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 5
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The Rev. Mr. Townsend performed Morning Prayer, the Rev. Mr. kch administered Baptism. I preached and after the sermon con- med 47.
After an intermission of thirty minutes the evening service com- Danced. Mr. Beach was then instituted. Dr. Stewart delivered an ex- gent discourse, and after the sermon I administered the Sacred Memo- la of Christ's Body and Blood to 140 devout communicants.
er: Monday the rain continued. By hard traveling we reached Burling- sob. in season for divine service and Mr. Beach baptized eight children. nt Inesday I preached, confirmed and administered the Holy Com- vanion in Middlebury; the two following days we passed over the untains to the eastern part of the state, arriving in Windsor in season whoprayers and a sermon on Friday evening. In that place, since the genial convention, has been formed an Episcopal parish highly dissected for the number, character and liberal zeal of its members. Rev. Mr. Leonard is their minister.
sem Mr. greg In the afternoon of Monday we proceeded to Bellows Falls. There ockingham on the Vermont side is a parish recently formed which is dy in a flourishing state under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. an bpman. They have erected a neat and commodious church which permit a year ago was consecrated. They have also an excellent choir of
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ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ARLINGTON
singers and in proportion to their abilities no people of the diocese hi gone before them in liberal efforts for the regular and decent minist tions of the Blessed Gospel. There also I preached and administe.| Confirmation." (Convention Journal, 1819.)
It seems important to give this address of Bishop Griswold in fullr. 3 since it puts before us a good picture of the Church in Vermont dur: 30 these years, and it is impossible to consider the growth of one part alone apart from some knowledge of the general conditions of : Church in the diocese.
It was a day of small things. In 1814 the Revs. Messrs. Ada:, Jewett and Henshaw who had been for several years connected with :/ diocese had left and the Rev. Abraham Bronson was again left alone'ı Vermont.
The Journal of 1818 records that there were four clergymen in 'e diocese, the Revs. Messrs. Bronson, Beach, Chapman and Leonard.
Soon after this the diocese was strengthened by several young men
The Rev. Joel Clap was ordained Deacon by Bishop Griswold in Oc ber, 1818, and Priest in September, 1819. Mr. Clap was very activea the diocese for many years, having cures in Berkshire and Montgom (1818-1822), Shelburne and Bethel (1823-27), Woodstock (1840-4, Bellows Falls (1846-58). He was secretary of the diocese from 1:0 to 1832.
The Rev. Carlton Chase was also one of the clergy who gave valu: e service during this period. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Gi wold, December, 1818 and Priest, September, 1820. In 1819 he chosen Rector of Immanuel Church, Bellows Falls, where he remai d twenty-five years.
He was a member of the Standing Committee during most of period and was generally chosen as a deputy to the General Convent
He was elected Bishop of New Hampshire and also Rector of T ity Church, Claremont, performing this double duty of Rector Bishop for nineteen years. (Churchman, January 24, 1870.)
The Rev. Stephen Beach was settled in Fairfield, Shelburne and Albans from 1815 to 1822. He came from Wallingford and had be successful Methodist minister before coming into the Episcopal Chu 1 dur Mr. Beach was ordained Deacon by Bishop Griswold in 1815 and P. in 1817. In 1821 his moral character was questioned and it was dee expedient for him to discontinue his services. He was tried and censi for indiscretion, but not convicted of crime.
The Rev. Jordan Gray was born in Arlington, May 26, 1793. was educated at home under the Rev. Abraham Bronson. He was r ried in 1814. In 1817 he decided to devote himself to the mini: though having a family and little property. In 1819 he became a gand
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41
HISTORY OF "EASTERN DIOCESE"
der at Sandgate where he revived and reorganized the church and orsued his studies. In October, 1821 he was ordained Deacon by Bhop Griswold in Bethel Church, Arlington. After a few months he xs settled in Berkshire and Montgomery and began a parish in Enos- og; he reported after four months work communicants in Berkshire 2 in Montgomery 27, in Enosburg 11. In the midst of his work dis- er overtook him. On April 7, 1823, he was called to a funeral across 1 Trout River, then much swollen by a freshet which had carried off 1 bridge.
The crossing was attempted in a skiff, he being accompanied by two ma and a boy. As they struck the center current they were over- uned. His two companions escaped with difficulty. The boy clasped M Gray and clung to him and both were drowned.
