The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 67

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064

USA > Vermont > Washington County > Montpelier > The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier. > Part 67

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The first confirmation in Montpelier was in 1839, when Bishop Hopkins visited the Capital, and administered that apostolic rite in the meeting-house of the Metho- dists, to Mrs. S. P. Redfield, Mrs. J. M. Richardson and Hon. Isaac F. Redfield ; the first of these being at that time the only person in Montpelier reared in the Church.

In 1840, Christ Church Parish was im- perfectly organized, and reported to the Diocesan Convention in September by Mr. George B. Manser, a candidate for holy orders, there being four confirmations that year. In 1841 the first parish meeting was held, and George B. Manser, Isaac F. Redfield, J. Y. Dewey, S. P. Redfield, A. C. Pierce, H. N. Baylies, and Daniel Baldwin, were elected vestrymen. S. P. Redfield served 15 years, until 1858, and Dr. J. Y. Dewey from 1841 until 1871, ex- cept from 1866 to '68, when he was at his own request excused from service. During Dr. Dewey's last two years of service he was senior warden.

In 1842 the parish was represented in Di- ocesan Convention by George B. Manser, a lay delegate. Sept. 21, 1842, Mr. Manser was made a deacon, and took charge of the parish. During this year it was fully organized, and the work of building a church, on the site now occupied by the " Riverside " building, set about, the funds being raised by subscription and sale of pews. Dec. 29, 1842, the church was con- secrated, and regular service commenced Jan. 15, 1843. June 7, Mr. Manser was advanced to the priesthood, and became Rector. The Diocesan Convention met in Montpelier, Sept. 20, 1843, and Hon. Isaac F. Redfield represented the parish as lay delegate, being the first regular del- egate. In 1845, the first contribution for church work outside was made by the parish-$12.70, the sum not being so im- portant as the spirit of the gift was signifi- cant. In 1846 the ladies of the parish raised $100 for a bell.

In 1848, Mr. Manser resigned his charge, the place being temporarily filled by Rev. F. W. Shelton, who officiated for Mr. Manser 8 months, from Oct. 1847, to June, 1848. The following September, Mr. Manser returned, but finally resigned in 1849, and Jan. 18, 1850, the Rev. E. F. Putnam became rector. During this year the bell in the tower of the present church was procured, at a cost of $250. In 1849, Hon. Timothy P. Redfield was elected a vestryman, and has served continuously to the present, having been senior and junior

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warden several years, lay delegate to the Diocesan Convention, and lay delegate to represent the Diocese in the General Con- vention. In 1850, Hon. Charles Dewey was chosen a vestryman, and has held the position almost continuously until the present time, and he is now senior warden. In 1850, the parish had increased in num- bers enough to entitle it to two lay del- egates in the Diocesan Convention, and Messrs. T. P. Redfield and Chas. Dewey were the first who went there together. This year, Hon. S. B. Colby was chosen one of the vestry, and remained a member of it until the election of 1864, when he was not re-elected, having removed to Washington, D. C., to assume the duties of Register of the Treasury, which position he filled until his decease in 1867.

In 1852, the debt was reported reduced, and extinguished in 1865. The first Sun- day in June, 1854, the Rev. E. F. Putnam, who was a much-loved rector of the par- ish, died at St. Albans, having been com- pelled by ill health to previously resign his rectorship, and upon the parish records is spread a sincere and warm testimonial of the high esteem and true affection felt for him. Nearly 30 years have elapsed since his departure, but his memory is still green in the hearts of the people then here. The day of Mr. Putnam's decease, Rev. F. W. Shelton became rector, and remained as such until the spring of 1866, when he re- signed.

Aug. 3, 1866, Rev. Daniel Crane Roberts was elected rector, and the same month assumed the duties of the position. Mr. Roberts' resignation was accepted May 8, ' 1869, and Rev. Wm. J. Harris, D. D., was chosen rector Aug. 30, 1869. Dr. Harris resigned late in 1870, and Rev. Andrew Hull, D. D., was elected rector March 20, 1871. Dr. Hull was rector of the parish until the summer of 1879, when his resignation of May 12, 1879, took ef- fect. Oct. 13, 1879, Rev. Howard Fremont Hill, of Concord, N. H., the present incum- bent, was elected rector.

