New-York tribune., 1908-12-19
ST. JOHNS, A MEMORIAL
DR.. Huntington Suggests Plan TO
Saue old Chapel.

Trinity vestry has not yet decided what to DO
with old St Johns Chapel. in Varick street aiter
II IS closed house of worship on tepruafy l.
So far as known plan has been considered mem
bars NJ tho vestrv are reluctant at present to talk
about the fate Of ST. Johns Whether the ouiloins
is 10 remain idle indefinitely or be used for some
other purpose torn down and other buiIoinsS
erected on the property questions for the fure
stuyvesant Fish. member Of the vestry VINO
was present at the meeting when 1t was voted 70
close the chapel. said yesterday that ne dld not
know what would be done with IT, IT Is not ae-
cided he said "and I don't know when 1t viii be
decided"
Trinity vestry meets regularly once q month and
II is thought that decision will be reached unui
the meeting next month Mr.. Fish said ne oio hoI
know whether a special meeting would be held or
not
Henry II Canuann, controller of Trinity, said
yesterday that had nothing to add 10 the state
Tuent given out by the vestrymer, in which they
said that It had not decided what disposition
would be made of the building. MI Cammann Is
deeplv interested in the early history OF New YORK
and has fine collection OF old prints illustrating
the history Of the city.
Bishop Greer has reached no conclusion as TO
his policy If il should come to question Oh ue-
stroying the cid church.
In a letter "The Evening Post the Rev Ut
William r. Huntington. rector OF Grace Churcn'
suggests a way TO save St. Johns, and tells how
the Old South Church. in Boston, was once IN 81.
Johns present position. The Old South Church is
even older that ST Johns, but the time came Wnen
II was found necessary to move the work or saving
souls to place where there were souls to save.
This says DR.. Huntington, caused an outcry
among good old Bostonans similar to the one now
heard in New York. The result was, he says that
the Old South Church of Washington street became
the New Old South of Nev'bury street, wherein to-
day one Of the most eloquent or preachers ois-
courses weekly crowded congregations while the
Old South purchased after much tribulation by the
united efforts of all Boston, became a monument a
lecture hall and a museum
DR.. Huntington then says:
May I make bold to suggest that the distln-
gushed signatores to the protest lately leveeo a.
the Trinity Corporation are the very men, IN NlItE %
of their prominence, head movement tor me me
purchase of St. Johns, Varick street Win NeHy
Y YorRs * pc t'e'1'-''''' 90
DR. Huntington defends the action of Trinity IN
closing St Johns and argues that the Kew. Ut
Dix would have been the last 10 have penned the
resolution which caused It If he had not fully rea
lized the necessity for the step lie aoos-
# yxouId appear that after careful STUDY or
the situation extending over years the Trlptty
yestrv came to the conclusion that its resources
could be made to tell to more purpose II l1~ IL
Strafeeic centre of parochal effort on the lower
West Side we're to be moved little further nortn; t;
and the facilities missionary work orouSIL ll'O
bettar conformity with present day STANDARDS.
Those who signed the memorial presented to Trim
fty vestry protest against closing 81 'OIl =
and are now suggested by Dr. Huntington as the
proper persons to head a subscription list 10 puy
the old building. are George B. Mcclellan X + ultoh
Cutting Levi p. Morton, w Bayard Cutting 10
semi III Choate c. F. Southmayd. D. o. Mills
John E Parsons J. Pierpont Morgan, Anson PheIps
Stokes Charles S. Brown John B. Pine, Tho1nas
Hastings G. L. Rives, John S. Kennedy NJ Taylor
Pine Edward W. Sheldon. John BigeloW' "lliiaHh
Dean Howells, c. Grant La Fargo, Theodore hoose
velt George b Post, Charles F. McKim. EDWARD
Patterson Gustav H. Schwab. Robert ". de For
est Seth Low Elihu Root and J. Mayhem Vain
wright.