paret's rectorship, besides the two Sunday Schools and the parochial school with 30 pupils, a sewing school with 35 pupils was carried on at the mission chapel (now St. Mary's) and a night school for men and boys, which numbered 40 pupils. On June 29, 1871, Dr. Paret organized "The Brotherhood of Christ Church," composed largely of young men, for the purpose of assisting the rector in Church work-a sort of anticipation of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. Its first officers were the Rector and Messrs. Martin Powell, F. E. Gleim, and J. B. Dayton. Three months later it reported 19 active and 5 honorary members. By a system of district visiting, chiefly in the neighborhood of the mission chapel, the chapel attendance was much increased, and some of the members of the Brotherhood also assisted the Rector as teach- ers in the Mission Sunday School. By the efforts of this or- ganization also a room at Fourth and Market Streets was se- cured, where a library and reading-room were established. The financial depression of the panic of 1873, however, brought this enterprise to an untimely end.
On January 16, 1871, a "Church School for young ladies, girls, and younger boys" was started at 118 Market Street, under the charge of Mrs. Richter. It was "under the pastoral control of the Rector of Christ Church, and subject in all things to his authority." The prospectus declared that "every care will be taken to insure ample and thorough instruction to all
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the pupils, and to carry them on to any degree of advancement that may be desired. Religious truths will make part of the course of studies, and the pastor's influence be felt by his frequent presence."
The Dorcas Society was organized November 24, 1871, with Mrs. John White as president, a position which she has held continuously to the present time. This society was "to provide material, make or repair garments, and attend to their distribution among the needy, and also to attend to any needle- work that may be asked of them for the use of the Church." Rooms were offered for the use of this guild by Mrs. Webb at 141 Pine Street. Soon after the meetings were held in the Vestry-room, and the next year in the Brotherhood rooms over the Post Office, on Market Street. The society was re- organized October 4, 1872, and the name changed to the "Ladies' Aid Society," by which it is still known. Its scope of work was broadened to include: "(I) Clothing and aid for the poor; (2) Altar-linen and surplices; (3) Care and improvement of the rectory; (4) Church and festival decora- tions ; (5) Visiting of strangers, of new residents, of the sick and poor ; (6) Sewing schools ; (7) Special parish work under advice of the rector ; and other kinds of work may be assumed from time to time." Each department was to be under two directresses appointed by the president. A "constitution" of eleven articles was adopted. (Parish Guide, October, 1872).
After more than 21 years of faithful service in various capacities-Clerk of the Vestry, Parish Treasurer and volun- teer organist of the church-Mr. James Damant resigned these offices in April, 1873. From this time dates the incum- bency of Mr. J. J. Crocker as Clerk (afterwards Secretary) and Treasurer, which continued to the time of his death, April 2, 1902, except that by resolution of the Vestry, May 4, 1897, the two offices were made separate and Mr. W. C. Robinson was then chosen to fill the position of Treasurer.
Although the church had been a "free church" since the beginning of Mr. Wadleigh's rectorship it was not until
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Easter, 1873, that the "envelope system" of church support was introduced.
The professional services of a trained and experienced Church-musician were secured in the spring of 1873 in the person of Mr. Horace Hills, Jr., of Newport, R. I. Mr. Hills was paid a salary of $400 a year. He organized a double quartet, which continued to sing until the introduction of the vested male choir, Easter, 1888. Prominent among the mem- bers of the new choir in point of long and devoted previous service were Miss Marion G. Ruch, Mrs. A. P. Perley, Miss Elizabeth Logan, and Col. F. E. Embick. Judge Cummin was also a faithful member of the choir until his lamented death in 1889, a period of some 18 years. Under the skill- ful direction of Mr. Hills, the music of the services was greatly enhanced in dignity and beauty. In the summer of 1875, at his own expense, the organ was equipped with the water-motor, which is still in use, but which afterward came into possession of the Vestry by purchase from Mr. Hills.
Dr. Paret having been invited to the rectorship of the Church of the Epiphany, Washington, D. C., his resignation was presented to the Vestry on September 24, 1876, to take effect on the 4th of October. He was afterwards elected to the Episcopate, and consecrated Bishop of Maryland January 8, 1885.