Of the seven rectors, the first three are dead. In the sermon of Dr. Shelton, which follows this sketch, Dr. Manser and

Rev. Mr. Putnam are spoken of as their good work deserved, and the memory of Dr. Shelton is delightful to all who knew that good man.

The first recorded baptism is that of Berkeley Baldwin, infant son of Dr. F. W. McDowell, though 12 baptisms had been previously reported. The first recorded marriage is that of Mr. James T. Thurston and Miss Fanny Witherell. The first marriage by Mr. Shelton was that of Mr. Charles Dewey and Miss Betsey Tarbox, May 3, 1848.

Among the earlier vestrymen we find the names of R. S. Howard, afterwards rector at Woodstock, Homer W. Heaton, Esq., C. W. Bancroft, George Langdon, E. P. Scribner and others. But those most closely identified with the parish in this relation are S. P. Redfield, who served from 1843 to '58, and was junior warden in 1844, and senior warden from 1845 to '52 ; J. W. Ellis, who has been vestryman most of the time since 1845, and many years junior warden or senior warden ; Stoddard B. Colby, vestryman in 1848 and junior warden from that time until 1850, and again in '58 ; and Hon. Roderick Richard- son, now of Boston, who was a vestryman and senior warden.

The present vestry consists of Hon. Timothy P. Redfield, Charles Dewey, J. W. Ellis, Fred E. Smith, Hiram Atkins, Edward Dewey, L. P. Gleason, Geo. E. Taplin, and H. N. Taplin, Jr. Mr. I. P. Dana was elected a vestryman in 1879 and re-elected in 1880 and 1881, but is not now a member of the vestry, having re- signed when he removed from the Parish.

Mr. Smith, who is now junior warden, was first chosen vestryman in 1864; Mr. Atkins in 1868; Mr. Edward Dewey in 1871 ; Mr. L. P. Gleason in 1876; Mr. G. E. Taplin in 1876; Mr. Dana and Mr. H. N. Taplin, Jr., in 1879.

Mr. Truman C. Phinney was chosen ves- tryman in 1853, and held the position till he declined further service; he was also for several years junior warden.

In 1866, the parish voted to erect a new church, and efficient measures were at once taken. Liberal subscriptions were

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made by the leading men of the parish, seconded in their liberality by those less wealthy. The S. B. Colby estate, on State street, opposite the Court House, was se- cured, and the work commenced. The church was consecrated June 2, 1868. (See introductory view.)

The ground plan includes nave and aisles, chancel, organ chamber and sac- risty, the tower being engaged in the north- ern end of the east aisle. Exterior, 108 by 55 feet ; tower and spire, 100 feet ; in- terior- nave, 22 feet wide, separated by two colonnades from the two aisles, each II feet wide; chancel 17 feet wide by 23 deep; whole exterior, except roof and clerestory, light-colored Barre and Berlin granite; aisle walls without but- tresses ; clerestory, timber slatted outside. The north front is the most imposing part of the exterior. The tower is of three stages, a single leaf-door in the lowest, two long, narrow, glazed lights in the second, three equal belfry windows in the third ; the belfry stage, a plain square ; below, double buttresses at the angles, running into a massive blocking of the wall at the base, which gives an effect of sin- gular strength and solidity. A similar character is given to the buttress on the opposite angle of the north end. The tower is surmounted by a broach spire, crowned with a well-carved finial, all stone to the top. The main doorway is of two leaves, in the middle of the north end, with jamb shafts and mould arch. In the gable is a round window, with three spherical triangles containing three bold trefoils, the interspaces being filled with quatre- foils and smaller openings. The coped gable is covered with a very bold, large, plain cross of stone-the only cross on the exterior. On entering the interior, the effect of loftiness is far in advance of one's expectations from seeing the exterior alone. The nave and aisles are of five bays ; the chancel of two ; the apparent length of the nave, increased by an arch at the north end, like and opposite the bold and well- marked chancel arch. The columns are four shafts in clusters, with mouldings be- tween, the arches resting on them corre-

spondingly moulded. The aisle windows are single lights in each bay. The chancel arch is well worked ; chancel-rail and wain- scot, altar-which stands out from the wall-in black walnut; seats in the nave, doors, etc., black ash and black walnut, in their natural tints.

