Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-27
THE INSIDE HISTORY.
Trinity and st. Peters Will
Have to Consolidate.
MACKAY TO BE THE RECTOR
They Could Not Take the 100000
and Keep Mr. Maxwell.
JENKINS TALKS ON THE TROUBLE.

Episcooalian circles are again stirred up
over the latest move in the Trinity Church
troubles. Rector Maxwell has resigned and
he was paid IS, 900 for doing it. His resigna-
tion will take effect on or before July. 1t
is expected that the Rev. W. r. Mackay
will be his successor, and will preside over
the united congregations of Trinity and St.
Peters.
The inside of the big fight at grand old
Trinity is just beginning to come out. Tie
latest explanation of it is that the vestry
feared they would lose the 100000 be-
queathed to Trinity by the late John H.
Shoenberger. The conditions of the beQuest
were such that they could not afford to ac-
cept. The will said the pews at Trinity
must be free and services must be held there
every day. Then all that was left was to
unite the parishes of Trinity and ST. Peters.
The vestrymen tried it, but it is said they
struck a snag at every turn. The congrega-
tion at st. Peters was welded to its pastor, and
Rector Maxwell would not accept position
under Rector Mackay.
BOTH REFUSED TO BUDGE.
The result was that both congregations bowed
politely TO each other. but both refused to give
in, and the only thing left for Trinity to get
rid of Mr. Maxwell. For some time matters
have been growing so bad that bur few of the
vestrv still attend the church and the congre-
CATION was constantly falling off. The case was
plainly laid before Mr. Maxwell. His only hope
Of success was that new board of vestrymen
would be elected who would favor him. The
vestrymen soon showed him that such hopes
had no foundation, and requested his resi- gna-
tion. After considerable bargaining Mr.. Max
well finally agreed to resign if the vestry
would pay him S., 600 and fix up the rental for
his house on Western avenue Last Monday
evening the bargain was closed an by July or
earlier a new rector will be IN Trinity
A DISPATCH reporter called at Mr. Maxwell's
home IN Allegheny last night, but he refused
TO be seen. a. E W. Painter, member of the
Trinity vestry was then called on. He affirmed
the report that MIR. Maxwell had resigned but
refused to say anything further.
T. c. jenkins, however, when seen, said he
would not talk, but afterward relented He
said: at is hard to tell who will be Mr.. Max
wells successor. The position would not seem
20 be an env1able one at present. l think Mr.
Maxwell has been shamefully treated. Tie
whole basis of the complicated troubles in the
church was John II. Shoenberger's beq uest.
WOULD LOSE THE MONEY.
"The vestry did not want to lose the SlOO OO0
but they could not take it, make the pews free
and hold services daily. 1t would require two
rectors to do the work. AT present the income |
of Trinity is only 5000 a year. If the pew
renting system is abolished the receipts will |
not be over 5000. 1t would be impossible to |
accept such a gift, and the only way to do it |
was to consolidate Trinity and St. Peters. St |
Peters would not come in unless their rector |
could be head man. Their only hope was to get |
Mr.. Maxwell out of the way, and he was re-
Quested TO resign. He refused and they could |
not force him to leave AS for the amount paid |
him to resign have nothing 20 say.
1t is now probable that the two congrega-
tons will be united. The congregation of St
Peters will sell their church and come to
Trinity, and Mr.. Mackay will be rector of the
united congregations. 1 have no idea who will |
be the assistant"