The sun., 1895-03-01
TWO HUNDRED YEARS OLD.
CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT
RYE COMMEMORATES.

The Parish 10 One OF the oldest In the
State-List OF the Firat wsrdens snd
Vestrymen who Were Elected Feb. rs,
1GOS-A Historical Sketch OF the Church
RYE. Feb. 2s.-There was q large assemblage
of church people In Christ Episcopal Church to-
day to attend the exercises commemorative Of
the first election of wardens and vestrymen Of
the church. which took place 200 years ago.
The exercises began at IL o'clock with pro-
cessional hymn. Holy communion was adj
ministered by Bishop Potter of New York, who
also delivered an address appropriate to the
occasion.
After the morning services the rector. the ven-
erable Archdeacon William W. Kirkby, ID. d.,
invited the guests about $50 In number, TO par
take OF lunch at the parish house The after
noon services began at 2:30 o'clock, when
Thomas L. Sherman, clerk of the yestry, read
an address, reviewing the history of the church
from its establishment 200 years ago to the
present time. Short addresses were MISC delv-
cred by the Rev. Chauncey B. Brewster OF
Brooklyn, the Rev. Lea Luqueer OF Bedford, the
Rev. Mr.. Howden, representing the parish Of
Mamaroneck, and the Rev. :. +. Holmes OF
North Castle.
Among the cergymen present were the Rev.
c. w. Bolton, the Rev. Reese +. Alsop, a former
rector of the parish, now OF st. AIMS Church,
Brooklyn; the Rev. Walter Mitchell of stam-
ford, Conn. the Rev. Mr.. Brugler of Port Ches-
ter, the Rev. w S. Coffee Of st. Paul's, East
New York city; the Rev. $. +. Graham OF Trim
ity Church, Mount Vernon, and the Rev. 4. X.
Harris.
The parish Of Christ Episcopal Church at Rye
Is one OF the Oldest in the state Of New York.
the suggestion of Gov. Fletcher passed an act
for settling Protestant ministers in four OF the
counties Of the province. In obedience to this
act the people of Rye were summoned by their
Justice. Joseph Theall to meet for tho election
OF church wardens and vestrymen. This meet
wardens and vestrymen were elected:
.Wardens-george Lane and John Brondige
Joseph Purdy, Timothy Knapp. mac6aiiah
Brown Thomas Merritt, Delirerance Brown,
To Col. Caleb Heathcote, more than 70 any
one else, 10 due the credit of having fostered the
Church OF England in this part OF the country,
English Society for the Propagation of the Cos
pei in Foreign Parts, formed in l70l. sent one
April. 1704. the Rev Thomas Pritchard. A. NJ,
arriyed arr In New York, having been appointed by
Propagation Society to ofiiciate in the parish Of
Rye. Gov. Corn bury forthwith issued his man
date for Mr.. Pritchard's induction, and the fol-
lowing month he assumed charge of the parish.
His successor. who may be regarded as the first
rector Of Rye. was the Rev. George Muirson.
States in 1903, as schoolmaster of the Gospel
Propagation Society; His brilliant attainments
and he was sent back to England strongly
recommended as a candidate for orders. He re-
turned to New York in 1905, having been or
that year. and Gov. Cornbury signed II mandate
for his induction of rector OF the parish church
OF Rye. Mamaroneck, and Bedford.
The people had been accustomed to worship in
the Town House. In l705 it was determined to
build u church. Col. Heathcote having promised
supply Of nail and hooks and hinges for the
doors and windows. 1t was decided to tax the
fice and on Feb: Is. 1906 it was agreed that all
male persons from 19 years and upward be
assessed at Acknowledgements per head In all charges
of the church was begun in 1704. IL was com
pleted in 1927, under the rectorship OF Mr. |
Jenney. Mr.. Muirson had died on Oct. l2. 17OS.
Prior to Mr.. Jenney's assuming charge the
Rev. Mr.. Reynolds came to Rye in October.
1903. and ofiiciated a few times, but for como
unknown reason the society removed him
REYNOLDS was superseded by the Rev. Chris |
topher Bridge, an English clergyman, who |
came to RE in January. 17lo.
Of Mr. on
l7lO A vacancy Of three years occurred be- |
tween tho death of Mr. Bridge and the Undue
Of this time the church was supplied by clergy
men from New York and other places. under the |
direction Of the Rev. Mr.. Vesey. but after this |
tn the % building appears to have been occupied by
In 1929 the Rev. Robert Jenney, chaplain of
the royal forces at New York, made rector |
Of the parish. On Dec 10, 1864, the parish was |
In 1870 the church was destroyed |
by fire. and there was no meeting Of the vestry |
until 1885. In April, 1888, the new church |
foundation was laid, and in 1904 the church |
was again destroyed by fire, and June o, |
1859. the present handsome editlce was conse- |
Grated by Bishop Potter.
After the exercises were over to-day an hour |
was spent by the visiting clergymen and guests |
In social intercourse. Those from New York re- |
turned on the O'Clock train.