2012.007

Lukacs, Claire

Gift

Museum Collections. Gift of a Friend of the Museum.

1853 - 1903

Date(s) Created: 1903 Date(s): 1903

Good

Notes: Archives 2012.007.0039 Cover title: Trinity Parish, Hoboken, New Jersey, 1853-1903. ==== [frontispiece: Trinity in the Fields, 1856.] Trinity Parish, Hoboken, New Jersey. 1853-1903. [end page [1]; page [2] blank] The Corporation of Trinity Church Hoboken, N.J. A.D. 1903. Rector: The Reverend JAMES CLAYTON MITCHELL, S. T. B. Wardens: EDWARD H. HORWOOD. EDWIN A. S. LEWIS. Vestrymen: C. ALFRED BURHORN, WARNE SMYTHE, THOMAS B. STILLMAN, Ph. D., J. W. RUFUS BESSON CHARLES M. CHAPIN, CHARLES K. CANNON, ROBERT L. STEVENS, FRANK HODSON, FRANCIS B. HERBERT, PALMER CAMPBELL. Treasurer: C. ALFRED BURHORN. Secretary: J. W. RUFUS BESSON Bishops of the Diocese: The Rt. Rev. JOHN CROES, D. D., November 19th, 1815 - July 26th, 1832. The Rt. Rev. GEORGE WASHINGTON DOANE, D D., LL. D., October 31st, 1832 - April 27th, 1859. *The Rt. Rev. WILLIAM HENRY ODENHEIMER, D. D., October 13th, 1859 - August 14th, 1879. The Rt. Rev. THOMAS ALFRED STARKEY, D. D., January 8th, 1880 - May 17th, 1903. The Rev. EDWIN STEVENS LINES, D. D., Bishop-Elect. Date of Consecration fixed for November 18th, 1903. * The Diocese of New Jersey was divided in 1874, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Odenheimer becoming Bishop of what is now called the Diocese of Newark. [end pg 3] Members of the Corporation. 1853 - 1903. Rectors: The Reverend N. W. CAMP, D. D., Elected September 16th, 1853. Resigned August 29th, 1855. Died November 10th, 1898. The Reverend JOHN WILLIAM CLARK, Elected September 24th, 1855. Resigned May 7th, 1856. Died January 22nd, 1885. The Reverend N. SAYRE HARRIS, Elected May 7th, 1856. Resigned October 2nd, 1865. Died April 22nd, 1886. The Reverend FREDERICK FITZ GERALD, Elected November 24th, 1865. Resigned August 31st, 1866. Died August 31st, 1866. The Reverend REUBEN W. HOWES, JR., Elected November 12th, 1866. Resigned May 10th, 1874 The Reverend TELFAIR HODGSON, Elected April 13th, 1874. Resigned October 7th, 1878. Died September 11th, 1893. The Reverend GEORGE CLARKE HOUGHTON, M. A., Elected Oct. 22nd, 1878. Resigned November 2nd, 1897. The Reverend JAMES CLAYTON MITCHELL, S. T. B., Elected Nov. 1st, 1897. Treasurers: Abraham L. Van Boskerck. September 16th, 1853. James F. Melliss, April 19th, 1854. Hazleton Walkley, June 20th, 1859. James F. Melliss, April 11th, 1860. (Died March 6th, 1863). Peter Ritter, Jr., April 7th, 1863. William Plumer, April 8th, 1872. Charles K. Cannon, April 29th, 1889. John Stevens, April 6th, 1891. [end page 4] [plate facing pg 4: The Rev. N.W. Camp, D.D., 1853-1855.] Edward H. Horwood, May 9th, 1892. C. Alfred Burhorn, April 18th, 1893. Secretaries: Michael V. Banta, September 16th, 1853. John L. Parker, April 5th, 1858. Michael V. Banta, May 16th, 1859. John M. Livingston, May 5th, 1873. W. W. Wilcox, April 16th, 1894. J. W. Rufus Besson, May 3rd, 1897. Senior Wardens: John W. Van Boskerck, September 16th, 1853. William P. Wright, April 17th, 1854. Michael V. Banta, April 1st, 1872. Henry Morton, Ph. D., LL. D., April 10th, 1887. (Died May 9th, 1902). Edward H. Horwood, April 13th, 1903. Junior Wardens: William P. Wright, September 16th, 1853. Elected Senior Warden. Thomas H. Thomas, April 17th, 1854. James F. Melliss, March 24th, 1856. Alexander McWhorter, April 25th, 1859. James F. Melliss, April 9th, 1860. (Died March 6th, 1863). Michael V. Banta, April 7th, 1863. Elected Senior Warden. Hon. F. B. Ogden, April rst, 1872. William Plumer, April 25th, 1S86. John Stevens, March 26th, 1894. (Died January 21st, 1895). C. Albert Stevens, April 15th, 1895. (Died