USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Arlington > St. James' Episcopal Church, Arlington, Vermont : a sketch of the birth and growth of Saint James' Parish, the oldest parish in the diocese of Vermont, together with brief sketches of the lives of the bishops of the diocese and of the rectors of St. James' Parish > Part 12
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"Her interlocutor's jaw had dropped in total incredulous amazement ite he talked. When she finished, he closed his mouth, swallowed hard, brav a long breath, and purple with suppressed amusement, said santly, 'Oh, thank you very much, Mrs. Warlow. Yes, I see now,' he the aishing as he spoke around the corner of the brick house next door, re he leaned up against the woodshed laughing till he was almost weak to stand.
"This became one of the stock jokes of town. 'Wait a minute. help you. See this little screw?' was the hilarious preface to any offer help, especially to an extra competent person. Yet in that laughter e was no resentment. Nobody dreamed of thinking that Mrs. low was being 'condescending.' Everyone understood the mental rcesses which, given her recent experience with parishioners, had led ble to that absurd mistake, and so discreetly was the joke enjoyed that, ar as anyone knows, Mrs. Warlow was never aware of it."
The Rev. Kiliaen Van Rensselaer Gibson was Rector of St. James' se sh during the World War.
He was called to the rectorship of the parish by the Vestry at its ey ting March eighteenth, 1917, and assumed charge at the services on :er Day. His salary was $1,000.
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Though his stay was short in the parish he was an active and en siastic worker, and he made great effort to maintain the morale of parish in the time of anxiety and uncertainty.
The church bell was rung each day at noon, and the people jo in prayer at that time.
The Rev. Mr. Gibson also made every effort to interest lapsed n bers by intensive visiting, pastoral letters, special services and p programs.
He cooperated with Miss "Mattie' Canfield in her faithful wor the Sunday School.
In an effort to build up the membership he formed a Boy S troop, and acted as Scoutmaster until he secured Mr. Ralph Nicho serve in that capacity.
He conducted services of meditation in Lent, and two confirm: classes were prepared during his rectorship.
He also organized a Brotherhood of St. Andrew group.
Quite a number of young men were confirmed during his rector
Mr. Gibson has five children, now grown up, two of wlas Stuyvesant and Van Rensselaer, Jr., were small children in the Rec during his ministry at Arlington.
In the fall of 1918, Mr. Gibson resigned to take up work in Diocese of Western New York.
Mr. Gibson is a direct descendant of Governor Petrus Stuyvezor and of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, Patroon of Albany; he is a cousi D Hamilton Fish. He is an author, poet and lecturer. He was bor New York City July, ninth, 1889.
In his early youth he belonged to Trinity Parish, New York and received his elementary education at Trinity School, New York
He was graduated from Columbia College in 1911 and ent General Theological Seminary the same year.
Later he was awarded the Master of Arts degree for work in field of education.
In 1916 he was ordained to the Diaconate and a few months to the Priesthood in the Diocese of New York.
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Mr. Gibson has served either as Rector or Assistant in va: churches in New York City and elsewhere.
He assisted for a time at the Church of the Holy Communion, at this time he was appointed Director of the Department of Relig Education which he organized along the lines of modern educat: methods.
He was also connected with All Souls' Church, New York, later he was Rector of St. James' Church, Arlington, and of C Church, Pittsford, New York.
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der In 1921-22 he was Minister in Charge of St. John's Church, le orhikers. Here he instituted the Noon Day service, organized a large ng men's Bible Class and introduced publicity methods.
le je For a number of years past he has been Vicar of St. Mary's, Yonkers. During his ministry he has served on various Church boards and ed manmittees, has been actively interested in the American Guild of ad pulth and the Society of the Nazarene.
He has conducted radio "question hours" on Religion and Life wongblems and has published works as follows:
"The Faith that Overcomes the World" (1923); "The Master's oy Skcet of Power" (1931); "Brave Lindbergh and Other Poems" Ticho 37) ; two of his Christmas Carols, "The Bethlehem Way" and "Our hlehem Star Babe" have been considered for the Revised Hymnal.
Mr. Gibson is a scholar who has made comprehensive study in the chology of religion.
The Rev. Sherwood Roosevelt was called to the rectorship of this ctor ish on November tenth, 1918 and continued as Rector until his with September twenty-fourth, 1923.
