The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-30
TWENTIETH CENTURY JUBILEE

NEW YORK, April 27.-Devout church
men are enthusiastic over the proposal
to make the beginning Of the twentieth
century the occasion OF u church jubilee
Ia ola Trinity
Trinity claims TO be the Oldest Episco-
pal place OF worship in this country. and
nearly every old Protestant family OF
America has had It's head worship there
at an early period Of the country his,
tory. The exact form OF jubilee IS not
determined but. II carried out, It Will
b historical, Oratorical ana choral
About once year for several years
past II has been the custom TO revive the
report that Trinity church was sinking
and that 10 was only a question OF time
before the old edifce would have TO be
torn down TO prevent its total collapse
a few days ago this old rumOT appeared
again. clad IN new garments, and once
more 1t can be east aside as an almost
baseless sensational report
While II is ttue that the construction
OF SO many sky-scrapcrs ia the vicinity
Of old Trinity has HAD an effect upon
the building this effect IS scarcely APP
probable and the expert builders who
were called upon TO examine the church
several years ago were able TO check the
ravages SO completely that not "a sign
collapse has since been detected. 1t Is
eafo 10 say therefore, that the old
church is safe for many years 10 come
and that this one relic of moderate am
tiquity will be left as long as the pres
ent generation Of lovers OF the historic
are alive 10 enjoy 81.
To New York city the history OF Trim
ity church is the history OF religion OF
piety of charity and of learning. While
a.. e.
the history OF some OF the great religious
structures Of the old country 10 the new
world such a stretch of time seems long
indeed. Even one hundred years ago
the church was referred 10 I'm official doc
uments as the Venerable Society" so il
IS not strange ~ to-day II is regarded
as one Of the greatest of our Antiquities.
Great as Trinity church is at the pres
ent time its beginnings were humble
enough. and the wealth that has since
been placed at the disposal Of the society
was more the result OF accident than on
account OF great foresight on the part OF
the wardens. Ncstrymen and re tors OF
the early days
When Trinity church was founded I'm
1891 during the rcign of William end
Mary. there was no Episcopal clergyman |
near enough 10 New York city 10 be able !
70 oflciate at lts altar so Mr.. William
NfttN Was NfNiN 90 AfiiAi ftAiN Nti't' i'' wv !
tanned holy orders and returned as the |
first rector OF tine parish. "A position he !
held for more than ffiv years. His sal |
airy was one hundred pounds year and |
stated fees for services that he might be |
called upon 10 perform. For instance |
for burying q man or woman he received |
i've pounds. for buryng n child over ten
years Of age his fee was two pounds ten |
shllings. and FOR burying an infant one |
pound I'VE. ills fee for performing a
marriage was thirteen shillngs. and 9TH
er services were arranged in proportion.
The church az that time was by no
means the stately odihce that now looks
down upon Wall street II was sman
square building with a modest stceple
but IL answered every purpose for many
years. In 1870 the work OF the present |
structure was commenced. for while |
in the years that had INTERVIEWED there
had been several buildings. one Of which
had been destroyed by fire; none had |
been particularly large OF attractive. "A
the times changed and he wealth OF the
society increased the need OF a more
commodious structure was felt and so IN
1899 II was voted 20 erect a church that
should stand for generations as q credit
10 the ilrst Eplscopalian parish IN New
York.
About eight years after the establish
ment Of the parish the corporation re-
reiycd the gift that IS now ard hos since
been tho basis Of as great wealth I'm
1905, when good Queen Anne was mis-
Ircss N Great Britain and Ste colonies
her vice regent in these parts. Lord |
rornbury. signed a deed patent ~ a tract |
of land then called the Qreon's Farm. |
extending along the west side Of Man |
haitian Island. from what Is now Fulton |
street 20 what Is now CHRISTOPHER street.
rms property was then merely a farm
Ind was not considered 20 be OF any |
treat value. Tor MS Of modern times n
las most interesting history apart from |
he fact that ~ r. now worth a great |
many millions - dollars
u Is The same farm or tract OF land |
granted by the Dutch governor. Van !
rwiller. 10 RoelOf Jams The heirs of |
lens sold these sixty-two acres 10 the 1
English government IN 1871 but the val.
fity OF this sale has had 20 be passed
ipon BY the courts within the past few
'sarA the HERR Of Annsks Jams claimips