After the departure of the Rev. Abraham Bronson from Arlington in 114, the Rev. J. Howland Coit who was ordained by Bishop Griswold, O:ober, 1827, officiated at Arlington, where he remained for two years. rche diocesan Journal of 1827, Mr. Coit made the following report: the state of the Church in this place is such as to excite in our hearts b most lively emotions of gratitude, although we still have much rea- o to lament barrenness and lack of zeal in the service of our Master. Thre has been for two years past, more or less of an attention to re- tous things, the result of which has been an addition of 23 to the list four communicants; our Sunday Schools, of which there are three at- aged to our church, are in a flourishing condition. A bible class has el established which is attended with considerable interest by a few fhe young people, and we regret to say by a few. A female prayer xting, which is held weekly, has been instituted, from which, with h blessing of God, we anticipate the most pleasing results. The whole uber of communicants, after deducting deaths, is 93; funerals 2, a isms 4 adults; marriages 3. Sunday scholars 130."
r. Coit also reports the following of St. Matthew's Church, Sand- a : "The church was visited regularly once a fortnight, on a week day, about the space of three months, besides some occasional visits before since.
During the time of my visiting them the services of the church de attended with much interest, and some seriousness manifested. hy have also had occasionally lay reading. I would affectionately rec- mend this parish to the particular attention of the convention. The nem
cle are poor, but pious, and ardently attached to the church we all and are hungering and thirsting for the word of life. Number of nunicants, 33, baptisms, 5 infants, 2 adults."
seph Howland Coit was born November 3, 1802, the son of Levi and Lydia Howland, of New York. (Lydia Howland, daughter of
me
93. was
42
ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ARLINGTON
Joseph Howland of New York, was descended from John Howland, last survivor of the "Pilgrims" of the "Mayflower.")
Mr. Coit was brought up as a Presbyterian in New York. He gra I- ated with honors from Columbia College. He entered Princeton Tl )- logical School to study for the Presbyterian ministry. He was conve: d through his studies to Episcopacy.
He applied for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church and was ordai d Deacon by Bishop Griswold of the Eastern Diocese, in Bristol, Rh le Island, November 8, 1825.
He was ordained priest by Bishop Griswold in Arlington, October 3, 1827, and was Rector of the parish two years.
His ministry elsewhere was as follows: Rector of St. Andrew's, VI- mington, Delaware, 1828-32; the first church building in the pash was built during his rectorship. Rector of Trinity Church, Plattsbulh. New York, 1832-44; Rector of St. Stephen's, Harrisburg, Pennsylv: a 1844-52; Rector of Trinity Church, Plattsburgh (second tir;) 1852-66. He died October 1, 1866, and was buried in Plattsbig cemetery.
He was given the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Columbia Col ;e. He was a scholarly man, an orthodox High Churchman. His cel characteristic as a priest was his faithful pastoral work.
He was much beloved by his friends and parishioners. He was sensitive and affectionate nature.
Joseph Howland Coit and Harriet Jane Hard, his wife, were the lord ents of nine children, seven of whom lived to grow up.
The Rev. J. M. Tappan succeeded the Rev. Mr. Coit, entering 1 05 the rectorship of the parish November 16, 1828.
The diocesan Journal contains his annual report from which are tes the following interesting facts: "For several months before my enge ment the constant services of the Church had not been perfore among them. In all probability for the present year there will heavy tax upon this parish which will give some check to their alt for the support of a clergyman. Their attentions and exertions are turned towards the praiseworthy design of erecting a new house of ship. A new building for the accommodation of this congregati considered necessary and without doubt will be speedily erected. people of this parish generally are much attached to the principles, trines and services of our Church, and seem disposed to contr cheerfully for the advantages which come to mankind through Gospel of Christ.
"Within a few weeks a Bible class has been formed and a Su School of about forty scholars is in a flourishing state. The numb la communicants in this parish is 100." 5 th
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HISTORY OF "EASTERN DIOCESE"
In the following year the cornerstone of the new church was laid, the :count of which is given in the November (1829) number of the fiddlebury Episcopal Register as follows:
"The cornerstone of St. James Church Arlington, was laid October 5, 1829 by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold.
"A large congregation assembled to witness the ceremony and the bishop, after laying the cornerstone on the north wall delivered a very propriate and interesting address. The Rev. A. Bronson and the Rev. mes M. Tappan were present and assisted in the services.
"The church is to be built strictly in the Gothic style of a beautiful urk blue limestone to be found in great abundance in the immediate S. cinity. It is to be 67 feet in length and 48 feet in breadth with a cel- r under the whole church in which is to be the robing room, a Sab- bath School room and a furnace to warm the house.
