Allegheny County
Churches
GRACE CHURCH PARISH,
MOUNT WASHINGTON, PITTSBURGH, PA.
PAGES 107 - 142
Transcribed and contributed by Joan Skinnell Benincasa
A HISTORY
OF
GRACE CHURCH PARISH,
MOUNT WASHINGTON,
PITTSBURGH, PA.
WITH LIST OF PARISHIONERS, VESTRYMEN, BAP-
TISMS, CONFIRMATIONS, MARRIAGES,
BURIALS, ET CETERA,
BY
REV. ROBERT JOHN COSTER, D. D.,
RECTOR.
INCLUDING, ALSO, A SKETCH OF THE EARLY
HISTORY OF THE PARISH,
BY
HON. THOMAS T. BIGHAM,
LATE SENIOR WARDEN.
1903 :
WM. O. JOHNSTON & CO.,
PITTSBURGH.
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THE ORGAN OF GRACE CHURCH.
Soon after the basement improvements and the refurnishing of the body of Grace Church had been completed, in the summer of 1869, the congregation began to think that a pipe organ was needed to complete the equipment for a proper rendering of the church's service.
No active steps were taken, however, toward supplying
this need for several years. The small reed organ which had done duty almost
from the founding of the church still occupied its accustomed place in the choir
box, and with its thin tones led the voices of the singers.
But early in 1874 the matter of purchasing an organ was
discussed in the vestry, and a little later the fine instrument in the German
Reformed Church of Mount Washington was offered to the congregation for the sum
of $1,000.
The vestry, after carefully considering the
proposition, decided that it would not be prudent at that time to incur so large
a debt, and the offer was rejected.
After service Thursday evening, March 26, 1874, at
which service the Rev. Dr. Scarborough, of Trinity Church, was present with the
rector and preached, an informal congregational meeting was held in the church
to consider the feasibility of raising the money to buy a pipe organ, and the
sum of $150 was then and there subscribed, Dr. Scarborough pledging himself to
give $50 when the congregation should be ready to buy. This meeting gave great
encouragement to all interested in the scheme.
At this time Mr. E. H. Dermitt and Mr. Melville L.
Stout, who had both been recently confirmed, and who were connected with the
choir (Mr. Dermitt as the leader and Mr. Stout as the organist), became very
much interested in the procuring of an organ, and through their influence the
matter was kept before the congregation.
Mr. Dermitt naturally, from his position, took the lead
in devising means for carrying out the wish of those interested, and, being
encouraged and assisted by Mrs. S. H. Goldthorp, Mrs. John S. McMillin, Mrs. R.
J. Coster, Miss Margaret Goehring, Miss Mary Bigham (now Mrs. Stout), Mrs.
Joshua Goldthorp,
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Mrs. Brunt, Mrs. J. C. Davitt and others, determined to raise by entertainments
and subscriptions the money for this purpose.
In February, 1887, a Dickens reception was given in the
schoolroom of the church, by which the sum of $144.65 was raised. Later a Mother
Goose entertainment was given, which netted the sum of $208.00. These two
amounts were sufficient to encourage the promoters of the fund to continue their
efforts, notwithstanding considerable opposition on the part of some members of
the congregation, who not only opposed the purchase of an organ, but wished also
to divert to other purposes the funds already in hand.
This latter danger was, however, successfully avoided,
and by the spring of 1881 the fund had been sufficiently augmented by
subscriptions to justify the congregation in entering into a contract for the
building of an organ suited to their church and their means.
Consequently, on March 31, 1881, Mr. Dermitt, acting
for the congregation, made an agreement with Carl Barckhoff, of Allegheny, to
build an organ according to the following specifications:
One Manual—Compass, CC to a3.
1. Open diapason, 8-foot, metal, 58 pipes.
2. Melodia, 8-foot, wood, 58 pipes.
3. Dulciana, 8-foot, metal, 58 pipes.
4. Octave, 4-foot, metal, 58 pipes.
5. Flute harmonic, 4-foot, wood and metal, 58 pipes.
6. Spuer octave, 2-foot, metal, 58 pipes.
Pedal, CCC to D.
7. Bourdon, 16-foot, wood, 27 pipes.
8. Pedal coupler to manual.
9. Tremolo.
10. Bellows signal.
11. Eclipse wind indicator.
12. Balance swell pedal.
to be set up in the church, complete, on or before September 1, 1881, for the
sum of $700.00.
Owing to some unavoidable delay in the construction,
the organ was not ready at the specified date. It was completed, however, and
used for the first time at the Sunday morning service, November 6, 1881.
And now, after seven years of waiting, the work
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was accomplished, and Mr. Dermitt and his co-laborers saw Grace Church furnished
with a pipe organ, complete of its kind, which gave satisfaction both to the
builder and the purchasers.
At that opening service the choir was composed of the
following persons: Mrs. E. H. Dermitt, Mrs. James B. Boggs, Mrs. Joel Bigham,
Mrs. Joshua Goldthorp, Mr. E. H. Dermitt, Mr. Edwin Smith and Mr. William Digby.
Mr. Dermitt was director and Mr. M. L. Stout organist.
Although the amount required to purchase the organ was
comparatively small, yet when one considers the financial strength of the small
congregation at that time and the money that had to be raised for other
purposes, it is evident that much praise is justly due to the promoters of the
organ fund for their patient perseverance, and that too hearty congratulations
upon their final success cannot be offered to all who took part in an enterprise
that has been of such permanent advantage to the church.
ORGAN FUND.
Proceeds of entertainments and subscriptions:
Dickens reception and supper .............. $144.65
Accrued interest on same ..................... 27.51
Mother Goose entertainment ................ 208.00
Concert in German church .................... 71.00
Subscription per Mrs. S. H. Goldthorp......... 25.00
Subscription per Margaret Goehring........... 60.00
Miss Mary Bigham ............................... 5.00
Alfred Marland ................................. 25.00
Mrs. S. S. Boggs ............................... 10.00
John S. McMillin ............................... 20.00
Edward Bratt .................................. 10.00
Mrs. R. J. Coster ............................. 10.00
Subscription per Mrs. R. J. Coster........... 10.00
Kirk Q. Bigham ............................... 10.00
Mrs. W. H. Duffell ............................. 5.00
Mrs. Margaret Goldthorp ...................... 4.00
John C. Shaler, Jr ............................ 25.00
David R. Torrence ............................. 5.00
S. L. Boggs .................................... 5.00
Sale of cabinet organ ........................ 35.00
E. H. Dermitt ................................ 14.84
__________________________________________
Total cost of organ when in place ........ $730.00
THE CHOIR OF GRACE CHURCH-1852-1903.
Music forms an important part of all divine service. It
is the agency by which the deepest feelings of adoration are awakened in human
hearts, and by which devout souls give expression to the highest forms of
praise. Its appropriate use adds beauty and fervor to public worship, and
sustains the devotion of the congregation while offering to Almighty God the
honor due to His Holy Name. Therefore, those persons who by their skill in
music, vocal or instrumental, aid in maintaining properly this necessary part of
a congregation's worship, are doing noble service for their Divine Master, and
meriting for themselves the blessed commendation that shall be the portion of
all those who, as God's servants, make a right and worthy use of the gifts with
which they have been endowed.
It is deemed proper, then, that mention be here made,
as far as possible, of all who in the past years have used their time and their
talents in keeping up the church's music. It is, however, a matter of deep
regret that the early records of the parish contain no data regarding the music
of the church. Only such facts can, therefore, be given relating to the first
fifteen years of the history of the choir as are based upon tradition and the
recollection of a few of the older members of the congregation. Consequently,
scant praise only can be given where much is justly due.