March 19th, 1901). Edward H. Horwood, April 8th, 1901. Elected Senior Warden. Edwin A. S. Lewis, April 13th, 1903. [end page 5] Vestrymen: NAME TERM OF SERVICE Abraham L. Van Boskerck September 16th, 1853. Died May 6th, 1855 James F. Melliss, Sept. 16th, 1853. Elected Junior Warden March 24th, 1856 Daniel Wadsworth September 16th, 1853 - April 5th, 1858 William Hindhaugh September 16th, 1853 - April 17th, 1854 Hazleton Walkley September 16th, 1853 - April 9th, i860 Lucas J. Van Boskerck September 16th, 1853 - April 25th, 1859 Peter Ritter, Jr September 16th, 1853 - April 10th, 1871 Michael V. Banta, Sept. 16th, 1853. Elected Junior Warden April 7th, 1863 Gershom Lockwood April 17th, 1854 - April 9th, 1855 Thomas J. Pope April 17th, 1854 - June 15th, 1855 George C. Parker April 9th, 1855 - April 9th, 1860 Richard H. Phipps August 29th, 1855 - April 15th, 1857 Richard F. Stevens August 29th, 1855 - August 26th, 1857 James A. Stevens, Jr March 24th, 1856 - April 15th, 1857 Joseph Hall April 15th, 1857 - April 13th, 1868 George P. Williams April 15th, 1857 - April 5th, 1858 John L. Parker April 5th, 1858 - April 1st, 1861 William Bancroft April 25th, 1859 - April 9th. 1860 J. H. Suckley April 25th, 1859. Died April 6th, 1865 A.L. Du Puget April 1st, 1861 - June 4th, 1861 George Wilcoxson April 21st, 1862 - April 17th, 1865 J. L. McLane April 21st, 1862 - April 7th, 1863 E. Hedges April 21st, 1862 - April 5th, 1874 William Plumer, April 21st, 1862. Elected Junior Warden April 25th, 1886 J. T. Seymour April 7th, 1863 - April 13th, 1S68 W. W. Shippen April 7th, 1863-March 28th, 1864 Charles L. Bowers March 28th, 1864. Died April 9th, 1865 W. Roberts March 28th, 1864 - December 4th, 1865 B. Fraser March 28th, 1864 - April 17th, 1865 F. B. Ogden April 17th, 1865. Elected Junior Warden April 1st, 1872 James G. K. Duer April 17th, 1865 - April 2nd, 1866 J. H. H. Cushman April 17th, 1865 - April 13th, 1868 W. Atkins April 17th, 1865 - April 22nd, 1867 William H. Dilworth .April 2nd, 1866. Died February 11th, 1887 C. A. M. Presby April 2nd, 1866 - April 18th, 1870 Daniel Wright April 22nd, 1867 - March 29th, 1869 Thomas Slater April 13th, 1868 - April 18th, 1870 J. C. Appleby April 13th, 1868 - April 18th, 1870 J. Palmer April 13th, 1868 - April 10th, 1871 John E. McWhorter March 29th, 1869 - April 10th, 1887 James Pope April 18th, 1870 - April 22nd, 1878 [end page 6] Vestrymen: continued NAME TERM OF SERVICE Henry J. King April 18th, 1870 - April 14th, 1873. Henry Butterfield April iSth, 1870 - April 1st, 1872. John M. Livingston April 10th, 1871. Died November 7th, 1898. Henry Morton April 10th, 1871. Elected Senior Warden April 10th, 1887. H. P. Trufit April 1st, 1872 - April 5th, 1874. G. D. Saltonstall, M. D., April 1st, 1872 - April 5th, 1874. Peter Ritter (second time) April 14th, 1873 - March 28th, 1875. Gustav Oberbeck April 5th, 1874 - April 17th, 1876. August Roche April 5th, 1874 - March 28th, 1875. Charles MacDonald April 5th, 1874 - March 28th, 1875. Henry J. King (second time) March 28th, 1875 - April 14th, 1879. S. D. Johnson March 28th, 1875 - April 17th, 1876. Charles T. Kroeh March 28th, 1875 - April 10th, 1882. Albert R. Leeds April 17th, 1876 - October 7th, 1879. B. Franklin Hart April 17th, 1876 - April 6th, 1896. William Moffatt April 22nd, 1878 - March 28th, 1891. John Stevens, April 14th, 1879. Elected Junior Warden March 26th, 1894. Edward P. C. Lewis March 29th, 1880. Died September 2nd, 1892. James G. K. Duer (second time) April 10th, 1882 - April 25th, 1886. Frederick Beltz April 26th, 1886 - April 7th, 1890. John C. Besson April 26th, 1886. Died December 15th, 1894. J. Campbell Maben April 11th, 1887 - April 