"The foundation is already laid and the wall raised five feet, the door siames and doors, the window frames and sash are completed, and a con- derable quantity of stone and other materials are on the ground.
"It is contemplated to finish the church early next fall, and the esti- Cated expense is not far from $6000, which is to be borne wholly by members of the Society.
"Sylvester Deming has engaged to pay one third of the cost of the hilding, and to furnish the church when finished with an organ and 111. In a cavity of the cornerstone was deposited a leaden box con- the tining a Prayer Book and a parchment with an inscription as follows:
This Cornerstone of St. James' Church Was Laid By The Rt. Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold, D.D., Bishop
Of The Protestant Episcopal Church In the Eastern Diocese October 26 A.D. 1829 Being The 53rd Year of The
Independence of The United States of America The Rev. James M. Tappan The Minister of the Parish Being Present and Assisting
Noble Hard and Simeon Cole Being Wardens
Enos Canfield, Samuel S. Baker, Anson Canfield, Zadok Hard and Martin C. Deming Vestrymen Lewis Dyer, Clerk
Martin C. Deming, Samuel S. Canfield, Cyrus B. Hills, Simeon Cole, and Phineas Smith, Building Committee William Passwan of Aulston, Yorkshire, England, Architect."
In "Old Vermont Houses," by Herbert Wheaton Congdon, page 1), the author says:
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ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ARLINGTON
"The oldest church building in Vermont that may be charitab considered pure Gothic is St. James' Church, Arlington.
"Its interior was originally a mixture of classic and Gothic archite ture, Roman egg-and-dart mouldings decorating unexpected Goth features.
"The old pulpit was excellent classic, but the communion table w good Gothic.
"The tower is certainly Gothic in effect, as are the pointed wi dows."*
The late Mr. James Ross Roberts, to whom the writer is indebted f this and other bits of history incorporated here and there among the writings, said he had heard his father, John C. Roberts, tell the story the laying of this cornerstone.
He says: "At that time he was just approaching manhood, and as described it to me, a boy, it seemed as though he was telling about son thing that had happened in some far-off age.
"Now after more than half a century I still hear the tones of voice and am wondering if he was not thinking of that scene of the u finished temple walls, the divinely commissioned man of God with pioneer flock about Him while He taught me the words of the hymn applicable to the present occasion, the words which find such response the hearts of all of us from Jehiel Hawley even to the child in our St. day School:
'I love Thy Church, O God, Her walls before me stand, Dear as the apple of Thine eye And graven on Thy hand.
For her my tears shall fall, For her my prayers ascend, For her my toils and cares be given, Till toils and cares shall end.' "
The convention of the Church in Vermont was held in Arlington August 31, 1831 in the Vestry room of St. James' Church.
During the sessions of this convention St. James' Church was co- secrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold.
The following clergy were present: The Rev. Abraham Brons Rector of Zion Church, Manchester; the Rev. Carlton Chase, Rector Immanuel Church, Bellows Falls; the Rev. Joel Clap, Rector of James' Church, Woodstock; the Rev. Silas A. Crane, Rector of James' Church, Middlebury; the Rev. William Horton, Minister of Paul's Church, Windsor; the Rev. Louis McDonald, Rector of Trir Church, Shelburne; the Rev. James Sabine, Rector of Christ Chur
* By permission of Mr. Congdon.
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HISTORY OF "EASTERN DIOCESE"
ethel, and the Rev. William S. Perkins, Deacon, Minister of St. James' hurch, Arlington.
The laymen of St. James' Church in attendance were: Sylvester eming, Samuel S. Baker, Simeon Cole, and Enos Canfield.
During the episcopate of Bishop Griswold the diocese forged ahead pidly in the increase of its clergy and in the establishment of Churches roughout the state.
The number of clergy present at the diocesan convention in 1811 was 70, the Rev Abraham Bronson and the Rev. Parker Adams, with seven ymen. The number present at the diocesan convention of 1832 was: irteen clergymen and forty laymen.
During these twenty-one years Bishop Griswold ordained 17 candi- tes for the priesthood as follows: The Rev. J. P. Henshaw (brought 1) a Congregationalist) June 13, 1813; the Rev. Stephen Beach (form- dy a Methodist Minister) 1817; the Rev. George T. Chapman (edu- (ted in law) 1816; the Rev. George Leonard 1818; the Rev. Joel Clap 1 19; the Rev. Carlton Chase (Bishop of New Hampshire 1844) 1820; fred R. Baury, 1822; the Rev. Jordan Gray, 1821 at Bethel Church, clington; the Rev. Benjamin B. Smith, 1818; the Rev. Samuel Brenton Saw, 1824; the Rev. Joseph Covell, 1824; the Rev. Moore Bingham, 28; the Rev. John Brested, 1827; the Rev. Louis McDonald, 1827; le Rev. Anson B. Hard, 1831; the Rev. William S. Perkins, 1831 ettled in Arlington, 1829; the Rev. J. M. Tappan, 1829).