Rect Mr. Roosevelt's ministry in Arlington was faithful and efficient. was a good pastor and a leader in worthy community enterprises. k in a time he was a member of the School Board and was one of those › were active in support of the campaign to build the Arlington uyvemorial School, which in November, 1940 was burned to the ground. ousa During his ministry fifty-three persons were baptized and twenty- bort: were confirmed.
On January 2, 1920, Miss Martha H. Canfield, a "Mother in ork fiel," a lifelong member and for forty years a teacher in the Sunday Yorkpool, entered into rest.
The following resolutions were passed by the Vestry on her death: iss Mattie," as she was known to all, gave to her Church a service so ctical and full that it touched and advanced its every interest. latever she held as an obligation by a professor of Christianity was charged in its fullest sense, humbly, consistently and continuously. In the community her concern was truly Catholic. There were vame but righteous restrictions directing the application and adminis- tion of her benefactions.
"Citizenship was interpreted by charity and kindness towards all." At a Vestry meeting held on October tenth, 1920, called to order the Rector, the Rev. Sherwood Roosevelt, the following resolution s adopted:
"Resolved, That the Rector be requested on behalf of the Vestry Cl Parish to write James A. Canfield and Mrs. John R. Fisher an ex- ssion of their gratitude and appreciation of their more than generous
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act in placing in the hands of the Vestry a certain portion of the esa of Miss Martha Canfield to be held as a Trust Fund for the maintenant o of the services in the parish in Arlington, Vermont. That Mr. Canf T and Mr. and Mrs. Fisher recognized a wish of Miss Martha Canfield of such force and obligation as though she had made a bequest; that t carried out this wish with an affection, and solicitude for the well bed of this Parish which has deeply impressed its members."
At a Parish Meeting held on November eighth, 1920 the follow resolution was introduced and carried:
"Resolved that the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of St. Jar Protestant Episcopal Church of Arlington, Vermont, be and hereby authorized to sell and convey the parcels of land recently dee to said parish by James A. Canfield and Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Fisher deed dated September twenty-eighth, 1920, and it is further resol that the proceeds of such sales be placed in the hands of the Trustee: le the Diocese of Vermont.
"The interest of said fund to be paid to the Treasurer of St. Jar. Protestant Episcopal Church, of Arlington, Vermont.
"Resolved: That this fund be known as the Martha H. Canf Fund to be thus held and invested by the Trustees of the Diocese Vermont for the benefit of St. James' Parish, Arlington, Vermont.
"The amount of the fund is $3,000."
A brief sketch of the life of Sherwood Roosevelt will now be giv Sherwood Roosevelt was born in Southport, Connecticut, April ni teenth, 1855. He was educated in the public schools in Brooklyn, N York, and in a preparatory school at Claverick, New York.
He entered Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in 1876. He gradua from the College and Theological Seminary in 1880.
He was ordained to the Diaconate in Trinity Cathedral, Oma Nebraska, in August, 1880, and to the Priesthood in Indianapolis, diana, in the summer of 1881 by the Rt. Rev. J. C. Talbot, D.D., Bis. of Indiana.
From 1881 to 1896 Mr. Roosevelt was in Indiana and Michig first doing missionary work in Goshen, Indiana, and then in Owo Michigan. In 1896, he returned to Brooklyn, New York, where he Rector of the Church of our Saviour from 1896 to 1902.
He was Rector of St. Peter's, Milford, Connecticut, from 1902 1908 when he became a member of the staff of the City Miss Society of New York, remaining there until 1916 when he returned Connecticut and took charge of St. Peter's Hebron.
In 1918 Mr. Roosevelt became Rector of St. James Church, Arli. ton, his last parochial work.
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een July twenty-first, 1879, Mr. Roosevelt married Mary Frances tema k of Brooklyn, New York. Their children are Marcus Sherwood, Cam Talbot, and Calvin Lay. Mrs. Roosevelt is now living with her Calvin Lay Roosevelt in Milford, Connecticut.
On October twenty-eighth, 1923, the Vestry met and voted to nd a call to the Rev. John Mills Gilbert to the rectorship of the what a salary of $1,800 a year and the use of the Rectory.
Mr. Gilbert accepted the call and took charge November first, 1923. He came from Chester, Pennsylvania, where he had been Rector of Jao Trinity Church for ten years.
and Mr. Gilbert writes that he was very happy in Arlington and only def because it seemed necessary for him to be within reach of his ishenger as he was over ninety, and no one of the family remained but elf to care for him.