15th, 1895. Edward H. Horwood April 11th, 1887 - April 15th, 1895. Charles K. Cannon April 11th, 1887 - March 28th, 1891. Charles H. Sellick April 7th, 1890 - April 3rd, 1893. C. Albert Stevens, March 28th, 1891. Elected Junior Warden April 15th, 1895. Thomas Hughes March 28th, 1891 - April 6th, 1896. Edwin A. S. Lewis, April 3rd, 1893. Elected Junior Warden April 13th, 1903. C. Alfred Burhorn, April 3rd, 1893. W. W. Wilcox March 26th, 1894 - April 19th, 1897. Warne Smythe, April 15th, 1895. Warren Banks April 15th, 1895 - April 6th, 1896. J. Harry Sheldon April 15th, 1895 - April 11th, 1898. Edwin A. S. Brown April 15th, 1895 - April 13th, 1903. Thomas B. Stillman, Ph. D., April 6th, 1896. J. W. Rufus Besson, April 6th, 1896. C. Irving Simon, M. D April 6th, 1896 - May 7th, 1900. Charles M. Chapin, April 19th, 1897. Edward H. Horwood (second time), April 11th, 1898. Elected Junior Warden April 8th, 1901. Charles K. Cannon (second time), April 3rd, 1899. [end page 7] Vestrymen: -Continued. NAME Robert L. Stevens, April 8th, 1901. Frank Hodson, April 8th, 1901. Francis B. Herbert, April 13th, 1903. Palmer Campbell, April 13th, 1903. Delegates to Diocesan Convention 1855 - 1903 1855 - Thos. H. Thomas, Wm. P. Wright, Samuel Thomas, Thomas Arthur, M. V. Banta. 1856 -Wm. P. Wright, James F. Melliss, J. W. Van Boskerck, H. Walkley, R. F. Stevens, F. Clossey, W. Harrison, L. J. Van Boskerck. 1857 - Wm. P. Wright, James F. Melliss, H. Walkley, James Stevenson, J. H. Lubenau. 1858 - Wm. P. Wright, J. Y. Armstrong, M. V. Banta, Alexander McWhorter, Joseph Hall, Wm. Bancroft. 1859 - Wm. P. Wright, James F. Melliss, Hoyt Sanford, P. M. Reynolds. 1860 - A. L. Du Puget, Wm. P. Wright, James F. Melliss. 1861 - Wm. P. Wright, W. W. Shippen, George Wilcoxson. 1862 - J.T. Seymour, E. W. Walgroove, James F. Melliss. 1863 - J. T. Seymour, H. Sanford, Wm. P. Wright. 1864 - J. T. Seymour, H. Sanford, Denning Duer. 1865 - J. T. Seymour, Leon Abbett, F. B. Ogden. 1866 - J. T. Seymour, Joseph Hall, Denning Duer. 1867 - J. T. Seymour, Joseph Hall, M. V. Banta. 1868 - F. B. Ogden, L. W. Elder, M. D., M. V. Banta. 1869 - F. B. Ogden, G. D. Saltonstall, M. D., M. V. Banta. 1870 - F. B. Ogden, J. C. Appleby, Peter Ritter, Jr. 1871 - F. B. Ogden, Henry Morton, M. V. Banta. 1872 - J. M. Livingston, Henry Morton, H. J. King. 1873 - C. Mac Donald, Henry Morton, H. J. King. 1874 - F. B. Ogden, J. M. Livingston, Charles K. Cannon. 1875 - F. B. Ogden, J. M. Livingston, Charles K. Cannon. 1876 - F. B. Ogden, J. M. Livingston, C. T. Kroeh. 1877 - F. B. Ogden, J. M. Livingston, C. T. Kroeh. 1878 - F. B. Ogden, J. M. Livingston, C. T. Kroeh. 1879 - F. B. Ogden, Frederick Beltz, C. T. Kroeh. 1880 - F. B. Ogden, John Stevens, C. T. Kroeh. [end page 8] [plate facing pg 8: The Rev. John Wm. Clark, 1855 - 1856.] Delegates to Diocesan Convention - Continued. 1881 - F. B. Ogden, John Stevens, C. T. Kroeh. 1882 - F. B. Ogden, John Stevens, Edward P. C. Lewis. 1883 - F. B Ogden, John Stevens, Frederick Beltz. 1884 - F. B. Ogden, John Stevens, Frederick Beltz. 1885 - F. B. Ogden, John Stevens, J. M. Erskine. 1886 - John Stevens, J. M. Erskine, Edward H. Horwood. 1887 - John Stevens, Edward H. Horwood, Francis B. Herbert. 1888- Edward H. Horwood, Albert R. Leeds, Francis B. Herbert. 1889 - Albert R. Leeds, Francis B. Herbert, C. H. Sellick. 1890 - Albert R. Leeds, Francis B. Herbert, Thomas Hughes. 1891 - Wm. Moffatt, Francis B. Herbert, C. Alfred Burhorn. 1892 - Edward P. C. Lewis, Edward H. Horwood, Edwin A. S. Brown. 1893 - W. W. Wilcox, Edwin A. S. Lewis, Edwin A. S. Brown. 1894 - Edwin A. S. Lewis, Edwin A. S. Brown, J. Mercer Garnett. 