New-York tribune., 1902-11-02
FIFTY-TW VOICES.
THE NEW VESTED CHOIR OF THE
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST.
THOMAS.

A number of changes have taken place in St
Vhomas's Episcopal Church, at Fffth-ave.
and Fifty -thrd-st.. in the last twelve months
1t is a little than twelve months since
the rector the Rev DR.. Ernest MiltmOre Stires,
formerly Of Grace Church, Chicago accepted
Me call to the church, OF which the Rev. DR.
Morgan was for so many years the preacher
and whose successor, after his death. was the
Rev DIR. John Wesley Brown.
Under Drs Morgan and Brown the choir OF
ST. Thomas's was a mixed one. directed by
George William Warren When DR.. Stires be
came rector in September, 1901, the old choir
master had been removed by DEATH and the
present director w. c. Macfarlane. had taken
~Sarge. With rector in the pulpit, and
other changes, the vestly of st. Thomas S con-
lluded to make change in the choir and, In
conformity with the ideas of DR. Stires vested
choir of men and boys was organized BY Pro-
fessor Macfarlane. The organization Was begun
about the time that DR.. Stres went on his sum-
rner vacation. That organization has recently
been perfected, and on the return of Dr. Stres
she entire choir, consisting of ffty-twO trained
voices, reported for duty. They had been drilled
in the summer months. The organization OF this
choir made changes necessary in the arrange
rpent of the chanceI The curtains have been
removed from the stalls, and the vested choir Is
Sow conspicuous from all parts OF the audi
Norium and galleries, which have a seating
capacity Of 1900. II Is expected that before
bong choir school, taking as a model the
English cathedral choir school, will be organ
bed, thereby putting the music OF the church
N a lasting foundation.
Professor Macfarlane, who has been Organist
and chormaster of St. ThOmass for three years
has gathered together in a short space of time
q body of voices with strength of tone and
precision of attack.
The soIoists are: Master Arthur Bradley
soprano; Master Douglas Matthews, contralto;
Frank Van r. Bum. tenor; Oley Speaks, bass
and Alfred f. TOumn harpist. G. Darlington
Richards is the assistant Organst. Under its
young rector the work of st. ThOmas's parish
has prospered exceedingly and the old church.
with it's traditions, shows renewed vitality and
promises to make its influence for good felt for
years to come.
St Thomas's congregation includes many well
known New Workers. 1t the church Of
Governor Flower and of Mayor Strong, and it
was in st. Thomass that the Vanderbilt we'd
ding and also the second wedding of President
Harrison. took place. The present wardens are
George Macculloch Miller and James Fargo
The vestrymen are Anson II. Flower Henry H.
Cook. Clarence NJ. Hyde, Charles II. Stout John
IT Atterb,ry. IL. 9. Fahnestock. Alexander NJ
IIadden. James T. Woodward and u. O Mills
James c. Fargo is treasurer and Charles II
Stout clerk. The curates the Rev DR. De
Witt l.. Pclton and the Rev William H. Owen,
jr The vicar of the chapel in East Sixteth-s st
IS the Rev. Robert Il. Claiborne, who went to
the chapel at the same time that the Rev. DR..
StiIes became rector. The curate at the chapel
is the Rev. Robert w. Cochrane-