In the first period of the history of the parish Mrs.
Maria L. Bigham, , who was deeply interested in all of its affairs, played the
organ and assisted in the singing for several years. She was fond of music and a
good singer, and, therefore, in the infancy of the church her assistance in the
music was invaluable. In this early period Yates Lowen, Orpheus Lowen, Margaret
Lowen, Robert Neely and Margaret Neely sang in the choir, as did also a little
later Emma Neely and Mary Ann Stubbs, while Miss Wilson for several years,
played the organ.
Mr. William Digby at successive times was organist of
the church and director of the choir. Mr. Digby was a fine musician and had a
rich tenor voice, and by his skill and efficiency as a leader rendered
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valuable services in the music. His kind interest in the parish, his ready
willingness to lend assistance, and his long-continued efforts to improve church
Music on Mount Washington are gratefully remembered by all who knew him.
Miss Emily Smith was organist of the church for about
two years (1865 and 1866). She was succeeded by Miss Belle Golding, the daughter
of Capt. Thomas H. Golding, who at that time lived on Grandview avenue, near the
corner of Shiloh street. Miss Golding held the position of organist during the
years of 1867 and 1868, and perhaps played for the church during short intervals
at other times.
Soon after the beginning of the present rectorship the
position of organist was vacant and Professor Rohbuck, then a prominent musician
of this city, having been asked to name some young man who could fill the
position, strongly recommended Melville L. Stout, one of his pupils. Mr. Stout,
on being approached in regard to the matter, accepted the position and became
organist of the church in 1870. The choir at that time was composed of the
following members: George Prosser, William Ritchie, Mrs. William H. Brunt, Mrs.
John C. Shaler, Miss Mary Goldthorp and Miss Hughes, all good singers, and some
of them possessing exceptionally fine voices.
Under the leadership of Messrs. Prosser and Ritchie,
the music was well rendered, and to the credit of all the members it may be said
that their services were voluntarily offered as a labor of love. After several
years of faithful work this choir was broken up. Mr. Prosser moved to Oil City,
Mr. Ritchie left Mount Washington, and a little later Mrs. Brunt went to reside
at Castle Shannon.
After about two years' service Mr. Stout resigned as
organist and was succeeded, in 1871, by Miss Fanny Sawyer, then residing on
Bertha street, near the church. Miss Sawyer continued to play the organ about a
year and then resigned.
Mr. Stout was then again elected as organist, and held
the position continuously for the next ten years, from 1872 to 1882.
During most of this time the choir was kept in a state
of high efficiency, through the assistance of Mr. E. H. Dermitt, Mr. Edwin Smith
and Mr. Samuel Williams,
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all good singers and regular in their attendance. At Easter, 1881, the choir was
constituted as follows: Mr. E. H. Dermitt, leader; Mr. Edwin Smith, Mr. Samuel
Williams, Mrs. E. H. Dermitt, Mrs. Joshua Goldthorp, Mrs. James B. Boggs, Mrs.
Joel Bigham and Miss Elizabeth Goldthorp.
This was the most effective choir that the church had
had up to this time. The leader, Mr. Dermitt, was a fine baritone singer, Mr.
Smith's voice was a rich bass, and Mr. Williams was a good tenor. The female
voices were all good, but two were especially so, and these, Mrs. Goldthorp's
and Mrs. Boggs', were rich and of wide range, as well as sweet and sympathetic.
This choir on several occasions gave great pleasure to their audiences, and won
for themselves great applause by
singing in operettas and concerts.
On the resignation of Mr. Stout as organist, in 1882,
Miss Sarah Slocum was elected to the position and served faithfully for nearly
two years.
THE BOY CHOIR.
In the fall of 1886 Mrs. Joshua Goldthorp, with the
consent of the rector and vestry, organized and began to train a boy choir for
the church, and after several months' preparation they sang for the first time
in the church service on the Sunday after Christmas, December 26, wearing only
cassocks, their cottas not yet being ready. This choir was constituted as
follows:
Choir directress, Mrs. Joshua Goldthorp.
Organist, Miss Eula Lewis.
Boys: Robert C. Bond, George Brokaw, Harry Brokaw, Samuel H. Kenah, William B.
Kenah, Samuel McKain, Edward A. Niven, Walter C. Niven, John Pettigrew, George
Reed, E. Conway Shaler, Harry Shaler, Harry Speer, Charles Tite.
The boys appeared in full vestments, cassocks and
cottas, for the first time, at the morning service on the fifth Sunday in Lent,
March 27, 1887, the day of the Bishop's annual visitation of the parish.
Mrs. Goldthorp continued to train and
direct the choristers for three years, giving her services entirely without
compensation, as she had also done in the
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ten years of her connection with the choir prior to the introduction of the
boys.
In December, 1889, Mrs. Goldthorp, feeling obliged,
from pressure of home duties, to withdraw from the work, sent in her
resignation. The rector and vestry, in accepting her resignation, took occasion
to express their deep regret at the severance of her connection with the choir,
and begged leave to assure her of their high appreciation of her long and
faithful services in maintaining the music of the church.
Mr. Richard Burfoot was chosen as successor to Mrs.
Goldthorp, and on January 1, 1890, he became choir master, with Mr. M. L. Stout
as organist. At Easter,
1890, the choir was constituted as follows:
Choir master, Richard Burfoot.
Organist, Melville L. Stout.
Sopranos (14 boys) : Clinton Agnew, Britton Baker, Edwin Bindley, William Jones,
John McKain, Samuel McKain, Albion McMillin, Robert Naysmith, Charles Nevergold,
Samuel Reno, William Denning Shaler, Aaron Speer, Carl Turney, Charles Waggoner.
Altos: Robert Reno, Samuel Trainor.
Tenors: John Boyce, Edward Gould, E. Conway Shaler.
Bassos: Richard Burfoot, Fred Johnson, Samuel H. Kenah.
This arrangement, with Mr.Burfoot as precentor and Mr.
Stout as organist, worked very successfully until February 1, 1891, when, owing
to ill health, Mr. Burfoot felt forced to resign, and a few weeks later Mr.
Stout decided also to vacate his position, after almost fourteen years of
service. For a few weeks the church, being without precentor or organist, had
little or no music, and the choir became somewhat disorganized.
Mr. Daniel Dore Ezechiels was next engaged to take
charge of the choir, and began his work April 1, 1891. He was a very competent
musician and an enthusiastic choir master, and soon brought the choir to a
degree of efficiency not hitherto attained.
At the opening of the services after the summer
vacation, September 1, 1891, Mr. Ezechiels had the boys well trained and they
rendered the service very acceptably. His choir was thus constituted:
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Choir master and organist, Daniel Dore Ezechiels.
Assistant choir master, Samuel H. Kenah.
Boys (13) : Cantoris—Hunter Dewsnap, William Elliott, William Jones, Harry
Needham, Aaron Speer, R. Walkmeyer. Decani—Paul Harper, Herman Heisler, Albion
McMillin, William Lauderbaugh, Noel Montreville, Robert Naysmith, Harry Read.
Altos: William J. McCaddon, John Patton, James Lewis McKain, Samuel A. McKain.
Tenors: E. Conway Shaler, William Naysmith, William White.
Bassos: G. Fred Johnson, Robert Revelvy, William Groves, Samuel H. Kenah.