The organ chamber, on the west, opens by a narrow arch in the church, and by a broader one into the nave; the organ is a fine and powerful instrument. The roof is ceiled in three coats, the centre one being the narrowest. The framing of the prin- cipals shows within, with braces and span- drils of open tracery ; and similar braces run longtitudinally along the purlines, from principal to principal, these timberings adorned with color, the whole ceiling other- wise a light blue. The windows are filled with stained glass, the altar window, the largest, having three lights under a traceried head; the central, widest light, the full- length figure of our Lord blessing the chalice. The evangelistic symbols and other emblems fill the side lights and head of the window; clerestory windows of chancel, nave and northern rose window, pattern glass of rich colors ; aisle windows all with borders of colors, each an em- blem in the head, otherwise filled with stencilled quarries ; font near the sacristy door, Vermont marble.

The architect was J. J. R. Randall, of Rutland ; the builder, P. Trow, of Mont- pelier. The painting was done by N. Osgood Snow, of Montpelier. The marble for the font was the gift of Hon. Pitt W. Hyde, and the beautiful and appropriate design was from the pencil of, and fur- nished by, Rev. John Henry Hopkins. The cost of the church was over $30,000 ; the only subscriptions received from out- side the parish were : In New York, George Bradshaw, $1,000 ; M. M. Kellogg, $500 ; George R. Thompson, $150; E. S. Jaffrey, $75. In Philadelphia, Jay and H. D. Cooke, $400. In Washington City, from Charles Knapp, $200. In Burling- ton, from V. P. Noyes, $100. No small part of the credit due for the perfectness with which the work was completed be- longs of right to Judge Richardson and

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his associates of the building committee, Col. Fred E. Smith and the late Carlos Bancroft, Esq. The last of the building debt was extinguished some years since.

In 1843, there were 15 communicants ; in 1863, 68; in 1868, 77. The statistics for 1881 show: Families, 86, comprising 266 individuals ; individuals not included in families, 30 ; total, 296; baptisms for the year, 16; confirmations, 6; communi- cants, 129-males 44, females 85 ; Sunday- school teachers, 6 ; pupils, 67.

The following sermon, by Dr. Shelton, preached Sept. 3, 1865, is inserted, as his- torically valuable in that it shows well what manner of men were the three de- ceased rectors of this church :

SERMON BY DR. SHELTON, 1865.

" Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts : look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine. So will not we go back from thee : quicken us, and we will call upon thy name." Ps. 80: 14, 18.

A few words will suffice to explain the allusion contained in the above passage. The kingdom of Israel is spoken of under the similitude of a vine which was of God's own planting. It had taken root, and flourished abundantly, put forth its lively shoots, green leaves and blossoms and borne its ripe fruit. But it was subject to vicissitudes, as of wind and weather, and evil elements, sometimes its branches were lopped off, not by the careful pruning hand, but by the act of violence, yet the root was strong, and hearty, full of life blood, ready to spring up with greater vig- or than before. The Jewish people were not like some rough, rank offshoot, but chosen of God himself as a peculiar race to whom he would manifest his peculiar fa- vor, they were a choice vine in the wilder- ness, growing up under the golden sun- shine and dews of Heaven.

Under the same similitude Christ al- ludes to himself. "I am the vine. Ye are the branches." He was the main stock, the root, the source of life, and sus- tenance and vigor. His disciples every where were but so many parts and mem- bers of the same. After the Jewish church had fulfilled its mission, the root still ex-

isted, though all the former branches were razed to the ground. The Saviour in his Divine nature was the root of David, even as in his generation, he was according to human genealogy, David's offspring. The primitive christian church, from this im- planted ineradicable root sprang up like a tender vine. In its incipient growth, in its subsequent stages, up to the present time, it has been subject to every vicissi- tude of the outer elements ; but the good Father has been the husbandman and has ever watched over it, and he has promised that he will do so with a kindly care. The rank reeds and vegetation of the world have tried to choke it in its dwindled es- tate, to draw away its sustenance, pressing upon it, overtopping it, and casting it in their baleful shade, but deep down and fixed the vital germ has remained, and only gathered strength. The enemy has sowed tares all around it, hoping if they would not extract the life, that the origi- nal plant would be torn up in the effort to exterminate the thick tares. But the man- date went forth to the husbandman to do not that, but the plant could grow and flourish still amid the elements of evil, until the harvest time. Sometimes the sword of violence was applied, or the fires raged so as to destroy apparently nearly every branch, and budding offshoot, and all which remained above the ground. The destruction thus far was permitted only that the future exuberance, and fruit- age, of the vine might be greater. The sword could not lop any closer ;- the fire with its devouring breath could not pene- trate any deeper. It is the very province of Christ, illustrated by his own brillant career, to bring up life out of death, and a resurrection of glory out of dust and ashes. Now the branches of the original plant are over all the earth, though still liable to be broken off by storms, and to be left bleed- ing. The church was small among elements which were apparently great ; it was weak among those which were apparently mighty. It is elsewhere in scripture lik- ened to the minutest of seeds. "The king- dom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his

