USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Downingtown > History of Downingtown, Chester County, Pa > Part 8
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JOHN ROBERTS (Seal)
SAM'EL R. DOWNING (Seal)
JONATHAN PARKE (Seal) JOHN R. THOMAS (Seal) SAM'EL BALDWIN (Seal)
PETER SHARNHOLTZ (Seal)
The first recorded minute we have is a request made to Uwchlan Monthiy Meeting of Friends, held the 10th day of 1st month (January), 1811, by "Friends of the Downingtown Meet- ing for the establishing of a preparative meeting there, which, after being solidly deliberated on, is united with, which is pro- posed to be held on the 4th day (Wednesday) preceding the first second day in each month and known by the name of Downingtown Preparative Meeting; provided, the Quarterly Meeting approve said proposition, which is directed to be stated in our report thereto."
At Caln Quarterly Meeting of Friends, held the 4th day of 2d month, 1811, "Uwchlan Monthly Mceting report that Friends who compose Downingtown Meeting propose for consideration the establishing of a preparative meeting there to be held on the 4th day of the week next preceding the first 2d day in each month, and to be known by the name of Downingtown Prepara- tive Meeting, which, claiming the consideration of this meeting, is united with, and the time for the opening of this meeting to take place on the 4th day preceding the first 2d day in the 4th month next."
At the next monthly meeting, held at Uwchlan on the 7th day of 3d month, 1811, James Cockburn, John Martin, William Trimble, Isaac Jacobs and Joseph Hawley were appointed to at- tend the opening of Downingtown Preparative Meeting, which was first opened and held at Downingtown on the 27th day of 3d month, 1811.
Meetings have been regularly held there since, some of the most solid and substantial families in Downingtown and Chester Valley being members. One of the most widely known and eloquent resident ministers of the Society of Friends was Jesse Kersey, a potter by trade, who lived near this meeting house. Uwchlan Monthly Meeting continues to be held at Down- ingtown, also two, of the four Quarterly Meetings of Caln.
There are now 48 members, our venerable and much-beloved Elder Elhanan Zook being the head of the meeting.
The Methodist Episcopal Church. In looking back over the history of the Methodist Church in Downingtown we find the first authentic introduction of Methodism to be in the year 1821, at which date Henry Beohem and John Woolston, two preachers assigned to the old Chester Circuit, held public serv-
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ices at the house of William Wiggins, who was converted and joined the Church during that year. Meetings were also held in private houses and in the wheelwright shop below the toll gate.
Laborers for the Master increased in numbers, and, as the house of Elijah Davis (at which place services were then being held) was found not sufficiently large to hold the numerous con- verts, application was made on May 5, 1832, for the use of the public school house ; this being refused, the meetings were held in the wheelwright shop of Brother Alexander Gary.
On June 30, 1833, a plot of ground was purchased from Thomas Webster, on Lancaster avenue, opposite where the
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church-now a school house-stands. Two hundred and fifty dollars was the price paid. On this lot was built a plain church building, 32 x 40 feet, at a cost of six hundred and forty-eight dollars, Richard Webster being the builder.
The property was deeded to Stephen Ayers, Isaac Pauling, Benjamin McDaniels. William Few, William Wiggins, William Lent and Jacob Zook, who constituted the first Board of Trus- tees.
On November 1:, 1833, the church building was finished and dedicated. its membership numbering twenty-five. James B. Ayers preach.d the dedicatory sermon.
In the year 1860 the building and lot was sold and a plot
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of ground on the opposite or south side of Lancaster avenue was purchased, upon which a much larger and more imposing edifice was erected. The basement of the church building was completed and dedicated the same year, the audience room not being finished until the following year. John Shields was the preacher in charge.
Downingtown had been, up to this date, connected with a circuit and so continued until the year 1867, at which time it became a station, the first appointment to the station being the Rev. D. W. Gordon.
Under the spiritual teachings of the eminent men appointed by the Bishops of the respective Conferences the wonderful growth of Methodism was such that it was found necessary to seek other and more convenient quarters, and at a meeting held at the house of Brother J. T. Pollock, April 9, 1888, the pastor, Thomas Kelly, stated, "That at the recent session of the Quar- terly Conference the subject of procuring ground better and more centrally located, suitable for the erection of a new church building, was discussed, with the suggestion that preliminary steps be taken in the matter, resulting in the appointing of a committee comprising Brothers J. R. Gordon, J. T. Pollock and S. A. Bicking, who were also empowered by resolution to offer the present church property for sale.
