Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-25
DR.. TOWNSEND'S SUCCESSOR
Rev. Mr.. Snyder to Be the Rector of
Incarnation.
A Promotion for the Assistant at the
Church of the Ascension-
Sketches of the Men.

Arrangements have been contaminated
within the past three days whereby
one Of Washington's Protestant Episcopal
churches will lose it's rector and another
church of the same denomination its assist,
ant rector. The former is the Church Of the
Incarnation. Rev. Israel T. Townsend. s. T.
D.. rector. and the latter the Church Of the
Ascension, Rev. William Tayloe Snyder as
sistant rector. DR.. Townsend has contem-
plated resigning for some time, and for that
reason the vestry of Incarnation has been
casting about for a successor to the doctor.
About month ago they thought they had
one in the person of Rev. c. W. Bispham,
but a hitch occurred. and Mr.. Bispham ac-
cepted instead the call to Trinity Church,
New Haven. Since then they have made
other efforts. and last evening both Dr.
Townsend and Rev. Mr.. Snyder confirmed
the report to Star reporter that they had
succeeded. Mr.. Snyder is appointed assist
ant rector OF Incarnation. with the right OF
succession to the rectorship. This practi-
cally means that he is to be the rector, as
Or. Townsend is not only contemplating ten
dering his resignation to the vestry, but has
already made up his mind to do So When
1t was known two or three months ago that
DIR. Townsend thought of leaving reports
were heard that the old trouble in the con-
sreeatlop. which resulted in number of
the members leaving two or three years ago
mad come up in the shape Of another split
but this Is not true. as two reasons entirely
foreign to any such state of affairs, have led
10 the calling of new rector. The first is
that the doctor still feels very deeply the
loss of his wife. less than three years ago
ana the other is that, In consequence of his
being a man well up in years. the church
mas somewhat dwfndled in membership. and
there Is need OF young man at the helm
When the Change Will Occur.
DIR. Townsend has not definitely stated
uha he will I,,t
in about two months from now he will
go to live with a daughter I'm Brooklyn. 1t
is also uncertain when Mr.. Snyder will
sever his connection with Ascension, but
this is expected to happen a week or SO
after Easter. The question las been left
for the decision of Rev. DR. John f. Ell
lott rector OF Ascension, but he will hard
~ consent to part with Mr.. Snyder, who
is popular with both rector ard congresa-
ton, before the time mentioned. The
retiring rector Of Incarnation from his
long connection With the church and the
known figure in local church circles He
is native Of st. Johns. New Brunswick
but received his collegiate education al
Columbia College. New York. and his theo-
logical training at the General Theological
seminary in the same city. His first
parish was Grace Church, Cherry Valley
New York, where lie stayed few years
ana then removed in succession to ST.
c%iieS Shuich, i'AH'llie, Conn: Trinity
Church. jacksonville. ILL.,: st. Pauls
Church. Peoria. ILL.,, from which place he
came TO Washington and the Incarnation
tWenty-one years ago. The incoming rec
tor Rev. William Tayloe Snyder, was born
and raised in the District, where his FAM
lily is well known, and received his edu-
cation here. He studied law and p-acticed
before the local bar for some time, but
aftcrward concluded TO take orders and re-
oeiEed as his first position in the ministry
me assistant reciorate Of St. Johns
Church, Rev. DIR. George William Doug
las then being rector. At ST. Johns he
mad charge of st. Mary's Mission, since
identified with work among the coIored
people. He went to Ascension i'm 1892 and
mas remained there ever since The
church of the Incarnation is located on the
corner of 18th and n streets.