New-York tribune., 1905-07-23
MERGER ENDS STRUGGLE
Church of the Epiphany Joined soith
Church of st. Natthe1C.

Having been formally sanctioned by Bishop Fred
erick Burgess and the necessary legal papers
drawn up, the consolidation of the Church OF the
Epiphany and the Church of st. Matthew. of the
Protestant Episcopal Diocese Of Long Island, VIII
become assured fact soon as the courts nave
given the necessary permission This merger
which IS considered to be mutually advantageous
to both parishes. unites church which in four
years would have celebrated golden jubilee. but
which, through a disadVantageous location, has
kept back in Its growth, and one of the young
er churches of the diocese. which occupies an ex-
cellent field but has been hampered in its work by
a troublesome debt
Already in conformity with the conditions Of
the merger the wardens and vestrymen of the
Church of st. Matthew, which is 10 be the name
of the consolidated parish, have been chosen Inc
wardens Charles A. Peck of the Church OF
St Matthew and Orrin d. Person, Of the Church
of the Epiphany. The vestrymen are Alexander
D. Henderson and Louis S. Waring, of the Church
of St Matthew, and w. II. Bridgman, of the
Church OF the Epiphany. to serve until 1901; Joseph
Barrett and Cornelius B. Demarest, Of the Church
OF st. Matthew, and Andrew Peters, or the Church
of the Epiphany. to until 1906 and Harry NJ
O. Vedder of the Church of ST. Matthew. and
James l. Ridgeway and William T. Matthews, OF
the Church of the Epiphany. for the UneXpred
term of the present year. which ends with the first
Monday after the first Sunday in Advent
The idea Of the merger originated with The Kew.
Dean Richmond Babbitt. who died on FRIDAY.
While he was rector of the Church of the Epiphany
he cleared off $4,000 of the debt 1t was his aim
to get the parish on a paying basis put seVeral
months ago he taken i'll, and had 10 submit
to an operation, which afforded but temporary re-
lief The Church OF st. Matthew had been look
ing around for site for church for some
time The congregation is not large and Dr. Bah
bitt conceived the idea of urting the Two PARISHES
and making strong church. untrammeled Dy
debt The Rev DR.. F. w. Norris, of the church
Of St Matthew. was consulted, and he fell in with
the idea at
The official beard OF each church considered the
proposition carefully. and decided that it would
be most advantageous if the proper terms couid
be arranged. Working together, they drew upsa
form of agreement for consolidation. TINS was
presented TO Bishop Burgess. Ee took no nasty
action on the matter but looked the field over
carefully Finally he gave his consent 10 the con-
sodatior, with the proviso that some OF the arti-
cIes of agreement be changed. Among other things
he objected to the proposed title. The church OF
St. Matthew and the Epiphany" Regarding this
he said: 'I object distinctly to the title proposed
in the agreement. as awkward and undesirable.
the name of saint and an event in our Lords life
not making suitable title for parish So strong
ly do / feel on this subject that I should on no
account consent u the formation of new parish
in the diocese with such name
The bishop directed that the name should be
the Church of St Matthew. and this was agreed
upon although the members of the Church of the
Epiphany feel much grieved over the loss OF the
name of their parish
1t is provided that the Rev. DIR. Norris become
the rector of the consolidated parish II sug-
gested that DR.. Babbitt he made rector emeritus
and that he should receive the sum of $500 upon
reslgnng from the Church OF the Epiphany
Bishop Burgess directed that this money 'be taken
from funds especially designated by the donors
for that object. This condition is made that
there may be criticism OF this payment as
made from funds not subscribed for that purpose"
The agreement also provides that the Church ef
ST. Matthew sell its building In Throop-ave.. near
Puask-st and that the building Of the Church
of the Epiphany. In McDonouGh-st.. Tomp-
kins-ave., in the heart of the Bedford district be
used by the consolidated parish. As of the
conditions of the merger Bishop Burgess directs
that amount not exceeding $4,000 be expended
in making such alterations and repairs in the
church and parish house shalt make them suit
the money be taken from the capital which the
church shall receive from both corpora tions
1t is believed. however, by those who have made
examination that 1t viii take $4,000 to
put the church In proper condition. On account
OF the debt that has been stranglng the Church OF
the Epiphany almost since the time it was startsAi
no repairs have been made the building in
years. and 1t is In bad shape,
IL Is provided that the debts of the Church of the
Epiphany he liquidatcd. and that whatever is left
after the repairs made and the debts paid
shall be held by the corporation of ST Matthew
as trust fund. the interest OF which shall be
added 10 the principal, and not expended and that
this funS shall be kept entire and separate from