He says he recalls with pleasure the very fine community spirit that ailed in Arlington.
.Ja His outstanding contribution to the progress of the parish was the ex he did for the young people, a work that was not limited to the Canulren of the parish.
oces Each summer he conducted a "Vacation School" called the "May- ont. er Club" for any children of the village who cared to attend, and teen twenty-five and thirty were enrolled.
There were classes in various handicrafts, simple wood-working, ;ning, and stenciling; and for girls, sewing, knitting, and some ing lessons, beside some games out-of-doors and story-telling. 'e were children from the different churches including some Roman holics.
Mr. Gilbert says the boys were much interested in the small wooden iture, toy cradles, chairs, tables, sleds, etc., and some paper knives Indian heads on the handle.
One of the boys about ten or eleven years old came to Mr. Gilbert day and said: "Mr. Gilbert, why can't we work like they do at the ry from seven in the morning until five in the afternoon? Then get something done."
francis Squiers, one of the boys, made a wood carving of the Lord's er which he presented to the Church and it hangs now on the wall le Rectory Chapel.
Ars. Carl Ruggles was among the helpers, and she taught them some s; while some of the other ladies helped in the girl's instruction. Ar. Gilbert himself taught the boys.
The other feature of special interest in Mr. Gilbert's ministry was ministry to the "Silent Churches." Frequently he held services at gate in the Methodist Church which was then inactive and also at
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the North Shaftsbury Methodist Church without a pastor, condu the service in the afternoon accompanied by some members of Young People's Fellowship.
He also conducted bi-weekly gatherings during the winter it Community House.
These meetings were of a religious nature, conducted after manner of a panel discussion.
Mr. Gilbert and his family were well esteemed in Arlington they still are remembered with affection by the people of St. J. Parish.
When asked to give a sketch of his life Mr. Gilbert modestly he did not know what to include that would be of any parti interest.
His life, he said, had been very much the sort of life that 1 clergymen live, perhaps moving about a little more than some 01; zin yet with what he considered a valid reason for each move.
John Mills Gilbert was born in Chatham, New Jersey, the som, George Walker Gilbert and Amelia Mills Gilbert.
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He was graduated from St. Stephen's College in 1890 and gra the degree of Master of Arts in 1913.
In 1893 Mr. Gilbert graduated from the General Theold Seminary. He was ordained to the Diaconate in 1892, and to Priesthood in 1894, by Bishop Doane, of Albany.
On April twenty-seventh, 1899, he married Mary Linn Sta New York City. Their children are: Isabel who married the Rev. Greenwood. They are living in England, and Constance who is Mrs. Lawrence Greenman, of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Mr. Gilbert began his ministry as Rector of Calvary Church, I Hills, New York, in 1894.
His other rectorships were as follows: Curate, St. Peter's Ch Morristown, New Jersey, 1894-97; Grace Church, Waterford, York, 1897-1900; Vicar Chapel of Heavenly Rest, New York 1900-1903; Rector, St. John's Church, Phelps, 1903-06; Assistan Paul's Church, Buffalo, 1906-09; Rector, St. Paul's Church, Harris Pennsylvania, 1909-13; Rector, Church of the Holy Trinity, Chester, Pennsylvania, 1913-23; Rector of St. James Church, Ai ton, Vermont, 1923-1925; Rector, Christ Church, Sharon, 1925.
Mr. Gilbert is now retired. He was a Deputy to the General vention in 1913. He is an author and has published the follo poems: "Christmas Eve in the City" (Poems 1914, Gorham P: Poems in periodicals.
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The Rev. W. J. Brown, Rector of Zion Church, Manchester, also a orable parish with a notable history, has on his own initiative kindly nibuted the following sketch:
Any account of the Rectorship of the Reverend George Robert in Saint James' Parish, Arlington, should be prefaced by a para- or two concerning the very splendid and enthusiastic work of or Watkins in the period between the departure of the former Rec- nd the coming of the incumbent who forms the subject of this ater.
