Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-14
Rector of Grace Episcopal Church
in Cedar Rapids Steps Out.
Is WELL KNOWN AMONG OTIUMWANS
4 Has Occupied Passionate for Fifteen
YsaTsiTWas at One Time Promi.
y hehtt Candidate for the Office of
7 Bishop Against Bishop Morrison.

oICumWd members OF the Episcopal
church as well as many others in this
city Will be surprised to learn of the
resignation of DR.. Thomas e. Green
from the rectorship of the Grace Epis-
copal church in Cedar Rapids. Rev.
Green is well known to large number
OF Ottumwans, having spoken in this
city on various occasions, and he has
always been heard here with the great
est enjoyment. Rev. Green is one of
the most prominent men in the Episco-
pal church circles of the state and
was a few years ago a prominent can
dldate for the office of bishop against
Bishop 7. N. Morrison. Concerning
his resignation the Cedar Rapids Re-
publican of this morning says:
Rev. DR.. Thomas e. Green, for fif-
teen years rector of Grace church in
this city, has rendered his resignation.
This will be learned with sincere
feeling of sorrow, not only by the
members of DR.. Green's own congrega-
ton and intimate friends not concern
ed with the church, but by Cedar Rap.
Ids as a city, by those who have long
admired the personality, the earnest
ness, the great work. the indomitable
spirit of the man.
DR.. Green's resignation, if accepted,
is to take effect June Is. The first
notification of Dr. Greene's desire to
resign was made last night at
meeting of the vestry, and the matter
received considerable discussion, all
however in the nature of protests and
expressions of regret at the Doctors
decision. The meeting held session
until late in the night and at its con-
clusion committee was appointed to
consider and to take action upon the
resignation, this committee to make
Its report at another meeting of the
,Nestry to be held Saturday evening,
The committee consisted of Messrs.
Jas. l.. Bever, j. H. Smith, r. T.
4 FORBES, O. w. Lyman and c. G. Green.
1t is probable that the report of this
committee and the action taken will
be formally announced to the congre-
cation on Sunday morning.
Good Record in Cedar Rapids.
A glance at the record made in
church work by Doctor Green since
taking charge of Grace church fifteen
years ago shows a state Of affairs
characteristic of his energetic life. The
church had been without a rector for
more than year, On account Of the
resignation of the former rector, Rev.
Samuel Ringgold, who was compelled
to give up his work here on account
OF i'll health, and, seek q. milder eli
mate. The congregation, at the time
. of DR.. Green's call was accommodated
in the old church building, now known
rs the chanel 1t was not long before
it became evident that greater accom-
modatioI. would be necessary for the
,,l hi two, Of
ter Dr. Green's coming, the new
church building, costing over $4,000,
and one of the finest structures in the
city. was erected.
Shortly afterwards the vested choir
was installed, and has steadily grown
and improved until now it is known
as one of the finest in the United,
States. Since the time of his coming
to take charge OF the work there DR..
Green's congregation has trebled. An
other line of church work in which he
has been greatly interested and which
has added in a large measure to the
strength of the church and its effect
iveness. was the organization of the
various guilds, each one taking active
charge of some one branch of the
church work and striving to improve
1T.
ST Luke's hospital within the past
year improved until it is now one of
the very best institutions Of its kind
in the state, has been assisted mater
tally through the efforts OF DR.. Green.
1t is recognized throughout the
church that the Sunday school of
Grace church has in these years shown
a growth both in NUMBER and work,
that is remarkable DR. Green's recog.
milton of the Grace Church Mems club,
composed of the male commandments,
has also proved a Strengthening factor
in the church work.
AS an Orator.
His efforts have not been confined to
his own congregation. He has been a
moving spirit in innumerable benevo--
lent movements in the city. His abil-
ity as rector needs no stronger argu-
ment than that since his opening here
fifteen years ago, his congregation has
worked in hearty accord with him, and
has at all times stood unanimously
with him. His reputation as an orat-