USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1821-1892 > Part 13
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This is respectfully suggested to the Vestry by the following ladies :
Mrs. Julia Lawrence, Mrs. Martha D. Washburn,
Mrs. Mary Cox,
Mrs. Mary S. Hunter,
Mrs. Amy Wood,
Miss Sophia Scott,
Mrs. Catharine V. Allen,
Miss Rebecca Hunter,
Miss Sarah Morris,
Miss Mary A. Fowler,
Miss Catharine M. Crooke,
Miss E. E. Mumford,
Mrs. Joanna H. Crooke,
Mrs. M. C. Fowler, Mrs. Ruth Sherman,
Mrs. C. F. Wickham,
Mrs. Mary K. Gibbs,
Mrs. M. E. Hazard,
Mrs. Eliza P. Dean,
Miss Mary Wood,
Mrs. Geo. C. Mason,
Mrs. Abby S. Westcott,
Mrs. Geo. C. Munroe,
Mrs. Sarah Norman,
Mrs. Wm. J. Munroe,
Miss Sarah B. Norman,
Mrs. John Bull,
Miss Elizabeth Gibbs,
Mrs. Henry Bull,
Miss Mary A. Coggeshall,
Mrs. Mary F. H. Bull,
Miss Annie R. Coggeshall,
Mrs. Duncan C. Pell,
Miss Sarah J. Cook,
Mrs. Mary T. Porter,
Miss Elizabeth H. Munroe,
Miss Sarah A. W. Munroe, Miss Mary A. Finch,
Mrs. C. G. Perry, Mrs. Benjamin Finch, Mrs. Sarah Hoskins,
Miss Sarah E. Finch,
Mrs. Sarah E. Langley,
Miss Mary C. Handy,
Mrs. Wm. H. Bliss,
Miss Caroline E. R. Hoskins,
Mrs. Susan F. Kayhn,
Miss H. Rodman,
Mrs. Eliza R. Bliss,
Miss Sarah Greene,
Mrs. A. E. Kayhn,
Mrs. E. S. Engs,
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Miss Elizabeth R. Greene,
Mrs. Benj. S. Melville,
Miss Annie S. Gardner,
Mrs. H. F. Gardner,
Miss Annie R. Breese,
Mrs. Lucy M. Breese,
Miss Elizabeth Breese,
Mrs. Sarah E. Anderson,
Miss E. S. Sayre,
Mrs. Joshua Sayre,
Miss E. H. Sayre,
Mrs. John N. Potter,
Miss Mary Springer,
Mrs. Mary Springer,
Mrs. Edward King,
Mrs. Sabine,
Mrs. Wm. G. Seabury,
Miss Elizabeth White.
Voted: that the above petition be received.
On motion of Benjamin Finch, Voted: that a committee be appointed to wait upon the Rector and inform him of the feel- ings of the Petitioners, and inquire if he entertained the accept- ance of his call as a duty, or if there was anything in his Church that was objectionable to him, and that could be remedied by the Vestry.
Voted: that George C. Mason be that committee.
July 31, 1858. The Senior Warden reported to the Vestry, that he had informed the Rector of the vote of the Vestry, and that Mr. Mercer wished to render his most sincere thanks to the ladies and the Vestry, but declined saying anything in rela- tion to the vote of the Vestry.
Voted: that the Rector have the privilege of preaching in his Chapel during the summer months, and at any other time when most agreeable to him.
August 5, 1858. At the Vestry meeting the chairman read the following communication :
August 2d, 1858.
To the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church; Gentlemen :
I have the honor to acknowledge a communication from the Secretary, conveying a unanimous vote of your body, according to me the privilege of preaching in the Chapel during
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the summer months, and at any other time when most agreeable to me. I am truly sensible of your kindness in this act, and am grateful for your earnest desire to do all that is in your power for my comfort. Permit me to say, however, that I could hardly feel at liberty to use the privilege you have so kindly designed to give me, unless ratified by an act of the Corpora- tion.
I am, Gentlemen, your affectionate friend and Pastor,
A. G. MERCER.
The communication was received and recorded.
August 12, 1858. At a special meeting of the Corporation, at which twenty-one Corporators were present, the Senior Ward- en in the chair, it was resolved: that we ratify and approve of the act of the Vestry in according to the Rector, Rev. A. G. Mercer, the privilege of preaching in the Chapel during the sum- mer months, and at any other time when most agreeable to him.