The rectorship of Dr. Paret greatly strengthened the parish in every way. Prior to the financial depression of 1873, al- though the erection of the new church building had imposed a heavy burden of debt upon the parish, very large sums of money were contributed both for the reduction of this debt and for other objects. Altogether over $60,000 was given within a period of little more than seven years, an average of nearly $8,600 a year, besides $2,160 for the endowment of the Diocesan Episcopate in 1871, as noted above. Nevertheless, Dr. Paret declared in 1872, when the debt of the parish amounted to "some $12,000"-it had been $17,700 the year before-that "the financial prosperity of the parish is rather apparent than real." The salary of the rector for some years
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was $2,400,1 and throughout this rectorship liberal contribu- tions were made for the maintenance of the mission chapel and other aggressive forms of Church work.
A few hundred dollars were gradually accumulated for a "House of Mercy," but eventually turned over to the building fund of the City Hospital when that institution was started.
In 1871 special offerings were made for the relief of suf- ferers by the Chicago fire, $186.00, and the forest fires in Wis- consin, $86.00, and Michigan, $86.10.
The corner-stone of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Upper Fairfield, in which the clergy and people of Christ Church have always taken a warm interest, was laid on Sep- tember 12, 1874.
It is not only the financial figures, however, that bear witness to Dr. Paret's fruitful ministry, but those also which relate to the spiritual growth of the Kingdom. Among such items may be noted the fact that the sacrament of Holy Bap- tism was administered to 285 persons during this period, 193 were confirmed, and the number of confirmees increased from 124 in 1869 to 218 in 1873.
Almost immediately after the beginning of his rectorship the parish school took the form of a free night school for boys. In this Mrs. Paret was the chief teacher and had the help of others, but the school was soon abandoned.
1 At a time of financial difficulty, Dr. Paret generously offered to accept a certain reduction in his salary, if absolutely neces- sary, sooner than abandon the work in which he was so interested. [Ed.]
THE REV. JOHN HENRY HOPKINS, S. T. D. RECTOR 1876-1887
DR. HOPKINS'S RECTORSHIP. 1876-1887.
EFFORTS TO DIVIDE THE DIOCESE-CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH-THE PARISH BUILDING AND OTHER IMPROVE- MENTS-DR. HOPKINS'S POSITION IN THE CHURCH.
The Rev. Alfred Evan Johnson was chosen locum tenens of the parish until Dr. Paret's successor should be selected and assume charge. On October 21, 1876, the Rev. John Henry Hopkins,1 S. T. D., of Plattsburg, N. Y., was elected rector
1 The Rev. John Henry Hopkins was born in Pittsburg October 28, 1820, his father being John Henry Hopkins, later Bishop of Vermont, of mingled English and Irish blood, and his mother, Melu- sina (Mueller) Hopkins, the daughter of a wealthy Hamburg mer- chant. To the strains of blood that were united in him was per- haps due the versatility for which he was noted. He accompanied his parents to Boston and then to Vermont, where at the age of 14 he was a "tutor in his father's Vermont Episcopal Institute," hearing classes in Latin and French and "doing his share of the flogging." He graduated in 1839 with honors from the University of Vermont, after which he assisted his father till the school was closed in 1840. He was a tutor to Bishop Elliot's sons in Savannah in 1843, and a reporter on the New York "Courier and Enquirer" in 1847, in which year he also entered the General Theological Seminary, graduating in 1850. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Whittingham, in Trinity Church, June 30, 1850, and resolved to de- vote his life to Church journalism. The "Church Journal," first issued in 1853 under his direction, was the child of this resolution and the first Church journal worthy of the name in the country. Till 1867, when, on the death of his father, he sold it, Dr. Hopkins used the "Journal" to advocate the Catholic faith as he perceived it. During the years 1868-1872 he devoted himself to writing the life of his father, and having been elected rector of Plattsburg, N. Y., was induced by the Bishop to consent to be ordained priest. His ordination took place June 23, 1872. He had in 1845 received his M. A. from his Alma Mater, and in 1873 (or 1874) he received from Racine College the degree of S. T. D. He resigned the rec-
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