In the fall of this year, after eight months' service,
Mr. Ezechiels received the offer of a position much better pecuniarily than that
which he held in Grace Church, and having tendered his resignation, the vestry
agreed to release him from his contract on December 1, 1891, although his
engagement did not terminate until the first of the next April, and being free
to accept the position offered, he moved to Amesbury, Mass.
The vestry was fortunate enough to secure at once the
services of Mr. James Dodworth, a very competent choir master and organist, who
had received his musical education in the Royal Academy of Music, London, and
thoroughly understood the management and training of a boy choir. He entered
upon his duties December 1, and under his management and training, the music was
very successfully conducted.
At Easter, 1892, the choir was constituted as follows:
Choir master and organist, James Dodworth.
Assistant choir master, Samuel H. Kenah.
Boys (16) : Cantoris—Hunter Dewsnap, Charles Heinrich, Charles Howarth, William
Jones, Harry Needham, Herman Soffel. Decani--Herman Heinrich, Herman Heisler,
Harry Hetling, William Lauderbaugh, Albion McMillin, Noel Montreville, Sylvester
Sweeney.
Altos: William J. McCaddon, James Lewis McKain, John McKain.
Tenors: William J. White, Edward Gould, Will Urwin.
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Bassos: Robert Revelvy, Fred Johnson, E. Conway Shaler, William Groves, Samuel
H. Kenah, Harry G. Shaler.
Mr. Dodworth resigned June 1, 1892, to take the organ
of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, and Miss Louise G. Taylor was elected to fill the
vacancy. Miss Taylor, as a teacher, had had much experience in governing boys,
and was therefore able to maintain the choir in full efficiency during her
administration.
At Easter, 1893, her choir was constituted as follows:
Organist and directress, Miss Louise G. Taylor.
Assistant choirmaster, Samuel H. Kenah.
Boys (14) : Hunter Dewsnap, William Jones, Noel Montreville, Harry Needham,
Harry Read, Herman Soffel, Aaron Speer, George Glaze, Albert Heinrich, Christian
Heinrich, Herman Heisler, Harry Hetling, William Smith, Russell Walkmeyer.
Men (8) : William J. White, Edward Gould, Robert Revelvy, Fred Johnson, William
Groves, Samuel H. Kenah, E. Conway Shaler, Harry G. Shaler.
Miss Taylor held the position from June 1, 1892, to
October 1, 1893, and then resigned, finding that, with her duty as teacher in
the ward school, she was overtaxed with work.
Miss Shannon then became organist and Mr. William
Groves director, and together they successfully managed the choir from October
1, 1893, to February 1, 1894.
Upon the retirement of Miss Shannon, Melville L. Stout,
one of the vestrymen, wishing to relieve the church of the expense of providing
an organist, volunteered to take charge of the music again.
His offer was gladly accepted and he was at once
elected organist and choir master, and all were pleased to see him back in the
position so long filled by him in former years. Mr. Stout organized an auxiliary
choir of young women, who volunteered to sit in the front pew, beside the choir,
and assist in the singing,
At Easter, 1894, two months after Mr. Stout assumed
control, the choir was constituted as follows:
Choir master and organist, Melville L. Stout.
Men (4) : William Groves, Samuel H. Kenah, John Boyce, Fred Johnson.
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Boys (12) : Alfred Bowman, Frank Glaze, Adam Heisler, Herman Heisler, Christ
Heinrich, Harry Hetling, David Nease, Harry Needham, Joseph Needham, Edward
Schmidt, William Smith, John Zelk.
Organ blower, Harry Butterfield.
Auxiliary choir: Ardella Armstrong, Sarah Armstrong, Mary Ashford, Ida Newell,
Clara V. Small, Charlotte Marland, Annie Wallace, Jane Wallace.
This supplemental choir was found very helpful, and the
wisdom of the choir master in organizing it was fully vindicated. The rector and
vestry shrank at that time from sanctioning the practice of vesting them and
placing them in the stalls with the boys; but still they and all the
congregation would have greatly regretted the loss of their very acceptable
assistance in the singing.
The choir at Easter, 1895, was still under the same
management and remained very nearly the same as the year previous, which fact
the following list of members will show:
Choir master and organist, Melville L. Stout.
Men (4) : William Groves, Samuel H. Kenah, Harry H. Anderson, Fred Johnson.
Boys (10) : Alfred Bowman, William Hannam, Adam Heisler, Herman Heisler, Christ
Heinrich, Daniel Kelly, J. Lewis McKain, William Smith, Leonard Thompson, John
Zelk.
Organ blower, Harry Butterfield.
Auxiliary choir: Ida Newell, Annie Wallace, Clara V. Small, Jane Wallace.
In the summer of 1896, after long and faithful service
as organist and choir master, Mr. M. L. Stout felt that he must be relieved of
this duty, and with much regret of both the vestry and the congregation his
resignation was accepted, and William H. Sweitzer was chosen as his successor.
Mr. Sweitzer was a young man trained to some extent under Walter Hall, the choir
master of Trinity Church. He was very fond of music, full of enthusiasm for his
work, and very affable in manner, and was, therefore, well fitted to render
efficient service in his position.
At Easter, 1898, the rector's thirtieth anniversary of
service in the parish, the music was exceptionally good, as Mr. Sweitzer
inspired his singers with much
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of his own enthusiasm. The choir at that time was constituted as follows:
Organist and choir master, William H. Sweitzer.
Singers—Elmer Baker, James S. Florence, George M. Howarth, Joseph J. Lewis,
Wilfred D. Lowe, Howard Neely, Antony Schornagle, Clarence G. Brush, Harry
James, Samuel H. Howarth, Ralph R. Lewis, Robert Mackey, Harry McCombe, Harry H.
Oaks, Fred Schornagle, Upton Zelch, John L. Zelch, Samuel H. Kenah, Albert C.
Turbett.
Organ blower, Harry Butterfield.
Mr. Sweitzer continued to serve the congregation until
the spring of 1899, when, from pressure of other duties, he found himself
obliged to relinquish the direction of the choir.
By his efficiency, his faithfulness and his courtesy he
had won the confidence and respect of all the congregation, and, therefore, his
resignation caused deep regret.
The vestry was fortunate in securing as his successor
Mr. Henry W. Clark, an accomplished musician and a cultured gentleman. Mr. Clark
at once took up the work and kept the music at a high stand and of excellence.
At the Easter service of 1899 the choir was composed of almost the same members
as in 1898; but for some time difficulty had been experienced in securing a
sufficient number of boys with good voices to keep up a full choir, and this
difficulty brought about an important change in the constitution of the choir.
Since the fall of 1886 boys and men only who voluntarily gave their services had
furnished the music. Now it was determined by the rector and vestry to introduce
young women, and as soon as this fact became known a sufficient number to make a
full choir freely offered their services. During the early fall Mr. Clark began
to train this new element, and on Sunday, October 28, 1900, at the morning
service, twelve women, vested in cottas and caps, appeared with the boys and
men, adding much by their assistance to the richness and sweetness of the music.
This was only using more fully the services of women, which practice had been
begun by Mr. Stout during his management of the choir in 1894, when at his
request an auxiliary choir of women rehearsed with the men and boys, and during
the service
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sat in the front pews unvested and assisted in the singing. Now they were vested
and sat in the choir stalls.
This new choir was composed of the following members:
Sopranos: Master Harry Peck, Miss Sarah Minsinger, Miss Annie Newell, Miss Mabel
McCormick, Miss Jennie Wallace, Miss Clara Small, Miss Florence Moyer, Miss
Hilda Griffith, Mrs. Ida Bigham.