1895 - Edwin A. S. Lewis, Edwin A. S. Brown, S. D. G. Johnston. 1896 - Edwin A. S. Lewis, Edwin A. S. Brown, P. P. Aspell. 1897 - Edwin A. S. Lewis, Edwin A. S. Brown, Henry S. Morton. 1898 - Edwin A. S. Lewis, Edwin A. S. Brown, Henry S. Morton. Superintendents ot the Sunday School. April 1854 - March 1863 : James F. Melliss, Vestryman. March 1863 - June 1874 : William Plumer, Vestryman. September 1874 - July 1876: John M. Livingston, Vestryman. September 1876 - October 1879 : William Plumer, Vestryman. October 1879 - November 1897 : Rev. George Clarke Houghton, Rector. December 1897 - October 1898 : Rev. J. Clayton Mitchell, Rector. October 1898 - June 1900 : Herbert H. H. Fox, Lay Reader. September 1900 - June 1902 : Rufus H. Jones, Lay Reader. September 1902 - January 1903 : Rev. J. Clayton Mitchell, Rector. January 1903 - Rev. William J. Ehrhard, Curate. [end page 9] Organists and Choirmasters: 1859 - Mr. T. G. Wait. 1861 - Mr. C. Jerome Hopkins. 1862 - R. G. Paige. 1864 - Messrs H. White, E. Camps. 1865 - Mr. Harbordst. 1866 - Mr. E. Camps, 1869 - Mr. A. E. Schock. 1870 - Messrs Lilienthal, J. F. Finlayson, A. E. Schock. 1871 - Mr. George J. Tattam. 1875 - Miss Mary D. Livingston. 1876 - Mr. Gustav Albrecht. 1879 - Mr. J. T. Ackerman. 1882 - Mr. Bloomfield Goete. 1884 - Mr. Charles Eichorn. 1887 - Mr. Holt. 1888 - Mr. S. W. Ball. 1891 - Messrs White, Hall, Fischer, W. Horatio Brown, Steele. 1893 - Mr. Christian B. Clark. Sextons: Ross Lang, November 29th, 1853. Wm. N. Parslow, Sr., November 1st, 1858. W. H. Pullman, April 22nd, 1867. William Griffin, December 1st, 1870. William N. Parslow, November 6th, 1871. [end page 10] TRINITY CHURCH, HOBOKEN, N. J. A SKETCH : 1853-1903. WHEN our Lord said, " First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear," He asserted the law of growth in things spiritual and material. To write a complete history of Trinity Parish, Hoboken, is not within my power. Fifty years of Parochial Life cannot be covered in a few pages. Little by little, much has been accomplished. These years have brought blessings untold in the lives of many. Spiritual results cannot be written down. The dynamic force of spiritual energies can- not be registered. All that I may hope to do is to chronicle a few of the more important events that have made up the material history of the Parish. Trinity Parish was founded September 16th, 1853. The population of Hoboken was about six thousand, and it was felt that the setting apart of a new parish in the upper part of the town was a necessity. A meeting of those interested was held at the house of Abraham L. Van Boskerck, on the 24th of August,1853, when 52 persons signed the application to the Bishop for the new Parish, and, on the 16th of September, 1853, the Corporation of Trinity Church was organized. Messrs. John W. Van Boskerck and William P. Wright were elected Wardens and the following gentlemen were chosen Vestry men: Abraham L. Van Boskerck, James F. Melliss, Daniel Wadsworth, William Hindhaugh, Hazelton Walkley, L. J. Van Boskerck, Peter Ritter, Jr., Michael V. Banta. On the same day, September 16th, 1853, the Rev. N. W. Camp was called as Rector of the Parish, and he officiated for [end page 11] the first time on the morning of October 18th, the Feast of S. Luke, Evangelist, at a service held in the Rector's Parlours, in the house first door above 6th street on the West side of Wash- ington street. In the evening the services were held in the Town Hall which stood on the South-west corner of Washington and First streets. Odd Fellows' Hall was completed in the Spring of 1854, and from March 6th, 1854 (Fourth Sunday in Lent) until September 7th, 1856, when the new Church was ready, all