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field, which indeed is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." (Matt. XIII. : 31.)

Every body of believers wherever found, every organized church, every distinct collection of disciples in which Christ's ministry is maintained, to whom His Gospel is preached and His sacraments are admin- istered, may still be likened to a vine, which the great husbandman himself has caused to be planted in such a ground, or in such a locality, and has committed to his ser- vants to watch over it, and however small it may be at the start, however it may be liable to dangers or vicissitudes, however imperfect may be the culture, if it be a true offshoot of Christ, it must flourish, be- Cause it draws its life blood from the very source of life. This little body of disciples, this church established in our very midst, which not only professes the pure doctrines, but is named. by the very name of Christ, is a vine,-even yet in its incipient growth, but planted by the hand of faith-which has already borne some fruit, and under the fostering smiles of the Divine favor, it is hoped and believed that it will do so far more abundantly. It has experienced its struggles, its trials, its changes, its difficul- ties, its retardments in a soil originally un- congenial to it in some of its inherent char- acteristics, and to its peculiar form. I propose now to refer to the phases of its history thus far, to look back upon it from its original start, to gather up a few facts and statistics from its scanty memorials, that we may see what have been the deal- ings of God with it in its hitherto humble career, and what may be its hopes and promise for the future. If such a contem- plation, in a sketch however feebly drawn, shall serve to strengthen the bonds of at- tachment with you who are members of this Church of Christ, to awaken a renewed in- terest in its welfare, to stimulate your ef- forts to promote its future growth, to ani- mate your zeal, to confirm your courage, and to keep you ever more firmly knit to- gether in one body, in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of Peace, then whatever

may occur to one who has so long ministered imperfectly among you, this labor will not be in vain. And that it may not be, is my humble and sincere prayer.

On the 8th of Sept., in the year of our Lord 1840, a number of inhabitants of this town associated themselves together for the purpose of supporting the ministry of the Gospel and maintaining public worship in conformity with the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal church in the Diocese of Vermont, and they adopt- ed, received, and promised, entire con- formity to the aforesaid constitution and canons. The document whereby they thus associated themselves together, is signed by Isaac F. Redfield, Julius Y. Dewey, Geo. B. Manser, H. N. Baylies, J. W. Ellis, Geo. Langdon, C. W. Ban- croft, Wm. Upham, Charles Dewey, and some others who, altho' not closely iden- tified with the society, gave it their good will, their influence, and pecuniary sup- port. On Easter Monday, Anno Domini 1841, the church was fully organized under the title and designation of Christ Church and a vestry elected, Geo. B. Manser be- ing senior and Isaac F. Redfield junior warden. Soon after a lot was secured, the present church edifice was erected, and on the 29th day of December, A. D. 1842, it was at the request of the wardens and ves- try duly consecrated to the worship of Almighty God, by the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hopkins D. D., Bishop of the Diocese, according to the rites, usages and services of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and about that time, or shortly after, the Rev. Geo. B. Manser entered upon his duties as the first Rector. In this connection he continued uninterrupt- edly until the fall of 1847, being then ab- sent for a few months at the South, acting as assistant Rector to the Rev. Dr. Hanks in the city of New Orleans, and the Rev. F. W. Shelton of the Diocese of New York, who had recently received orders, was invited to supply his place until his return, which occured in the spring or summer of the year following, 1848. On July 16 of the same year, having received a call to another field, Mr. Manser tendered