Altos: Master Howard Neely, Master Ray Towse, Miss Gladys Griffith, Miss
Harriett McCormick, Miss Della Towse, Miss Selina Boyce.
Tenors: John E. Boyce, Edward Gould, Clarence Brush.
Basses: Albert C. Turbett, William Thompson, Ernest Griffith.
Choir master and organist, Henry W. Clark.
Organ blower, Harry Butterfield.
At Easter, 1902, this choir had changed but little. It
was then composed of the following members:
Organist and choir master, Henry W. Clark.
Boys (2) : John Tremilling, Howard Neely.
Men (6) : John E. Boyce, Clarence Brush, George E. Brush, Edward Gould, Ernest
Griffith, William Groves.
Women (10) : Mrs. Ida Bigham, Miss Selina Boyce, Miss Charlotte Heinrich, Miss
Matilda Heinrich, Miss Anna C. Gibson, Miss Harriet McCormick, Miss Mabel
McCormick, Miss Annie Newell, Mrs. Minnie Patton, Miss Jennie Wallace.
Organ blower, Harry Butterfield.
Early in May of this year Mr. Clark was taken down with
typhoid fever, and after six weeks of illness he died, June 18. His funeral
service was held in the church, the full choir being present and singing the
burial chant and the hymns "Asleep in Jesus " and "Lead, Kindly Light."
The death of Mr. Clark was a great loss to the choir
and the rector, as by his gentlemanly manners and his uniform courtesy he had
won the respect of all and had rendered his services highly acceptable. During
his illness and until a successor was chosen Mr. M. L. Stout, with his usual
thoughtful consideration, filled the vacancy.
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At the opening of the services in September, after the
August vacation, Frederick Hall became choir master and organist, and continued
to serve in that capacity until May 1, 1903, when he resigned and was succeeded
by Miss Nellie Martin, the present organist of the church.
In making this change from a man to a woman as choir
director it was felt that there was some risk, but we are glad to record the
fact that the choir is doing good service under the judicious direction of Miss
Martin, and that the music rendered is churchly and appropriate.
The present choir (October, 1903) is composed of the
following members:
Organist and choir directress, Miss Nellie Martin..
Women: Mrs. Ida Bigham, Miss Selina Boyce, Miss Helen Boyce, Miss Gladys
Griffith, Miss Charlotte Heinrich, Miss Matilda Heinrich, Miss Blanche Jamieson,
Miss Clarice Jamieson, Miss Annie Newell, Mrs. Minnie Patton, Miss Kota Pierce,
Miss Jennie Wallace.
Men: John E. Boyce, Clarence G. Brush, George E. Brush, Edward Gould, Ernest
Griffith, John C. Morgan, Howard Neely.
Organ blower, Harry Butterfield.
This sketch completes the history of the choir (as far
as the imperfect data, gathered with much difficulty, will permit) down to
October, 1903. The record is very deficient, especially in regard to the first
fifteen years of the parish life. And yet if these notes, imperfect as they are,
serve in some measure o stimulate interest in the music of the church and to
keep alive the memory of those who have served the church by, singing in the
choir, the purpose for which they have been written will be realized.
CHANCEL FURNITURE AND MEMORIALS.
The Bishop's Chair.
This chair, which stands in the chancel of Grace
Church, is an interesting piece of church furniture, and is highly prized by the
congregation in consequence of its past history. It formerlybelonged to Trinity
Church, Pittsburg, and stood in the chancel of that church from 1827 (the year
stamped on its back) until the old church was torn down, in 1872, preparatory to
the building of the present edifice. It was used by all the Bishops of
Pennsylvania at their visitations prior to that year. The venerable William
White, first Bishop of Pennsylvania, occupied it; also Bishop Alonzo Potter and
Bishop Stevens. It is, consequently, an important relic, and its presence in the
chancel of Grace Church is a link connecting the history of this church with the
early history of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
It came into the possession of Grace Church through the
interest of Mr. William Halpin, who, when the church was being refurnished in
1869, obtained it from the vestry of Trinity Church as a present for Grace
Church. It was newly upholstered and placed in the chancel, where it has now
stood over thirty of the seventy-five years during which it has been in use. It
was used by John Barrett Kerfoot, D. D., first Bishop of Pittsburgh, at the
consecration of the present church building, December 28, 1869, and at all his
subsequent visitations of the parish. Our present dioscesan, Bishop Whitehead,
has also occupied it at all of his visitations.
Venerable from age and sacred from long use in the
offices of the Church, it is justly prized by its present owners. It is strongly
built, of black walnut, in a Gothic pattern, with a straight back and narrow
arms, and is upholstered on the seat and the back; and should no mishap befall
it, it is good still for a hundred years' service.
The Church Bible.
The Bible in use on the lectern is a
fine Oxford edition, printed in large, clear type by the Oxford Press, and bound
in heavy black morocco. It has no marginal references and no chronological
notes, being designed especially for desk use.
It was selected by the present rector, and at his suggestion was presented to
the church by Capt. John S. McMillin, one of the vestrymen of the parish, as a
memorial of his first wife, Mrs. Phebe Ann McMillin, who was buried in Allegheny
Cemetery, after service in the church, July 10, 1866. Dr. Killikelly, the
rector, after recording her death, adds this note; "She was a most excellent
Christian woman and a valuable member of the Church and of society." It was
through her influence that Captain McMillin was baptized and became a
communicant. The presence of this Bible, therefore, bears testimony to her faith
and good works, and through it "she, though dead, yet speaketh."
Chancel Window.
The church building when first erected was furnished with a chancel window of small diamond-shaped panes of glass, figured, but without coloring except the gray tints of a little tracery, much of which tracery had disappeared in the twenty-two years of its existence. This gave the window a faded and washed-out appearance, and made the congregation wish for something better and more appropriate to the character of the sacred place. Great was the satisfaction of all, therefore, when, in the summer of 1875, Mr. William Halpin expressed the wish to beautify the chancel with a stained-glass window in memory of his father and mother. The consent of the rector and vestry was cheerfully given, and in a short time the work was finished.
Such a memorial was especially appropriate in this
case, as Mr. Halpin's father lies in an unknown grave near Dublin, Ireland,
having died in a cholera epidemic; and his mother was buried in the sea,having
died on the voyage to this country to join her son.
This window is composed of three lancets, the middle
one of which contains, in the center, a presentation of the Ascension, and below
the legend, " The sea shall give up her dead." The lancet on the right has in
the center the font, above, the patten and bread, and below, the inscription, "
In memoriam. William Halpin; born 1800, died 1832." The lancet on the left has
in the center the open Bible; above the chalice,
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and below, the words," In memoriam. Mary Halpin; born 1801, died 1840." In the
apex of the window is the All-seeing Eye, in a lance to the right of the apex
the anchor, and in one to the left the Cross and Crown.
The coloring of the window is rich and harmonious, and
the effect as seen from the body of the church is very pleasing.
This memorial commemorates departed ones whose ashes
none can discover and yet it recalls the hope that
"Although in regions far from thee
Thy kindred and their graves may be,"
still, in the Great Day, God shall gather His people
from earth's wide bounds and ocean's farthest shores into His house of many
mansions, their eternal home, where the faithful shall meet again all those dear
ones "which they have loved long since and lost a while."
The Baptismal Font
The church, when erected, in 1853, was furnished with a neat, plain wooden font, which continued in use until Easter, 1880, when it was replaced by a handsome stone font, presented to the church by Miss Emma Bennett, of Boggs avenue, as an adornment of the Lord's house and as a thank-offering for His many mercies to herself.