On April 16 the committee reported they found the only available lot for church building was located on Brandywine avenue, opposite J. T. Pollock's house. The committee was instructed to purchase said lot. At a meeting of the Trustees, held July 30, 1888, the said committee was further instructed to again confer with Mr. Royer, the owner of said lot. The committee, in reply, stated that Mr. Royer demanded an immedi- ate answer, as other parties were negotiating for the lot. Draw- ings of dimensions of said lot were presented, also draft of lot in rear owned by T. B. Carpenter, which said T. B. Carpenter offered to church for one hundred dollars. On motion it was moved and seconded that the Board purchase the Rover and Carpenter lots, which was carried. At a meeting of the male members of the church, held August 13, 1888, it was unanimous- ly agreed that authority be given the Trustees to purchase said properties.
At a meeting of the Trustees, held September 10, 1888, the Building Committee reported that the deeds for the Royer and Carpenter lots were in their possession, and money paid for same.
At a meeting of the Trustees, held November 19, 1888, the Committee on Sale was instructed to sell the church property on Lancaster avenue to School Board for the sum of three thou- sand five hundred dollars, it being the price offered by the School
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Board for the same, which sale was ratified at a meeting held by the male members of the church on December 13, 1888.
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, held February 11, 1889, the committee appointed to look after a place of worship until such times as the new church building then in contempla- tion shall have been built reported having rented Bicking Hall for the term of one year, commencing February 1, 1889.
At a meeting of the Trustees, hield February 15, 1889, it was decided that the new church building to be erected shall be of stone.
The first meeting of the church after its removal to Bick- ing Hall was held March 11, 1889.
At a meeting of the Trustees, held April 1, 1889, it was, upon motion, recommended that the purchase of an additional plot of ground adjoining the lot now owned by the church be made, with and by the sanction of the male members of the church, which, at a meeting held by said male members, April 15, 1889, was so sanctioned.
On June 4, 1889, plans for the erection of a new church build- ing were submitted by T. Roney Williamson, architect. On July 27, 1889, bids for the erection of the building were received, and on July 31, 1889, the contract for its erection was awarded to G. T. Guthrie.
On September 7, 1889, the cornerstone of the church build- ing was laid with appropriate ceremonies, and on May 25, 1890, the building was dedicated to the service of Almighty God, the dedicatory services being conducted by Bishop Cyrus D. Foss.
In the year 1905 a plot of ground belonging to J. T. Pollock, which adjoined to the south of the church building, was pur- chased and a parsonage erected thereon, G. T. Guthrie being the builder.
The present membership of the church is as follows :
Pastor, Rev. John W. Tindall. .330
Communicant Members
Sunday School Scholars .360
Theo. M. Griffith, Superintendent.
Epworth League
C. M. Keim, President. 60
Ushers' Association
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John Bareford, President. 50
Ladies' Aid Society
Mrs. Matilda Kurtz, President.
The officers of the church are :
Trustees-John T. Pollock, S. P. Bicking, Parke Smedley, James R. Gordon, G. T. Guthrie, A. E. Keim, T. M. Griffith, S. D. White, Howard E. Laird.
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Stewards-M. C. Holl, H. A. Dennis, E. P. Dolby, E. H. Hunt, J. W. Cummings, W. W. Gurtizen, James Eppeheimer, WV. A. Byler, William M. Barrett. W. W. Moore, John Happer- sett, Charles Rambo, Jolin Carr.
St. James' Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The ancient Episcopal Church, planted in Britain in Apostolic days, and coming down through the ages as a sister to the Roman and Greek communions, came to America with the settlers of Jamestown in 1602. Here for a long period her advancement was slow, although scores of beautiful old colonial churches bear witness to the efforts of many of the leading men of those days to provide for the stately worship for which the Church had al- ways been noted.
While many landmarks of the pre-revolutionary period (xist around us on every side, as old St. David's, Radnor : St. Peter's, Great Valley : St. John's, Pequca, and others, yet the services of the Church were not begun in our immediate locality until very late. The ancestors of many of our staunchest members were Friends, and that fact in part accounts for the cordial and inti- mate relations sustained between the older families of the two bodies to-day.
