Telegram-herald., 1889-10-31

believed 10 be the earliest church consecrated
by Bishop Seabury, the first bishop IN North
America The parish was founded in l93s,
small building being thrown up for worship.
Five years later second edifce was con
structed. This WAS burned by the British or
the morning they burned Norwalk, July,
1913. 4 temporary building was used for the
following two or three years, and finally the
third structure-the one cOnsecrated by
Bishop Seabury-was erected. This was used
until it was removed 10 make room for the
present building, erected in 1870.
One Of the early rectors Of st. Paul's was
Jeremiah Leaning, d. D., graduate Of the
class Of l745, Yale college. He resigned bis
pastorate in 1872, and was succeeded after O
few years by Rev. John Bowden, afterwards
bishop Of Connecticut and professor Of moral
philosophy and bellies lettres at Columbia col
lege, New York city. He received a salary
of fS5 year. Under his pastorate the church
building consecrated in 17S6 was begun, and
be set out the trees mentioned above.
Rev. George Ogilvie, son Of John Ogilvie
D. D., Of Trinity church, New York city, was
the next rector. The new church was com
pleted during his pastorate. In 1896 be re
signed, and was succeeded by DR.. William
Smith, a scholar and writer He was the au-
thor of the Office Of institution, the only
American office in the Episcopal book Of
prayer. Succeeding him were Rev. Henry
Whitlock; DR.. Bethel Judd, Of the class Of
1897, Yale college; Rev. Mr.. johnson, after
wards rector Of st. Johns church, Brooklyn,
y. y; Rev. Reuben Sherwood and Rev
Henry S. Atwater. During the pastorate Of
the .last named the custom Of solemnzing
marriage in the church was begun In 1881
Rev. jackson Kemper was offered the rector
ship. He filed the position until 1885, when
he was called to the missionary bishopric OF
the northwest. His wife lies buried in the
churchyard at st. Paul's Bishop Kemper
was succeeded by Rev. James c. Richmond,
Of Philadelphia, who remained less than @
year.
Rev. William Cooper Mead, d. d, also OF
Philadelphia, was called in July, 1896, and
continued rector Of the church until his sud
den death, July, 1873. 1t was largely under
his influence that the present ediice was
erected. His successor said Of him: Not a
building, not a wall, not q poling even is
standing which stood when be came hither
lie filed, and slaughtered, and paved, and
smOothed; he built, first the church. then the
walls, then the sheds then the walks. He
built Trinity chapel. South Norwalk, and
helped build at least two other churches in
this vicinity, and last Of ali he built his
tomb This j. located near the church. in
the beautiful grounds surrounding it, and a
square Of marble. with his initials marks the
spot where he died, on the piazza q the rec
tory, adjoining the church. After his death
Rev. Charles NJ Selleck. his personal assist
ant took temporary charge of the parish
was elected to the rectorShip in 1ssl, and re-
signed in lSS}. being succeeded by Rev How
ard Saxstone Clapp.
The interior of St Pauls church. IN which
the Gothic predominatcs. is tasteful and
beautiful. The furnishings and adornments,
from the crimson carpets on aisle and altar
l. the dark bearus of wood which form
the ceiling decoration, are well chosen and
harmonious To window behind the altar
Is a memorial presented by a wealthy family
connected with thc church. and the light fall
ing through is rich glass discloscs the figure
O., st. Paul an the ccnter. The communion
table. standing directly under thc window. is
made historic hy tlc Insertion in It's front n
the marble Sab which formed tho top * the
table used in tho OH church The cbancsl
rail is ~ brass with polished wooden bars.
Tho lectern. a Gothic eagle lectern. is one
which was on exhibition AZ tbs centennial In
1876. and Is unusual iy beautiful il vas
bought and presented in honor u Or Mead
But IS far the uost beautiful object In the
church is tie font, immortal ~ Dr Mesd
and has wlfe IL "a carved la hly devices. from
@ fine piece u white marble. aDd stands on =
black marble slab. the whole being about four
feet high Around its base are water lilies
aud leaves. and above them arc lilies u the
valley. fr,m which re stalks ~ the Gala.
ftan1ing Ir relief against the center column
q the font Around these stalks Is carved .
ribbon containing the names of Dr and Ms
Mead. The stalks terminate in proiuson
q Gala lines aud leaves. which DE around
the basin Tie font formerly used vas urn
shaped, and stands flied with growing
plants before TIE church door.
The sunday scnooi room. below is In
markell contrast to tie church ID is q
square, low ceied room. With white NaLs
al1 plain. every lsV windows Di fash
l-ued. straight facsei wooden benches are
here. ana ere Tai.s ar- tlng wIfa vivid cuts
# Bible sceres In This roora ere preserved
the GA reallug desk au8 chance. rail- Bsed
BEFORE Eercl-tlTuarT times These are
white. with . HffIe decoration n red I'D
r7d cushions lt IS Tlprrss1 that prayers f1r
the king were said over this desk ln front
e it stands tie Urtie communion tstie.
scarcely larger than e ch1is tea tahle used
at tne same time lt b. painted " 70. an1
covered Elrh slfae ~ IRE ola communion
Aneu. TIE western door = the church 81
80 ls sfla preserved s1i sn instrument far
pitching ya ture use5 Ia the c1uroh g
1872 is iu eEfstenrs
in the ve~rry are hung pictures ~ al TIE
snoTs cf tc4aefrir als room, viii -
/ Old fashioned windows aud It's snciert sra
and desks Las . decided fav-r = tie pss1.
/ th7ueh the papers grTe7gn goout stcvf taat