Resolved: that a committee furnish him with a copy of these resolutions, and express to Mr. Mercer our high appreciation of his services, and untiring zeal in our behalf, with the earnest desire of his people (who are united to him by ties of love, af- fection and respect ) that he may long remain our Pastor and spiritual adviser.
Voted: that Dr. King and George C. Mason be that com- mittee.
November 24, 1858. At a Vestry meeting the following reso- lution, offered by R. R. Hazard, Jr., was passed, with the amendment offered by Thomas R. Hunter:
Resolved: that a committee of five Corporators of Trinity Church be appointed to take the whole matter concerning the erection of a new Church edifice, into consideration, and that they be instructed to ascertain what suitable lots can be obtained for that purpose, and get the refusal of them for 60 days, and report at an adjourned meeting of this body.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Amended by Thomas R. Hunter:
And the committee be further directed to report on the pres- ent condition of Trinity Church building, what repairs are neces- sary, and the probable cost of the same.
The committee were R. R. Hazard, Jr., David King, W. S. Wetmore, Thomas R. Hunter and J. H. Cozzens.
February 21, 1859. Voted: that the present committee, ap- pointed to ascertain what suitable lots can be had for the pur- pose of erecting a new Church edifice, and to report on the present condition of Trinity Church, be relieved of the duty of examining the Church.
- Voted: that a committee of three be appointed to examine as to the state of the Church, and, if necessary, to employ a mechanic to make a thorough examination and pay the expense of the same; and that they be requested to report, as soon as possible to the Vestry, previous to the Easter meeting.
March 1, 1859. The committee appointed to examine the Church, submitted the following to the Vestry:
The undersigned, a committee appointed on the 21st ult. to examine the condition of the Church edifice, respectfully report:
That they have employed Mr. Benjamin Easton to examine thoroughly the floor timbers and joists, and he reports to us, that the floor of the Church is supported by six oak timbers, 12 inches square, running from north to south, distance about four- teen feet apart. These 12-inch timbers are all sound, except under one column, and occasionally the end of one where it is framed into the sill. The floor joists, which frame into these timbers, are of oak, and about 3 by 5 inches, and are divided into 7 bays, the joists in each bay being about 14 feet long. In four of the bays the floor joists have been supported, by putting 3 x 7 joists under the middle of the bays, and shor- ing them up from the ground. Defective joists are found in every bay. A rough draft accompanying this will define the
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number and position of the defective joists, as also the height from the floor joists to the ground.
The foundation of one of the columns on the north side is defective, which accounts for its having settled. The foundation of the pulpit is also defective and requires small repairs. That portion of the floor joists which is covered by about seventeen pews, in the N. E. corner, is so generally decayed that it will be necessary to take up the seventeen pews, and the floor there, in order to repair there; the space between this part of the floor and the ground being only about twelve inches, which would not admit of working underneath, as can probably be done in other parts. The pews can be replaced with but little or no damage. The floor joists which have been passed upon as sound, are in many instances defective from age and want of air, the life of the wood being gone. It is thought, however, that they might be relied upon for some years to come.
The underfloor, particularly in the easterly part, is much rot- ten. The sills have not been fully examined, but the belief is, that the north sill only will require repairs. Mr. Norman, of the committee, who is probably more familiar with the condition of the Church building than any one else, has examined the steeple, and other parts of the edifice, and finds a leak in the second section of the steeple. He states that the roof was shin- gled in 1827, that the same is now tight, but will require shingling before many years; that the clapboards are in suitable condition for painting, that the window frames are made of red cedar and are sound; that the sashes, for the most part, are good and do not need repairs; the blinds are also in good condition.
There is a slight leak over the dressing room, which may make it necessary to shingle the roof.
It is difficult to estimate the cost of repairs upon an old build- ing, because the extent of repairs requisite to be made, cannot be fully ascertained, except as the work of repairing progresses.
We can, therefore, only estimate the cost of making good what we have already discovered to be defective, leaving the Vestry to make such further allowance, as their experience in repairing old houses will naturally suggest.
To put sound joists in the place of those known to be rotten,
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take up the seventeen pews, and the floor beneath, and replace and repair the same, wedge up two columns, which support the gallery, repair the foundation of the pulpit, adjust or rebuild stone piers under the 12-inch timber, is estimated by Mr. Eas- ton to cost:
For stock and labor,
$220.00
Repairs of steeple,
10.00
Dressing room roof,
10.00
Sill,
75.00
Painting Church and steeple, two coats,
450.00
or one coat, $250.