The material of which it is made is a white sandstone.
The base is hexagonal, about fourteen inches in width; the slender stem is also
hexagonal and supports a bowl of the same dimensions as the base. Upon the font
stands a walnut cover surmounted by a floriated cross.
The only marking on the font is the monogram I H S, on
the front face of the stem. Standing at the entrance of the chancel, it fitly
symbolizes the means of admission to the Church of God.
It is now hallowed by more than twenty years of sacred
use, and, being simple and chaste in design, is in entire harmony with its
surroundings.
Lectern, Prayer Desk, Etc.
The church was further adorned at
Easter, 1886, with the gifts of an eagle lectern, made of walnut and beautifully
carved; a prayer desk and stall, also of
walnut; and a credence table, of the same material. These pieces of chancel
furniture were presented by Mrs. John C. Shaler and Mrs. Mary Thompson, as
memorials of their father and mother, Edward and Jane Bratt. Mrs. Bratt died
February 5, 1884, aged 77 years, and Mr. Bratt, October 30, 1885, aged 80 years.
A sketch of the lives of these long-tried and faithful members of Grace Church
will be found elsewhere in this volume.
The Stained-Glass Windows
The windows which were put in Grace Church when it was first built were fitted with diamond-shaped panes of ground glass, and these continued to do service until 1887. The Mite Society during the summer of this year, with the aid of their friends, replaced these with stained-glass windows, which by their rich colors and subdued light much beautified the church.
Five of these windows are memorials, which were
designed by the rector and a committee of ladies of the Mite Society, aided by
Marshall Brothers, of Allegheny, who did the work.
One is a memorial of Bishop Kerfoot, bearing the
inscription, "In memory of John Barrett Kerfoot, first Bishop of Pittsburgh.
Died July 10, 1881;" and the text, I Thessalonians iv, 12, 13.
One a memorial of Edward Bratt, long a vestryman and
treasurer of the church; died October 30, 1885, aged 80 years.
One a memorial of Thomas J. Bigham, for many years a
vestryman and senior warden of the church; died November 9, 1884, aged 74 years.
One a memorial of Mrs. Sarah Lowen Goldthorp; died
March 19, 1883, aged 55 years; and of her daughter, Mary Goldthorp Steele; died
February 13, 1886,. aged 33 years.
One a memorial of the deceased members of the Mite
Society, bearing the inscription, "In memory of the departed of the Mite
Society," and the text, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a
crown of life."—Revelation ii, 10.
124
It is an interesting fact in the history of this window
that the five grandchildren of the Goldthorp family, namely, Mary Goldthorp
Steele, Helena Marie Dermitt, Lillian Goldthorp Dermitt, Bessie Douglas
Goldthorp, and Roland Lee Goldthorp, raised the money to pay for it.
A full description of these windows will be found on
pages 36, 37.
THE MOUNT WASHINGTON READING-ROOM AND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
Twenty years ago (that is, about 1880) Mount Washington
was destitute of such public conveniences as reading rooms, libraries and
gymnasiums, and this lack was felt by many of that district to be a great
reproach to the liberality and public spirit of its citizens. Mrs. T. J. Bigham,
who was a large property owner in the neighborhood, and who had always been
deeply interested in the social and moral welfare of its people, expressed to
her rector in the year 1882 the wish that something might be done for the
benefit of the young people of Mount Washington in the way of providing means
for innocent recreation and social enjoyment. She said, rightly, that there were
no public places open at that time where young people could go in the evenings
for these purposes. The only public places open to them were the saloons.
She therefore suggested, with the public spirit
characteristic of her, that steps be taken, as had been done in England and in
some places in this country, to open on the Hill what were called Holly Tree
Inns, or places of public resort, lighted and warmed and furnished with
newspapers and magazines and with conveniences for such games as chess and
checkers, and also with provision for the sale of hot coffee and tea and other
non-intoxicating beverages.
The matter was considered among the Grace Church
people; but, with the view of eliciting a more widespread interest, it was
considered not advisable that his work should be undertaken by any one
congregation of the neighborhood, but that an appeal should be made to all the
citizens of Mount Washington to unite in some enterprise of this nature for the
general benefit of the Hill. Consequently, the clergymen and some of the
principal men and women of the different congregations were conferred with, and
a call was issued with general approval for a public meeting to consider the
matter, and in accordance with this call a meeting was held in the Baptist
Church, Sycamore Street, on Thursday evening, January 4, 1883. The meeting was
well attended, and among those present were the Rev. Mr. McCrory, of the Baptist
126
Church; the Rev. E. P. Jennings, of the Presbyterian Church; the Rev. Mr.
Williams, of the Methodist Church, and the Rev. R. J. Coster, of Grace Episcopal
Church; also, of the laity, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Bigham, Dr. J. C. McCormick, Mr.
W. T. Bown, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Shaler, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Rebbeck, Mr.
Edwin W. Smith, Mrs. C. B. M. Smith, Mrs. John S. McMillin, Miss Elizabeth
Hughes, Miss Mary Williams, Mrs. R. J. Coster, Miss Augusta Shaler, Mrs.
Harrison and others whose names are not recalled.
Dr. J. C. McCormick presided and John C. Shaler, Jr.,
acted as secretary. The Hon. T. J. Bigham stated what the object of the meeting
was; and after the expression of the opinions and wishes of a number of those
present, from which it appeared that a preponderance of opinion was in favor of
establishing a reading room and library, a committee of eight was appointed—two
each from the Methodist, the Baptist, the Presbyterian and the Episcopal
Churches —to inquire into the Holly Tree Inn system and to report to a future
meeting a plan for the organization of a library and reading room for the Hill.
The committee consisted of the following persons: Miss
Elizabeth Hughes, Mrs. Littell, Miss Mary Williams, Mrs. Stall, Mrs. Brown, Mrs.
Harrison, Mrs. T. J. Bigham, Mrs. R. J. Coster.
A second meeting was held at the same place on Friday
evening, January 19, 1.883, when the committee on organization appointed at the
first meeting reported, through the Rev. R. J. Coster, of Grace Church, the
following recommendations, to wit:
1. That the association be called the Mount Washington Reading Room and
Library Association.
2. That the object of the association be to supply a free reading room, with
papers and books for the use of visitors.
3. That a board of managers consisting of sixteen ladies and gentlemen
(eight of each) be chosen, who shall take charge of the matter and be
responsible for its direction, and that they have the power to fill vacancies.
4. That hereafter the board of managers be elected annually by the contributors
to the support of the association.
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5. That the officers of the board be a president, a vice-president,
a secretary, and a treasurer, and that these officers be chosen
annually by and from the board of managers.
6. That stated meetings of the board be held monthly, and that
seven members constitute a quorum.
7. That the treasurer receive all funds contributed, and that he pay
therefrom all bills of the association, on the order of the president;
and that he make an annual report of the funds received and
disbursed.
8. That a membership of the Reading Room and Library Association
be constituted, which shall be composed of all persons who
contribute annually________ dollars to the association, and that
an annual meeting be held by these contributors, at which meeting
reports from the officers of the association shall be read and the
board of managers for the ensuing year shall be elected.
After discussion, the plan of organization was adopted
as presented by the committee, except that in section 8 the clause constituting
a membership of the Reading Room and Library Association was made to read "who
contribute annually one dollar or more."