the services were held there. The Holy Communion was admin- istered for the first time on the 4th of December, 1853, when twenty-five persons received that Holy Sacrament. Twenty families had been enrolled as members of the Parish-44 adults and 28 children. The Sunday School was organized, with 17 children, on the Fifth Sunday in Lent, April 2nd, 1854. Mr. James F. Melliss was the first Superintendent and continued in that office until his much lamented decease. On November 29th, 1853, a Committee was appointed to select a site for a Church Building. The Committee reported to the Vestry from time to time, and finally, on August 20th, 1855, recommended the purchase of two lots (each 25x100 feet) " next adjoining the most northerly brick house on Washington street, West side, between 6th and 7th Streets." The Vestry accepted the recommendation of the Committee, but the Rev. Dr. Camp resigned the Rectorship on August 29th, 1855, and the Vestry wisely decided to elect a new Rector before going further in the matter. Dr. Camp's resignation was received with great regret. For nearly two years he had faithfully and efficiently administered the Parish. The Rev. John W. Clark was elected Rector on September 24th, 1855, and on S. Luke's Day, October 18th, 1855, the Vestry again took up the question of a site for a Church building. It was decided to buy four lots on the North-east corner of Washington and 7th streets at a cost of $7,000. The Church building was from a design of Richard Upjohn, but was carried out under the supervision of Deutsche and Dietz, local architects. [end page 12] [plate facing pg 12: The Rev. N. Sayre Harris, 1856 - 1865.] Unfortunately, they tried to "improve" on the original plan. The Corner Stone, placed at the North-east corner of what is now the Nave of the Church, and marked "A. D. MDCCCLV," was laid by Bishop Doane on December 18th, 1855. The Procession formed in Odd Fellows' Hall and marched to the site where the stone was laid in the presence of a large congregation. Among those present were, of course, the Bishop, the Rector, the Vestry, and also the following clergymen: Rev. J. W. Ward, 1st Rector of St. Paul's, Hoboken, Rev. Vandervoort Bruce, Rector of St. Paul's, Rev. N. W. Camp, D. D., 1st Rector of Trinity, Rev. Joshua Smith, Rev. Edward O. Flagg, Rev. E. A. Hoffman, Rev. Stephen Douglass, Rev. Richard Coxe, Rev. D. O. M. Johnson, and Rev. Dr. Robertson. The Rev. John W. Clark resigned, May 7th, 1856. His was a short Rectorship, but in less than eight months he had accomplished great things for the Parish. How beloved he was by the people is shown by the fact that when the Rectorship of the Parish was vacant in 1866, the Rev. Mr. Clark was again chosen Rector. The Rev. N. Sayre Harris next entered upon his duties as Rector on the 20th of May, 1856. The Church Building was completed in August, 1856. The plan was cruciform, but the Nave only had been built. It accomodated about 500 people. It was intended to add the Transepts and Chancel later. The material used was blue stone, and the exterior was finished in Gothic style. The frontage was fifty-three feet, and the height of the West front to the top of the Gable was fifty-six feet. The Chancel end was adorned with a window of English glass, the gift of the Rev. John W. Clark. The first service in the new building was held on the 10th Sunday after Trinity, September 7th, 1856. On the 8th of November, 1856, a Memorial Chapel (the present "Choir Vestry''), built by Mr. William P. Wright, in memory of his daughter Grace, was completed and presented to the Corporation. It had been building since the previous May. As the Tablet says: "This Chapel