$765.00
All of which is respectfully submitted by HENRY BULL, for the Committee.
Newport, March Ist, 1859.
The committee appointed to decide on the expediency of erecting a new Church, have determined that it is inexpedient at the present time to do so.
March 7, 1859. Voted: that Henry Bull and Charles Hunter be a committee to repair the Church edifice.
April 25, 1859. Annual Meeting. Twenty-one corporators present.
The following communication from the Senior Warden was read and received:
To the Corporation of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen: After four years' service as Senior Warden of Trinity Church, I feel that I have a right to retire from that office; and in anticipation of any step you might otherwise see fit to take, I beg to decline, most decidedly, a re-election. Thank- ing you for the confidence you have been pleased to repose in me, I remain, Gentlemen, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
GEO. C. MASON.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
The offices were filled as follows:
John H. Cozzens, Senior Warden.
M. C. Slocum, Junior Warden.
Benjamin Finch, David King, Henry Bull, Charles Hunter, Duncan C. Pell, Samuel Engs, Thomas R. Hunter, John D. Ogden, George C. Mason, Moses Norman, John N. Potter, Ves- trymen.
Job T. Langley, Secretary and Treasurer.
Voted: that a committee be appointed to examine the Church, and report at the adjourned meeting, what repairs are necessary and the probable cost of the same; and that Henry Bull, Charles Hunter and Moses Norman be that committee.
May 2, 1859. The committee to examine the Church raport, that it will cost from $1200 to $2000 to put the structure in good repair.
Voted: that the same committee be authorized to have the Church repaired and painted, at a cost not to exceed $2000; and they were to have the clock in the steeple put in order.
On motion of Mr. Charles Hunter, Voted: that the above committee call on the Rector, to see if he has any objection to the replacing of the sounding board. 38
On motion of Dr. J. D. Ogden, it was voted: Whereas our Rector is about to officiate in his chapel during the summer months, the congregation most respectfully suggest that an in- vitation be extended to Bishop Clark and Rev. Dr. Hawks to officiate during his absence.
38 Two months after the call of Rev. Dr. Mercer, he asked to have the sounding board removed, on the ground that it oppressed him when preach- ing. A committee was instructed to raise it a considerable height. The experiment did not answer, and it was taken down. To get it out of the Church it had to be cut in two. Dr. Mercer said he did not see that its removal made any difference; and in deference to the wishes of many persons, it was restored to its old place.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
May 25, 1859. Special meeting of the Corporation; twenty- four corporators being present.
The following communication from the Rector was read by the chairman :
New York, May 6th, 1859.
Mr. John H. Cozzens,
Warden of Trinity Church;
Dear Sir: I write to answer the request made at the late Corporation meeting, viz. : that I should solicit the services of the Rev. Dr. Hawks, or Bishop Clark, during the summer.
I accede to the request, and shall write to one or both of these distinguished clergymen, or to any other the Corporation may hereafter name, and shall urge upon them my own wishes, as well as the wishes of the Corporation; presuming, of course, that the Corporation imply, or mean to imply, that they will be chargeable with the expense of such an arrangement.
Be so good as to communicate this letter to the Corporation, and believe me to be
Very respectfully, A. G. MERCER.
Voted: that the communication from the Rector be received and placed on file.
On motion of Edward King, voted: that the Rector be re- quested to invite Bishop Clark to officiate during the summer . months, and that five hundred dollars be raised to meet the expenses, and that the Corporation be responsible for the pay- ment of the same.
On the house being called, including proxies, 26 voted aye, and 7 no.
Marshall C. Slocum offered the following resolution:
Resolved, that notice be given to the Rev. A. G. Mercer, that in the opinion of this Corporation, the present vacation of
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
three months during the summer, cannot be continued after this year, consistently with the welfare of Trinity Church.
The house being called, 21 voted aye, and 19 no.
At the next meeting, May 23, 1859, Mr. Duncan C. Pell sent in his resignation, as a member of the Vestry.
[It will be necessary here to digress to give, as briefly as possible, the history of the Chapel, known as "All Saints' Chapel," and which had already become a disturbing element of a serious nature.]
For a number of years prior to 1850, the seating capacity of Trinity Church was not equal to the demand of the summer population, when added to the congregation that regularly at- tended service there. That something should be done to meet the want was apparent. The summer people had no residences in the outlying districts, as at present. There was no Bellevue Avenue, no sites taken up by cottages along the Cliffs, on the south shore, or the harbor front; but it was quite the thing to be quartered in one of the popular hotels-the Ocean House, Atlantic, Bellevue and Fillmore-and the many excellent board- ing houses, all within a comparatively short distance of Trinity Church.