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The first services of the Church in Downingtown were con- ducted in the early fall of 1842 by the Rev. Gregory T. Bedell, then rector of Holy Trinity Church, West Chester. The parish was duly, organized by the election of Wardens and Vestrymen ' at the close of a service on November 20 in that year. The fol- lowing gentlemen constituted the first Vestry: Messrs. John D. Steele, John F. Parke, J. B. Moorehead, Gideon Taylor, Charles Pusey, Allen W. Willis, John McKinley, J. Dutton Steele, Joshua Hunt, John Hunter, of West Chester ; Dr. Andrew Wills and Dr. J. Stuart Leech.
The services were held for some time in the house of Dr. Andrew Wills, afterward owned and occupied by Dr. John P. Edge, and later in Masonic Hall, the building now used as a rectory.
The parish was named St. James', after the Philadelphia parish of that name, which generously contributed for several years to the support of the new work.
The Rev. William Augustus White, of Boston, was elected the first rector, and entered upon his duties Advent Sunday, 1842, the services being held in Masonic Hall. This venerable man long lived to enjoy the memories of a faithful rectorate in this community.
It was while Mr. White was rector that the church was built. The cornerstone was laid June 20, 1843, the following clergymen being present: Rev. Messrs. Rees, Clemson, Kirke and White. The building was consecrated October 26, 1843, by the Rt. Rev. H. U. Onderdonk, D. D., then Bishop of Pennsylvania. There were present on that occasion the Rev. Drs. Clay and Freeman, and the Rev. Messrs. Morton, Buchanan, Prescott, Clemson, Col- ton, Rees, Hirst, Ridgely, Kirke and the rector.
It was while Mr. White was rector also that the first Episcopal Sunday School was started in the large stone residence of Benjamin Hyatt on the hill where the Inprovement Building now stands.
Mr. White was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Hazelhurst, who entered upon his duties in October, 1845.
The third rector was the Rev. H. Hastings Weld, who served the parish from 1847 to 1854. Mr. Weld was an able and faith- ful man. Like many another clergyman, from Apostolic days to the present, he was a sturdy laborer with his hands as well as with his brain, and there are those in the community to-day who worked by his side in the harvest field. He also possessed a facile pen, and, besides editing a monthly magazine, called "The Mentor," he frequently contributed to the current litera- ture of the day. His close relations with George W. Childs, as a contributor to the Public Ledger, are commemorated in the
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substantial altar cross which was given to the church in mem- ory of Mr. Weld.
Upon the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the parish, the Rev. William Augustus White read a poem, in which the following reference is made to the pioneers of those early times :
"One pastor here all hearts in union held-
The faithful priest, the gentle teacher, Weld; Long years by him the precious seed was sown,
Till plants were seen, like 'goodly cedars' grown,
The living tokens of his earnest toil, .
The fruits of faith where grace had blest the soil ;
And others, too, the living and the dead,
Who at God's Table broke the Sacred Bread,
As in a pleasant picture now we see
B neath the wondrous hand of Memory."
It was while Mr. Weld was in charge of the parish that the rectory was acquired. In the year 1820 a Masonic lodge had been formed in the village, 'and under its ownership the house now used as a rectory was built. For a number of years it was occupied as a residence by the Rev. George Kirke, a missionary in this country, who did faithful work in ministering to the in- mates of the alms house and the jail, and rendered other services wherever opportunity opened. He died in September, 1868, and was buried in the graveyard at the rear of the church. The building was at one time sold to the Roman Catholics by Joshua Hunt, but was in their possession only a short time.
In the year 1851 the property was bought by the church, and alterations made at a cost of about $1600.
The Rev. William Porter Ray served the parish in 1856 and 1857. and was succeeded by the Rev. P. B. Morrison, who also served for one year. The Rev. John B. Henry was rector dur- ing the five years from 1858 to 1863.
During the rectorship of the Rev. Benjamin A. Rogers, 1863 to 1866, the church was enlarged and a chancel window placed back of the altar. the gift of the Rev. John C. Bolton, whose artistic skill is to be seen in the beautiful buildings of Holy Trinity Church, West Chester.
The late Rev. Josse Y. Burk. D. D., become rector in June, 1866, and for nearly four years administered the affairs of the parish with a wisdom which gave promise of the great and hon- orable career which followed in his after years.