Chun
of
ctor of
PLAN OF THE STONE CHURCH CONSECRATED IN 1831
WEST
PULPIT
UTH
S UP
VESTIBULE
EAST
UPSTAIRS OF THE STONE CHURCH
WEST
BALCONY
BALCONY
NO
SINGERS
-
ORGAN
EAST
Diagrams made by Charles Hawley Crofut.
1
CHAPTER SIX
Another Epoch in the History of the Church it Vermont; Vermont Becomes a Separate Diocese; The Episcopate of the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hopkins, D.D.
O NE of the problems that arose at this time owing to the rapi growth of the Episcopal Church in Vermont during the Episco pate of Bishop Griswold, was how to deal efficiently with the in creasing demands that were laid upon the shoulders of the bishop whos labors were extended over the territory of a large part of New England
Transportation facilities one hundred years ago were not adapted t long journeys by quick travel as today, and it is difficult to realize hor much was accomplished in Episcopal visitations and matters of adminis tration where a diocese extended over the states of Maine, Rhode Island Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The time had come t face this problem.
At the convention of 1831 held in Arlington on May twenty-fifth, communication was read from the secretary of the Convention of Mas sachusetts in which the request was made for the consent of the othe portions of the Eastern diocese to its separation from the Eastern dioce: and the erection of Massachusetts into a separate diocese, but retainin the services of Bishop Griswold. This request was answered by our cor. vention with concurrence in the conviction that it is expedient tha arrangements be made as soon as possible for dividing the Eastern Di cese into smaller jurisdictions.
The year of 1832 was a memorable one in the annals of the church i Vermont.
As the result of the decision of the convention of 1831 to take stej towards the erection of a diocese and the election of a bishop, the cor vention of 1832 called out a large representation from all parts of th state. Thirteen clergymen and thirty lay delegates from the parish assembled.
1
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49
EPISCOPATE OF BISHOP HOPKINS
The written consent of the convention of the Eastern diocese, com- ising Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Hamp- ire, for the separation of Vermont into a diocese, was read; the au- orization and permission of the Bishop was recorded, and the Protes- nt Episcopal Church in Vermont was declared to be "an independent biscopal jurisdiction, named the Diocese of Vermont, subject only to le law of our Lord and Saviour and to the constitutions and canons of le Episcopal church in these United States."
The election of a bishop was made the order of the day for Thurs- ‹y, May thirty-first, at 8 a.m. The clergy retired for the purpose of making a nomination as required by the constitution, and on their turn informed the convention that they had nominated the Rev. John lenry Hopkins. This nomination was confirmed by the laity and 1 :. Hopkins was declared to be the Bishop-elect.
Dr. Hopkins was consecrated to the office of bishop in St. Paul's Gapel, New York, October thirty-first, 1832, by the Right Rev. Shops White of Pennsylvania, Griswold of the Eastern Diocese and lown of South Carolina.
At the same time three other bishops-elect were consecrated, the I.v. B. B. Smith, D.D., of Kentucky; the Rev. Charles P. McIlvain, ID., of Ohio and the Rev. George W. Doane of New Jersey. This was a outstanding event in the history of the church of that day, the con- stration of four bishops at the same services, and they were all men 2 vio proved to be of great usefulness to the church. et
The Right Rev. John Henry Hopkins, D.D., the first Bishop of Vrmont was born in Ireland, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hopkins, Juary thirtieth, 1792; came to this country in 1800; was edu- cted mostly under his mother's supervision; engaged in business, ad in legal practice in 1817 and 1818; he was ordained deacon in 1824 ad priest in 1825. He then took charge of Trinity Parish, Pittsburg, ho Fansylvania, supervised the building of the church there; removed to ar Bston to engage more fully in theological education in a proposed insti- rotion; was made assistant minister of Trinity Church, Boston. At totis time he was elected bishop of the Diocese of Vermont in his fortieth ly r. He was consecrated on the last day of the General Convention of 132.
arch There was inevitably a contrast in the personalities of the retiring Bhop Griswold, venerable, and familiar with the limitations that pre- esvled in New England for the carrying on of aggressive religious ecwrk; seasoned in the varied experience of twenty years; and that of of Bhop Hopkins who came to the field of activity in the strength of his paripine vigor, with great energy and force of character and with unques- tihable consecration and zeal.