Then, on motion of the Hon.T. J. Bigham, a committee
composed of the president, Dr. McCormick, and the secretary, John C. Shaler,
Jr., and the four clergymen present, namely, the Rev. Messrs. McCrory, Williams,
Jennings and Coster, was appointed to nominate a board of directors for the
ensuing year; and after consultation the committee presented the following
directors for the first year:
Miss Elizabeth Hughes.
W. T. Bown.
Mrs. Littell.
F. J. Rebbeck.
Miss Mary Williams.
Phillip Smith.
Mrs. Stull.
Peter Soffel.
Mrs. T. J. Bigham.
John C. Shaler, Jr.
Mrs. R. J. Coster.
Edwin W. Smith.
Mrs. Harrison.
William Digby, Sr.
Mrs. Brown.
Dr. J. C. McCormick.
These persons were elected by acclamation, and thus the
Mount Washington Reading Room and Library Association was organized and started
upon its
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career of usefulness. The board of directors held their first meeting January
23, 1883, and elected the following officers:
President, Mrs. T. J. Bigham.
Vice-president, Dr. J. C. McCormick.
Secretary, Mr. F. J. Rebbeck.
Treasurer, Mrs. R. J. Coster.
The board of directors at once rented a room on Shiloh
street, which they furnished and supplied with papers and magazines and kept
open daily (except Sunday) for the use of the public. Gifts of books were
solicited, and very soon, by the liberality of Mr. William Lyon and others, a
good assortment of books was on hand and the reading room began to fill a
long-felt want.
An act of incorporation was obtained January 12, 1884,
and then the association was ready to hold property and to advance its work as
the means for this were offered.
April 1, 1884, Mr. William Lyon, one of the Reading
Room's most constant and liberal friends, deeded to the board of directors a lot
fronting 25 feet on Grandview avenue, and on November 25, 1887, he deeded a
second lot adjoining the first, of the same dimensions, thus giving them a lot
with a fifty-foot front, on which they built a commodious house, containing
living rooms for the janitor and librarian, a hall for public entertainments,
and a large reading room for visitors. This was completed and opened in October,
1888, Mr. Andrew Carnegie, Capt. Samuel Brown and Mr. William Lyon being the
chief contributors
to the building fund.
A gymnasium was opened in the new building, which at
first was well sustained by a large membership, but subsequently the number of
members declined until the gymnasium had to be closed for the lack of patronage.
The reading room and library were kept open, with a
fair amount of patronage, but the directors were often hard-pressed for funds to
meet their obligations. The revenues of the association were derived from three
sources, namely, membership fees, rent of the hall, and private contributions,
and with these combined sums the expenses were met. As is the
129
case in all benevolent enterprises, it was through the influence and the efforts
of a few faithful individuals that the work was continued and maintained. Among
these public-spirited persons may be mentioned W. T. Bown, Edwin W. Smith, John
C. Shaler, Jr., Dr. Orin W. Sadler, Mrs. John S. McMillin, Prof. C. R. Coffin,
Mrs. Sawhill and Miss Hughes.
The Board of Directors in 1895 were as follows:
W. T. Bown.
Mrs. W. T. Bown.
K. Q. Bigham.
Miss Ida Smith.
Edwin W. Smith.
Miss Jennie C. Williams.
J. C. Shaler, Jr.
Mrs. D. R. Torrence.
William Boehmer.
Mrs. J. F. McKee.
William Abbott.
Mrs. W. W. Sawhill.
H. S. Ley.
Mrs. Allison Meyers.
Prof. C. R. Coffin.
Mrs. C. R. Coffin.
The officers of the Board were:
President, W. T. Bown.
Vice-president, Mrs. C. R. Coffin.
Treasurer, Mrs. W. W. Sawhill.
Secretary, Mr. Edwin W. Smith.
When Mr. Andrew Carnegie gave his splendid gift, "A
Free Library," to the city of Pittsburgh, and the board of trustees of that
institution adopted the policy of establishing branch libraries in the different
parts of the city for the convenience of the public, the Mount Washington
Reading Room and Library Association, through its president, W. T. Bown, and its
other officers, used its influence to secure a branch of the Carnegie Free
Library for Mount Washington, and when finally this branch was built and opened
the directors of the old Reading Room and Library closed their rooms, in the
year 1900, and turned over their books and other effects to the Carnegie
Library.
Thus, after seventeen years (1883-1900), of great
usefulness to the people of Mount Washington, the work in which they had been
the pioneers in that part of our fast-growing city was left to the ample
resources and the splendid equipment of the Carnegie Free Library.
130
THE CHARTER OF GRACE CHURCH.
_____________________
The Charter of Incorporation of Grace Church,
in Mount Washington, Lower St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
WHEREAS, the following-named persons, citizens of this
Commonwealth, viz, George Lowen, Alexander Rowland, Thomas J. Bigham,. William
Adams, Richard Stubbs, Benjamin White and A. Kirk Lewis, have, together with
other citizens, associated for the purpose of worshiping Almighty God according
to the faith and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
States of America, and have for that purpose formed a congregation at Mount
Washington, in Lower St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, and are now desirous
of being incorporated agreeably to the provisions of the Act of the General
Assembly of Pennsylvania entitled "An Act to confer on certain associations of
the citizens of this Commonwealth the powers and immunities of corporations or
bodies politic in law," they therefore declare the following to be the objects,
articles and conditions of their said association, agreeably to which they
desire to be incorporated, viz:
First. The name of the corporation shall be "The Rector, Churchwardens and Vestrymen of GraceChurch, Mount Washington."
Second. This church acknowledges itself to be a member
of, and to belong to, "The Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of
Pennsylvania and the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of
America." As such, it accedes to, recognizes and adopts the constitution,
canons, doctrine, discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the State of Pennsylvania and of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
States of America, and acknowledges their authority,
accordingly. Any member of this church or corporation who shall disclaim or
refuse conformity to
the said authority shall cease to be a member of this corporation, and shall not
be elected or vote in
the election of vestrymen, or exercise any office or function in, concerning or
connected with said
church or corporation.
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Third. The rents and revenues of this corporation
shall, from time to time, be applied for the maintenance and support of the
rector, ministers and officers of the said church and in the erection and
necessary repairs of the church and churchyard and parsonage house and other
houses which now do or shall hereafter belong to the said corporation, and to no
other use or purpose whatsoever: Provided always, that the clear yearly value or
income of the real and personal estate held by the said corporation shall not at
any time exceed the sum of two thousand dollars.
Fourth. The said corporation shall not, by deed fine or
recovery, or by any other means, without the consent of the Convention of the
Protestant Episicopal Church of the State of Pennsylvania, or of the Standing
Committee of the Diocese, previously had and obtained, grant, alien or otherwise
dispose of any land, messuages, tenements or hereditaments in them vested, nor
charge nor encumber the same to any person or persons whomsoever.
Fifth. The rector of this church shall be elected by
the churchwardens and vestrymen, in such manner as the statutes and by-laws
shall ordain. The vestry of said church shall consist of seven persons, members
of the said church, who shall continue in office for one year, and until others
be chosen; and the election of such vestry shall be made every year on Easter
Monday, by a majority of such members of the said church as shall appear by the
vestry books to have paid two successive years immediately preceding the time of
such election for a pew or sitting in said church: Provided, That until the next
Easter Monday after the expiration of five years from the date of this
charter,members of the said church who shall in any way have contributed to the
erection of the church, or to the support of the rector or ministers thereof,
shall be entitled to vote at the election of vestrymen: And provided, That in
case of the failure to elect vestrymen on that day, the corporation shall not on
that account be dissolved, but the election shall be holden on some other day,
in such manner as the by-laws may prescribe: Provided always, That the by-laws,
rules and ordinances of this corporation shall not be repugnant to the
Constitution and laws of the United States, or of this Commonwealth, or of this
instrument.