During the rectorate of Dr. Burk the twenty-fifth annivers- ary of the parish was celebrated, on Monday, October 26, 1868. The following clergymen were present: Rev. Dr. Buchanan (the brother of the President) and the Rcv. Messrs. Bolton, Durborow, Lycett, Tortat, Field, Hazerhurst, Weld, White and
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the rector. Letters were read from the Rev. P. B. Morrison and the Rev Benjamin F. Rogers.
The Rev. William White Montgomery was minister-in- charge from April. 1870, to April, 1871.
On July 1, 1811, began the rectorship of the Rev. Robert F. Innes. and for ten years he labored with a devotion and success unsurpassed in the history of the parish.
During these years there was built a parish house, made pos- sible largely through the generosity of Miss Susan Gorgas, of West Chester. The rectory was also altered and improved by a frame addition at the rear, at the cost of about eleven hundred dollars.
In 1814, a borough ordinance having been passed forbidding the burying of the dead within the borough limits, it was deemed advisable to secure a tract of land in Northwood Cemetery, and a lot was purchased and set aside, being marked by stone slabs bearing the name. St. James'.
The Rev. W. G. Ware became rector in 1880. During his pastorate further improvements were made in the rectory, and a pipe organ installed in the church.
The Rev. H. Allen Griffith became rector January 1, 1885. It was under his oversight that the church was beautifully decor- ated in oils by a prominent New York firm and improvements made in the chancel, at an expenditure of about twelve hundred dollars.
The Rev. John C. Fair became rector in 1892. Many faith- ful communicants date their interest in the church to the days when Mr. Fair served the parish. After the retirement of Mr. Fair several clergymen officiated as occasion demanded, among whom were the Rev. Benjamin R. Phelps, the late Rev. James J. Creigh and the Rev. Norman Van Pelt Levis.
In 1898 the Rev. Charles H. McLane came from New Eng- land to St. James' Parish. He had an attractive personality and a well-trained mind, and universal sympathy was expressed both within and without the church at the time of his early death.
He was succeeded in 1904 by the Rev. Joseph H. Earp, the present rector.
The roll of the laity during these sixty-five years includes the names of many who have been a part of the very best life of the community. The church has been, through her communi- cants and adherents, influential for good in many departments of our social, industrial and political life. Her relations with other religious bodies have always been cordial. Her services have preserved the form of a reverent and scriptural worship through the changing years.
Pre-eminently St. James' Church has been a home-church.
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That is, her congregations have been largely composed of certain groups of families more or less closely related : and the affections of the members of these families remain true to the old church. This fact accounts for the many and varied memorials with which the House of God has been so richly furnished. The windows of the church are all memorials of those who have been staunch and true friends of the parish and in many cases very active workers. Among the memorials given during the present rector- ship-to go no further back, although to do so would make an interesting story-there have been placed in the church a costly brass eagle lectern, a beautiful processional cross, a silver box for the bread of the Holy Communion, a new silver chalice, and new books for the lectern, altar and prayer-desks. For a num- ber of years Mr. Abner C. Baldwin considered it his Lenten privi- lege to interest some of the parishioners and others in some gift to be presented at Easter, and in this way a large number of beautiful and exceedingly useful furnishings were provided. It should also be noted that many specimens of exquisite ecclesi- astical needlework have been made by ladies of the parish or otherwise provided for use in the services.
During the past year the church has been redecorated under the direction of a committee appointed by the Vestry, consisting of Messrs. William J. Sterrett, J. Hunter Wills, Richard I. D. Ashbridge and John Gilbert McIlvaine. The chancel and aisle were handsomely carpeted by the ladies of the St. James' Guild. Lately a very pleasing improvement was made in the refurnish- ing of pew cushions, hassocks and carpets, and in the upholster- ing of all the chancel furniture, the result being a beautiful har- mony in the church interior.
Plans are now being drawn up for an enlarged parish house, and it is hoped ere long to see excellent facilities provided for the work of the societies and guilds.
Especial mention should be made of the faithful and capable work of the Primary Department of the Sunday School, which has been under the direction of Miss Jane E. Ringwalt, to whose enterprise has been due also, to a considerable extent, the very creditable activities of the Woman's Auxiliary and the Girls' Missionary Society.
Among the many advanced steps taken within the last few years has been the formation, in 1905, of a vested choir. The services of this faithful group of singers-though entirely volun- tary-have given unceasing delight to the congregation. About 30 men and women, and girls and boys have given their time and musical talent to the church, and in doing so have contribut- ed not a little, it is believed, to the elevation of the musical standard of the community.