for the religious instruction of the young was erected as the memorial of an only child,1856." The [end page 13] Tablet is the last work of Mr. Crawford, a well-known American sculptor, who died before it was finished. In a letter to the Vestry, written by Mr. Wright, the history of the Tablet is given. Mr. Crawford's friend, Mr. Rudolph Rogers, completed the Tablet. The ship "Argivo," in which the Tablet had been sent to this country, was wrecked off the Island of Corsica, February 2nd, 1859, and the Tablet lay at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea for six months. It was recovered, repaired, and re-shipped to America. It reached Hoboken in August 1860, and is now on the East wall of the Choir Vestry. Bishop Doane wrote the inscription. "Grace Chapel," fully furnished, cost $3,000. Mr. Wright at the time also presented a few shares of bank stock as a fund for a gold medal to be yearly awarded in the Sunday School. The debt on the Church Building was paid by September, 1858. The payment of the debt had meant hard work, self- denial and earnest perserverance on the part of Rector and Con- gregation. They saw their labour rewarded when the Church was Consecrated on October 3rd, 1858. There was at this time no current debt. The ground upon which the Church Building stood, however, was not free from encumbrance. In March, 1860, the Organ Gallery was built, and the Organ made by W. A. Johnson, of Westfield, Massachusetts, was first used in Divine Service on March 18th, 1860. This organ was in continuous use until 1901. In June, 1860, the Church was entered by burglars and many valuable things were stolen, velvet cushions, altar cloth, carpets from three aisles, silk gown, surplice, etc. In 1862 the Church was painted in Fresco. On March 6th, 1863, Mr. James F. Melliss, one of the founders of the Parish, who had been Vestryman for three years, Warden for seven years, and Superintendent of the Sunday School from the beginning, passed "within the veil." Devoted to Trinity Church and its activities, a suitable Tablet in his memory hangs upon the South wall of the Church. [end page 14] Mr. Abraham Van Boskerck, a Vestryman, one of the founders of the Parish, had passed to his reward on May 6th, 1855. His brother John W. Van Boskerck, a Vestryman, and also one of the first Wardens, departed this life February 18th, 1859. They both did much for Trinity Church, and its growth was dear to their hearts. The Records of the Vestry note the decease in 1865 of Mr. John H. Suckley and Mr. Charles L. Bowers, members of the Corporation. The Minute adopted by the Vestry speaks of "the cheerful readiness with which these gentlemen ever counselled and contributed for the Church's interests." May they all rest in the Peace of God! In 1863-1864 all encumbrances on the Church property were paid. "This result," as the Rev. Mr. Harris put it, "has not been reached without painstaking, hard work, open handed liberality and cordial unanimity on the part of all concerned, and the blessing of Him, Who has given us to will and to do of His good pleasure." In 1864, it was felt that the "interests of the Parish demand a School House and Parsonage." The women of the Congrega- tion raised money enough to buy the lot (20x70 ft.) on which the present Rectory stands. They also provided $1000 toward a building. To the great sorrow of the Parish, however, the Rev. Mr. Harris resigned on October 18th, 1865. His Rectorship of more than nine years was a large-hearted one. His courtliness of manner is still remembered; and his wise, good and far-seeing administration did large things for the Parish. In 1866, the "School House and Parsonage" was completed. The