New-York tribune., 1903-03-15
LUCK OF, FAIRHAVEN.
III. II. Rogers Has Done Much for
1t, and Mag Do More.

A few weeks ago at gathering Of artists and
architects in this city church building was a
topic discussed, and the opinion was expressed that
ecclesiastical architecture had not made an ad-
vance corresponding with that Of some other de-
partments. While these men knew whereof they
spoke. If they desire to a group Of church
buildings that would make the prospect seem
brighter. they find 1t in the town Of Fairhaven.
down in the southeastern corner Of the State Of
Massachusetts, just across the river from the city
OF New-Bedford memorial church. said to be
the finest Of its size built IN America. is in
process OF construction there.
The group Of buildings is being erected for Henry
H Rogers, vice-presdent of the Standard Oh Com
pany, as a memorial to his mother, Mrs. Mary
Rogers. Mr.. Rogers was born in Fairhaven and
he has practically remade the town. 1t has been
Of his pleasures to give it character by erect
ing several handsome buildings well to
provide important public Improvements. He began
about fifteen years ago, when brick schoohouse,
known as the Rogers School. erected A few
years after the Millicent Library. built in memory
Of Miss MiIIicent Rogers. q daughter who died in
her teens, dedicated. Just across the street
from the library stands town hall. which is now
considered memorial to Mr. Rogerss first wife,
who died shortly after it was dedicated About
three years business block was erected at the
-Four Corners in the town. with lodgerooms on
the third floor. and this was given by Mr. Rogers
to the George H. Taher Lodge OF Masons-
The Rogers nome at Fort Phoenix, in the south
part of the is OF the Georgian style Of archi-
lecture, and is Of the places shown to every
visitor to Fairhaven It is bigger than most sum-
hotels and commands a view Of Buzzard 8
Rav Here in the summertime Mr.. Rogers loves to
gather his children, all Of whom are now married.
anc his grandchildren well. masking household
of nearly twenty. His daughters are Mrs William
E Benjamin. Mrs. Urban H. Broughton and Mrs
William r Coe. and mis- only son is Henry H
Rogers, jr.
The latest enrichment OF Fairhaven by Mr. Rog-
is the memorial group now building The
group consists Of a church, a parish house and a
parsonage Only the parish house is completed
II is built Of stone cut from q ledge at Fort
Phonix within two hundred yards Of the Rogers
mansion. The trimmings are OF blue limestone,
and mere many carved heads and gargoyles,
reproductions Of those found on Ely Cathedral. In
Cam5ridgeshIre. England. among the exterior deco
rations. Ornamental tracery windows Of white
limestone turrets and pinnacles and chimney pots
OF Gotta are a part of the scheme or ex-
terror establishment Isolated. the parish house
would be an attractive building, but standing be-
side the massive pile OF stone more ornate and
more dgnifed that will be the church proper when
completed in year it does not command
the attention il really merits
The buildings are fine examples Of Tudor archi-
lecture and the beauty Of the interior Of the
parish house is particularly striking. Carved dec
oratjons. profusion of panelling the walls nat
arches and shallow mouldings are notable features
The TWO large Of the building are the en-
tertannent hall, or Sunday school room. and the
dining room In the entertainment room are found
four full length figures OF angels carved in oak,
while there Is beautifully carved woodwork in the
panels. doors and wainscoting. Throughout the
building oak is the only wood used, except the
floors il the kitchen and scuIlery.
The building Will be enjoyed by a parish that
probably does not exceed sixty families. and the
average attendance at the Sunday services cannot
be greater than fifty. The Rev. William Brunton is
The present minister No one knows how much the
group buildings Will cost. Some one has guessed
Charles
ham, Of Boston, who is the architect. has COM
limited in the matter of cost AS the work is done
ty the day there IS no general contract by which
idea Of the cost can be obtained. The church
Is yet many months from completion. and half a
aozen stone carvers have been working for more
nan year on this part OF the work alone They
have Yet much TO 60.
e reduce to dollars and cents the expenditures
@ Place 10 live In n d IS ,s hard ,b problem n kGpgh 0Ey
Rogers School s75r"1. the Masonic Building $3.50
srd The Memorial Church sl.0occo, This makes a
Nv dw6ed bV the ibrarv and Is 6;Ie of its sources
nf This represents at least $lOOG1q and no
c.f.zen Of the town tell what Mr.. Rogers has
sgeI, since he has been superintendent OF streets
boast OF more macadam roads than any
Masza chusetts town four times its size The money
annual town meetings. Any property owner could
have curbing in front Of his house by paying for
mile OF granolthic sidewalk was laid on the
street that ends at Mr Rogers'S gate last sum sum
house: SET out along new streets and old
hdings that disigGred one Of III" princlpal
the legislature gives authority
Ti nliIIpond long blot on the towns beauty. VIII
not Yet. Mr. Rogers is working out character
for Fairhayen that Will make il a community OF
6ald e WIN q anS M a. am no om can
a-.rrf1 oh