Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-10-25
OLD TRIs sITY.
Its RectOrs, Its Churches and
ATS Graves.

From the New York Evening Mall, oh instl
To-day, the triennial Convention of
the Episcopal church will be held in this,
city, and Trinity church has been select
ed for the opening ceremonies. Brought
before the public in this prominent way,
a few words in regard to the early
history Of Trinity may not be NAL ap-
propos.
Trinity church was erected in 1886.
and incorporated during the year as the
Parish Church In size and shape it
was a small square building, but, to give
1t more the appearance of a church,
subscription of three hundred aud odd
pounds was raised in order to build a
steeple. To this subscription, we may
mention as noteworthy fact, that the
Jews contributed the sum of five pounds,
twelve shillings and seven pence. The
steeple, thus constructed, measured
about l75 feet in height, and undoubted-
", was regarded by the worthy burghers
as a marvel of grace, symmetry, and
architecture. In the year 1875 and 81
the church edifce was enlarged. and
from a square, assumed an oblong
form. 1t was not, however, destined to
become venerable edifce.
When the city was fired in 1776, soon
after the landing of Lord Howe, several
Episcopal churches, of which Trinity was
the largest and the Oldest, we're sacrificed
to the flames. The FIRE, however, did
not stop here, but ragged with the utmost
fury, destroying nearly one thousand
houses, embracing says a writer on
this subject, one fourth of the whole
place" The loss of church property,
by this fire, was said to be something
like E25, 600 Trinity lost an expensive,
and, if we may judge the quality by the
rebuilt, but in the summer Of 1899 owing
to a defect in the roof of the church,
caused, doubtless, by the pressure of
the snow upon II, it was determined to
take the building down, and in the sum-
mer Of the spnie year, the present mag
nifcent edIfc was begun, but was not
completed and opened for services until
May, 1916. In its early history Trinity
Parish needed help, and as a consequent,
was not able to aid others. But in the
year 1903, through the liberality of
Queen Anne, the " Kings Farm, was
made over to the parish, and became, in
course Of time, the renowned Trinity
Church Properly. OF its liberality, we
find as far back as the year 1745, the
record Of a gift 70 the Church of Rye, Of
4 communion pulpit and desk cloth.
Since that remote day, its donations to
needy congregations have been muni6-
cent and princely " The gifts. loans,
and grants of Trinity Church and we
quote from an able statisticiaD-'' rating
the lands at their present prices, (l847)
considerably exceeds two millions of
dollars" Many Of the now prominent
churches OF this city and the vicinity,
have been enriched through its liber-
,Ii,v. We may quote the following in
stances.
~; st Church, inelnd Dg Is 10 zoe
isosast. ste ehsn "a los % sss s
lsiz-is 81 &C., Ss lnc,no ng % JOS IzsSSS ~ y
lS7-ss--..-st. Bsrtho e,. : $500 400
IElI-ls Zon q -. --..''.''','-.'-... go
Its rectors have be, u IN e every eHse ss
scholarly and able men, an. ~ noIOeI
of Instances, have arrived at "e hig neD'
distinction. Many of the nam, Lsye
a familiar ring, as those Of tire ReE- :"f'
Vesey, its first rector and DR.. Bare,ay, /
who was appointed to that charge in 1746.
Among those who have been connected
with the church, at one time or another,
and upon whom the title and responsible
duties of Bishop have been conferred,
we may mention the names of Bowden,
Hobart-the founder of the Episcopal
College at Geneva, New York-Wain-
wright, and Brownell. Among its early
pastors was Dr. Charles Ingliss, who
throughout our Revolution remained
firm in his allegiance to Great Britain.
Being an ardent tory, it was his habit
to read prayers in the church for the
King and the Royal Family. Conse-
quently we are not surprised to learn
that at the time the city was occupied
by Continental troops, several Of
Washington's officers called on the
reverend gentlemen, and requested him
10 omit these violent prayers, but he re-
fused. The reply was characteristic of
the man. "It was in Washington's
power" be said, to shut up the
churches, but by 10 means in his power
to make the clergy depart from their
duty"
Together with this aneedOte, We recall