debt incurred amounted to about $12,500. The amount was soon afterwards reduced by $2,000, but for many years this was a heavy burden to the Parish. The Rev. Frederick Fitz Gerald entered upon his duties as Rector in the latter part of November, 1865. His Rectorship was [end page 15] a short one, but it was full of anxiety, and his cares and respon- sibilities were heavy. He bore himself with the gentle, manly, brave, patient courtesy of the true Minister of God, and, doubt- less, he has " entered into the joy " of his Lord. To be spoken of as "a Model Parish Priest," as the Minute of the Vestry speaks of him, is no small praise. On the 12th of November 1866, the Rev. Reuben W. Howes, Jr., was elected Rector. It is not possible to tell in few words of the many activities of his Rectorship, covering a period of nearly eight years. In 1869 a lot (20x30 ft.) in the rear of the "School House and Parsonage " was bought for $500. In the same year Bishop Odenheimer, in his Annual Convention Address, spoke of the Rector's administration of the Parish in termsof special praise, and, in the highest way possible commended the efficiency and zeal of Mr. William Plumer's Superintendency of the Sunday School. In March, 1871, the Corporation received a legacy of one thousand dollars from the estate of Miss Eliza Jane Van Boskerck for the purpose of reducing the Mortgage Debt. In 1873, a bequest of $500 from the estate of Mr. Alexander McWhorter was received for the same purpose. Mr. McWhorter at one time had been a Warden of the Parish. By these bequests the Mortgage Debt was reduced to $11,000. Mr. William P. Wright who had been a Warden of the Parish from its foundation, who had built the Grace Wright Memorial Chapel in 1856, and who had given of his time and means from the beginning, resigned from the Corporation on March 19th, 1872. Mr. Wright went abroad to live, and in his letter to the Vestry said that he had "been much interested in the welfare of our Church, and left it with much regret." At a meeting of the Corporation, held March 25th, 1872, it was "Resolved - that the communication of Mr. Wright be entered on the Minutes, and that the Secretary of the Vestry be requested to express to Mr. Wright their regret at his resignation of the office of Senior Warden, and of his probable separation from this Parish, he having been prominently connected with the same since its in- [end page 16] [plate facing pg 16: The Rev. Frederick Fitzgerald, 1865 - 1866.] ception." The Church was again painted in Fresco in the Summer of 1872, and on August 20th of this same year a communication was received from the Vestry of St. Paul's, Hoboken, relative to the consolidation of the two Parishes. No further mention of the matter is made in the Minutes of the Corporation of Trinity Church. In 1872, also, a new "Vestry Room" was built at the North-east corner of the Church. It was with a feeling of heartfelt disappointment that the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Howes was accepted on May 10th, 1874. His character had endeared him to all in the Parish and in the City, and his Rectorship, buoyant, faithful, hard-working, had covered one of the periods of largest development in the growth of the Parish. The Rev. Telfair Hodgson was elected Rector on April 13th, 1874, and entered upon his duties on the first Sunday in July. The progress of the Parish went on during the four years and more of his well-remembered Rectorship. A new iron fence was placed about the Church grounds at a cost of $1,050. The side- walk was reduced to the City grade. The Boy Choir was organ- ized and vested in Cassock and Cotta. The Church Porch (West- front) was