132
Sixth. No person shall be the rector or assistant
minister of this church unless he shall have had Episcopal ordination, and
unless he be in full standing with the Protestant Episcopal Church of the State
of Pennsylvania and of the United States and recognized as such by the Bishop of
this Diocese, or, in case of a vacancy in the episcopate, by the Standing
Committee of the Diocese.
Seventh. The said vestry shall have full power to
choose their own officers, and they shall annually, at their first meeting after
their election, choose one of their own number to be one churchwarden, and the
rector for the time being shall elect another of the said vestrymen to be the
other churchwarden of the said church. In case of the vacancy of the office of
rector at the time of the election, the other churchwarden shall also be chosen
by the vestry, to remain until the election of a rector or a new election of the
vestry. And during such vacancy the churchwardens for the time being and
vestrymen shall have the same powers and authority relating to the disposition
of the rents and revenues of the said corporation as are hereby vested in the
rector, churchwardens and vestrymen: Provided always, That it shall be the duty
of the said churchwardens and vestrymen to elect another rector to supply the
vacancy as soon as conveniently may be.
Eighth. The seven following-named persons to be the
churchwardens and vestrymen, to continue in office until the election on Easter
Monday next, and until others be chosen, viz:
Thomas J. Bigham, senior warden.
Alexander Rowland, junior warden.
George Lowen, William Adams, Richard Stubbs,
Benjamin White, A. Kirk Lewis, vestrymen.
Mount Washington, October 22, 1851.
(Signed) A. KIRK LEWIS,
Clerk of Vestry.
WM. H. PADDOCK.,
Chairman and District. Missionary in Western Pennsylvania.
133
And now, to wit, March 26, 1852, the said application
having been presented in open court, on motion of W. 0. Leslie, Esq., it was
ordered to be filed and notice thereof to be given in the Weekly Gazette for
three weeks, and that the said charter of incorporation will be granted on
Saturday, the seventeenth day of April next, unless cause be shown to the
contrary.
BY THE COURT.
And now, to wit, April 26, 1852, it appearing to the court that notice of the application for said charter has been given according to law, and no reason having been shown why the same should not be granted, the court do order and decree that the persons associated as therein set forth shall, according to the liability and conditions in said instrument set forth and contained, become and be a corporation or body politic in law and in fact, to have continuance by the name, style and title of "The Rector, Churchwardens and Vestry of Grace Church, Mount Washington;" and the court further order and direct that said charter of incorporation be recorded in the office for recording deeds in and for the County of Allegheny.
From the record.
[L. S.] (Signed) GEO. S. HAYS, Pro.
April 26, 1852.
No. 13, June Term, 1852.
134
VESTRIES OF GRACE CHURCH, AND OFFICERS OF THE SAME.
1851-1852—Thomas J. Bigham, senior warden.
Alexander Rowland, junior warden.
A. Kirk Lewis, secretary.
GeorgeLowen,William Adams, Richard Stubbs, Benjamin White, vestrymen.
The records of the vestry from 1852 to 1867 have been lost. During these years,
Thomas J. Bigham was senior warden.
1867— Thomas J. Bigham, senior warden.
William L. Bond, junior warden.
William Halpin, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary.
Samuel Harper, Julian Maddox, Jacob Wilbert, vestrymen.
1868— Thomas J. Bigham, John C. Shaler, Jr., wardens.
Thomas Shannon, William Digby, William Hughes, Christ Minsinger, Edward Bratt,
vestrymen.
1869— Edward Bratt, senior warden.
John C. Shaler,Jr., secretary and junior warden.
Samuel Harper, treasurer.
John S. McMillin, Thomas J. Bigham, William Bond, William Halpin, vestrymen.
1870— Edward Bratt, senior warden.
John C. Shaler,Jr., secretary and junior warden.
Samuel Harper, treasurer.
John S. McMillin, William L. Bond, William Halpin, Thomas J. Bigham, vestrymen.
1871— William Halpin, senior warden.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary and junior warden.
Thomas J. Bigham, Thomas Jackson, Edward Bratt, William L. Bond, John S.
McMillin, vestrymen.
1872— William Halpin, senior warden.
John C. Davitt, secretary and junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
William L. Bond, John. S. McMillin, Thomas Jackson, Thomas J. Bigham, vestrymen.
135
1873 — William Halpin, senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
John Naysmith, secretary.
William L. Bond, Samuel H. Goldthorp, John S. McMillin, verstrymen.
1874__ William Halpin, senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
Edward H. Dermitt, secretary.
William L. Bond, Samuel H. Goldthorp, John S. McMillin, vestrymen.
1875—William Halpin, senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
Edward H. Dermitt, secretary.
John S. McMillin, William L. Bond, Samuel H. Goldthorp, vestrymen.
1876 —William Halpin, senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
Edward H. Dermitt, secretary.
John S. McMillin, William L. Bond, Thomas J. Bigham, vestrymen.
1877__William Halpin, senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
Edward H. Dermitt, secretary.
John S. McMillin, William L. Bond, Thomas J. Bigham, vestrymen.
1878—William Halpin, senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
Edward H. Dermitt, secretary.
Thomas J. Bigham, John S. McMillin, William L. Bond, vestrymen.
1879 —John C. Shaler, Jr., senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
Edward H. Dermitt, secretary.
Thomas J. Bigham, John S. McMillin, William Halpin, vestrymen.
136
1880—Alfred Marland, senior warden;
John C. Shaler, Jr., junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
Edward H. Dermitt, secretary.
Thomas J. Bigham, John S. McMillin, William L. Kenah, vestrymen.
1881—Alfred Marland, senior warden.
John C. Shaler, Jr., junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
Edward H. Dermitt, secretary.
Thomas J. Bigham, John S. McMillin, William L. Kenah, vestrymen.
1882—John S. McMillin, senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden,
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary.
Thomas J. Bigham, Edward H. Dermitt, William L. Kenah, vestrymen.
1883—John Bindley, senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden.
Edward Bratt, treasurer,
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary.
Thomas J. Bigham, John S. McMillin, William L. Kenah, vestrymen.
1884—John Bindley, senior warden.
Alfred Marland, junior warden,
Edward Bratt, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr,, secretary.
Thomas J. Bigham, John S. McMillin, Dr. 0.W. Sadler, vestrymen.
1885—John Bindley, senior warden.
Samuel G. Reed, junior warden.
John S. McMillin, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary.
Edward Bratt, Alfred Marland, Dr. Orin W. Sadler, vestrymen.
1886—John Bindley, senior warden.
Samuel G. Reed, junior warden.
John S. McMillin, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary.
Kirk Q. Bigham, Alfred Marland, Dr, Orin W. Sadler, vestrymen.
137
1887—John Bindley, senior warden.
Samuel G. Reed, junior warden.
John S. McMillin, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary.
Kirk G. Bigham, Alfred Marland, Dr. Orin W. Sadler, vestrymen.
1888__John Bindley, senior warden.
Samuel G. Reed, junior warden.
John S. McMillin, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary
Dr. Orin W. Sadler, Oliver H. Stinson, William P. Linhart, vestrymen.
1889—John Bindley, senior warden.
Oliver H. Stinson, junior warden.
John S. McMillin, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary.
Dr. Orin W. Sadler, William P.Linhart, Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., vestrymen.
1890—John Bindley, senior warden.