Doctor Watkins had seen sufficient instances of the decay and dis- tration that frequently comes to a parish in the period between the ng and going of rectors. One felt grateful for all his forward- ng teaching and preaching. Realizing that the task of the next or would be a very full and exacting one, the congregations were d to do all that they could by way of preparation for the arrival heir new Rector. Guilds and parochial organizations were not red to do what the organizations of so many parishes do in such an he tim, suspend business or go into a state of comfortable ease, rather e were exhorted to be up and doing. All of this zeal and enthusiasm dgthe part of Doctor Watkins and the people was bound to have a encouraging and stimulating effect on the beginning of Mr. heal nd : th's work. Few parishes in the Church have been so fortunate as Arlington in having such a devoted and disinterested clergyman heir friend and helper in days of difficulty and uncertainty.
Toward the end of the winter of 1926, the Reverend George R. h, who had for some time been the Church's devoted missionary pastor to the Missions in the Lamoille Valley decided to relinguish vork in northern Vermont and take up the work in Arlington. ch, s CH ord, istan ing to Arlington and finding the Parish not only eager for a settled or but also well organized and ready to go ahead must have been a : source of comfort and encouragement. The Parish too must been encouraged with the arrival of the Rector and his family. good wife with her singular devotion and varying gifts was indeed orkalcome addition to the Parochial family and the "Brush Boys" with varying and various talents were also of considerable value to the arricchial set up.
ity, Mr. Brush's rich and varied experience in the work of the country 1, Anh not only here among us in Vermont, but in other areas of the 925. arch previous to his coming to Vermont gave him an understanding eralne work in Arlington that was altogether vital and valued. The folltionary zeal and enthusiasm which had characterized his work in m Fr portions of the Vermont vineyard were soon evidenced in the higton Cure. Scattered communicants in Shaftsbury, Sandgate and
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Sunderland were looked up and encouraged to make use of the Ch and its privileges and attempts to maintain services in these plac that the needs of our people might be more fully met were accompl with an encouraging measure of success.
It is to be regretted that these outposts which were at one strongholds of the church have as the years have come and gone be places where the Church is hardly known. A good deal of time a good deal of money would be necessary to maintain an adequate ; in such places and these are not at the disposal of the rector in Ar ton, in fact nowhere in Vermont are our clergy able to do for the lying districts what might be done if time and funds were avai.
The visit of Bishop Hall to the Parish in October, 1929 was ir memorable. On that occasion the Centennial of the Laying of Cornerstone of the Parish Church was observed. The commemor was preceded by a banquet in the Arlington Hotel with addresse the Bishop and other visiting guests and the event was also marke the presence of many former parishioners who had returned for occasion. The service with the sermon by Bishop Hall on Sunday indeed worthy of the occasion. This occasion was in many w: most fitting prelude for the Sesquicentennial of the founding o: Parish which was observed in the summer of 1934 with Dr. Wa as the preacher. The gracious presence of Bishop Hall was mi from this notable gathering and was commented on by many of present. One did feel that presence though as one realized in measure the Communion of Saints. All through that observance was the continual remembrance of that procession of noble souls w] down through the years had labored to make St. James' Parish what today.
In 1932, a definite and successful attempt was made to mak Parish more fully realize its Diocesan relationships and contacts. Historical Pageant of that year, written by Mrs. Dorothy Cal Fisher, was a most worthy and moving presentation. As the chara portraying the early Bishops of Vermont came upon the stage, v the chancel of the Church provided and told of some of the vicissi of travel and of their efforts to reach Arlington for their visit: one got a better idea of the work of other days. Doctor Watkins took the part of Bishop Hopkins and told the people of the tij over of the coach in which he was travelling toward Arlington wa to bring before the congregation a very vivid picture of Vermont of earlier days.
During the Rectorship of Mr. Brush things material as We things spiritual were continually supplying ample evidence of provement. Soon after his arrival in the Parish an effort was beg1
WATKINS MEMORIAL REREDOS
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o.de more adequate lighting facilities for the Church and the year witnessed the installation of suitable fixtures for the lighting of Church. Later on in this year the effort was made and completed he building of the wall surrounding the Churchyard. This latter : was of course the forerunner of another effort to gather funds which to clean up and improve the condition of the graves within churchyard. Nineteen hundred thirty saw the beginning of a n for this purpose. This fund was to serve as a sort of permanent dwment for the care and improvement of the Churchyard and it is esting to note that in the year 1940 this endowment had reached um of $1,985.00. In this same Rectorship two other bequests to endowment funds of the Parish should be noted: the bequest of wor Watkins of $2,000.00 for the maintenance of the Parish and the est of Mr. George H. Wadleigh in 1938 of $6,000.00 to be used F: for the improvement and alteration of the chancel or else for the nal endowment for the maintenance of the Parish. These sub- trial gifts were indeed a help.