built and the half of the lot formerly included in Court Street was enclosed. In 1877, the Sunday School gave $500 toward the payment of the Mortgage on the Church Property, which reduced that burden to $10,500. During the Christmas Tide of 1878, Mrs. Hodgson presented to the Parish a White Altar Frontal and a Brass Altar Cross. When Dr. Hodgson resigned, on October 7th, 1878, to ac- cept the Deanship of the Theological Seminary at Sewanee, Tennessee, the widespread regret of parishioners and others testi- fied to the large place which he had held in their hearts, and he went to his new work followed by the prayers and crowned by the praises of many to whom he had ministered. When he had passed into the "Ante-Chamber of the Great Presence," September 11th, 1893, the "Resolutions" adopted by the Corporation of Trinity Church, Hoboken, gave no uncertain sound as they [end page 17] spoke of his worth and work. On the 22nd of October, 1878, the Rev. George Clarke Houghton was elected Rector. He entered upon his duties on the Feast of the Circumcision, January 1st, 1879. The activities of the Parish increased. The weekly Eucharist was begun, and no Sunday has since passed without the great "Lifting up." In the Summer of 1879, the Church floor was removed, an air cellar of four feet was excavated and four ventilators cut in the side walls of the foundation, and a new and thoroughly substantial floor was laid. The Chancel was altered, the Railing set back, the step lowered, and the gates opened from the centre. The whole Church was re-carpeted. A Choir Room (10x12 ft.) was built as an addition to the Sacristy. The grounds were laid out, and trees and shrubbery planted. The Rectory was repaired and repainted. The first payment of $100 was made upon the purchase of the lot in the rear of Church and Rectory. The total cost of the lot was $3,000, and the final payment of $1,000 was made in 1895. A Committee was appointed in the Spring of 1880 to take into consideration the fit celebrating of the 25th Anniversary of the laying of the Corner Stone. On Saturday the 18th of December that Anniversary was kept. In the early morning the Holy Communion was administered, and at half past ten the Church was filled with a large congregation. The service was read by the Rev. Clarence Buell, of St. Luke's Church, N. Y.,the Rev. N. Sayre Harris, third Rector of Trinity, the Rev. W. W. Holley, D. D., of Hackensack, N. J., the Rev. J. P. Appleton of Boonton, N. J., the Rt. Rev. John A. Paddock, Bishop of Wash- ington Territory and the Rt. Rev. Thomas A. Starkey, Bishop of Northern New Jersey. The Rev. W. J. Knox-Little, Rector of St. Alban's, Manchester, England, preached the Sermon from the text "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and after that receive me into glory." Bishop Starkey followed with one of his eloquent addresses. The Offerings at this Service reduced the Parish Debt $2,000. After the service, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. C. Lewis entertained the Clergy, the Vestry, and former members [end page 18] of the Vestry, at Luncheon. On the next day, Sunday, the Rt. Rev. George Franklin Seymour, D. D., Bishop of Springfield, preached the Sermon. For many years, Mr. Wm. Plumer had served the Parish with untiring zeal. He had been a Vestryman for Twenty years, when on the evening of April 24th, 1882, being then elected Treasurer of the Parish for the eleventh time, the Rector, on be- half of himself, the Wardens and the Vestry presented Mr. Plu- mer with a handsome, solid silver, gold mounted paper knife. The knife bore an inscription testifying to the affectionate re... [truncated due to length]