Oliver H. Stinson, junior warden.
John S. McMillin, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary.
Dr. Orin W. Sadler, William P.Linhart, Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., vestrymen.
1891—Alfred Marland, senior warden.
Oliver H. Stinson, junior warden.
William P. Linhart, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, Jr., secretary.
John S. McMillin, Dr. Orin W. Sadler, Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., vestrymen.
1892—Alfred Marland, senior warden.
Oliver H. Stinson, junior warden.
William P. Linhart, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, secretary.
John S. McMillin, Dr. Orin W. Sadler, Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., vestrymen.
1893—Alfred Marland, senior warden.
Oliver H. Stinson, junior warden.
Robert Naysmith, treasurer.
John C. Shaler, secretary.
Dr. Orin W. Sadler, William P. Linhart, Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., secretary
protempore, vestrymen.
138
Mr. W. P. Linhart resigned in ____________ 1893, and George A. Johnson was
elected to fill the vacancy.
Robert Naysmith resigned in September, 1893, and Melville L. Stout was elected
to fill the vacancy.
1894—Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., senior warden.
Oliver H. Stinson, junior warden.
George. A. Johnson, treasurer.
Melville L. Stout, secretary.
John C. Shaler, William Groves, , Percy Whaley, vestrymen.
1895—Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., senior warden.
Oliver H. Stinson, junior warden.
George A. Johnson, treasurer.
Melville L. Stout, secretary.
John C. Shaler, Harry W. Neely, Edward C. Purkey, vestrymen.
1896—John Conway Shaler, senior warden.
Oliver Halpin Stinson, junior warden.
Melville L. Stout, Thomas F. Ashford, Sr.,
Samuel Groves, George A. Johnson, Harry W. Neely, vestrymen.
1897—Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., senior warden.
Harry W. Neely, junior warden.
Thomas J. Bigham, treasurer.
George A. Johnson, Samuel H. Kenah, John J. Lowe, Melville L. Stout, vestrymen.
1898—Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., senior warden.
Harry W. Neely, junior warden.
Thomas J. Bigham, treasurer.
John J. Lowe, Oliver H. Stinson, Melville L. Stout, David R. Torrence,
vestrymen.
1899—David R. Torrence, senior warden.
Harry W. Neely, junior warden.
Thomas J. Bigham, treasurer.
John J. Lowe, Joseph Nagley Reeves, Oliver H. Stinson, David R. Torrence,
vestrymen.
1900—David R. Torrence, senior warden.
Harry W. Neely, junior warden.
George H. Baker, Thomas J. Bigham, John J. Lowe, Joseph N. Reeves, Oliver H.
Stinson, vestrymen.
139
1901__David R. Torrence, senior warden.
Harry W. Neely, junior warden.
George H. Baker, Joseph William Bowman,
John J. Lowe, Joseph N. Reeves, Oliver H. Stinson, vestrymen.
At a meeting of the vestry on November 1, 1901,
Mr. Joseph W. Bowman resigned, and Thomas J. Bigham was elected to fill the
vacancy.
1902—Thomas J. Bigham, senior warden.
George H. Baker, junior warden.
John E. Boyce, George E. Brush, William Groves, Edward C. Purkey, Melville L.
Stout, vestrymen.
1903—George H. Baker, senior warden.
Melville L. Stout, junior warden and secretary.
Thomas J. Bigham, treasurer.
John E. Boyce, Joseph William Bowman, George E. Brush, Edward C. Purkey,
vestrymen.
140
DEPUTIES TO ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The parish was admitted into union
with the Convention of the Diocese of Pennsylvania May 20, 1852. No deputies
seem to have been elected to the Convention of 1853.
1854—Thomas J. Bigham, George Lowen, A. Kirk Lewis.
1855—No deputies reported to the Convention.
1856—No deputies reported to the Convention.
1857—Thomas J. Bigham.
1858—Thomas J. Bigham, A. Kirk Lewis.
1859—Thomas J. Bigham, Richard Stubbs, A. Kirk Lewis.
1860—No deputies reported to the Convention.
1861—No deputies reported to the Convention.
1862—Thomas J. Bigham.
1863—Thomas J. Bigham.
1864—Thomas J. Bigham, Levi H. Harris, John S. McMillin.
1865—Thomas J. Bigham, Levi H. Harris, John S. McMillin.
DEPUTIES TO THE CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh was organized in 1865.
Deputies to the primary convention, November 15, 1865:
Thomas J. Bigham, Levi H. Harris, Isaac Whittier.
DEPUTIES TO THE ANNUAL CONVENTIONS.
1866—Thomas J. Bigham, Levi H. Harris, John S. McMillin.
1867—Thomas J. Bigham, John S. McMillin, John C. Shaler, Jr.
1868—Thomas J. Bigham, Edward Bratt, Sr., Thomas Shannon.
1869—Thomas J. Bigham. William Halpin, Samuel Harper.
1870—Thomas J. Bigham, William Halpin, John S. McMillin.
1871—Thomas J. Bigham, William Halpin, John S. McMillin.
141
1872—Thomas J. Bigham, William Halpin, John S. McMillin.
1873—Edward Bratt, Sr., William Halpin, John S. McMillin.
1874—Edward Bratt, Sr., Edwin H. Dermitt, John S. McMillin.
1875—William Halpin, Alfred Marland, John S. McMillin.
1876—William Halpin, Edwin H. Dermitt, John S. McMillin.
1877—Thomas J. Bigham, William Halpin, John S. McMillin
1878—Thomas J. Bigham, John C. Shaler, Jr., John S. McMillin.
1879—Thomas J. Bigham, John C. Shaler, Jr., Edwin H. Dermitt.
1880—Thomas J. Bigham, Edward Bratt, Sr., John S. McMillin.
1881—Thomas J. Bigham, John C. Shaler, Jr., John S. McMillin.
1881—October 19, Special Convention for the election of a Bishop—Thomas J.
Bigham, Alfred Marland, John S. McMillin.
1882—Thomas J. Bigham, Edward Bratt, John S. McMillin.
1883—Thomas J. Bigham, John C. Shaler, Jr., John S. McMillin.
1884—John Bindley, John C. Shaler, Jr., John S. McMillin.
1885—John C. Shaler, Jr., Alfred Marland, John S. McMillin.
1886— Alfred Marland, John S. McMillin.
1887—John C. Shaler, Jr., Alfred Marland; John S. McMillin.
1888—John C. Shaler, Jr., William P. Linhart, John S. McMillin.
1889—John C. Shaler, Jr., Alfred Marland, Oliver H. Stinson.
1890—John C. Shaler, Jr., O. W. Sadler, M.D., John S. McMillin.
1891—Alfred Marland, Thomas F. Ashford, Sr.
1892—Alfred Marland, O. W. Sadler, M. D.
1893—Alfred Marland, Orin W. Sadler, M.D.
1894—John C. Shaler, Oliver H. Stinson.
142
1895—Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., John C. Shaler.
1896—Oliver H. Stinson, Harry W. Neely.
1897—Thomas F. Ashford, Sr., Harry W. Neely.
1898—David R. Torrence, Harry W. Neely.
1899—Thomas J. Bigham, Harry W. Neely.
1900—Harry W. Neely, Oliver H. Stinson, David R. Torrence.
1901—Thomas J. Bigham, Joseph N. Reeves, David R. Torrence.
1902—Thomas J. Bigham, William Groves, George H. Baker.
1903—Thomas J. Bigham, George H. Baker, Joseph William Bowman.
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Martha A C Graham, Allegheny County Archives File Manager
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