New-York tribune., 1912-02-11
B|RCKHEAD TELLS WHY
HE IS GOING TO RESIGN
Rector of st. Georges Seeks a
New Parish Which He
Can Develop.
HAS CALLS FROM 2 CHURCHES
Minister and Parishioners Join in
Denying That Contemplated
Move Is Result of Any
Friction.

Giving tho reason that he felt he would
be able 70 do more effective work else
where the Rev. DR.. Hugh Birckhead,
rector Of ST. Georges Church, announced
last night that he would resign, thus
confirming the well definite rumors print
ed yesterday morning. Or. Birckheads
statement is conservative. but, on the
other hand. il was absolutely denied yes
terdav in all quarters that there was any
friction whatsoever between the rector
and the vestry or the congregation; in
fact, the popularity he has always en-
toyed seemed as firm as ever. Regret
at his probable departure was expressed
on all sides.
The young clergyman says that a man
used TO broad fields and large experience
is needed at St Georges TO deal with
the fast changing neighborhood included
in the parish.
THE parish has changed very mucn
since I came TO IT," said the rector. 'I
have been here ten years now, really 7
have never been anywhere else. You
see I don't know anything else
Has Calls from Two Churches.
Two churches have called DIR. Brick
head. One is Emmanuel. Baltimore, and
the other is Trinity, Pittsburg Both
have large parishes and the rector has
| both under consideration He expects
to announce his decision in about two
weeks.
The statement he issued last night
read:
In January. 1906 when was mnister-in-
| charge Of St Georges. l had definitely
! planned 10 20 TO q small parish ana con
/ lines of preaching and pastoral care When
/ DR.. Rainsford resigned, ! felt oblged 70
! meet the emergency wren the vestry asked
me to DO so, and ] laid aside my own de-
| siTes 70 help the parish over the diihculties
| of losing so great a personality. six years
| have passed and have. given ten years N
| al 20 ST. Georges. I have now come 70
| the conclusion that II ls right that | should
revert 10 my original purpose and take
parish more suited 10 my capacity.
! | have now under consideration Two OF
| portunities 10 go 10 other parishes, and
| hope very shortly TO definitely hand in
my resignation TO the vestry of ST. George
| and accept position elsewhere. As soon
as ! have decided where intend 20 take
up my ministry ! shall make a statement
l can never be sufficiently grateful to
the vestry and people Of 81. Georges tor
their continued kindness and their great
patience with my youth and inexperience.
and I feel that II ] have grown during
these years, IT has been entirely through
| the opportunity that I have found here
While I leave so many congenial friends
with great regret l am convinced mat IN
! the end ST Georges will be benefited BY
! the change, and that ! shall be able 10
| do more effective work elsewhere.
the reason for Dr.. Birckhead's resigna-
tion. In the end It all seemed to sim
mer down 10 the idea that he wanted
Church Of his own" 81. Georges was
for many years OR. Rainsford's
church" and the thought was voiced
Yesterday that several OF the former
rector's ideals had become as ingrown
| IN the church as the limbs in the trees
in front Of its doors. one person closely
| connecteE with the church said:
"Dr. Birckhead is a fine and able
man. The people in the church love
him. But. necessarily. like any other
man worth his salt. he's got ambition
Of a laudable kind. too. He wants to
do his own work, and he wants TO get
away from work that has been cut out
! for him as It were He wants a parish
where he can build new work Of his
own. rather than to continue in work
already laid out Every man wants to
create. There's more satisfaction in
luilding a steel bridge than there Is in
keeping II up.
And again. continued the parish
Toner. you see. the older element in st.
| Georges feels that the same methods az
always used are all that are needed TO
meet the new demands But Or. Brick
head sees that the congregation is
changing and he thinks there should be
some difference in the management Of
the parish. But don't get the idea that
there has been any friction. There is
not and never has been any feeling over
the matter. It's simply a difference Of
ideas"
!. T. Morgan. head of the vestry. is
| in Egypt. but Dr.. Birckhead said last
night that Mr. Morgan knew Of the con-
templated resignation before the finan-
cier sailed r. Fulton Cutting. head
of the vestry i'm Mr.. Morgans absence.
and the other members Of the body had
evidently also heard rumors Of it, for
yesterday they carefully confined their
statements to saying the official no.
tice" had not been handed in.
DIR. Birckhead secuted the idea that
the work of St. Georges parish was too
! onerous.
Nov, don't print anything like that"
be laughed. II don't look exactly like
a wreck, do II"
In speaking of the change in the con-
pregation. he said. that only about one
quarter Of the former parishioners were
NOW in the neighborhood. The old parish
lines were Fourth avenue. 14th and 18th
streets and the East River, but these
limos have disappeared, and the parishes
of Grace and Calvary churches now
overlap the territory
AERIAL CABLE KILLS FIVE