The Evening critic., 1885-01-14

The old gray Church of the Epiphany,
plain yet imposing in exterior appearance,
fruitful in good works and famous in
American church history, was consecrated
to-day by the Right Rev. William Paret, for
eight years its rector and who selected this
as his first public official act as Bishop of
the Diocese Of Maryland.
Epiphany has assumed place at the
head of the list of local churches, far sur
passing all others In the number of bap-
tisms, marriages and burials aud in the
amount of parish work performed, and in
these respects it has become third in the
list Of Episcopal parishes In the United
States, surpassed In the amount of work
accomplished by only two churches and
these the two largest in the city of New
York.
Forty years have expired since tho doors
of Epiphany Church were first opened for
public worship.
In 1912 the original building, a rect
angle, now enlarged, remodeled and sur
rounded by additional structures, was COM
menced as a missionary enterprise, aud was
built by Mr.. Hardness, local architect,
the collection of funds and the success of
the movement being due IN great measure
to the efforts of the Rev. ]. w. French
who became the first rector OF the church
upon its completion in 1874, and whose I'M
firing zeal and unceaslng labors are com.
memorated in the memorial window in the
chancel.
From the autumn of 1874 until the yea
1856, DIR. French continued as rector, and
during the latter portion of his rectorship
the parish began to assume prominent
position among the city churches aud to
number among its congregation the lead
ing public men of the day and especially
officers of the Army and Navy. In 1856
DIR. French was appointed to the chap
laincy at West Point, and continued TO
serve in that capacity until his death.
His successor at Epiphany was the Rev.
G. II. Hall, now of Brooklyn, and who con
tinued as rector from 1856 to 1868. During
the second year Of his rectorship the first
material improvement in the architectural
appearance and dimensions of the church
was accomplished, and with the extension
and remodeling Of the structure began a
period Of prosperity and expanding useful
ness.
Under DIR. Hall the chuch passed through
the dark days of the rebellion. Its pew
holders included the leaders of both sides
at the outbreak of the war. Cabinet Off
GERS and Senators, admirals and generals
were prominent among its communicates,
and its membership during these years
embraces the names most prominent in the
history of the Nation.
DR.. Hall was succeeded in 1868 by DIR.
Starkey, now Bishop of Northern New
Jersey, and who was followed in turn by
the Rev. w. T. Watkins, now of New York,
| and who conducted the affairs of the par
isb from 1872 to 1876, and under whose
| rectorship the building assumed its present
| proportions and design, being remodeled,
| improved and extended in 1874. In 1876
| the Rev. VIM. Paret became rector, and dur
ing the eight years that have since elapsed
| tho history of the church is one of con-
\ tinued progress. Under DIR. Paret's rector
ship Epiphany emerged from the debt un-
| der which it had rested; its communion list
| and membership doubled and trebled; its
| charities increased with each succeeding
| year; its missionary efforts bore more
| abundant fruit; its services multiplied in
number and the church advanced in every
respect until its communion list shows
nearly fifteen hundred names, its attend
ance almost five times that number, and
| its annual confirmation classes averaged
over one hundred members, and its
statistics show almost daily baptism.
The attendance now includes many of
| the most prominent men in official, mill
| tary, naval, Congressional and social life.
The church has been eminently progress
i've in principle, leading in the adoption
of daily services and weekly communion,
expanding its dependent charities and in
situations and bearing very large portion
of the expense of diocesan missions.
Epiphany Church has witnessed the con-
secration Of two Bishops, Bishops Pinkney
and Paret. The list of burials from its
doors and by its clergy include the names
| of the honored dead of the Nation and the
loved ones of the city's homes.
The weddings at its chancel are famous
| in history and memorable in society, and of
those who were presented for baptism at
| its font early in the history Of the church,
| some have risen to high places.
The church has accepted the description
| of being old-fashioned High Church In
| tendency and usage, but the secret of its
| harmony and progress is doubtless to be
| found in the absolute manner in which dis
| sent and discussion as to churchmanship
have been silenced and excluded by con-
| formity to the liturgy and ritual in letter
and spirit and the conduct of service,
sacrament and sermon in q manner that
can offend neither the high nor the low
| churchman.
The Conservation Ceremonies.
The conservation ceremonies to-day were
| of the most impressive character. Shortly
before the appointed hour Bisho OPP Paret, in
| the robes of the episcopacy, met the clergy,
| representing all the local Episcopal churches
| and arrayed in their surplices in the San
| day-school room, and forming procession
under the direction of the Rev. Irving Nc.
| Elroy, master of ceremonies, marched to
| the main entrance of the church, where
| they were met by the vestrymen, consisting
| of Professor j. III. O. Coffin, General John
| q. Parke, Nathaniel Wilson, e. S. Hutch
inson, M. W. Beveridge, Calderon Carlisle
and Il. ID. Townsend, and tho wardens
Lewis j. Davis and VIM. Baldwin.
The procession then advanced up the
aisle, the Bishop and DIR. Hodges and others
who were to take part in the service lead
ing and followed by the clergy.
The Bishop lead the recitation Of the
Twenty-fourth Psalm as the procession
moved up the aisle by reciting the first and
alternate verses, while the clergy respond
ed by reciting the second, fourth and alter
nate verses.
The clergy in attendance represented all
the local Episcopal churches, and were all
provided with seats in the chancel. The
Rev. DR.. Townsend, Of the Church of the
Incarnation, read the service, assisted by
the Revs McElroy, Of Epiphany, and Ingle
of Ascension.
When the chancel steps were reached the
Bishop and others to whom part in the
services had been assigned assembled to the
chancel, and the Bishop assumed his chair
and called for the presentation of the in
stTuments Of donation and endowment.
The papers having been presented, the
Bishop delivered the prescribed exh0rta-
ton, that as devout and holy men have
I NnA A. IL 4. l.. -