There were three Episcopal churches in Newport-Trinity, Zion and Emmanuel. The latter was only a mission, designed to draw together the factory operatives (chiefly English) residing in the south part of the town, who stood greatly in need of religious teaching. The mission, although doing a good work, had but little attraction at that time for summer visitors; and it was not until some years later, through the indomitable efforts of the Rev. D. R. Brewer the founder of the mission, and his equally devoted successors, that it gained its present recognized position. The efforts of Zion Church to draw the floating pop- ulation to it, though its location was equally eligible, were never successful; while Trinity Church was so crowded that, after every
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available seat had been filled by the ushers, chairs were brought in and placed in the aisles, and still many turned away, for want of room.
To relieve this pressure, and to afford room for all, the Min- ister of the Parish, Rev. D. R. Brewer, devised the plan of a free chapel, within easy reach of the summer people on the hill. He had been, and so continued through life, a warm advocate of the free church system; and this was the first opportunity he had had to carry his theory into practice. His efforts were ably seconded by a few earnest workers; but chiefly by Miss Phebe C. Bull, who placed $2500 at his disposal for this object - a sum that was subsequently increased by the same liberal hand So unostentatiously was this done that but few persons, com- paratively, knew of it, so reticent was she in regard to her charities: in support of which "her income mostly," says one who was in the way of knowing, "and much of her inheritance, was expended."
A lot of land, on Church street, was purchased of the late John H. Gilliat, the southwest corner of his estate, containing 6363 square feet, for $500-the site later known as the DeBlois Cottage-and plans for a chapel were obtained of the late Richard Upjohn, architect. This was in April, 1850.
The movement was viewed with alarm by some of the per- manent congregation of Trinity Church, but there was no open opposition. They were wise enough to give it, as Mr. Brewer had counseled them, the test of one season, at the expiration of which time it was found to be no detriment to the Parish, and nothing more was heard of it till it had passed into the hands of Rev. A. G. Mercer, D. D., Rector of Trinity Church, who decided to remove the building to a new location. So long as the fee remained in Rev. Mr. Brewer, it was simply known as "the Chapel." During the summer months there were always visiting clergymen in town, who were ready, at the request of
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH
Mr. Brewer, to fill the pulpit; Mr. Brewer seldom preaching there himself.
So it went on till 1855, when Mr. Brewer, for reasons given in his letter on pages 158-9, retired from Trinity Church, gave up a salary that was a sure thing, and went down to the little mission, Emmanuel Church. There he labored to improve the people by whom he was surrounded, depending wholly on the scanty offerings, and the contributions of those who saw how much good he was doing. The Chapel, for it had no other name, was opened as usual during the summer season. The people of the mission (Emmanuel) were anxious to have a spire to their church edifice: there did not appear to be any way to gain this end, save by the sale of the Chapel, and Mr. Brewer, with that object in view, in the spring of 1857 offered the Chapel for sale, for $4000. The writer was asked to solicit subscriptions for the purchase of the building, to be given to Rev. Dr. Mercer, Rector of Trinity Church, to be held by him as it had been held by Rev. Mr. Brewer.
There were those who were so sanguine as to believe that the money could be raised without difficulty; but this was a mistake. The subscriptions came in slowly: so slowly as to create some alarm in the minds of the principal movers, lest Rev. Dr. Mercer should be annoyed (hearing of the lukewarm- ness on the subject) by the apparent indifference. The effort to raise the money was continued, and by the 15th of July, 1857, the sum of $4000 was raised, and the property passed into the hands of Rev. Dr. Mercer. No objection was made to his hold- ing it and using it for the benefit of those for whom it was designed, any more than when it belonged to Rev. Mr. Brewer; and even when the Vestry were asked to grant Rev. Dr. Mer- cer the privilege of preaching there during the three summer months, that wish was gratified; nor was there anything to lead one to suppose that this arrangement might not have continued
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
for years, without the least jar, had not Dr. Mercer decided the following Spring, 1858, to remove the Chapel to a new lo- cation, enlarge it by adding transepts, and then offering sittings for rental. The opposition to such a move was strong, and over it the congregation became greatly excited. The following year the excitement was even greater.
