The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-03-02
A WORTHY WICHITA WORK.
A Touch From Old Rip Van Wrinkles Sleepy
Hollow ana Church There and Here.

neither the Episcopal congregation, nor a
bright city, like this, could afford to have,
what might be so easily rendered an at
tractive ornament. fall into decay and
ruin, and all for the want of a responsible
materializing nucleus, or an energetic and
comprehensive leadership. There was
no particular expectation that our
words, like apples of gold in pictures
of silver would prove fifty spoken. They
were but the reflex of our unfagging pride
for beautiful Wichita and of our abiding
faith in the taste, generosity and enter
prise of her substantial people. Our words
seem to have commended themselves,
however, to not only many rejecting citi-
zens but to the active membership of St.
Johns congregation, who more than the
average citizen must regret the unfavor-
able impression that such an imposing in
completeness must leave on the mind of
every visitor to the city. That it could be
speedily finished and made complete in
tower and IN steeple, in chancel and in
basement, in window. altar and porch,
there is no question.
Subsequent to our article Rev. John E
Won Herrlich was offered the Rectorship
which was by him accepted. Now we
| learn that night before last meeting was
held at the home of Major Powell where,
| when assured of the hearty work and sym
Dathy of their new and energetic Rector,
itwas resolved to appeal to the good peo-
| pie of Wichita for lift in the completion
Of that which must prove an added NUM-
cipal no less than a religious attraction.
| This unfinished church which was de-.
signed with the outlines and accessories
of cathedral. if finished, would go far to-
work of the new diocese which must
soon be erected for South Kansas.
| Taken in this view alone and it would
seem warrant and incentive enough for
every man in Wichita to contribute from
one hundred cents TO one hundred dollars
each. That the great work can be quickly
| and thoroughly done by those most inter
ested we have not the least doubt if they
but go at it In the proper spirit and with
the proper energy.
And there is another factor to be util-
lied and which is of the greatest impor-
lance, and that is the faith, experience
and activity to be found in the person of
the newly chosen rector, the Rev. John F.
Won Herrlick, who seems not only An op-
timist and a poet, but a cosmopolite of
wide experience, which experience
has been marked with not a
few bright successes Seemingly
willing, and enthusiastic far beyond the
conservatism of the average Episcopal
divine, he apparently not only waits but
desires to be utilized in such proud work
Educated in the Columbia college of New
York City for the law, but convinced that
he could do more for humanity in the
church, a fluent aud logical speaker,
bright and attractive socially, imbued
with the western way of doing things,
afraid of nothing, it is in him not only to
lead on to the completion of that fine
church but to become a great factor for
good in the community, and he has our
unqualified sympathy in his ambition to
thus take hold, to stir up and
to accomplish. His first parish was the
Irving Memorial church, Tarrytown, on
the Hudson, that Sleepy Hollow of Wash
ington Irving, that inspiration of Joe
Jefferson, that haunt Of old Rip Van
Wrinkle himself, out of which relapsed
precinct Won Herrlich raised $4,000 and
saved the memorial edifice. But so slow a
place could not long hold one of such san
guine fervency and hopeful cheer, and we
next find him the accepted and successful
rector of St. Pduls in Sacramento, where
the western boom caught him, or rather
his patrimony.
But We have said more than we started
out to say. by one half, our only excuse
being hearty desire to see that church
edifce finished up in all its fine proper
,tions and with artistic completeness, a de-
sire that we feel confident is shared by
every well-wisher of the city, and which
must especially impress every property
holder and business man who appreciates
the depressing influence impaired by in
completeness noticeably by unfinished en-
terprises of such like worth.