The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-20
DR.. Lyons
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lives and labors for the Master. at the
advanced age of four score and seven
years.
May God continue his blessing TO him,
grant him n glorious sunset of lifc and
after, an abundant entrance iuto His
eternal kingdom OF happiness and rest
During the months succeeding, the SER
vices of tho church and the needs of the
people were provided for by clcrgymen
from Wilkes Barre and other places. In
considering the call of "A successor, the
choice rested between the Rev Henry G.
Potter, q young clergyman of Phladcl-
phia, son of the bishop of Pennsylvania,
and the Rev. W. G. Robinson. of Nor
wich. Conn, both of whom possessed
qualities of heart and mind which at
tracted the regard of the church people,
and each OF whom had strong advocates
among them for the rectoratc. The Sc
lection settled upon the Rev. Mr.. Robin
son. and our parish perhaps lost the
| record Of having furnished one of the
strongest and most influential bishops in
the United States.
Rev. Mr.. Robinson assumed the rec
torate on February I, 1859. and minis-
tered to his people as pastor until Dccem-
her !. 1862.
Unfortunately. tho records of his SER
vice are quite meaErc but the words Of
his people of those days. who are yet
with us, arc very eulogistic OF his work.
which has followed him with influence for
good to this generation.
1t is to the credit of the vcStry that
they wasted little time in calling new
rector. and on the 25th day of January.
1863. the Rev. a. a. Marplc, of Wcllsboro,
assumed the office
Doubtless a church without a debt is a
matter for wonder, as well as for con-
graduation. and it is pleasant to know
that St. Luke's debt WAS comparatively
small. only amounting to about 5000 at
this time. and was entirely discharged
before the close of the year. The rapid
growth of the citYs population. from
1900 in 1850 TO upwards of 2O.WO In 1861,
demanded more extended church facili-
| ties, and the cnCroachment of business
and business houses. and the increased
membership of the church, demanded a
larger church ediiice in n new location.
The rector began efforts among his peo-
pie to that end and the women of the
parish. always first and most energetic
in church work. had uD to july i. lsb'.
| raised the sum of $500. which they m
vested in United States bonds. for church
| building purposes. as beginning In the
| meantime, measures were taken to secure
| "A new location. Sites on Spruce street.
| on Linden street, the southeast corner or
| Washington avenue and Mulberry street.
| and the present location on wyoming
| avenue. were considered. the selection
| finally falling on the latter.
The I.ackawanna Iron and Coal COM
| pany generously offered to donate lots
| at either place. The present site was
| largely chosen because of the belief OF
! tho veStry it was, ana would ne, inc
more central and prominent location.
Ground was broken for the church on
| the 9TH day of July. 1866 on plot or
Lac FnT
| depth.
Before the close of November following.
| the walls were laid to the water table
| and covered over for the winter. Those
| of us who in succeeding years have seen
| the difficulties contendcd with in the
| foundations of building in the area
| bounded by Adams and Wyoming ave
nucs. and Spruce and Linden streets.
where in former days Il marshy lake ana
running streams held sway. may form
| some conception of the trouble and cost
Of the foundation of the church.
1t was the first large structure to be
| erected in that portion of the area where
| marsh and water were more aboundanl'
| and the foundation work was necessarily
very expensive. 1t is said its cost. to the
| water table. was above $4,000
| The cornerstone was laid by the bishop
| OF the diocese, Rt. Rev. William Bacon
Stevens on the 9th day of October. 1869.
| at which time addresses were made by
the bishop the Revs. b. j. Douglas X.
| Il. Dunno. and the rector.
The design of this beautiful building.
now complete. and capable of seating 800
| persons, was by Messrs. r. & r. Nj. Up
| john. architects. of New York a firm
which had the highest reputation, per-
| haps. as ecclesiastical architects In the
United States.
Work was pursued upon the building
| Il, ri, hat nd ba
| but a very serious strike of the mine
workers. in 1869, affected so disastrouslS
| the business and energies of the COM
munity that it ceased until June, 1870.
Then it proceeded slowly. but steadily.
until July, 1871. when the building
reached "A condition for use. The first
service was held in 1t on Sunday. July
.. 1871, and Bishop Stevens ofticiated as
rector The tower had been carried to n
| height of fifty-tive feet and work rested.
| In the belfry, the small bell which had
| served the Penn avenue church was
| placed, and thereafter used Some the
| windows and furnishings of the church
We're supplied partly by the efforts of the
ladies, and the chancel window and four
side windows given each by Mrs.
| Sprague. Mr.. liackey. DR.. Throop,
| George l.. Dickson and j. &. Burgess. as
memorials to loved ones in Paradise. The
cost of the church up to that time was
| something more than 100000 and the
debt upon II somewhat less than $4,000.
| Provision was made to carry this by
| bond and mortgage, and notes of hand,
| at heavy interest, and. as is the case
with church obligations especially, II
| bore with its accretions, heavily upon
the parish, until finally discharged in
| 1891.
| Ii is not intended. if indeed it were pos
| sble. to embody in this sketch the many
| items and details of the parish life, 1t is
| enough TO say that while there We're
| many disbursements to contend with
and bear, both by rector and people, pro-
\ gress. both spiritually and temporarily,
was made under the love and guidance
of the Rev Mr., MARBLE, the pastor, He
| was active and faithful in every way, i'm
| the interests of his flock: gentle and kind
| in his intercourse with them and all
| people, partaking with them of the joys
| and sorrows which are so common to all.
| comforting at the bedsides of the sick
ana dying and always ready to aid the
| afflicted and needy. On NOV. !, 1877, he
resigned his rectorate, which comprised
| period of fourteen years, with the re-
| grot of the entire community,
| At that time the population of Scran-
| ton was In the neighborhood of iO0 900
| souls. ana the membership of the church
| and its activities had gTown, hut hardly
| commensurate with the growth in popu-
| lation. The great activity of the rector
| in Christian work in the community.
doubtless deferred, somewhat. activity
| on the part Of the laiety, yet the Or
Ganizations of the Ladies' society, ana
| the Parish union aided largely In the
| good works Of the rector. the light of
which shines unto this day.
| After some earnest consideration OF the
| SuccessorShip, a call was extended to the