At this juncture, to remove the cause of the unhappy state of feelings, a prominent gentleman, who annually spent his summers in Newport, and whose name was not to be disclosed unless his offer was accepted, made, through the writer, a prop- osition to Rev. Dr. Mercer to become the purchaser of the Chapel, paying for the same $4000, the sum that Dr. Mercer's friends had paid for it. There is no record of this proposition other than the papers in the hands of the writer. The follow- ing was the proposition :
"Whereas the Rev. Dr. A. G. Mercer has this day sold and conveyed to me by a good and sufficient deed, the lease of the piece of land at the corner of Cottage and Beach streets, with all his right and title thereto, he having erected thereon a Chapel for religious services.
"Now know all men by these presents, that in consideration of one dollar to me paid by said Rev. Dr. A. G. Mercer, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, I do promise and agree that so long as said Rev. Dr. A. G. Mercer shall consent to perform the services of said Chapel, and remain an inhabitant of Newport, I will annually offer to lease the pews in said Chapel to his friends who shall make application therefor, on or before the Ist of July in each year, during the above-named term.
"And the Pewholders, assumed to be eighty in number, and each pew having a vote, shall then by vote invite him, or some other suitable person, to supply the pulpit for the season.
"From the proceeds of the first sixty of said pews leased,
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
the owner of the premises is to deduct, and retain, the sum of five dollars on each pew, for his own use, and the remainder from all the pews, after such deduction, is to be paid over to a committee of said Pewholders, to be by them annually ex- pended in improvements on the Chapel, the pay of the officiat- ing clergymen, and in such other manner as may be annually voted.
"In witness whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals, this-day of-in the year of our Lord, 1859."
No notice was taken by Dr. Mercer of the proposition, other than the remark that he would give it consideration. At the expiration of several weeks, no reply having come from Dr. Mercer, the proposition was withdrawn. The withdrawal called forth the following note from Rev. Dr. Mercer:
My dear Mr. Mason,
Will you be so good as to present my earnest thanks to the noble gentleman and friend, who made the offer as to the Chapel, and say to him that I did not suppose he intended any limit as to the time of the answer, or I should have given one before this. Say also that the delay was not from any decision that the proposition was "undesirable "-my mind indeed tended to think so-but no decision was reached, and I was sorry when your letter came, announcing that the proposition was withdrawn.
It is proper that I should make this explanation to the friend you represent, to whom repeat expressions of my deep gratitude, and believe me
Very truly, A. G. MERCER.
Saturday, July 30th, 1859.
Other facts not already given in connection with the Chapel, as drawn from the records will here appear in their order.
To come back to the Records of Trinity Church :
At a special meeting of the Corporation, June 2, 1859, a
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
communication from the Rector was read, declaring that the Corporation, as indicated by their resolutions, had prejudged his motive in regard to his plan concerning the Chapel, and resigning his privilege of preaching in the Chapel during the summer months; whereupon it was
Resolved: that David King, William S. Wetmore, Benjamin Finch, Thomas R. Hunter and M. C. Slocum, be a committee to take into consideration the letter of Rev. Mr. Mercer to the Corporation (communicated this day) and to draw up an answer to said letter, if in their opinion an answer be required.
June 7, 1859. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation.
The committee appointed June 2d, to take into consideration the letter from Rev. Mr. Mercer, presented a majority and a minority report.
The majority report was signed by David King, William S. Wetmore and M. C. Slocum, and consisted of a statement of facts and reasons, in explanation and justification of the reso- lution passed by the Corporation, in consequence of the removal and enlargement of the Chapel, and the apprehended difficulties and divisions arising from it.
The minority report was signed by Thomas R. Hunter and Benjamin Finch, and urged Rev. Mr. Mercer to preach in the Chapel during the summer months, and to supply the pulpit of Trinity in the meantime, he to invite Bishop Clark to officiate.
While the reports were under discussion, and before the ques- tion was taken, the following letter from Dr. Mercer was pre- sented :
My dear Mr. Mason :
Permit me thro' you to withdraw my letter entirely-if that will give peace to the counsels of the Corporation.
Very respectfully,
A. G. MERCER.
I mean to resign as before the privilege-but to withdraw the letter.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that the request of Rev. A. G. Mercer, to be allowed to withdraw the letter of June 2d, be acceded to, and his resig- nation of the privilege to preach in the Chapel during the sum- mer months, be accepted.
March 22, 1860. Special meeting of the Corporation; twenty- seven corporators being present: when the following communi- cation from the Rector was read, received, and ordered to be recorded :
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