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ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ARLINGTON
Added to these valued gifts he was learned and scholarly in his trai ing and became one of the leaders in the church in the promotion . sound learning and sound churchmanship. His addresses to the co. ventions in those days are suggestive of the scholarly discourses th were given by Bishop Hall during his episcopate which began six years later. Bishop Hopkins received a hearty welcome in the dioce and people were proud to have a leader with such manifest ability al zeal.
During the first year of his consecration Bishop Hopkins visited the churches of the diocese; consecrated three new churches, St. Paul Burlington, St. John's, Poultney, and St. John's, Highgate; confirm two hundred and ten persons; enlarged his own house with a wing f what he called a domestic seminary for boys, and another wing f theological lectures for candidates for Holy Orders.
He also insisted on a more rigid conformity to the rubrics a canons, and throughout all his episcopate, though there were consta losses by removals and deaths, there was a persistent effort on the p: of the bishop and his clergy to promote the growth of the Church.
Bishop Hopkins in the course of his address to the convention 1833, relates as follows his first visitation at Arlington: (This sce was one scene of an historical pageant produced in St. James' Church ! 1932, Bishop Hopkins being impersonated by the Reverend S. Halstle Watkins, D.D., rector of the parish from 1900 to 1904, and >: Reverend George R. Brush, rector from 1926 to 1939, representing Reverend William S. Perkins, rector in 1832.)
"Thursday, January tenth, I set out at 1 a.m. in the stage with 1 ... Pierson for Bennington. But after thirteen miles over a very round road, the axle of the stage broke which overturned it with seven Fl- sengers. None were hurt except Mr. Pierson whom I strongly urged ) return by the first stage, because being somewhat bruised by the f , and his health not firm at the best, he needed rest and care.
"Proceeding, therefore, alone I arrived at Bennington and was mt hospitably received by our friends there who have not as yet organi 1 themselves into a church, but are anxious to do so as soon as they procure the services of a minister.
"Here I was met by the Rev. Mr. Perkins of Arlington, and soe of his Parish, and after preaching the next day, Friday in the Cons gational meeting house, which was very kindly granted for the occas 1, the I proceeded to Arlington in time to lecture to the congregation in saf commodious lecture room of the parish and preached in their beaut illa t church the following afternoon and again at night.
"Sunday, January thirteenth, I preached in the morning at Arli ton and confirmed eight persons."
hote.
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51
EPISCOPATE OF BISHOP HOPKINS
In this address the bishop also recommended the formation of a neral fund for domestic and diocesan purposes, providing for theo- gical education, the supporting of a certain number of missionaries to jeach in vacant places, the publishing of such useful tracts and books r parish libraries or for the use of Sunday schools, the assistance of deble parishes to build churches or support their ministers and the janting such support to superannuated clergymen.
The report from (Arlington) St. James' at that convention states ed 1at the number of communicants was one hundred; that the missionary sociation had contributed thirty dollars to the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and that the church had been furnished with an 8 ecellent organ, the liberal donation of one man.
The parish was, about this time, much disturbed by charges that Id been preferred against their rector, the Rev. William S. Perkins, F the Standing Committee for the violation of the canons and rubrics nc the Church. At the convention of 1837 Bishop Hopkins related e ur h. s'ne of the circumstances of this trial. He reported visiting St. Jmes Church, Arlington, then without a rector where he was occupied tgether with clergymen appointed for that purpose in the trial of the SFv. William S. Perkins, on charges preferred to the Standing Commit- t: some time before.
nd ing These charges had been held in abeyance for several years owing to te fact that there had been up to this time only an imperfect state of ryulations relating to discipline in such cases. The disposition of these carges was deferred until definite legislation by the diocese could be itheected. (This may have something to do with the fact that for sev- nel years after the departure of the Rev. William S. Perkins as rector en itwas difficult to maintain a rector, possibly owing to the division that urg ocurred as to the merits of the case against Mr. Perkins. )
At length, the bishop said, the proceedings were brought to a close wh the gravity, the fairness and the kindliness which became this tounal. The result was that the accused was unaminously acquitted 1gab the assessor on some of the charges, and found guilty on others. He as sentenced to be suspended from the exercise of his ministerial office and Com u:il he should in writing profess his regret for having given occasion tithe presentment and promise conformity to the rules of the church the time to come. Having complied with this condition, within an air after the bishop restored his ministerial standing."
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