The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-13
MISS SERENA RNINELANDER.
Member of Noted Fnmity Dies In
Her Eighty-nsth Wear.

Miss Serena Rhinelander, who died AT
her home, II Washington Square, on
Thursday night, was the youngest. and
survivor OF the four children of the late
William c. Rhinelander and Mary Rogers
and was born July 90. 1929, at her fathers
home, Az Broadway. near Broome street
That neighborhood, which was then a resi-
Dental one. was soon afterward invaded
by business, and this led Mr.. Rhinelander
to erect the substantial Colonial house at
II Washington Square. which still stands
on the northwest corner OF Fifth avenue
and the square.
To this new home he removed his fam
lily early in 1910. Here Mrs. Rhnelander
william. their only son, married early
and moved into a house of his own. The
eldest daughter Mary, married the late
Lispenard Stewart, and they made their
home near by.
For thirteen years after the death of
Mr.. Rhnelander the other daughters Julia
and Serena, occupied the family home to-
gether until the death abroad OF the
elder Julia, in 1890 Since that date Miss
Serena continued TO live there alone, hav
ing made II her residence for the larger
part OF the year for the remarkable period
OF more than seventy-tour years.
Naturally OF a retiring disposition, Miss
little In general society, but within her
own home she constantly extended a
kindly hospitality to a large family con-
nection and a circle of Intimate friends.
Her summers were recently passed az
New London, Conn.
Having Inherited a sufficient fortune
from her father. Miss Rhinelander was
able to give generously to the churches
| and charities In which she was interested
| and unostentatiously TO relieve much in
| dividual suffering. In cooperation with
| her sister Julia an industrial school OF
| the Children's Aid Society was built In
1890 and the Episcopal Church OF the
| Ascension. on the corner OF Fifth avenue
and Tenth street of which the family
had long been members was adorned by
| n new reredos and the celebrated altar
painting OF The Ascension by John La
Fargo This memorial to their parents
was completed In 1887. Subsequently
| she subscribed literally to the endow.
ment fund OF this church and Installed
| In II new organ.
Miss Rhinelander will be best remem,
bered, however, for her notable gift to the
| parish of St. James OF the Church of tn,
Holy Trinity which, with its chapel, par
ish house and clergy house occupies 9
| frontage of nearly 400 feet on Eas
| Eighty-eighth street. near Second avenue
| This ecclesiastical group OF French Gothi,
| buildings Is a notable architectural fea
ture of the city, and the church contain,
a beautiful series of memorial window.
of English glass.
The land upon which these buildings
row stand formed part of the country
seat of william Rhinelander, the grand
father OF Miss Rhlnelander. and was pur
chased by him in 1898 \ century afte
this land came into the family the corner
stone OF the Memorial Church, which bear
date 1898, was laid. This mportan
church, built and given with the site TO
| religious purposes by Miss Serena Rhine
lander. Is now carrying on large an,
useful work on the Fast Side of tn
city of New York,
4 niece, Mrs, Frank s. Witherbee. ant
four nephews, William X, Stewart Lis
pensrd Stewart, T. j. Oakley Rhine.ande
and Philip Rhinelander. are the neares
| surviving relatives