The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-01-31
TRINITY CHURCH.
Opening Services in The New
Building.
The DEBT WIPED OUT---$4,264 so
RAISED.

Yesterday morning the first services were
held in the new Episcopal Church, which has
gone up amidst much tribulation of building
com mittees, and altar committees, and stained
glass window committees, and has caused
in its appearing much demolition of straw
berries and oysters for the good of religion.
The church is at last completed, beautiful
little gothic edifce beautifully appointed,
with altar, pulpit and reading desk of black
walnut, aud suffused within By rich blend
ing of colors from light admitted through
stained glass, with scriptural efigies wrougn'
/ in many colors thereon. After the reg
morning services, including some espeoiaiiy
excelIent singing BY the efficient church
obo;- Rev r. |. Holcomb, rector OF Trinity
no-;sb preached a sermon from v. II,
| : % of Genesis "This is none other but
the house of God, and this is the Gate OF
Heaven in which sermon he sdverted to
the building of this church aud COM
mended the liberality Of the community,
built.
He then rehearsed some interesting facts
concerning the history of the Episcopal
Church in Rock Island, as follows
The earliest records of the church here
had been lost, but tradition asserts that the
first Episcopal service was conducted by
Bishop Chase in 1887 or 1888, and that
thereafter missionary services were held oc-
csslonslly until lS4S, when church was
organized with Rev. Mr.. Stafford in charge.
The first vestry meeting on record was held
in 1858. In 1854 Rev. Mr.. Goodsle became
the rector, and continued acting IN the ca
pacity until 1851, when he was succeeded
BY MIR. Stanley. In 1857 lot on Orleans
street was purchased and in March 1858 the
sum of $500 was raised for putting up
church The binding was forthwith com
menced and completed in June. Then
the church lsuguished-the pastorate be
came vacant-and the mem bers, dishearten
ed, dared do nothing beyond calling for mis-
ionary aid.
In 1861 Rev. Mr.. Magill presented him
self and entered upon the duties of rector
without receiving call, which was after
wards extended to him. The first church
festival was given this year, and the pro
ceeds, Sl04, were devoted to repairs on the
building. In September of that year there
we're "a commandments but few months
saw the number decreased TO 2l. Again
the records are lost-the rector disappears
and parish life seems to have faded out.
On the 18th of May, 1865, Rev. Mr..
Brooke. the faithful minister Of Christ.
crossed over the river from Davenport and
held divine service in Rock Island. He con
tinued the practice of holding services once
"a day. and, to him, more than to any man
is the church indebted for the work which
! has been accom- plished in our midst.
( He detailed the difficulties that have stood
in the WAY of the parish in the construction
I OF Trinity Church.
! From 1868 to 1869 the number of com.
municants increased from % to so, and the
Sunday School from q very few TO 100. Now
there are - commandments and 1873 Sunday
School scholars.
! Mr. Holcomb regretted that the church
could not be consecrated on the opening
day, but the laws Of the diocese forbid the
conservation of church till the debt
removed from the building. The question
then arose when should the final effort be
made, and why not make it now?
The financial statement OF the treasurer
was then read "a fnlloHS.