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his resignation to the wardens and vestry, who passed a resolution conveying to him their ' unfeigned thanks for his faithful care and useful labors,' assuring him at the same time of their ' friendly confidence and sin- cere regard.' As I had the happiness of a personal acquaintance with him during my first brief residence in this place, and was for some time a guest under his roof, and after an interval of some years was again frequently associated with him in kindly intercourse, it affords me a melancholy satisfaction in this place to recall your first excellent Rector to remembrance, and to pay to his worth a passing tribute. To a man of his innate modesty and sensibility his position was sufficiently trying in being the first to officiate here, and in entering upon, to him, a strange and untried field. He had heretofore been an active member of the Congregational society, and as a warmly religious man had been identified with the same, and entered zealously into the performance of whatever appeared conducive to the cause of Christ. Educa- ted, moreover, to the profession of the law, he had more or less to do with the conflicting claims of persons in this vicin- ity. His views with regard to the consti- tution of the church having undergone a change, and his convictions becoming at last fixed, he voluntarily relinquished a pro- fession which would yield him a much bet- ter support, and under such circumstan- ces, entered the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church, and became your first Rector. His position was more difficult, and the embarrassments wherewith he had to contend were greater than those of any who succeeded him. With what patience he bore his burdens, and with what fideli- ty he performed his work, can be attested by many who now hear me. They knew well the tenderness of his feelings, his warm sympathies and affections, the right- ness of his intentions, the disinterested- ness and purity of his heart. They knew where to find him in the dark hour of ca- lamity, and he proved at all times a genial and warm hearted friend. He made worldly sacrifices for the cause of the church, and his name and memory and

example are now cherished in grateful re- membrance. Shortly after his retirement from this parish, he was called to the Rec- torship of St. Peter's church at Benning- ton, where he likewise performed a good work, modestly pursuing his course, and while yet in the vigor of life with the pros- pect still of many years of usefulness, he was smitten with disease, and full of faith and hope and joy, expired on the 17th day of November, 1862. Resolutions of affec- tion, regret and of tender sympathy with his family were passed by the vestries of St. Peter's at Bennington, and of Christ Church Montpelier, as well as by the con- vention of the Diocese, of which he was for many years and up to the time of his decease, the efficient secretary. How long an interval elapsed after the departure of the Rev. Mr. Manser from this parish before the vacancy was supplied does not appear on the records, but the Rev. Edward F. Putnam was as early as June, 1850, acting as its rector, and in this connection he continued to within a few months of his death, which occurred at St. Albans, on the first Sunday in June, 1854. By a sin- gular coincidence, on that same day this church was re-opened after an intermission of its regular sevices for some time, and he who now addresses you, entered upon his duties as Rector. Thus the worship of this church was again renewed at the very hour when the soul of this excellent man was entering into the glories of heaven. It was not my happiness to be personally acquainted with him, but with regard to his christian devotion, the warmth of his sympathies and the excellence and amiabil- ity of his character, there is but one senti- ment among the members of this parish. He was not only a sincere christian, but on principle and conviction a strict and decided churchman. Though, as I have been informed, not brillant as a preacher, he was efficient, active, and zealous in the work of the parish, and his memory like- wise will long be gratefully cherished by this people.

For myself, I am but the third rector since the foundation of this parish, both of the former ones having already entered

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into their rest. Nearly the whole of the time which has elapsed since my entering into orders has been passed in your midst. I stand not here at this time to record its varied experience, its phases of personal joy and sorrow. I have shared with you alike in the seasons of pleasure and of bit- terness. The friendships which I have formed here will be cherished during my life. I can only regret that I have accom- plished so little, but I shall drop a few tears on this vine, and pray that with better tending its branch may be green and vigorous forever.

It may be interesting to you to hear a few statistics, after which I shall suggest what occurs to me as suitable to be said, at your present state of progress, and if I can think of anything which would tend to your future good, will venture to speak boldly.

The early records, as is very apt to be the case in the first struggling origin of a parish, are deficient. They have no doubt been made, but the papers have been lost or mislaid. There are no transcripts of either deaths, baptisms or confirmations, although there must have been many. There are those of marriages only. Con- sequently, I cannot present the sum total which ought to be rendered. The defi- ciency as to mere numbers could be sup- plied, if I had at hand a'full file of journals of the Convention, of which several copies for reference ought to be on hand, at least with the rector and wardens. That I have not saved them carefully, is my own fault, which must here be acknowledged. That in accurate business habits I am decidedly deficient, those who have known me as long as you have, will bear me witness,- I have got no head for them.

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The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 67

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press Number of Pages: 1064

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064