New-York tribune., 1908-12-18
DR.. GREER ON ST. JOHNS
NOT FOR DEMOLITION.
Bishop, Ho5ceUer, FaUors Trinity's
abandonment Plan.

Bishop Greer yesterday defined his attitude tow
ard the decision of the vestry Of Trinity Church TO
close old St Johns Chapel IN Tarick street. He
moved 70 make statement by the editorial in
The Churchn1aa" this week which quoted in
The Tribune Wednesday asking: Where is the
voice Cf the Bishop. who is the chief pastor and
responsible for this church In the evangezation OF
this great city. and peculiarly the pastor Of the
hepless7" While favoring the plan 70 close St
Johns and transfer the communicates now at
tached 70 the old chapel TO St Lukes in Hudson
street. Bishop Greer disavowed any approval Of a
plan down St. Johns Chapel building
There had been confusion Of two different
plans Bishop Greer said. He approved OF the plan
70 close ST. Johns a place public worship and
religious activity. but he knew Of plan 20 deTno
ish the old building. Inasnuch the consent OF
the Bishop would have to be obtained before the
Trinity Corporation could denolish the building
-. Johns Chapel may be permitted stand empty
and deserted for an indefinite time.
7 ii favor Of the plan that Trinity is fol
lowing in abandoning services at St. Johns A."
Bishop Greer said The church has intention
Of abandoning the district. as some have supposed
L Is planning instead greatly 10 increase its re
igious organization in the neighborhood. I agree
with the and vestryn1en Of Trinity in beIiev
ing that church facilities for portion Trinity
parish will be greatly enlarged and improved by
the proposed group Of buildings be erected about
the site Of 81. Luke's Chapel on Hudson street
Trinity. in my opinion instead Of Withdrawing from
the district Is extending its work, and its course
has my entire approval
There is intention, my knowledge, OF doin &
away with St Johns Chapel building. No such
plan has come TO my notice Assfar I say
such plan has been considered by the author
tiles OF Trinity. The termination OF services in the
chapel does not IN way imply that the building
is to be made away with
I cannot say what would be nv attitude 4,
such a plan we're TO come before ne. AS Bishop
it would rest upon NE 70 give my approval before
any disposal could be made Of the chap pei property
I viii say how I should act in case Of in
ed der of E7--S ba-a Sc nor
regard that present question
The question Of how best TO administer worship
within the parish is technical one requiring close
knowledge Of facts one that perhaps the corpora
Of Trinity is itself better fitted decide than
any one else. Il may. no doubt. be that there
are $50 communicates Of 81. Johns the records.
r By that number meant those whose names
appear. and NOT those who themselves attend for
worship. How many Of the listed number are still
living and active in chap,l worship could scarcely
say"
DR. DIX AND ST. JOHNS
In vtaw Of the statement issued by Trinity Cor
poration. in which the late DR.. Dix said 10 be
the author Of the resolution providing for the re-
77oyal OF church services from ST Johns II is
interesting 10 recall that in November, 1907, Dr..
Dix and the vestry appointed one Of the curate5
who had then been working at St Johns for th-ee
years-the Rev. Charles I. GOnph-as priest in
charge Of St Johns and ST. Luke's chapels. Mr..
Csonlph was 10 exercise all the powers and duties
Of vicar but without the title. Mr.. Gonph &C
cepted this responsibility, as the congregations
have always been aware. on two conditions: %
That under the reetor's approval he should have
free hand 10 make such changes in the stan as
seemed necessary and wise; u, that sufficiently
long trial should be given the work under the
new regime to test its value. Within six months
q practically new staff. with one or two notable
executions was on duty St Johns and the
work began in earnest
Meanwhile, persistent rurnor having been cir
rulated that 81 johns about to be closed,
DR. Dix not only authorized. but instructed. the
nriest in charge 10 make official announcement %
the people from the rector that the vestry did nor
intend 10 make any change az st Johns in the
Immediate future but that the work would be
continued there heretofore. and that the chapel
was 70 be on probation; that If a vigorous life
could be revived there II would be continued as