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The church has for some years been greatly indebted to Miss Mary D. Wells, whose fidelity in the position of organist has been a service of constant and loving devotion. On the rare occasions of her absence from town the skilful touch of Miss Mary Edge has produced those strains which render music the very handmaid of worship.
The corporate title of the church is "The Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of St. James' Church, Downingtown."
The church was admitted into the convention of the Dio- cese of Pennsylvania in 1844, and since that year has been served by many able men in the capacity of Wardens and Vestrymen. The gentlemen at present filling those offices are as follows :
Rector's Church Warden, Joseph Huggins, D. D. S .; Ac- counting Church Warden, Abiah Parke Ringwalt, who was re- cently elected for the twenty-first successive term to that office ; Secretary, Joseph S. Ashbridge; Nathan Wilson, Howard E. Simmons and Andrew G. C. Breese.
We have not attempted in any degree to record the long list of names worthy of special mention in connection with the . varied activities of the parish. Such a list would require much space and would perhaps be fittingly placed in a more private history to be circulated among those whose relations are espe- cially close to St. James'.
No record could, however, justly omit mention of the long and faithful work of our old friend, Daniel Sullivan, who for thirty-five years served as sexton. When he was found dead, lying upon the ground, broom in hand, it became a privilege especially prized by the rector and congregation to arrange a special memorial service in honor of this aged servant of the church.
And it is a source of pleasure and pride to the congregation of St. James' Church that Almighty God has given us the long and faithful life of Mrs. Hannah E. Baldwin, who was confirmed in 1839, and is to-day a regular and devout recipient of the Holy Communion. The occasions of the rector's visits, taking to her room that blessed Sacrament, are among the most interesting and spiritually profitable experiences of his pastorate in St. James' Parish.
St. Joseph's R. C. Church. For several years prior to 1851 the Catholics of Downingtown and vicinity were obliged to at- tend Mass on Sunday and Holydays in the Catholic Church at West Chester.
The late Father John Prendergast was ordained in June, 1851, and was immediately appointed rector of the Catholic Church at West Chester, then called Christ's Church, where he
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labored zealously and faithfully until the day of his death. At that time Downingtown, Doe Run and Parkesburg, in Chester County, and Drumore, in Lancaster County, were missions at- tached to West Chester and were attended by Father Prender- gast alternately. St. Agnes' Church, West Chester, at that time was not what it is to-day, a flourishing and prosperous parish. The congregation was small, the missions poor, the church a small affair and the services few and far between. One of the missions was about forty miles distant from West Chester.
The first mass said in the immediate neighborhood of Down- ingtown, as near as can be ascertained, was said in the old ware- house at Gallagherville, which has since been torn down. Father
Fox, the celebrant of the mass, who was on a visit to Philadel- phia from the Southern States, came out to Gallagherville to administer the Sacraments to a sick person. The mode of travel in those days was such that Father Fox was obliged to remain over night and return to the city the next morning. This was about the year 1844.
The first mass celebrated within the present limits of the borough was said in the south side of the double stone house situated at the corner of Bradford and Viaduct avenues, now owned by Mrs. Mary E. Hoopes. This house was at that time occupied by the late Michael McFadden, and the few Catholics
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of the neighborhood assembled there once a month to hear mass. This custom continued until Mr. McFadden built the hotel which stood on the site of the present passenger station of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company. The third floor of this building was used for that purpose until the church was built.
Soon after Father Prendergast's appointment to West Ches- ter he commenced the erection of a church in Downingtown, the cornerstone of which was laid in September, 1851, and dedicated in June of the following year. In 1855 Parkesburg, Doe Run and Drumore were detached from West Chester and made a separate parish; Downingtown, still remaining a mission, was attended from West Chester.
In the summer of 1869 St. Joseph's Church was enlarged and remodeled and was rededicated in November of the same year.
The church under its present rector, the Reverend James O'Reilly, has since been very much improved both in its interior and exterior appearance : it has now a beautiful sanctuary, new altars, handsome frescoes, costly statuary and many other needed improvements which make it very attractive to its numerous worshippers. The sweet-toned bell in the tower was presented by Mr. Michael Murphy, of Milford Mills. Mr. Murphy and his family have been generous contributors to the church. The beautiful side altars were donated by Mrs. M. Murphy.
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