The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-07
CHRIST CHURCH TO STAY
RESOLUTION TO CONSOLIDATE WITH
GRACE CATHEDRAL REsCINDED.
Two Members of the Vestry Resign
MIR. GraiiRn's ERort-ConfIFmatiO n
at Market-Street Temple.

buttons adopted two years ago for the con-
solidation of the parish with that of Grace
Cathedral, and that if Christ Church is re-
moved further up town it will be to erect
church Of it's own. The rector is very much
opposed to abandoning the historic church
on Monument place, although he regards
the present building as too small and cir
eumscribed to accomplish the good it ought
to, and with the permission Of the bishop
he will undertake between now and autumn
to raise $12, 600 to enlarge the chancel,
move the old building in the rear and build
a rectory between the church and the Co
lumbia Club. 1t was the idea of the rector
to raise u fund of $780, 900. $4,000 of which
was to be used in making needed improve
ments, and the remainder In forming the
nucleus of a permanent endowment fund
for the church. That the parish will nat
urally diminish as the years advance is re-
garded as certain, and some provisions must
De made to keep up the church. Mr.. era
ham believes that much good can be ac-
complished by church in this locality, as
it will be easy of access for people living
near the center of the city.
All these matters were talked over at
meeting of the vestry last Friday night,
at which he and Bishop White were pres
to his plan of raising 800 900 if possible be-
tween now and fall with the understanding
that if he failed the consolidation should
take place then. A motion authorizing the
rector to proceed was made by Louis How
land and seconded by w. j. Lowry. After
the fullest discussion the motion was tabled
and another adopted resembling all action
taken two years ago, so that Christ Church
stands just where it was before. The rec
tor believes that the church should remain
where it is providing the enlargement can
be made to the building. Otherwise he be-
lieves that it's usefulness will be badly cur
tailed, and thinks business reasons would
prompt the disposition of the property on
Monument place and the erection of a
church up town. For reasons that he did
not care to state the rector said that he
was opposed to consolidation with Grace
Cathedral, and that he could not consent
TO remain IN charge If the parishes were
united Mr.. Graham would be expected to
parish Of Grace Cathedral is small and
the understanding is that the vestry of
Christ Church would have practical control.
Mr.. Graham declared that two historic
ecclesiastical sins have been committed in
this city; the first, when consent was given
about the time Of the war for the establish
ment of a new church within three blocks
81 CHRIST Church, and the second, when
the guild hall Of st. Paurs Church was
mutt He declared that one of these
churches must move, as it is sinful and
unwise for them both to remain in such a
narrow field.
1T VIII be a seesaw and teeter between
ST. PauPs and Christ Church so long as
they are SO close together,' said he IF
we DO not remove st. Pauls will Our prop
erty is worth more, the location is better
the place iS historical If we stay, they
must move"
Mr.. Graham said that he was only speak
ing with kindly feelings for ST. Paul's
Church, but declared that business reasons
demanded that one of the. parishes re-
move. He said that he spoke so earnestly
because believed no
ish for Christ Church to remain where it
is unless steps were taken to enlarge its
capacity for usefulness.
Next Sunday, the rector announced Rev
CroZler e.. Adams, who was ordained yes
terday at his fathers church, st. Pauls of
Jeffersonville, is to come as the curate of
Christ Church. He will assist the rector
in the services and do what he can for the
strengthening of the missions. All this will
make additional expenses.
VESTRYMEN RESIGN
The determined stand of the rector in
favor of retaining the old church led the
eight members of the vestry who were at
the meeting Friday night, r. L. Talbot,
senior warden; Louis Rowland, junior war;
den; W. J. Lowry, clerk; Meredith Nichol-
son, w. A. Taylor, John Ferguson, w. A.
Van Buren, and D. T. Bacon to vote to ex-
punge from the records all resolutions for
consolidation with Grace Cathedral, as they
personal ideas as to the wisdom of this
course to balk the wish of the rector and
the parish. Mr.. Graham said yesterday
that four of the vestrymen had resigned or
indicated their intentions to so do with the
intention of removing to Grace Cathedral
parish Louis Rowland and Meredith Mich
olson have already handed in their resigna-
tons to w. j. Lowry, clerk of the vestry.
Doubt is expressed as to whether Bishop
White would consent to allow Christ Church
consolidating wi
Grace Cathedral, as the same conditions
would exist as between Christ and st. Paul
parishes at present. The result, 1t is said,
would simply be to shift the trouble. When
Bishop Knickerbacker died he left a bequest
of $4,000 to be applied to the erection Of
cathedral, providing 1t were done within ten
years, two Of which have already expired.
Bishop Whites idea has been TO unite the
two parishes, sell the Mounment-place
property-the upset price of which was fixed
at $50, 900 two years ago-and with the pro-
ceeds added to the bequest erect a cathe-
dral adequate for the needs of the growing
city. Those OF the Vestry who favored this
plan argued that most of the parishioners
live up town and already find it incon-
venient to come down town.
Mr. Graham asserted with considerable
feeling that there should be no criticism
whatever on account of the resignation of
members of the vestry, as they We're acting
as they thought it was their duty to do.
He insisted that the parish should not at
any time now or hereafter discuss this sub
iect as though there was any diSSenson or
bitterness existing, as the action of the yes
trymen was the result of honest differ
ence of opinion as TO the policy that should
be pursued
Mr. Graham has been i'll and was scarcely
able to appear in church yesterday. He
apologized for not preaching but said that
these questions were of such vital impor-
tance to the parish that they must be set
tied forthwith. A member of the Vestry
said yesterday that Mr. Graham was one
of the hardest working men he had ever
known and that he deserved credit for what
he has done for the parish.
MR. NICHOLSON'S STATEMENT.
Mr. Meredith Nicholson, one of the YES
trymen who resigned said yesterday:
MY resignation from the vestry of Christ
Church had been forecast to the rector sew
eral weeks ago. 1t must be clear to the
minds of all who are familiar with the af-
fairs of the Episcopal Church in Indianap-
oils that 1t has barely held its own in years.
The two downtown parishes have for a
long time been at a standstill. so far as
numbers and influence in community are
concerned. To-day in a city of over 10000
population, we have about LOO commune
cants. distributed in four parishes. great
field in the region lying about told) seventh
street is practically untouched by the Epis-
copalians. Now is the time to extend the
influence of our church in this region.
Members of the downtown churches can
not in view of the slow growth of our
communion in Indianapolis and the impera-
tive need of seizing the advantage at once
much their personal comfort. The position
of the Cathedral site at Seventh and Cen
trail avenue is not the most fortunate, but
il is there, and must be the principal CEN