The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-08-05
RITES OF CONSIDERATION.
SOLEMN CEREMONIES AZ TRINITY
CHURCH., BERGEN POINT.

Sketch of the SOciety's Growth During
It's Thirty Years of Vigorous Life
Death of a Former Rector, DE-
Zahriskic Gray.
The conservation Of Trinity Protestant
Episcopal Church, Bergen Point, was
conducted yesterday forenoon by the
Bishop of the Diocese, the Rev. Thomas
A. Starkey, assisted by the Rev. DR..
George Herbert Walsh, of New York; the
Rev. DR.. j. Carpenter Smith, rector of st.
Georges Church, Flushing, Long Island
the Rev. William S. Langford, of New
ark, and the rector of Trinity Church, the
| Rev. Harold Arrowsmith. The altar was
artistically decorated with a profusion of
flowers and ferns.
At eleven O'Clock every seat in the
church was filled. Soon afterwards the
solemn ceremonial began with the singing
of the professional hymn. Then the
out OF the yestry and slowly up the centre
aisle, repeating alternately verses of the
Tw~enty-fourth Psalm. Arriving at the
altar they sat down at either side.
The Bishop, sitting in his chair, was
presented with the instruments of dona-
ton and endowment. He then arose,
and, in accordance with the ritual of the
Episcopal Church, briefly explained the
object of conservation which was followed
by prayers having the same significance.
The sentence of conservation was read
by the Rev. Mr.. L%angford, and the docu-
munion table. After a brief prayer by
the Bishop and reading of the service for
the day, the communion service was be-
gun
Following the singing of hymn gu the
Rev. j.. Carpenter Smith, s. 4. D. assembled
the pulpit n took as the subject of an
admirable sermon part of Solornon's
prayer at the dedication of the Temple.
Holy Communion followed and then q
brief prayer by the Bishop, with the final
blessing and singing of hymn 1911, con
cluded the conservation services. The
music was particularly fine, as it always
is under the efficient direction of Prof.
William Wilde.
The Rev. Harold Arrowsmith, rector of
the parish for about six years, was for
Inerly assistant rector of a church in New
York. He is of medium height, slender
build and clean shayen-a typical Episco-
pal minister. During his pastorate the
greatly esteemed by all who know him.
In Trinity Church congregation are some
of the Wealthiest families of Bergen
Point.
The first meeting towards the organiza-
ton of Trinity Church was held at the La
Tourette House on July IA 1889, and a
committee was appointed on Sunday,
July "a. The first service was held in
what was then the District Schoolhouse,
OF Dodge street, for many years until re-
Gently occupied as q police station. The
organization of the church took place
August IL following.
BY the vigorous efforts of the small
congregation the first church, a frame
building, was ready for occupancy by
June, 1860. The land upon which it stood
was given by Captain David La Tourette,
deceased, father of the David La Tourette
who is now one of the officers of the
church. He also gave 5000 towards the
David La Tourette supplemented his
fathers gift by adding another piece of
land, and still another was
given by Mr.. and Mrs. Scion
Humphreys. This lot of ground
consisting of a beautiful lawn of over
three acres in extent, and bearing large
forest trees Is said to be the finest in the
diocese. The church cost $1,000, exclu-
sive of the lumber, which was the gift of
John Van Buskirk, of Constable Hook.
At q cost of $1,000 more, given by the late
MI. j. r. Schuyler, the church building
was enlarged and decorated in 1878.
About a year after, and shortly before
Chistmas, the church was one morning
totally destroyed by fire.
The only relic preserved is the bell,
which was cracked in the fall to the
ground. What looks like a vase on the
Fifth street side of the church, is this bell
inverted and set ON a pedestal.
The corner stone of the present beautiful
edifce was laid May 8, 1880. Until the
original design is carried out, which in
cludes a tower, the full beauty of the
church will not be seen.
The members of the present vestry are
as fo~llows;-Wardens, Scion Humphreys
and Henry Meigs; vestrymen, David
La Tourette, G. *. Hitchcock, George w.
Yates, Alfred w. Booth, J. Conner Smith,
D. H. Rowland and A. w. Lawton.
The Rev. Dr.. George zsbriskie Gray, a
former rector of the church, died yester-
day at the Pavilion Hotel, Sharon Springs,
N. Y, after a protracted illness. During
the conservation services Rector Arrow
smith, with deep feeling, referred to Mr..
Gray as being very i'll, and probably pass
ing away then. DIR. Gray was born in
New York city, July IA, 1883. He leaves
O widow, two IONS and O daughter. The
funeral will take place at St. Thomas
Church, Fifth avenue. and Fifty-third
street, New York, on Wednesday at ten
q, M. -.Nr