The year 1935 was singularly notable for gifts and improvements. v.s in this year that a vested choir took its place in the chancel and ala processional cross in memory of Clarence Dyer Gilchrist, the of his wife and friends, was given for use in connection with the
he year 1936 witnessed the redecoration of the Church in a manner other fitting. The organ had been greatly helped and strengthened ur or so previous by the addition of an electric motor and blower. To more beautiful or more valuable improvement has ever been to the Parish than the enrichment of the Sanctuary by the in- Ition in 1938 of the memorial Reredos over the Altar, given by 's Edward Cushing and family in memory of her parents, the vend Doctor Schureman Halsted Watkins and Helen Randolph a ins. This beautiful work carved in Oberammergau by one of the eted workmen of that quaint old city is indeed a most fitting Drial to two people who in their life time loved and labored greatly he Parish. The Incarnation and the Resurrection which are so Ierfully depicted in the Reredos were subjects on which Doctor ins had preached a great number of sermons and ably testify to the ortance of the Church's teaching concerning these things and how ly he valued that teaching. He never seemed to tire of calling e's attention to the necessity for a right belief concerning these truths. One looks upon this lovely work and thinks of him in e memory it is set up and then there comes the thought, "He being yet speaketh."
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The last Sunday in June, 1930 was made notable by the visita of Bishop Booth for the blessing and setting apart of the large and c modious rectory just south of the Church which had been prese to the Parish under a bequest from Mr. John Lathrop Burdett. Burdett family had for several generations been deeply intereste the life and work of St. James' Parish and this gift, to be known as Burdett Memorial Rectory, was indeed a fitting memorial to the dividual donor as well as the former members of his family. Spac and generous in its proportions it offered ample room to the famil the Rector who also found in the house opportunity for devoting of the rooms to the purposes of a Chapel, for week day services and services on any occasion when the Church was not available. former Rectory was soon afterward put on the market and in due a desirable purchaser appeared. This addition of real property is no and helps us all to realize the value and importance of a suitable tory in the country Cure.
Every Rectory has its days of sunshine and shadow and a heavy shadow fell upon the Arlington Rectory when in 1936 the illness of Anna Brush, the wife of the Rector, became apparent to Six long months of painful suffering and distress were her lot ere entered into the "Rest that Remaineth," but those months were ( acterized by great faith, patience and fortitude and her departure her family with some very precious memories of an earnest and 1 lived Christian life. Her courage and steadfastness all through the of her pilgrimage even unto the end remain as a perpetual challen; the members of her family as well as to the members of the P generally, and they speak volumes concerning her quiet and devout with all its care and interest in the rearing of her family and the 1 she felt called upon to do in her Parish.
A Rectorship of thirteen years seems like a very long one for · modern days but for Mr. Brush the days were so filled with work the time must have seemed full short. Though the days were full the affairs of Arlington and the efforts of its Rector to preach teach the truths for which the Church stood, yet he was ever reac give aid and assistance in other parishes whenever the opportunity his strength permitted.
The Parish Message, a little paper which the Rector publishe well as edited and printed, had a wide circulation and for thirteen not less than one hundred copies were printed and circulated each v This might be considered a most valuable work, in fact one of the valuable works of any rectorship. By means of this little public: the people were kept in touch with their Parish, absentees from se: always had an opportunity to share in the church's teaching and th
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visa for the days and seasons. The work of the pulpit was indeed når tly extended by means of this effort.
One cannot pass over the rich and fruitful rectorship of Mr. Brush ttmnout recalling the efforts from time to time to strengthen the ties pre. res n Fparochial friendship with the neighboring parishes. Notable among he was the joint effort on the part of Zion Church, Manchester, in the parish in Arlington to entertain the Diocesan gathering of the nan's Auxiliary in 1928 in Arlington.
That year marked the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of Auxiliary in Vermont, and the gathering in Arlington was in- ng and enthusiastic. The expense of hospitality and the provision le lodging of the delegates to this meeting during their stay in the Lash was borne jointly by the two parishes, and was a very happy le onstration of how some of the smaller parishes might gain for hnselves the inspiration and encouragement that always come from iocesan gathering of this nature.
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